j
john L.
Traveler
TravelerHarpers Ferry Campground - River Riders
Stunning veiws
Primitive feel with full hookups. I have a 22' trailer, and it fits fine. I hope you like trains. Plenty of them go by.
Camping near Derwood, MD
120 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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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 (120)
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
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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
370 Photos of 120 Derwood Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Marsden Tract Group Campsite — George Washington Memorial Parkway
Little Bennett Campground
Cherry Hill Park
Horsepen Branch Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Lake Fairfax Campground
The Garden
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Ramblin' PinesM
Marble Quarry Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Recent Reviews near Derwood, MD
983 Reviews of 120 Derwood Campgrounds
- TTyler D.
GuideGambrill State Park Campground
Great Camp Spot
This is a great camping spot. The sites aren’t too close together and the hosts are very friendly. The only reason I gave it four stars is because we are near a highway so you can hear cars throughout the night. But the crickets make up for it by being as loud as possible. With the fees, it cost $25 for a non-electric site and with access to showers after a long trek I was happy to pay.
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.
Hannah S.RangerHarpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA
Close to history!
This KOA offers close and cozy get away near Harper’s Ferry Virginia. Technically within walking distance to the National Park shuttle to downtown. Spots are open and spaced out and they offer private showers/bathrooms
Danny S.
ScoutHarpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA
It is absoluutly the worst ever experience
The staff is certainly at the office not competent. Someone ran over my house when we were away and damaged it. The WiFi didn’t work any of the day but upon assistance request no one was willing to help. It couldn’t be worse. We have no other words except never a KOA location again.
- 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.
Tyler K.ScoutJellystone Park™ Williamsport
First time I ever left a campsite early , complete waste of money
Trip -week before labor day , temps 93 degrees, nothing on website when booked said about peak and non peak days on booking page. Said there were only 7 sites left(complete lie) campground was empty. First time we ever been to a place where EVERYTHING was closed. Campstore, jump pillow and the final straw was we went to go to the pool and that was closed. It was 545 pm sun still bright in the sky , nowhere near dusk( when its suppose to close) . So much conflicting info from what the paper we got handed vs what internet site said. Charged a resort fee ? for what a place to park? This is no resort. Grass was high enough to be seeding itself. My wife was so upset she was actually crying. This was supposed to be a fun trip for our da6ughter before going back to school. We decided this place over Buttonwood just because it was alittle closer. Did a full tour of the place. Realized there is nothing here. Went to dinner in town. Decided we didnt want to stay where we knew our Daughter would be bored. She's pretty easy to entertain but this was just ridiculous. 12 HOURS OF MY LIFE AND $400 BUCKS i will never get back. (Loading , driving , realizing we got screwed, driving, unloading) yup was pretty bad.
- 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.
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.
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