K
Karen G.
Scout
ScoutElk Neck State Park Campground
Clean bathrooms and hot showers, great hiking and beautiful sites.
Tent Camping near Crownsville, MD
1 campground with availability this weekend
Search destinations
Add dates
State parks and public lands surrounding Crownsville, Maryland offer several tent camping options within a short drive. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, located about 25 miles northwest in Catonsville, provides tent-only camping in a forested setting with non-electric sites. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park features multiple hiker-biker campsites along the towpath, including Swains Lock, which is accessible from nearby areas. Sandy Point State Park, just 10 miles east of Crownsville on the Chesapeake Bay, offers youth group tent camping with waterfront views. Marsden Tract Group Campsite provides a more secluded backcountry tent camping experience for those willing to hike in.
Tent sites at Patapsco Valley vary in terrain, with campers noting that lower sites in the valley can become very wet during rainstorms. The crushed stone tent pads require extra padding and alternative staking methods for comfortable tent setup. Most tent campgrounds provide fire rings, picnic tables, and access to bathhouses with showers. The C&O Canal hiker-biker sites are more primitive, with basic amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and chemical toilets. These walk-in tent sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis and are free to use. Campers must pack out all trash at these locations, as garbage service is not provided. Seasonal considerations include cold spring nights and potential for flooding in low-lying areas.
In early fall, Patapsco Valley State Park offers tent campers colorful foliage and fewer crowds. One visitor noted that despite being surrounded by major highways, the campground remains "quiet with just a hint of traffic noise." The tent-only section of the Hilton Area provides a more peaceful experience than mixed-use campgrounds. At Swains Lock along the C&O Canal, campers can enjoy river views and wildlife sightings, though the proximity to the busy towpath means less privacy during daylight hours. According to reviews, the sites are "flat and dispersed with most located adjacent to the river," making them ideal for tent camping. Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for day hikes or longer adventures on connecting trail networks.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Crownsville (17)
1. Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping
"There are two main beaches and there are picnic tables all over the park. There’s a popular boat launch amd small marina/bait store.
Get there early on weekends and holidays.""There are wonderful views of the water and swimming at the beach, pavilions for social gatherings, showers and bathrooms that are kept pretty very clean, and room for backpacking, hiking, picnicking,"
2. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
"We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm and it was very wet even after the rain died down."
"There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center. There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes. The campground is on the smaller side."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $51 / night
3. Military Park United States Naval Academy/Annapolis Naval Station Annapolis FamCamp
"Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap"
4. Campsites at Watkins Regional Park
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $12 - $45 / night
5. Lacy Oasis Campground
"Whether you are an adult or a child, this place will have a positive effect on you. The owners are involved and designed this space with the visitors pleasure in mind."
Check Availabilityfrom $90 - $190 / night
6. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring
Check Availabilityfrom $150 - $200 / night
7. Hart-Miller Island State Park
Check Availabilityfrom $6 / night
8. Endeavor Point
Check Availabilityfrom $55 - $95 / night
9. Marsden Tract Group Campsite — George Washington Memorial Parkway
10. Matoaka Beach Cottages
"Private campground with cabins and tent sites. Tent sites are first come, first service so call ahead to ensure the space is available."
"They have a few tent camping spots as well as cabins. Just call ahead. I just showed up and got a perfect camp spot with a view of the sunrise and access to the private beach."
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 Tent Camping Photos near Crownsville, MD
26 Photos of 17 Crownsville Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Lacy Oasis Campground
Marsden Tract Group Campsite — George Washington Memorial Parkway
Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Matoaka Beach Cottages
Starry Pond
Horsepen Branch Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Marble Quarry Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Tent Camping Reviews near Crownsville, MD
562 Reviews of 17 Crownsville Campgrounds
Senona C.
TravelerGreenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
Close to washington as we could get. Could also park our skoolie bus which was nice and had plenty of close by shower with bathrooms. Keep in mind only one shower per restroom house. We stayed at a pretty slow season so it wasn’t bad. Would recommend if visiting DC! They also have a dump station and water fill up.
David B.ScoutCamp Meade RV Park
Camp Meade
Simple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
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.
RangerLittle 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.Traveler
Campsites 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.
Guide to Crownsville
Tent campsites near Crownsville, Maryland sit on Maryland's coastal plain at elevations ranging from 40-100 feet above sea level. Most sites are situated in mixed deciduous forests where summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F with high humidity. The region's position between the Chesapeake Bay and major urban centers creates a unique camping environment with proximity to both natural areas and cultural attractions.
What to do
Water activities at Sandy Point State Park: Located on the Chesapeake Bay shoreline 10 miles east of Crownsville, this park offers beach access and water recreation opportunities. According to Tony P., "Best times to go are winter, spring, and fall. Lights on the Bay is a great Christmas light drive thru that's over a mile long." The park features youth group camping only.
Nature exploration with children: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area offers multiple ways to engage children with nature just 25 miles from Crownsville. "There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park," notes Angel G. The park includes educational elements specifically designed for younger visitors.
Fishing and crabbing: Endeavor Point provides direct water access for fishing enthusiasts. Ally S. reports, "The pier was perfect to fish or crab off of and the beach had great views of the sunrise." Maryland fishing licenses are required, and the campground enforces catch limits.
What campers like
Secluded backcountry experience: Marsden Tract Group Campsite offers a true wilderness experience within driving distance of Crownsville. Chrystal P. describes it as "beautiful secluded quiet wonderful if you're looking for that extreme outdoors." She notes "it's a good hike to get to the campsite there's no parking nearby no water no bathrooms or electricity."
Quiet camping near urban amenities: Campers appreciate that many sites offer solitude while maintaining accessibility to towns. At Endeavor Point, Allison W. mentions, "We did enjoy taking evening walks through the town to the restaurant/bar on the water." This balance of natural setting with nearby conveniences appeals to weekend campers.
Off-season camping: Many campers prefer visiting outside peak summer months. At Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping, Angel G. notes, "Our favorite thing to do is to fossil hunt for sharks teeth. In the summer it can get pretty crowded, so we prefer to visit in late spring while school is still in session."
What you should know
Summer crowds and conditions: Sandy Point State Park becomes extremely busy during summer. Christina E. warns, "This park is extremely crowded and very dirty during the summer season." Another reviewer notes, "August is the worst month to visit if you like the water. Jellyfish take over with a vengeance!"
Tent pad considerations: Many sites have crushed stone tent pads rather than soil. Sean M. advises about Patapsco Valley, "The crushed stone at the sites isn't comfortable for tents, and they won't let you pitch it on the ground, so bring extra pads and alternative ways to secure the tent to the ground."
Limited facilities at some locations: Lacy Oasis Campground provides a more primitive camping experience with basic amenities. While the site features fire rings and picnic tables, campers should prepare for simpler accommodations focused on the natural experience rather than modern conveniences.
Tips for camping with families
Children's facilities: Look for campgrounds with specific kid-friendly amenities. At Patapsco Valley State Park, Anthony S. notes, "This park has a wide range of activities for kids. The hike I did was not very long but was well worth it." The park's combination of short trails and play areas makes it suitable for families.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. According to Gabrielle E., Patapsco Valley has "an amazing playground. Bathhouse was kept clean and the camp host was a great guy." These facilities provide entertainment options when children need breaks from hiking or other activities.
Weather planning: Be prepared for rain impacts on lower-elevation sites. Alexandra T. shares about Patapsco Valley: "When it rains it really flushes through the grounds. We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm and it was very wet even after the rain died down."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most camping near Crownsville focuses on tent camping with few dedicated RV sites. The Military Park United States Naval Academy/Annapolis Naval Station Annapolis FamCamp offers RV camping with hookups but requires military affiliation. Ginny L. notes it's "Cheap and close to Annapolis. Very spartan but great location."
Access considerations: Many campgrounds have narrow access roads unsuitable for larger RVs. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, campers mention navigating "through a suburban neighborhood" to reach the campground, which can be challenging for larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Crownsville, MD?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Crownsville, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Crownsville, MD is Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping with a 3.3-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Crownsville, MD?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Crownsville, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 tent camping locations near Crownsville, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring