Camping spots near Glen Burnie, Maryland range from wooded state park campgrounds to full-service RV resorts across central Maryland. The area sits at elevations between 100-300 feet above sea level with the Patapsco River watershed creating valleys and forested terrain throughout the region. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F with high humidity from June through August, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions with daytime highs in the 60-75°F range.
What to do
Bike access to Korean markets: At Hollofield Area Campground, campers can enjoy road biking to nearby shopping. "We really loved road biking to the nearby H Mart to have fun shopping and browsing their unique selection. (This is a super large Korean store packed with fruits, vegetables, seafood and other food stuff that could put an American grocery store to shame)," notes one reviewer.
Metro access to DC monuments: Greenbelt Park Campground provides affordable access to Washington DC attractions via public transit. A camper explains, "Getting to DC: There's normally a walking path from the campground to the metro station that takes you into the city (the green line takes you to the National Mall), but as of Oct 2023 the bridge is out due to a storm." Another camper adds, "The train ride from the Greenbelt station to the national mall is about 30 min. Get off at the Archives station to be in the center of all the sites."
Chesapeake Bay fishing: During weekdays or off-season, Sandy Point State Park offers fishing and beach access with fewer crowds. "Our favorite thing to do is to fossil hunt for sharks teeth. In late spring while school is still in session," a visitor reports, adding "August is the worst month to visit if you like the water. Jellyfish take over with a vengeance!"
What campers like
Level, private tent sites: Susquehanna State Park Campground receives praise for its wooded, secluded camping spots. "Site was very shaded, and probably the most secluded feel of anywhere we've camped. Camping pad was nice and level, although the driveway was slightly sloped," explains one camper. Another notes, "There are some nice sites that are a little more isolated and give a feel of being alone in the woods."
Convenient transportation options: Campers at Cherry Hill Park appreciate the transportation access. "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. Our uber rides ranged from 20-45$ for a family of 5," shares one visitor. Another mentions, "They have a bus stop for metro service to the city, but we took the 20 minute drive."
Forest recreation areas: The extensive trail networks throughout Patapsco Valley State Park allow for varied outdoor activities. "We enjoyed hiking the trails directly from our campsite that led us down to the Patapsco River. There is a lot of history associated with the River and the area. You can even swim in this river," explains a camper. Another mentions, "Patapsco Valley offers 6 different entrances. Each one provides several different trail heads and experiences."
What you should know
Bathhouse limitations: Several campgrounds have clean but limited bathroom facilities. At Hollofield, "There is one bathhouse for the campground, which was clean and well maintained," while another camper noted at Greenbelt Park that "The bathhouses are ok, happy to have free showers with hot running water... There's only one large shower per bath house, and you only have a curtain (no door and no lock)."
Seasonal considerations: Washington DC / Capitol KOA offers different experiences throughout the year. "Sites are close and need service. Sandy dirt covered. They could add gravel or grass and a plant or two near the sewer pipes to help," notes a summer visitor. During shoulder seasons, campgrounds are significantly less crowded as one camper explains, "Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground."
Tent pad availability: Tent campers should research specific sites before booking. "I think if we had stayed in a site that had a pad for the tent, I would've given this park 5 stars. I docked a star because I'd say about half—maybe more—don't have pads," explains a camper at Susquehanna State Park. Another mentions, "Our specific site was supposed to have a tent pad but there wasn't a spot cleared for our tent."
Tips for camping with families
Natural playgrounds: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area offers unique play areas for children. "This is a small gem of a state park campground... It seems like this area is, possibly unintentionally, geared toward children. There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center," notes one visitor. Another adds, "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."
Multiple pool options: Some campgrounds feature multiple swimming options for different ages. At Cherry Hill Park, campers enjoy "mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry, a store and office open early and late... splash pad, paved roads for scootering." Another camper notes, "Great sites. So many other things in the park."
Rainy day considerations: Sites at lower elevations may have drainage issues. "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," explains one camper. Another notes, "Many of the sites were at the bottom of a hill though, so I'm not sure how that would do in a decent rain."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Ramblin' Pines offers full-service sites for extended stays. "Nice large sites with friendly staff," notes one RVer. Another mentions they even "allowed us to store the camper while we took a cruise out of Baltimore!"
Leveling challenges: Several campgrounds require careful site selection for RVs. "We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up," reports one camper. Another notes, "Camp site wasn't level at all. I was actually kind of worried that it would slide into the woods."
RV size restrictions: Campground loops often have specific size limitations. At Greenbelt Park, "Loop B is for tents and RVs under 30 ft, Loop C is for tents, and Loop D is for tents and RVs under 35 ft." Another important note for larger rigs approaching Hollofield: "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.)"
