Washington DC / Capitol KOA and surrounding campgrounds offer camping cabins near Derwood, Maryland for varying budgets and preferences. Cabin options range from modest rustic structures to fully-equipped units with electricity and amenities. Cabin camping in this area typically occurs between April and October when nighttime temperatures remain above 40°F, though some locations like Little Bennett Campground operate seasonally.
What to do
Kayaking at Bull Run Regional Park: Located about 35 minutes from Derwood, this park features multiple water activities. "There a water park type thing here. Hiking, biking, swimming, fishing," notes one visitor who found the park suitable for "campers new and old."
Visit historic sites: Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA serves as an excellent base for exploring nearby attractions. "Location, Location, Location! Close proximity to plenty of historic and tourist places to visit. The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Visitor Center is literally next door," shares a reviewer who appreciated the convenience.
Biking the C&O Canal: Brunswick Family Campground provides direct access to the C&O Canal towpath. "Situated on the C&O canal, so you could walk or bike for miles in either direction for hours! Harpers Ferry is only 6 miles away on the trail," writes one camper who enjoyed the accessibility.
What campers like
Spacious cabin sites: Little Bennett Campground offers well-designed sites for various camping styles. "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 a visitor who stayed for several days.
River access: Waterfront cabins are available at Brunswick Family Campground with prime positioning. "The river view was nice, but we were packed in with our neighbors like sardines and no shade," notes a reviewer who appreciated the water views despite the close quarters.
Kid-friendly amenities: Washington DC / Capitol KOA provides numerous activities to keep children entertained. "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," reports one family who enjoyed their stay.
What you should know
Cabin size considerations: Many cabins are compact and designed for basic shelter rather than spacious living. At Brunswick Family Campground, a reviewer noted candidly: "The sites are nicely spread out. My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level."
Variable bathroom quality: Facilities differ significantly between campgrounds. "The best review I can give us of the bathrooms. They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had," raves a visitor to Bull Run Regional Park.
Seasonal operation: Many cabin rentals close during colder months. Gambrill State Park Campground operates from April to October, with four cabins available including one pet-friendly option (Cabin 18). Little Bennett Campground operates from April 1 to October 30, requiring advance reservations.
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Pohick Bay Campground offers organized programs throughout the week. "They informed us that they had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend, they had an outdoor movie scheduled for Friday night, a campfire story time scheduled for Saturday night and crafts scheduled for Sunday morning," shares one parent who found these amenities perfect for their young children.
Playground proximity: When reserving cabins with children, consider locations near play areas. "Our site backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious. We are tent campers but almost all our neighbors were in an RV or trailer," notes a family who stayed at Pohick Bay Campground.
Nature programs: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area offers educational opportunities for children. "This is a small gem of a state park campground, one of only two is the massive Patapsco Valley State Park. It seem like this area is, possibly unintentionally, geared toward children. There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center," writes a visitor who enjoyed the child-friendly focus.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many cabins and RV sites require adjustment for comfort. At Bull Run Regional Park, one traveler warned: "Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site(#199) had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air."
Cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between locations. At Gambrill State Park Campground, a traveler recorded specific metrics: "Internet. At 12:35pm on a Friday, T-Mobile via Nighthawk MR-1100 - 63 mbps down, 13 mbps up and 39 ms ping."
Supply planning: Local shopping options vary by location. Cherry Hill Park offers convenient access to necessities: "On-site camp store, on-site bus shuttle, gated" notes one reviewer, while another added that the campground has "so much to offer" including a snack bar.
Ranger
