Camping options near Elkridge, Maryland range from full-service RV parks to primitive tent sites within 30 miles of the city. Located in the Piedmont region with elevations between 100-500 feet, the area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures averaging 85-90°F and mild springs and falls. Winter camping is available at select locations like Ramblin' Pines in Woodbine, which stays open year-round with temperatures typically ranging from 30-45°F.
What to do
Hiking trails with river access: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area offers 70 miles of trails with varying difficulty levels. "My wife and I were trying to find a beautiful area near Annapolis and found it to be private, beautiful, well maintained," a visitor noted about outdoor recreation in the region.
Metro access to DC attractions: Greenbelt Park Campground provides urban camping with easy city access. "The green line takes you to the National Mall... This worked very well for us. You can pay for the metro with an app or get a card, either way it costs you $2 to buy the card, and then $2 each way on the train," writes Laura M..
Children's activities: Little Bennett Campground offers family-friendly recreation options. "There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park. The nature center was closed when we visited, but the kids still enjoyed the sensory trail and playground," writes Angel G.
Water-based recreation: Chesapeake Bay access from nearby parks for swimming and water sports. "We found a small river and swimming hole at the bottom of the hill off to the side opposite the cabins/park," reports Alexandra T. about Patapsco Valley State Park.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campsites in the area offer natural buffers. "Lots of vegetation between sites providing privacy from neighbors," writes a camper about Little Bennett Campground, which features spacious, wooded sites.
Convenience to urban areas: Washington DC / Capitol KOA offers proximity to major cities with camping amenities. "We only spent three nights there. Staff was friendly and helpful with any information we needed. Nice play ground for the kids. They also really enjoyed the jumping pillow," notes Stephanie H.
Clean facilities: Campground bathhouses and amenities receive regular maintenance. "The bathhouse is nothing special, but it's well maintained and clean. The best part of this campground are the neat mini cabins. Small one room cabins that have electricity and heat," reports Sean M. about Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area.
Natural settings close to cities: The ability to camp in wooded environments minutes from urban areas is frequently mentioned. "If you are looking for an urban oasis, this is it. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," writes Becky about Greenbelt Park Campground.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak season. "Reserved 137 days prior to arriving," notes one camper at Little Bennett Campground about planning ahead.
Campsite types: Cherry Hill Park offers multiple accommodation options. "There are some nice tenting sites under the trees and off by themselves for the true campers, and for the rest of us glampers there are hookups and lots to do," explains Scott C.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds operate from April through October with limited winter options. "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. Another negative was after the storm for the next few days we heard trees falling nearby," reports Alexandra T. about weather challenges.
Noise levels: Despite wooded settings, some campgrounds experience urban noise. "The negatives are the planes from the airport kept flying over, which made it hard to sleep," Jennifer S. mentions about Hollofield Area Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hollofield Area features nature-based play areas. "There is a 'natural' playground in the loop, and then if you drive down further to the park entrance, there is a large playground for the kids. I've attached photos from the 'natural playground' aka, large rocks and overturned trees. The kids loved it," shares Jennifer S.
Activity options: Campgrounds with recreational amenities help keep children entertained. "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc). If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy," says Elise M. about Washington DC / Capitol KOA.
Weekend crowding: Many parks fill to capacity during summer weekends, making weekday visits better for families. "The campground and park fill up on the weekends but are nearly empty during the week," reports Rebecca C. about camping conditions.
Mini cabins: Alternative camping options for families new to camping. "We absolutely loved this campground!! Very short drive in to Baltimore- around 30 minutes. Nice playground for the kids. Some nice scenic areas- great for pictures," writes Gayle B. about Patapsco Valley State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many RV sites require adjustment for proper leveling. "Site wasn't level at all. I was actually kind of worried that it would slide into the woods," notes one camper at Washington DC / Capitol KOA.
Limited hookup options: Ramblin' Pines provides full hookups for RVs. "Nice large sites with friendly staff. Lots of free activities for children and it's close to home," reports Christopher M. about the RV-friendly campground.
Approach directions: Some campgrounds have height or access restrictions. "APPROACH THIS PARK ONLY FROM THE WEST IF YOUR VEHICLE IS OVER 11 FEET HIGH. (There is a 11' bridge coming east bound into this park)," warns Travyl Couple about Hollofield Area Campground.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds with electric have sewer connections. "There is only 20/30amp electricity and NO water or sewer- although there was a dump and a place to fill your water tank," notes a reviewer about Hollofield Area Campground.
