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Simple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
Camping near Crownsville, MD
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Campgrounds near Crownsville, Maryland provide convenient access to both natural settings and urban amenities, with several established facilities within a 30-minute drive. Washington DC/Capitol KOA in Millersville and Cherry Hill Park in College Park accommodate diverse camping styles including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Mixed-use campgrounds like Patapsco Valley State Park offer cabin options alongside traditional camping areas, while Pine Tree Associates and Greenbelt Park Campground maintain more rustic settings with fewer amenities but greater privacy.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October. Patapsco Valley State Park's camping areas typically close between October 30 and April 1, while other facilities like Cherry Hill Park remain open year-round. As one visitor noted, "Helicopters and planes fly over regularly, and you can hear sirens from neighboring College Park," highlighting how proximity to urban areas affects the camping experience. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when facilities reach capacity. Many campgrounds offer electric hookups but have limited water and sewer connections, requiring campers to use central dump stations and water fill points.
The area's camping experiences vary significantly based on proximity to water features and urban centers. Campers seeking quality sites near Crownsville should explore locations along the Patapsco River, where multiple hiking trails provide recreational opportunities directly from campsites. A visitor to Patapsco Valley described it as having "access to many trails and the Patapsco River. Saw Mill trails is great for a family hike." Several campgrounds offer family-friendly amenities including playgrounds, fishing areas, and kayak rentals. Sites closer to Washington DC tend to feature more developed facilities but experience higher traffic and noise levels, while those farther from urban centers provide greater seclusion but with fewer amenities. RV campers will find the most suitable accommodations at Washington DC/Capitol KOA and Cherry Hill Park, where full hookup sites accommodate larger vehicles.
Best Campgrounds near Crownsville (75)
1. Washington DC / Capitol KOA
"They have a nice dog area for the dog to be able to run around and exercise which a lot of places we have been do not have a place for the dog to really exercise."
"The location worked for my trip but not sure it’s that convenient to DC."
2. Cherry Hill Park
"Metrorail is about 6 miles from campground, near University of Maryland."
"Great camping amenities, soft cushioned sites, with power and water close by. DO NOT GET BASIC TENT SITES AS THEY ARE NEXT TO HIGHWAYS AND VERY NOISY!!! Premium tent sites would be a better choice."
from $999 / night
Check Availability3. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
"If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."
"The campsite is superb with walking trails, wildlife and the occasional overflying US Presidential Helicopter. Easily accessible from close by freeways, and charmingly peaceful"
from $20 / night
Check Availability4. Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping
5. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
"Camp site(Tent camping)
The camp site is what it is, just a camp site :) It's one of the bigger state parks surrounded by forest in MD.""Another negative was after the storm for the next few days we heard trees falling nearby."
from $20 - $51 / night
Check Availability6. Pine Tree Associates Nudist Club
"My wife and I were trying to find an RV location near the Annapolis city dock for a boat show and found Pine Tree Associates."
"Camping fees include access to a large outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a hot tub. There is room for tenting and campers."
from $30 - $55 / night
Check Availability7. Adventure Bound Washington DC
"We had a fantastic time our 1st time at #AdventureBoundCampingResort in Lothian, Maryland."
"This place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest"
8. Camp Meade RV Park
9. Hollofield Area Campground
"It has 8 recreation areas and we stayed at the Hollofield Area in April- one of our first experiences in a Maryland State Park. Beautiful park with 70 miles of hiking/biking /multi use trails."
"This campground is pleasant, but the sites are situated quite close to one another."
from $19 - $27 / night
Check Availability10. Annapolis MWR Academy RV/Campground
"If you want to be near Annapolis, right on the Severn River...this is it. About 15 RV spots nestled in the woods...with full hook ups. A couple of primitive spots as well."
from $20 - $40 / night
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Drive Time
- 20 min from Baltimore, MD
- 29 min from Washington, DC
- 1 hr 13 min from Lexington Park, MD
- 1 hr 15 min from Dover, DE
Recent Camping Photos near Crownsville, MD
183 Photos of 75 Crownsville Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Pinetree Associates
Washington DC / Capitol KOAA
Adventure Bound Washington DC
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Parka
Cherry Hill Park
Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Hollofield Area CampgroundK
Lacy Oasis Campground
Louise F. Cosca Regional Park
Cedarville State Forest
Ramblin' PinesM
Marsden Tract Group Campsite — George Washington Memorial Parkway
Recent Reviews near Crownsville, MD
574 Reviews of 75 Crownsville Campgrounds
Michael H.
GuideLake Fairfax Campground
Decent campground in the middle of a urban area
Spent two nights while we saw the Avett Brothers play at Wolf Trap. Nice flat site with power. Campground was quiet and clean. The only negative is communication and signage. It took us a couple wrong turns to find our site and when we came back, after the concert around 11, the entrance gate was closed and we had to sneak in through the exit gate. Asked the next day and they said that is what campers do to access the park after 11pm.
Thomas B.
RangerRedemption Springs
Pleasant Stay and Hosts
We stayed at Redemption Springs to get relatively close to Baltimore without bringing our 30ft travel trailer into the city. Seth and the other gentlemen I spoke with were all extremely accommodating. Enjoyed learning about their approach to restorative farming and purchasing a variety of treats at the farm store. Beef, pork, chicken, seasonings, baked goods, and more. We booked on Hipcamp and recommend following his driving instructions. Our rig fit fine by tuhe main barn and they kept an eye on us going in and out to make sure we didn't have issues making any of the turns. Lots of farm life!
- Thomas B.Ranger
Little Bennett Campground
Great Potential?
We stayed at Little Bennett starting on Labor Day Monday and left before the weekend, so it is hard to say how this looks when the campground is full of life. They had quite a few activities for families and a pavilion capable of concerts and such, but there was minimal activity during our stay. My biggest complaint is that the gate code changed and we didn't get any notice--so after a long day and a dinner out near Baltimore (nearly an hour away), I had to call the police to get back to my camper. Otherwise, the campsite was relatively spacious and quiet. The bugs were a little rough. Lots of whitetail running around.
- JasonGuide
Annapolis MWR Academy RV/Campground
Great spot for Retirees/Active
If you want to be near Annapolis, right on the Severn River...this is it. About 15 RV spots nestled in the woods...with full hook ups. A couple of primitive spots as well. Just a quick 5 min walk to the river...right across from the Academy. NEX, gas within 10 min walk, and 15 min drive to downtown Annapolis. Staff is always great here, and the park is clean....for a park on the woods.
- SSean D.
TravelerCampsites at Watkins Regional Park
Excellent choice for a Washington visit or local getaway
Based on my stay 3 nights and what I read of Greenbelt Park (the other closeby to Washington campground) I would say this has to be much better and I will stay here again on a future visit. Campground sits inside of a much larger park with great trails, amenities and well maintained. Campground is quiet, lots of trees, forest and yet each space is very large with good spacing and privacy to adjacent sites. High tree canopy at your site so lots of room to spread out. Sites themselves are a little rustic - a mix of grass, gravel and dirt, but not muddy (it rained a good bit prior to my stay) - but in good condition. Shower/toilet block is clean and good hot water and good water pressure. Most sites are flat or near flat and the ones that aren't need minimal levelling blocks. Campground apparently is never full and there was only 1 other when I was there - really hard to believe. There is a neighborhood road up by the sites near the shower block but it is low speed and lightly travelled and I had no disturbance from it. Nice surrounding neighborhood. No signs of vagrants. Park police patrolled multiple times per day and report very little non-camper entry to ther facilities. I felt very safe.Easy access to Eashington - bus stop outside the campground to metro or just drive to the metro (free parking weekend, $6 midweek) and then train (about 8 per hour) into the sites - an hour or less total to get there. For more local people, this seems like a good escape "to the woods" without travelling forever.
- Judy W.Guide
Smallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023
Great Escape! Air conditioned cabins!
What a gem! We found this place as an alternative to staying in DC during 4th of July festivities. Nice spacious sites, cabins were super clean and smelled great! Did I mention they were air conditioned during the hotest week of the summer!
Bathrooms and showers were spotless.
Many things to see and do there. Historic property, big lake (no swimming), boating, fishing, hiking. There is an Art Center with juried displays for sale.
Kat E.ScoutBurke Lake Park Campground
Amenities good
The park is very well maintained, and the campsites have clean fire pits and cooking grills. The restrooms are clean, spacious, and well maintained, and my campsite was large enough to comfortably fit a 6-person tent and a canopy.
However, there were a few concerns during our stay. Despite the campground’s quiet hours policy starting at 10:00 PM, many campers continued to make noise well past that time. I did not notice any campground staff or maintenance personnel making rounds to enforce the quiet hours.
I also felt concerned about security. One of my neighboring campers, who was visiting from South Carolina, told me that his generator had been stolen during the night. He reported the theft to the police, and an official report was filed. Incidents like this made me feel unsafe while camping.
I recommend increasing staff or security patrols, especially during the evening and overnight hours, to enforce quiet hours and improve the safety and security of campers and their belongings. With better enforcement and security, Burke Lake Campground would provide an even better camping experience.
- TTrevorTraveler
Bay Shore Campground
Fred’s bay shore
One of our favorite places. Very well kept. No bathhouse so bring your own. A lot of shady sites. Great views of Chesapeake bay. Flat roads in the area for cycling.
Guide to Crownsville
Camping options near Crownsville, Maryland range from secluded woodland sites to family-friendly facilities with modern amenities. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 100-300 feet above sea level, experiencing humid summers with temperatures averaging 85-90°F in July and August. Peak camping season runs from late April through October, when nighttime temperatures remain above 50°F.
What to do
Hiking trails with water access: Patapsco Valley State Park offers multiple trail systems connecting directly to campsites. As one visitor noted, "There is a 'natural' playground in the loop, and then if you drive down further to the park entrance, there is a large playground for the kids. Easy to walk trails are right off the loop and there are tall trees with a little opening to see the stars" at Hollofield Area Campground.
Metro access to DC monuments: Cherry Hill Park provides convenient transportation to Washington DC. A camper reports, "Proximity to DC and surrounding areas can't be beat. Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle. It takes about a half hour to get downtown to the monuments. Our uber rides ranged from $20-45 for a family of 5. So $4-9 per person." The park also offers on-site shuttle service to public transportation.
Swimming and beach access: Sandy Point State Park features swimming areas along the Chesapeake Bay shoreline. "Great day at the beach," notes one visitor, while another mentions the park is "best in the off-season" as "the park closes daily very early as it hits capacity" during summer months. Winter visitors can enjoy the "Lights on the Bay" Christmas light display.
What campers like
Clean facilities with family amenities: Cherry Hill Park receives high marks for its maintained grounds and amenities. A recent visitor shared: "This campground is byfar one of the best I have ever stayed at. The price is a little steep, but with all the amenities you get, it is well worth it." The park offers both a splash pad and swimming pools, making it popular with families.
Urban accessibility with natural surroundings: Greenbelt Park Campground offers an unexpected natural retreat near urban centers. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," writes one regular visitor who adds, "Rangers keep a close eye on things, and there are monthly programs at the campfire circle."
Playground and recreational options: Washington DC/Capitol KOA features extensive recreation facilities. According to a visitor, "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc). If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy."
What you should know
Site conditions vary significantly: Many campgrounds have mixed terrain and site quality. At Adventure Bound Washington DC, campers report "Sites were very close. The site was part Gravel and mostly mud/grass. There was trash on site." However, the campground is making improvements, with a more recent visitor noting "They are clearly making improvements and moving up."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, with Greenbelt Park Campground being entirely reservation-based. "This is a NO CASH facility which means you CANNOT pay upon arrival so you will have to do so online," advises a camper.
Seasonal considerations: Water activities are affected by jellyfish populations in late summer. A visitor to Sandy Point State Park cautions: "August is the worst month to visit if you like the water. Jellyfish take over with a vengeance!" The optimal swimming period is from late spring through mid-July.
Tips for camping with families
Natural playgrounds for kids: Patapsco Valley State Park offers unique play areas. A visitor explains, "The Hilton entrance of Patapsco Valley Park is perfect for keeping the kids entertained. There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park. The nature center was closed when we visited, but the kids still enjoyed the sensory trail and playground."
Mini-cabins for beginner campers: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area provides camping alternatives for families new to outdoor stays. "The best part of this campground are the neat mini cabins. Small one room cabins that have electricity and heat. They are a nice touch for those that want to camp, but not completely 'rough it,'" according to a recent visitor.
Off-peak visits for better experiences: Visiting on weekdays provides a more relaxed experience. "Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground. Living nearby but storing my popup camper elsewhere, I often park my camper here for a few days while I pack it for a trip," notes a regular at Greenbelt Park, adding that this approach creates a "getaway feeling without being too far from home."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: At Washington DC/Capitol KOA, RV site placement affects the camping experience. A visitor advises, "If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy." Many reviewers recommend requesting sites at the ends of rows for additional space.
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven sites requiring additional preparation. One RVer at Washington DC/Capitol KOA noted, "Camp site wasn't level at all. I was actually kind of worried that it would slide into the woods." Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended, particularly for larger rigs.
Military camping options: For eligible military personnel, Camp Meade RV Park offers secure camping with full hookups. A visitor mentioned it was "great not to have to really worry about anything because you are securely on post," though they humorously added, "I forgot all about revielle. They reminded me."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping spots near Crownsville, MD?
Where can I find camping spots near Crownsville, MD?
Several quality campgrounds surround the Crownsville area. Cedarville State Forest offers family-friendly camping with clean sites, fire pits, and water hookups. The forest provides a peaceful setting with hiking trails and horse-riding opportunities nearby. For a unique private camping experience, Button Farm features two well-maintained sites that can each accommodate up to 12 campers, with clean fire pit areas and porta-potties. Additional options include Washington DC/Capitol KOA near Millersville and Patapsco Valley State Park, both offering various camping accommodations within a reasonable drive from Crownsville.
What is the best time of year to go camping near Crownsville?
What is the best time of year to go camping near Crownsville?
Spring and fall offer the most pleasant camping conditions near Crownsville. At Tuckahoe State Park Campground, April brings opportunities for kayaking on the lake, though evenings can still be chilly. Hollofield Area Campground in Patapsco Valley State Park is particularly beautiful in spring when you can enjoy the park's extensive 70-mile trail system in mild temperatures. Summer provides full access to water activities but can be hot and humid. Fall offers colorful foliage and cooler temperatures, making it ideal for hiking and outdoor exploration. Winter camping is available at some parks but requires preparation for cold conditions.
Are there any campgrounds with full amenities near Crownsville, Maryland?
Are there any campgrounds with full amenities near Crownsville, Maryland?
Cherry Hill Park stands out for its extensive amenities, offering a very clean facility with comprehensive services. Staff provide thorough orientations about Washington DC attractions, transportation options, restaurants, and more. The park is conveniently located about 6 miles from the nearest Metrorail station. Louise F. Cosca Regional Park offers 25 campsites with water hookups at every site and electric connections at 5 specific sites (2, 5, 18, 24, and 25). While not gated, the campground receives regular patrols from Park Police, ensuring safety for campers enjoying its convenient amenities.
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