c
cara S.
Scout
ScoutPatapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Hilton area
Thought the campsites were extremely close together. There were A LOT of kids and no quiet hours. Good for families. Not good for a camping camping experience.
Best Campgrounds near Chevy Chase, MD
Camping options in the Chevy Chase, Maryland area span from full-service RV parks to basic tent sites within a 30-mile radius. Cherry Hill Park in College Park stands out as a highly rated developed campground with diverse accommodation types including cabins, yurts, and glamping options alongside traditional tent and RV sites. Greenbelt Park Campground offers more rustic camping experiences within federal parkland. Most established campgrounds in the region provide various levels of amenities, from primitive tent-only areas to full hookup RV sites with 50-amp service, giving visitors choices based on their preferred camping style and proximity to Washington, DC.
Reservations are essential for most campgrounds in the Maryland-DC-Virginia corridor, particularly during peak travel seasons from spring through fall. Several parks have limited operating seasons, such as Little Bennett Campground which operates from April through October, while others including Cherry Hill Park and Bull Run Regional Park remain open year-round. Weather in the mid-Atlantic region can be unpredictable with hot, humid summers and occasional severe storms. Highway noise affects certain campgrounds due to their proximity to major transportation corridors. A camper noted, "Basic tent sites are next to highways and very noisy, premium tent sites would be a better choice."
Established campgrounds near Chevy Chase provide convenient access to Washington, DC attractions, with several offering transportation options to the city. Cherry Hill Park receives consistently high ratings for its amenities and location, featuring multiple swimming pools, mini-golf, playgrounds, and comprehensive hookups for RVs. A recent review highlighted, "This campground was the best of both worlds. It was close to a metro stop, so we were able to hop on there and head into DC." Tent campers can find more secluded experiences at locations like Marsden Tract Group Campsite along the Potomac River. The region's campgrounds typically offer some combination of drinking water, restroom facilities, and picnic areas, though amenities vary significantly between basic and premium sites. Most locations welcome pets with appropriate restrictions.
Best Camping Sites Near Chevy Chase, Maryland (99)
1. Cherry Hill Park
42 ReviewsBeltsville, MD8 milesWebsite+1 (301) 937-7116$999 / night
"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."
2. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
32 ReviewsGreenbelt, MD10 milesWebsite+1 (301) 344-3948$20 / night
"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"
3. Lake Fairfax Campground
25 ReviewsReston, VA13 milesWebsite+1 (703) 471-5414$30 - $70 / night
"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."
4. Pohick Bay Campground
37 ReviewsLorton, VA23 milesWebsite+1 (703) 339-6104$37 - $170 / night
"We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids."
"We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."
5. Bull Run Regional Park
43 ReviewsIron Gate, VA25 milesWebsite+1 (703) 631-0550$43 - $100 / night
"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."
6. Little Bennett Campground
23 ReviewsClarksburg, MD21 milesWebsite+1 (301) 528-3430"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"
7. Burke Lake Park Campground
15 ReviewsBurke, VA20 milesWebsite+1 (703) 323-6600"We stayed Burke lake campground for one night last week. It was very peaceful place. The whole camp ground was very clean and well kept."
"This was my second time going Burke Lake and it was just as enjoyable as the first."
9. Marsden Tract Group Campsite
1 ReviewCabin John, MD8 milesWebsite$40 / night
"Purchasers the camp site is beautiful secluded quiet wonderful if you're looking for that extreme outdoors a no civilization it's a good hike to get to the campsite there's no parking nearby no water"
10. Washington DC / Capitol KOA
16 ReviewsMillersville, MD24 milesWebsite+1 (410) 923-2771"They have a nice dog area for the dog to be able to run around and exercise which a lot of places we have been do not have a place for the dog to really exercise."
"The location worked for my trip but not sure it’s that convenient to DC."
Recent Camping Photos near Chevy Chase, MD
258 Photos of 99 Chevy Chase Campgrounds
Artemis A.
Cherry Hill Park
Emerson K.
Marsden Tract Group Campsite — George Washington Memorial Parkway
Chrystal P.
Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Alan H.
Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Becky
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
Jason F.
Lake Fairfax Campground
Ethel B.
Horsepen Branch Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Rachel
Burke Lake Park Campground
Tye S.
Louise F. Cosca Regional Park
Ch. A.
Little Bennett Campground
Jarmonay N.
Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Trees F.
Pohick Bay Campground
Recent Reviews near Chevy Chase, MD
728 Reviews of 99 Chevy Chase Campgrounds
- FFredrick K.
TravelerMarble Quarry Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Great place to get some peace and quiet
If youre looking for fun and people, go to the south campground. But if youre looking for true quiet and have a tent, check out the dispersed campsites. Good shower and bathroom setup that i bet would fare well in a tornado, its got that solid storm shelter feel. Next to a quiet airport, plenty of free firewood to gather
John M.
GuideMatoaka Beach Cottages
Fantastic location with winderful hosts
Private campground with cabins and tent sites. Tent sites are first come, first service so call ahead to ensure the space is available. The host family was very nice and easy to work with and talk to. Fire pits were at tent sites and past the office was beach access into Chesapeake Bay. There are trash bins and porta potty’s on sight that are all maintained and kept clean. Beautiful sights and plenty to do in the area with DC being roughly an 40-60 minutes away.
- DDebbie W.Scout
Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA
Not as advertised on website. Loose dogs. Sites not as advertised.
Less amenities than advertised. We usually camp in more rustic locations and planned this trip simply for the fun of the amenities. Their website claims that the pool is seasonal but doesn't list anything else as seasonal. There was supposed to be mini golf, a giant bounce pillow, indoor basketball, an arcade with air hockey and a pool table. Mini golf was fine. The bounce pillow was deflated and full of water. The arcade/pool table/air hockey building was locked and the maintenance guy(who locks it up) was outside smoking before leaving early for the day. The employee at the camp store said it was supposed to be open until the store closed but that he probably just closed it early.
The rules state that dogs need to be on a leash at all times and, in the two hours we actually stayed, we saw four that weren't. One was staying near us and started chasing us when we rode our bikes by. One was wandering about 4 campsites down from it's owner. We mentioned it to the person at the camp store before we were chased and she just shrugged it off.
The map is incorrect. It lists site numbers that don't exist and doesn't list some sites that supposedly do. We spent a fifteen minutes trying to find a non-existent site before going back to the camp office and getting assigned a new site. They acted like it was a new thing caused by maintenance but we just looked and saw a review from ten months ago saying the map was messed up then.
The description of the site we paid for was non electric tent with a sand tent pad. The site we got was on a hill(no actual flat spot) overgrown with weeds, no tent pad, a slanted picnic table, and no actual parking spot. You had to drive over a drainage ditch and park on the hill. If our car didn't have high clearance we wouldn't have made it. There was also a hole in the middle of the site. And the map showed that number site on the corner where another unmarked site was. Our originally assigned site was supposedly in the same group of sites, so it would've been similar. Also don't believe the claim that they're"large sites." Most of them are crammed together. There are a few that look decent sized and flat, but they want you to pay an extra$30 to pick your own site.
We didn't even look in the bathrooms.
We left after two hours. Definitely a waste of$60+ dollars.
Next time we'll go over to the Brunswick Family campground. Their owners are lovely people who care about their customers.
Adam and Suzanne B.GuideGreenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Beautiful setting
It is NOT closed for 2026! Spent the weekend here as it is only an hour from home. There are 4 large camping loops. Only loop C- cedar has electric. None of the loops have water hookups but all have spigots to fill your rig. There are also 3 fill stations at check in (which we missed). The campground is on a hill and the loop roads are narrow, hilly, and winding. We had no trouble with our 23 ft TT and saw some bigger rigs. There are some tight angles to get into a few sites. But, once you are in, the sites are spacious and mostly private. It is wooded without feeling overgrown. Loop D has some sites that are good buddy campsites. There are many hiking trails and a lovely lake. The only bad thing are the dated bathhouses. Mostly clean but there are only 2 showers for each fenced for each loop and they were yucky enough that we showered at our rig. It was busy but pretty quiet. It’s close to I-70
Beth B.
LegendPrince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park
Nice clean Campground
Stayed here for a week while working nearby. Easy to get to and set up. Office was closed when we arrived but arrival paperwork was posted outside office door. Even with busy road nearby, park was quiet and felt private. Sites were level and paved making setup easy. Sites had 1/2 site extra paved for vehicle with extra parking nearby. There was no litter in park, we observed a staff member daily making the rounds to keep everything clean. There was walking access into the park on wide private roads without traffic. With park access you are able to walk into national forest park from RV camp. National Forest visitor center close by, 1 exit away going south I95. Amenities in RV park included swimming pool, chess board with extra large pieces, playground and clean bath house. Firewood and ice on site.
- CCaitlin R.Scout
Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park
Great Campground
Our family loved this campground. It was entirely wooded with plenty of shade, sites were close but separated enough to feel like you were in your own site. Our kids and others rode their bikes around the loop all weekend long. Bathrooms could have been a little cleaner and all the entrances except one were closed, but that’s what happens when you cut budgets for public lands.
- VVaught M.Scout
Brunswick Family Campground
Lovely campground on the C&O. Beware the trains!
This is a lovely campground that I recommend and would stay again. We have been twice: once as a family and once with a Scout troop. The RV sites are fairly large and clean. The tent-only sites are smaller and have a metal fire ring with a grate (nice!). The RV sites have mostly brick rings without grates. The bathrooms are fairly small (two showers on the female and one on the male) which might be an issue on busy weekends. The only real water entrance is the boat ramp, but you can climb down a cliff in other places. A, D, and E are sunnier. B and C and Nottingham are mostly wooded with mature trees. We used the site as a base for a bike trip along the C&O to go to Harper’s Ferry (14mi round trip along a gravel path). The staff were friendly and there is a small camp store.
But the trains! THE TRAINS!!! Every review will mention them for a reason. The site is adjacent to a rail yard that runs all day. Not just a passing train, but clanging car and engine changes. It’s LOUD. I slept with earplugs, but could still hear the noise. The yard really starts going around 5am and goes all day. It slows down after 8/9pm, but never stops entirely. The trains are the only reason for the removed star and it’s not the campground’s fault. But almost all of the real complaints are about the noise. If you want an extra quiet campground with only birds and running water, this is not the place for you. But if you don’t mind the loud bangs and low rumbles, this place is fine!
The entrance is beyond the train yard and about a mile down a widened part of the C&O. It is possible to be trapped inside or outside if a train is stopped at the crossing (30min for us, once).
In short, it’s a great campground if you bring ear plugs!
Ashley T.TravelerGoose Bay Marina
Jeepers Creepers meets Catalina Wine Mixer
When we first arrived it was late (we are either late or not coming as always!) the cut down tobacco fields and long dark woods surrounded the entrance into this campground and marina… to be honest I was scared and cried and my husband thought I was ridiculous and reminded me I will love it tomorrow… welp he knows me! All the boat storage and walking around it so fun looking at all the boat names… they are remodeling the bathhouses now they look nice so far on the inside. Everyone is working really hard a staying busy tending to the boats or landscaping or docks… Vicki is super friendly she works practically everyday… but hopefully one day she will trust someone enough to delegate her duties to…
Guide to Chevy Chase
Campgrounds near Chevy Chase, Maryland offer diverse natural settings within urban environments, where elevations range from 200-500 feet above sea level. The region experiences four distinct seasons with hot, humid summers reaching 90°F and winter temperatures regularly dropping below freezing. Fall camping season typically extends through mid-November, with some campgrounds remaining open year-round despite the colder conditions.
What to do
Disc golf course access: Bull Run Regional Park offers an 18-hole disc golf course within the park boundaries. A recent visitor noted, "Bull Run park is absolutely beautiful. So much to do and centered around many historical sites."
Trail exploration: Greenbelt Park Campground features extensive trail systems including access to the American Discovery Trail. According to a camper, "The American Discovery Trail (ADT) passes through the park. We found our site which was close to the bath house and before setting up my tent made my rounds."
Paddling opportunities: At Lake Fairfax Campground, visitors can enjoy water activities on the lake. "This camp site does have a lot of things to do like Water park, A big open field where you can sometimes watch cricket games, a nice lake where you can fish," reports one camper.
Mini-golf and recreation: Family-friendly activities abound at Pohick Bay Campground, where recreation options extend beyond typical camping. A reviewer explains, "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats" is available alongside other amenities.
What campers like
Urban camping proximity: Campers appreciate Greenbelt Park Campground for its location near DC while maintaining a natural setting. One visitor shared, "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground."
Clean facilities: Bathroom quality consistently receives high marks at Bull Run Regional Park. A camper enthusiastically reported, "I'll go again just for the showers. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had."
Family programming: Little Bennett Campground offers structured activities for children. A visitor mentioned, "Great campground. A bit pricey, but has a full hookup loop. Other loops are tent only. Wonderful bath house. Lots of stuff to do."
Spacious camping areas: Many campers value the size and privacy of sites at Cherry Hill Park. "The site was perfectly level with a fire ring, grill, picnic table and table with three chairs," noted one reviewer about their premium site.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Maryland's unpredictable fall weather affects camping conditions. When camping at Burke Lake Park, visitors note "the trail around the lake is a bit under 5 miles, but it's all trail. There is almost no elevation gain, and it is not very technically rigorous."
Noise factors: Several campgrounds experience various noise sources beyond highway traffic. A camper at Bull Run Regional Park reported, "The only drawback is that it is not quite. There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away."
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require extra preparation for RVs and trailers. A visitor to Lake Fairfax explained, "The sites are largely in more of a meadow and not many are very wooded. Our site, 41, was level and nicely spaced from other sites but many tent sites were not level at all."
Limited operating hours: Certain amenities have restricted availability. At Lake Fairfax Campground, a camper observed, "Jumping pillow and pedal cars are only open at certain hours. There is no swimming pool or lake."
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: Lake Fairfax Campground offers water recreation for children. A camper explained, "A lot to do: mountain bike trails (horses and walking, too); wooded hikes with water along the trails (great for dogs in the summer heat), skateboard park, BMX park, Water Park near the campground."
Organized activities: Special seasonal programs occur at various campgrounds. A visitor to Bull Run shared, "They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides. Great family friendly campground."
Multi-generational options: Camping with varied age groups works well at certain locations. One camper at Little Bennett Campground reported, "This is a good regional campground with activities for kids on special days. Took our grand daughter there for her first camping trip and she loved the bouncing strawberry and the hikes."
Transportation planning: For families wanting to visit DC attractions, transit options matter. A Cherry Hill Park visitor highlighted, "Proximity to DC and surrounding areas can't be beat. Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle. It takes about a half hour to get downtown to the monuments."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose carefully at Little Bennett Campground for the best RV experience. A camper noted, "D Loop is for RVs, A, B, C& E are tents only. AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster(1 bar), 8 MB/s with it(2 bars). There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy."
Hookup variations: Different campgrounds offer various utility options. A visitor to Cherry Hill Park shared, "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."
Leveling requirements: Be prepared with blocks at certain sites. One RVer at Pohick Bay reported, "Not all sites are level (half). Staff are always nice and go out of their way to help."
Camp store access: Some campgrounds provide extensive on-site shopping. A visitor mentioned, "On-site RV supplies and repair parts, a snack bar and lots more. Look at the park map and try to get a site at the end of a row."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Chevy Chase, MD?
Which is the most popular campground near Chevy Chase, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Chevy Chase, MD is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 42 reviews.
What parks are near Chevy Chase, MD?
What parks are near Chevy Chase, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Chevy Chase, MD that allow camping, notably Rock Creek Park and National Mall & Memorial Parks.
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