1 campground with availability next weekend
Tent campers seeking camping opportunities near Edgewater, Maryland can access several established campgrounds within a short drive. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area provides tent sites with fire rings and picnic tables about 35 miles northwest of Edgewater, while Sandy Point State Park offers youth group camping options approximately 15 miles northeast along the Chesapeake Bay. The C&O Canal National Historical Park also features multiple hiker-biker campsites, including Swains Lock, providing tent-only options within a reasonable driving distance.
Most tent camping sites in the area feature flat to slightly sloped terrain with either crushed stone or natural ground surfaces. Patapsco Valley's tent sites use crushed stone surfaces that can challenge tent setup, as one camper noted "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." Sites typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to bathroom facilities, though amenities vary widely. The free hiker-biker campsites along the C&O Canal are more primitive but provide fire rings and basic facilities. Water access varies by location, with some parks requiring campers to bring their own drinking water.
Tent-only camping areas along the C&O Canal provide peaceful riverside settings with views of the Potomac. These walk-in tent locations offer a more secluded experience than standard campgrounds, though sites like Swains Lock have a small parking area nearby, making them accessible for tent campers who prefer not to hike long distances. The sites at Patapsco Valley State Park are situated in forested settings with access to numerous hiking trails. During heavy rains, water drainage can affect lower-elevation sites, particularly at Patapsco Valley. According to one visitor, "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."
"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,"
"Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap"
"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
"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
from $55 - $95 / night
"Private campground with cabins and tent sites. Tent sites are first come, first service so call ahead to ensure the space is available."
"They have a few tent camping spots as well as cabins. Just call ahead. I just showed up and got a perfect camp spot with a view of the sunrise and access to the private beach."
from $150 - $200 / night
"Nice and quiet, no hookups, but nice surroundings!"
"It is a very nice walk about 2 miles to the beach where you can hunt for fossils. The beach has gotten smaller over the years however the trail has gotten much better."
from $6 / 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.
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.
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.
GuideIf 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.
TravelerBased 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.
GuideWhat a gem! We found this place as an alternative to staying in DC during 4th of July festivities. Nice spacious sites, cabins were super clean and smelled great! Did I mention they were air conditioned during the hotest week of the summer!
Bathrooms and showers were spotless.
Many things to see and do there. Historic property, big lake (no swimming), boating, fishing, hiking. There is an Art Center with juried displays for sale.
ScoutThe park is very well maintained, and the campsites have clean fire pits and cooking grills. The restrooms are clean, spacious, and well maintained, and my campsite was large enough to comfortably fit a 6-person tent and a canopy.
However, there were a few concerns during our stay. Despite the campground’s quiet hours policy starting at 10:00 PM, many campers continued to make noise well past that time. I did not notice any campground staff or maintenance personnel making rounds to enforce the quiet hours.
I also felt concerned about security. One of my neighboring campers, who was visiting from South Carolina, told me that his generator had been stolen during the night. He reported the theft to the police, and an official report was filed. Incidents like this made me feel unsafe while camping.
I recommend increasing staff or security patrols, especially during the evening and overnight hours, to enforce quiet hours and improve the safety and security of campers and their belongings. With better enforcement and security, Burke Lake Campground would provide an even better camping experience.
TravelerOne of our favorite places. Very well kept. No bathhouse so bring your own. A lot of shady sites. Great views of Chesapeake bay. Flat roads in the area for cycling.
Tent camping in Edgewater, Maryland offers access to both Chesapeake Bay waters and wooded camping areas within a 40-mile radius. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and mild winters, making late spring and early fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Annual rainfall averages 43 inches, concentrated heavily in summer thunderstorms that can affect campsite conditions.
Fossil hunting at shorelines: Visit Calvert Cliffs State Park where the beach area offers unique fossil hunting opportunities. "Such an amazing experience and brings right into the eyes of child with both adult and children searching for shark teeth. Not only is searching for shark teeth a blast, but, the views are beautiful," reports Sarah F.
Fishing and crabbing: Endeavor Point provides direct water access for fishing enthusiasts. "The pier was perfect to fish or crab off of and the beach had great views of the sunrise," notes Ally S. The campground allows these activities with proper licenses, though be aware of catch limits.
Water activities: Sandy Point State Park offers beach access and swimming in the Chesapeake Bay. According to Tony P., "The best times to go are winter, spring, and fall," as the summer can be extremely crowded. Many campers recommend avoiding August when "jellyfish take over with a vengeance."
Private beach access: Matoaka Beach Cottages provides tent camping with exclusive shoreline access. Michael reports, "I just showed up and got a perfect camp spot with a view of the sunrise and access to the private beach." The cliffside camping locations offer panoramic bay views.
Natural serenity: Lacy Oasis Campground earns praise for its peaceful environment. Terrance D. notes, "If you are a nature lover, a person who loves peace, serenity, and tranquility, or just need some respite, Lacy Oasis is the place to be." The campground features 6 designated sites designed for relaxation.
Morning views: Many campers cite sunrise views as a highlight. Courtney K. from Matoaka shares, "Our spot was very private and you could see the bay and hear the waves." Similarly, Ally S. mentions Endeavor Point's "great views of the sunrise" from the beach area.
Weather considerations: Summer storms can impact camping at several locations. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, Alexandra T. cautions, "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 and it was very wet even after the rain died down."
Seasonal crowds: Sandy Point State Park gets extremely crowded during summer months. Christina E. warns, "This park is extremely crowded and very dirty during the summer season." Another reviewer notes, "The park closes daily very early as it hits capacity."
Site surfaces: Tent campers should prepare for various ground surfaces. At some locations, crushed stone pads can make tent setup challenging. Tent campers might need additional padding and alternative stake-securing methods.
Nature programs: Parks with educational offerings enhance family camping trips. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area features a nature center and sensory trail. Angel G. mentions, "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."
Playground access: The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring combines camping with adventure activities. Elizabeth R. notes it's "Very convenient for before or after your time in the largest aerial challenge course in North America." The park offers group camping only.
Child-friendly hiking: Select trails appropriate for children's abilities. Anthony S. shares about Patapsco Valley, "The hike I did was not very long but was well worth it. The trail was well marked... There are some pretty cool Bridges, old houses, and a water fall. I recommend this to any beginner hikers."
Military options: Active and retired military personnel can access Military Park United States Naval Academy/Annapolis Naval Station Annapolis FamCamp. Ginny L. describes it as "Cheap and close to Annapolis. Very spartan but great location." The campground offers basic amenities including electric hookups and water access.
Limited full-hookup options: The Edgewater region has relatively few dedicated RV campgrounds with sewer connections. Most campgrounds offering RV access provide water and electric only, with limited or no dump stations.
Parking considerations: Several waterfront camping areas have restricted parking. Endeavor Point has only 10 sites total, and allison W. notes the unique atmosphere: "It kind of felt like it was more appropriate for that kind of use. The camping areas were all on the lawn, and the owners were a bit uptight about which site we could choose."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Edgewater, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Edgewater, MD is Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping with a 3.3-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Edgewater, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 tent camping locations near Edgewater, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
