3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Walk-in and primitive tent camping sites can be found within a short drive of Chevy Chase, Maryland, with several options along the Potomac River and C&O Canal corridor. Tent campsites near Chevy Chase range from hiker-biker sites with Potomac River views to tent-only campgrounds with fire rings and picnic tables, suiting both casual and backcountry campers. Marsden Tract Group Campsite in the George Washington Memorial Parkway offers tent-only camping with walk-in access approximately 3 miles northwest of Chevy Chase. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring provides walk-in tent sites about 10 miles north. For tent campers seeking more established facilities, Patapsco Valley State Park's Hilton Area, located 25 miles northeast, features tent-only sites with no RVs allowed. Several hiker-biker campsites along the C&O Canal National Historical Park, including Swains Lock and Horsepen Branch, provide primitive tent camping experiences with Potomac River views.
Most tent campgrounds near Chevy Chase require campers to park and carry gear short distances to their sites. Tent pads vary from crushed stone at Patapsco Valley to natural surfaces at C&O Canal sites. Basic amenities typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and pit toilets or vault latrines. Water availability varies significantly - some sites offer non-potable pumps requiring treatment, while others have no water access, necessitating campers bring their own supply. The camping season generally runs April through October, with some sites available year-round. Pack-in, pack-out policies apply at most primitive locations, particularly along the C&O Canal where trash receptacles are limited or nonexistent.
Tent campers frequently note the accessibility of these sites despite their proximity to urban areas. According to reviews, Swains Lock campsites along the C&O Canal offer "flat and dispersed sites with most located adjacent to the river" with manageable walks from parking areas. At Patapsco Valley State Park, campers should "avoid booking a site at the very bottom" of the loop as these areas can become waterlogged during rain. The C&O Canal hiker-biker campsites provide particularly good options for backcountry tent camping without long hikes, though some visitors recommend earplugs at certain locations due to nearby train tracks. Wildlife sightings are common, with campers reporting deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species at dawn and dusk.
"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"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $40 / night
from $150 - $200 / night
"We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm and it was very wet even after the rain died down."
"There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center. There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes. The campground is on the smaller side."
from $20 - $51 / night
"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."
from $12 - $45 / night
"Good for a day use, parking is full most of the time but have a lot of space to park you may have to walk but you will find one spot..."
"Close to me so theres nothing new"
from $15 - $18 / night
"There are two main beaches and there are picnic tables all over the park. There’s a popular boat launch amd small marina/bait store.
Get there early on weekends and holidays.""There are wonderful views of the water and swimming at the beach, pavilions for social gatherings, showers and bathrooms that are kept pretty very clean, and room for backpacking, hiking, picnicking,"
"Whether you are an adult or a child, this place will have a positive effect on you. The owners are involved and designed this space with the visitors pleasure in mind."
from $90 - $190 / night
TravelerClose to washington as we could get. Could also park our skoolie bus which was nice and had plenty of close by shower with bathrooms. Keep in mind only one shower per restroom house. We stayed at a pretty slow season so it wasn’t bad. Would recommend if visiting DC! They also have a dump station and water fill up.
ScoutWe stayed in site #133 with our 34'10" travel trailer/toy hauler. Overall, we really like the site. It's spacious, fairly level, heavily wooded, and feels surprisingly private. There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation. We had a nice large area for our chairs, fire pit, picnic table, and dogs. The biggest thing to know about #133 is the approach. We were instructed to pass the site, go around the loop, and then make a left turn into it. With our nearly 35' trailer, that would have required an extremely tight, almost 90-degree turn between the trees, and we did not feel we could safely make it. There is actually visible damage on one of the trees at the entrance, so it appears others may have had difficulty with the turn as well. Instead, we approached from the opposite direction and positioned the camper with our doors facing the main campsite area. That put the water and electric hookups on the opposite side, but our hoses and cord were long enough to run underneath the camper and reach without a problem. Once we figured that out, the site worked very well for us. I initially thought we probably wouldn't choose #133 again because of the awkward setup, but after spending the weekend here, I would. Now that we know how to approach and position our trailer, it really is a nice site. If you're bringing a longer travel trailer, just be prepared to do a little maneuvering and make sure your water hose and electrical cord have enough length if you decide to orient your camper the way we did.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
GuideSpent two nights while we saw the Avett Brothers play at Wolf Trap. Nice flat site with power. Campground was quiet and clean. The only negative is communication and signage. It took us a couple wrong turns to find our site and when we came back, after the concert around 11, the entrance gate was closed and we had to sneak in through the exit gate. Asked the next day and they said that is what campers do to access the park after 11pm.
ScoutThis is are first camping adventure in are new travel trailer. Camp ground is quiet and well maintained. Bath rooms and shower facilities are fantastic.
GuidePrimitive feel with full hookups. I have a 22' trailer, and it fits fine. I hope you like trains. Plenty of them go by.
GuideThis 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.
RangerWe 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.
RangerThis 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
Tent camping options near Chevy Chase, Maryland primarily cluster along the Potomac River watershed, with most sites situated between 250-400 feet elevation. The camping season typically runs April through October, though summer months bring higher humidity levels and temperatures averaging 85-90°F. Several campsites feature woodland settings with oak and hickory tree cover, offering natural shade during peak summer months.
Water recreation access: Patapsco Valley State Park offers multiple water activities within 25 miles of Chevy Chase. "We found a small river and swimming hole at the bottom of the hill off to the side opposite the cabins/park," notes Alexandra T. about Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area.
Hiking trail options: Explore both short and moderate trails within 30 minutes of Chevy Chase. "There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes," shares Sean M. about the trails at Patapsco Valley State Park, adding that "the trails we have been on are all pretty moderate to hard but offer beautiful waterfalls and river views."
Fossil hunting opportunities: Search for fossils along shorelines at parks within day-trip distance. "Our favorite thing to do is to fossil hunt for sharks teeth," reports Angel G. about activities at Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping, located 45 minutes east of Chevy Chase.
Nature immersion close to urban areas: Tent sites provide woodland seclusion despite proximity to neighborhoods. "Purchasers the camp site is beautiful secluded quiet wonderful if you're looking for that extreme outdoors a no civilization," mentions Chrystal P. about Marsden Tract Group Campsite.
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds and nature programs specifically designed for children. "There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park," reports Angel G. about Patapsco Valley State Park, noting that "most sites that are north of the path shown are not really there."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campsites offer chances to observe local fauna. "The small crabs were skittering around the campsite and birds perched in the marsh," notes Caleb S. about their stay at The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring, located approximately 10 miles north of Chevy Chase.
Site surface variations: Be prepared for different tent pad surfaces across campgrounds. "The crushed stone at the sites isn't comfortable for tents, and they won't let you pitch it on the ground, so bring extra pads and alternative ways to secure the tent," advises Sean M. about Patapsco Valley State Park.
Water access limitations: Many sites require campers to bring their own water supply. "No water no bathrooms or electricity but all in all it's beautiful," mentions Chrystal P. about Marsden Tract Group Campsite, emphasizing the primitive nature of this camping option.
Parking and access considerations: Several campgrounds require walking gear in from parking areas. "It's a good hike to get to the campsite there's no parking nearby," warns Chrystal P. about Leesylvania State Park Campground, requiring campers to plan accordingly for equipment transport.
Playground proximity: Choose sites near play areas for easier family camping. "This park is ALWAYS full of family's having picnics and enjoying time together! There's playground and a beach area for kids and family to all enjoy," recommends Sarah F. about Leesylvania State Park.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer nature programs specifically for children. "This place will have a positive effect on you. Whether you are an adult or a child," shares Terrance D. about Lacy Oasis Campground, adding that "my agency took about 25 children there last week and they did not want to leave."
Weather preparedness: When camping with children, prepare for rapid weather changes. "One negative was that when it rains it really flushes through the grounds. We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm," cautions Alexandra T. about best tent camping near Chevy Chase at Patapsco Valley State Park.
Site selection considerations: Choose upper loop sites when available. "Avoid booking a site at the very bottom," advises experienced campers at Patapsco Valley State Park, as Alexandra T. notes these areas "was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm and it was very wet even after the rain died down."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Chevy Chase, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Chevy Chase, MD is Marsden Tract Group Campsite — George Washington Memorial Parkway with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Chevy Chase, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 33 tent camping locations near Chevy Chase, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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