83 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Elkridge, Maryland range from full-service RV parks to more rustic tent camping areas, with several options within a 30-minute drive. Patapsco Valley State Park offers multiple camping areas including the Hilton Area and Hollofield Area, both providing tent sites, RV spots, and some cabin accommodations. Cherry Hill Park in College Park provides more amenities with electric hookups, water, sewer connections, and accommodations for tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping options. Greenbelt Park Campground, operated by the National Park Service, offers a more natural setting with tent and RV sites but fewer hookups, making it popular for those seeking a more primitive experience while still being close to urban areas.
"This campground is what it is, just a camp site. It's one of the bigger state parks surrounded by forest in MD," noted one camper about Patapsco Valley State Park. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with many sites open from April through October. Patapsco Valley State Park's camping areas typically operate from April 1 to October 30, while some private campgrounds like Ramblin' Pines in Woodbine remain open year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend camping during summer months when sites fill quickly. Weather in the region can be humid in summer with occasional thunderstorms, while spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures. Many campgrounds provide basic amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and access to bathrooms, though the quality and availability of showers varies by location.
Campers frequently mention the convenience of camping near urban areas while still enjoying natural surroundings. "If you are looking for an affordable outdoors-y option to stay while you're visiting DC from out of town, this probably fits the bill," one reviewer wrote about Greenbelt Park. The region's campgrounds often provide access to hiking trails, with Patapsco Valley State Park featuring numerous paths along the Patapsco River. Several campgrounds offer water-based recreation opportunities, though swimming is prohibited in some areas like Patapsco River. Sites with electric hookups tend to be more crowded and closer together than non-electric sites. Noise levels vary significantly between locations, with some campgrounds experiencing occasional aircraft noise from nearby military installations or airports, while others provide more secluded experiences, particularly during weekdays or off-season periods. For campers seeking reliable amenities, sites near Elkridge span a wide spectrum — from primitive campsites with fire rings and pit toilets to full-hookup RV parks with shower facilities and camp stores.
"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."
from $999 / night
Check Availability"Camp site(Tent camping)
The camp site is what it is, just a camp site :) It's one of the bigger state parks surrounded by forest in MD.""Another negative was after the storm for the next few days we heard trees falling nearby."
from $20 - $51 / night
Check Availability"It has 8 recreation areas and we stayed at the Hollofield Area in April- one of our first experiences in a Maryland State Park. Beautiful park with 70 miles of hiking/biking /multi use trails."
"This campground is pleasant, but the sites are situated quite close to one another."
from $19 - $27 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
"We stay at Ramblin Pines because it is close to family and a good proximity to visiting Baltimore and Frederick."
"We love this home away from home ❤️"
from $30 - $70 / night
Check Availability"My wife and I were trying to find an RV location near the Annapolis city dock for a boat show and found Pine Tree Associates."
"Camping fees include access to a large outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a hot tub. There is room for tenting and campers."
from $30 - $55 / night
Check Availability"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"
GuideGreat campsite. Fire pit, picnic table, swimming pool ( not open), miniature golf course, laundromat, bathrooms, showers, dump station, gathering areas for groups, playground, and even a horse area and stalls for horses. Dog friendly. Staff was very helpful and curious.
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.
GuideWhere we were camping had blown up their dump station. Artillery Ridge helped us out. $10. to dump. If we come to camp in Gettysburg, it will be hear.
GuideYou just can't beat a pennsylvania park. This one is not an exception. Nice clean restroom, plenty of room. Now, what cost a star. Yes, it rained like hell. When we broke camp and go dump. The dump station was overflowing with sewer. Go to the guard shack to tell them, and find another site. None there. Can I go to an unused full hookup to dump? No! I would have to pay for the site. Two hours later, we found a place to dump for $10.
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.
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 Redemption Springs to get relatively close to Baltimore without bringing our 30ft travel trailer into the city. Seth and the other gentlemen I spoke with were all extremely accommodating. Enjoyed learning about their approach to restorative farming and purchasing a variety of treats at the farm store. Beef, pork, chicken, seasonings, baked goods, and more. We booked on Hipcamp and recommend following his driving instructions. Our rig fit fine by tuhe main barn and they kept an eye on us going in and out to make sure we didn't have issues making any of the turns. Lots of farm life!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Elkridge, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Elkridge, MD is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 44 reviews.
What parks are near Elkridge, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Elkridge, MD that allow camping, notably Greenbelt Park and Rock Creek Park.
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