h
heather B.
Scout
ScoutCherry Hill Park
Like a resort
This camp ground is like a resort with 2 pools mini golf splash pad and many other amenities
Camping near Derwood, MD
119 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping in the Derwood, Maryland area includes a mix of developed campgrounds and forested retreats within reasonable driving distance of Washington DC. Cherry Hill Park in College Park provides full-service amenities with RV hookups, tent sites, cabins, and glamping options about 20 miles southeast of Derwood. Little Bennett Campground in Clarksburg offers a closer option with electric hookups, water access, and accommodations for tents, RVs, and cabins in a more natural setting. The region features both privately managed campgrounds and public recreational areas, with most established sites concentrated along major transportation corridors and waterways.
Access to camping areas varies seasonally, with most campgrounds operating from spring through fall. Little Bennett Campground runs from April 1 to October 30, while Greenbelt Park Campground operates year-round with more limited amenities. Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer weekends when the proximity to urban areas drives higher visitation. The Patapsco Valley area includes multiple camping zones spread across 32 miles along the river with varying levels of development and amenities. Sites with electrical hookups tend to fill quickly, particularly those with level terrain suitable for larger RVs. A visitor noted, "Maryland has some great state parks and this is one of them. Decent sized sites, clean bath houses. Swimming lake is excellent. Only basic amenities, but dump station."
Campers frequently mention the convenience of these locations for exploring both natural areas and nearby urban attractions. Several visitors highlighted the accessibility to Washington DC, with Cherry Hill Park offering orientation services for tourists visiting the capital. The C&O Canal towpath provides opportunities for extended hiking and biking, with multiple access points from camping areas. Patapsco Valley State Park receives positive reviews for its extensive trail network accessible directly from campsites. A camper described it as having "access to many trails and the Patapsco River. Saw Mill trails is great for a family hike." Mixed-use campgrounds like Greenbelt Park offer a natural retreat while remaining close to urban conveniences, making them popular for weekend getaways. Most developed campgrounds provide clean restroom facilities, picnic tables, and fire rings, though amenities vary significantly between locations.
Best Campgrounds near Derwood (119)
1. 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 Availability2. Little Bennett Campground
"Quiet woods in Maryland about 30 or 40 miles north of DC. Tenting, and RV spots partial to full service. Just of hiway 270. pricey ($66/night) for a state park, but nice."
"PROS Very nice small Montgomery County Park
No reservation fee to make on-line reservations
Reserved 137 days prior to arriving
Entrance gate required entry code Instructed by staff via gate phone"
3. Lake Fairfax Campground
"We set up our tent in the far side of the campground close to the lake ( site 27). It is slightly slant but still comfortable in the tent. Bathrooms are close by and kept clean."
"For tent camping I would suggests sites 30,33 or 35 these are tucked along the tree line. The bathroom facilities were the cleanest I have seen in a campground."
from $30 - $70 / night
Check Availability4. 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 Availability5. Ramblin' Pines
"We stay at Ramblin Pines because it is close to family and a good proximity to visiting Baltimore and Frederick."
"We love this home away from home ❤️"
from $30 - $70 / night
Check Availability6. Bull Run Regional Park
"History buffs will like to explore the park surrounding the campground. Fun little water park within walking distance of all campsites that was great for kids."
"We booked site 136 due to proximity of the playground (traveling with a 5 & 10 yr old). The site was great except the weird parking stops on every site but the pull throughs."
from $43 - $100 / night
Check Availability7. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring
from $150 - $200 / night
Check Availability8. 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 Availability9. 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 Availability10. Camping by the Creek in Woods
"Awesome site tucked away in mature woods. Quiet. Easy paved access. Near C&O Canal, biking, hiking across street in Block House Park. Lovely attentive host."
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 27 min from Washington, DC
- 37 min from Baltimore, MD
- 49 min from Hagerstown, MD
- 58 min from Gettysburg, PA
Recent Camping Photos near Derwood, MD
367 Photos of 119 Derwood Campgrounds
Shari G.
Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Chrystal P.
Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Emerson K.
Marsden Tract Group Campsite — George Washington Memorial Parkway
Ch. A.
Little Bennett Campground
Evelyn T.
Cherry Hill Park
Ethel B.
Horsepen Branch Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Jason F.
Lake Fairfax Campground
James W.
The Garden
Becky
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
Jarmonay N.
Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Michelle L.
Ramblin' Pines
Shari G.
Marble Quarry Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Recent Reviews near Derwood, MD
969 Reviews of 119 Derwood Campgrounds
- H
Holly B.
GuideCherry Hill Park
My All Time Favorite…so far
This park is top notch. The grounds are immaculate. The staff is friendly and helpful. They have a lovely gift shop. We were in the 400 sites and it was nice and shady. Though you are close to highways I don’t recall hearing and noise. I love that they have shuttles to DC., walking trails and a large dog park. This is my all time favorite park so far and I need to go back.
Linda R.ScoutGettysburg
Cranky
Frome the moment you drive up the women at the gate is about as welcoming ( as my Pops would say ) "A fart in church.," Great way to start your vacation. Didn't get much better in the office. The one guy that worked there did at least smile at us....
Jeremy G.
TravelerJoint Base Andrews Military FamCamp
Could be a great campground but......
There are some good things about this Famcamp. It's like a diamond in the rough. If the military would spend some time and money on it, it could be a great campground. One of the greatest points about this campground is its location. You are so close to downtown D.C.! Every RV site (as far as I saw) was a level concrete pad. All sites, except for tent sites, have full electricity. Most sites have sewer and water. Sites 12-18 should be mainly used for the smaller travel trailers. I had an interesting time getting my 35' 5th wheel into the site. Even though I got my RV into the site, I don't have much room for my truck. My site has a picnic table, fire pit, and a grill. Everything is rusted beyond repair. My grill was filled with cigarette butts and my fire pit had trash in it. There is some shade. My site has two trees at the front of the pad on both sides of the RV. My bedroom stays nice and cold and I have a good view for my Starlink in the rear. The sites are close to each other, but there is some space. The good thing is that we are surrounded by the golf course. You don't get much noise from the base, because of the location, and because the FamCamp is surrounded by trees. You can hear the busy road outside the fence but I don't hear it much inside the RV. Every once in a while you'll hear an aircraft... but this is an air base, it's expected. We were told the community laundry was not working and to use the base laundry mat. Finally, one of the best parts about the campground, is the lady at outdoor rec that is in charge of the Famcamp. She is very nice and helpful. She will try to assist you with anything you need from directions to useful tips.
- AAimee K.Traveler
Washington DC / Capitol KOA
Good location
Nice campground, maintained very well and clean. Laundry room and Propane fill on site so that was nice. RV Site was fairly level and easy to get into. Some sites are a bit close together and not long enough to keep your tow vehicle hooked up. A bit inconvenient if you’re only there for 1 night.
Matt S.
LegendGettysburg Campground
Great Location in Gettysburg
We spent 4 nights at Gettysburg Campground to attend the AIM Club Rally(Lincoln’s Legacy- Gettysburg 250), and it served as base camp for the event.
WHAT I LIKED:
-
Location, Location, Location: This park is an absolute winner for convenience—just 5 minutes from the Gettysburg battlefields, museums, and the heart of town.
-
The Atmosphere: The staff gave us a warm reception at check-in, and the site itself was clean, well-maintained, and spacious enough to back up to a running creek. Lots of mature trees offer lots of shade and character.
-
Big-Rig Friendly: Navigating a 45-foot motorhome with a toad can sometimes be stressful, but this park was easy to maneuver.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
-
Late-Night Power Struggles: On our final night, the campground experienced grid strain. Our Hughes Watchdog Power Center saved the day—but it had to shut off our power 7 different times due to low voltage. Aside from losing a few hours of sleep to the chorus of appliances cycling off and on, no harm was done. I recommend using a surge protector/voltage regulator if you stay here.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
- Absolutely! Minor power hiccups aside, this is a beautiful, clean park situated right in the middle of everything you'd want to see and do in the area.
-
- JJohn B.Scout
Gettysburg Campground
Everything clean
Flat grounds, level campsites, nice pool, kids have tons of fun!
- Patrick Z.Scout
Granite Hill Camping Resort
Campground is poorly maintained
The grounds are poorly kept. It is mostly occupied by what appears to be abandoned seasonal sites. There is no WiFi. Service is spotty. Management seems inconsistent on enforcing rules and tends to be less favorable to campers visiting for a weekend.
MsTrailBlazer 🏔.
RangerCodorus State Park Campground
Top Tier
I love this place. The tent sites are super, rustic but superior. Showers are a walk. Tent Sites are very private huge and I love that.
Guide to Derwood
Campsites near Derwood, Maryland span elevations ranging from 300 to 600 feet above sea level, positioned between the Piedmont Plateau and Coastal Plain regions. This transition zone creates variable terrain for camping, with some sites offering level ground while others feature more challenging slopes. Temperatures typically range 5-8 degrees cooler than downtown Washington DC during summer months, providing moderate relief for tent campers.
What to do
Playground access: At Lake Fairfax Campground, families find multiple play areas. "There is a huge open field where you can sometimes watch cricket games, a nice lake where you can fish... There's a water park, paddle boats, playgrounds, trails, skate park, sports fields," notes Brittany V.
Nature trails: Wooded paths allow for wildlife viewing and forest exploration. At Greenbelt Park Campground, the American Discovery Trail passes directly through the camping area. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Every morning birds and squirrels [are present]," reports Becky.
Water recreation: Several campgrounds offer water activities beyond swimming. A camper at Lake Fairfax mentions, "The water park was immensely enjoyed by everyone in our group, with kids ranging from 18 months old to 13 years old. Additional fee for access to the water park."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Little Bennett Campground, campsites maintain good separation. "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup. D Loop is for RVs, A, B, C & E are tents only," explains Ray & Terri F.
Urban access with nature retreat: Campers appreciate the blend of natural setting with proximity to major attractions. At Greenbelt Park, a visitor noted, "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. It's also just nice to experience that 'getaway' feeling without being too far from home."
Natural playspaces: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area offers unique play opportunities. A camper observed, "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."
What you should know
Bridge clearance restrictions: Pay attention to height restrictions when approaching certain campgrounds. At Patapsco Valley's Hollofield Area, a reviewer cautions, "APPROACH THIS PARK ONLY FROM THE WEST IF YOUR VEHICLE IS OVER 11 FEET HIGH. (There is an 11' bridge coming east bound into this park.)"
Tent site terrain: Many campgrounds have varied site quality for tent camping. At Bull Run Regional Park, a camper reported, "The outer loop campsites are easily more level than the center loop. If leveling perfectly is a concern you may want to call ahead and ask before commiting to the inner loop."
Seasonal operating limitations: Operating schedules vary significantly between campgrounds. Patapsco Valley State Park and Little Bennett operate from April 1 to October 30, while Lake Fairfax runs from March 22 to September 7. Greenbelt Park and Cherry Hill Park remain open year-round.
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: Cherry Hill Park offers substantial water recreation options. A visitor mentioned, "This campground has so much to offer. We loved it. Pros: Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Playground, Mini Golf, Nightly hayride, Snack bar on site."
Nature discovery options: Several parks provide structured nature activities for children. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, a camper shared, "The nature center was closed when we visited, but the kids still enjoyed the sensory trail and playground. It's the perfect little getaway from the city."
Budget-friendly DC access: Families can save on transportation costs. At Greenbelt Park, a visitor advised, "Take the METRO if you are going into the District. There are two stations very close to camp. I spent about $10 per day on METRO versus $20-$40 on parking in the district area."
Tips from RVers
Site selection by size: Different campgrounds accommodate various RV lengths. At Ramblin' Pines, larger rigs can access full hookups. A visitor noted, "Nice large sites with friendly staff. Lots of free activities for children and it's close to home."
Water and sewer connections: Little Bennett Campground offers complete hookups in designated sections. "We stayed at site D72 for 4 days. The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup. D Loop is for RVs, A, B, C & E are tents only," reports a satisfied camper.
Cellular connectivity: Signal strength varies across campgrounds. At Little Bennett, a reviewer reported, "AT&T 5 MB/s without booster (1 bar), 8 MB/s with it (2 bars). There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy. OTA TV was decent using an external omni antenna."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Derwood, MD?
Which is the most popular campground near Derwood, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Derwood, MD is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 44 reviews.
What parks are near Derwood, MD?
What parks are near Derwood, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Derwood, MD that allow camping, notably Rock Creek Park and Greenbelt Park.
Keep Exploring