RV camping near Derwood, Maryland offers convenient access to Washington DC while providing natural settings for overnight stays. Most campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 200-400 feet, with a humid subtropical climate featuring hot summers and mild winters. Fall camping is particularly popular due to moderate temperatures and colorful foliage, though campgrounds fill quickly during this season.
What to do
Explore Potomac River access: At Harpers Ferry Campground, campers enjoy direct river access for swimming, fishing, and tubing. "Gorgeous spot on the river. Small campground with not a lot of amenities BUT THAT RIVER IS GORGEOUS. Lots of activities - tubing, zip lining, fishing," notes one visitor.
Visit historical sites: Camp at Brunswick Family Campground for proximity to significant landmarks. "Close to Harpers Ferry and tubing. Close to the Monocacy River (great for kayaking!)," mentions a camper. The campground sits along the C&O Canal towpath, allowing for extended hikes or bike rides.
Tour Washington DC: Several campgrounds serve as bases for DC sightseeing. Cherry Hill Park provides transportation options to reach monuments without driving. "We took the uber from Cherry Hill into DC. Personalized, comfortable. Door to door. We saw tons of stuff. No one can say they saw everything," shares one visitor.
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: Many campers praise shower and bathroom conditions at Bull Run Regional Park. "The best review I can give is of the bathrooms. They're worth staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had," writes one reviewer.
Convenient military options: Service members appreciate Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp for its secured environment and recreation opportunities. "Good site, secure location, decent facilities with solid WiFi. Pier within walking distance," notes a military camper. The campground provides Potomac River views in a controlled access setting.
Seasonal activities: Many parks offer scheduled events during peak seasons. "They have themed weekend events, live music, bingo, golf cart parades, and potluck," mentions a reviewer at Drummer Boy Camping Resort. These activities create social opportunities for families and solo campers alike.
What you should know
Train noise considerations: Some campgrounds in the region sit near active rail lines. At Brunswick Family Campground, "Brunswick train station and depot is just a few hundred feet away and you can hear trains at all times of the night," warns a camper. Light sleepers should pack earplugs or choose sites farther from tracks.
Variable site quality: Campground layout and maintenance vary significantly between locations. "Many seasonal campers and lot of those sites didn't look well maintained. The roads are very confusing and difficult to navigate," notes a visitor about Brunswick Family Campground. Research specific site numbers before booking when possible.
Weather preparation: The region experiences sudden summer storms and occasional flooding. "There was a fairly heavy day of rain. Couple inches, I suppose, but nothing Biblical. The mouths of the metal culverts in our loop were bent downward from campers driving over them, which obstructed the flow. Result was lots of standing water at our campsite," reports a camper at Bull Run Regional Park.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Look for campgrounds with multiple recreation options. "This park has too many amenities to list. They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides. Great family friendly campground," writes a visitor to Bull Run Regional Park. Many sites have pools, splash pads, and scheduled events during summer months.
Playground access: Consider proximity to play areas when selecting sites. "In my opinion as a mom of small kids maybe the worst part was that there was only 1 playground, it was all the way at the front of the campground (we had to drive to it) and it was very junky and run down," cautions a camper about a regional camping resort.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds provide learning experiences through nature programs and historical sites. "Register any visitors! Clean, reasonable rates & quiet. Prince William Forest National Park is accessible for awesome day hikes. Civil War National Parks nearby. DC just up the road. National Marine Corp Museum just around corner," suggests a visitor to Prince William Forest RV Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup challenges: Site designs sometimes create connection difficulties. "At some RV sites the hook ups are in unusual spots. Our site was right along the water (all spots are along the water). The site was not level and infested with black flies," reports an RVer at Brunswick Family Campground.
Navigation considerations: Some campgrounds present access challenges. "The road into the campground was badly in need of repair," notes one RVer. Others mention tight turns and low branches that can create problems for larger rigs.
Site selection strategy: End sites typically provide more space and privacy. "The campground is so large (over 95 acres) that if you are camping with friends make sure you get sites nearby them or else you will need to drive to their site," advises a camper at Drummer Boy Camping Resort. Many campgrounds allow online site selection during booking.
