Camping areas near Davidsonville, Maryland sit within the coastal plain region with elevations ranging from 50-150 feet above sea level. The area features humid summers with temperatures averaging 85-90°F from June through August, mild springs and falls, and generally light winter snowfall. Campgrounds in this region typically remain open from March through November, with some offering year-round availability for RVs and cabins.
What to do
Hiking on wooded trails: Greenbelt Park Campground provides extensive trail networks with varying difficulty levels. "There are plenty of space between camp site clusters. The park itself is safe, quiet, permitting some nice treks through the woods," notes one camper at Greenbelt Park Campground.
Water activities: Patapsco Valley State Park offers stream and river access for fishing and wading. A visitor mentioned, "We found a small river and swimming hole at the bottom of the hill off to the side opposite the cabins/park," making it ideal for summer camping trips when temperatures rise.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. "Patapsco Valley offers 6 different entrances. Each one provides several different trail heads and experiences. For camping or just spending a day out on the trail with the kids we prefer the Hilton entrance. There are two huge playgrounds and a youth campground as well as a family campground," according to a review at Patapsco Valley State Park.
Washington DC tours: Several campgrounds function as bases for exploring the capital. At Cherry Hill Park, campers appreciate that "Plan and reserve your DC tours right at the campground. No need to drive anywhere, the tour buses pick you up at the park!"
What campers like
Urban-adjacent natural settings: Campers appreciate the balance of wilderness and convenience. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," reports a visitor to Greenbelt Park Campground.
Extensive amenities: Cherry Hill Park receives praise for its facilities. "50 amp hook-up, Water, Sewer, Playground, Mini Golf, Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Basketball court, Snack bar on site, Nightly hayride, Gated, On-site camp store, On-site bus shuttle."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards. One camper at Adventure Bound Washington DC noted, "Bathrooms and showers are always clean. Full hookups at most sites. Staff very friendly."
Campground hosts: Attentive staff enhance the camping experience. "The camp host came by and welcomed me before I was fully set up for the evening and was great!!!" shared a visitor to Greenbelt Park.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds now operate on reservation-only systems. "This is a NO CASH facility which means you CANNOT pay upon arrival so you will have to do so online," advises a camper at Greenbelt Park.
Tree rules: Some campgrounds restrict how you can use trees. "Park service forbade tying lines or straps to the trees at the time of our visit (Autumn 2024), so if you favor hammock camping or deploying tarps/ridgelines, plan accordingly."
RV site variations: Not all sites accommodate larger rigs. According to a camper at Cedarville State Forest, "Site 6 was good but not for larger rigs. We have a pop up and had to navigate around a tree that would have been very difficult for larger rigs. Site 5 or 7 wouldn't have that problem."
Ticks and insects: Multiple campgrounds report tick issues. "Bring bug and tick spray - definitely need it! We hiked the brown trail and it was a nice walk," warns a Cedarville visitor, while another notes "We tried fans, tiki torches, and many deet free or light deet products before having to buy 100% deet so we could be outside."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds for energy release: Patapsco Valley State Park features excellent facilities for children. "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."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer water recreation. At Washington DC/Capitol KOA, "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc)."
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer nature programming. A Greenbelt Park visitor mentioned, "Rangers keep a close eye on things, and there are monthly programs at the campfire circle that I sometimes attend even when not camping here."
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites strategically for better family experiences. "If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy," suggests a KOA visitor.
Tips from RVers
Utility connections: Water availability varies by campground. At Cedarville, "There is a dump station and water available at spickets throughout the campground," while Cherry Hill Park offers full hookups at premium sites.
DC transportation options: Several campgrounds provide access to public transportation. "There's normally a walking path from the campground to the metro station that takes you into DC (the green line takes you to the National Mall), but as of Oct 2023 the bridge is out due to a storm," reports a visitor to Greenbelt Park, who adds "We packed up and drove to the Greenbelt station about 5 miles away, parked there for the day, and took the green line into town."
Site surfaces: Be prepared for various ground conditions. "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," advises a Patapsco Valley visitor.
Weather preparation: Drainage issues affect some campsites. "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."
