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Best Campgrounds near Fairmount Heights, MD

530 Reviews

The area around Fairmount Heights, Maryland includes access to various types of camping and campgrounds within a short drive. Cherry Hill Park in College Park and Greenbelt Park Campground offer established camping areas with different amenities and accommodation types. While Cherry Hill Park provides full-service options including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping facilities, Greenbelt Park focuses primarily on tent and RV camping with more basic amenities. Several mixed-use campgrounds like Pohick Bay Campground and Adventure Bound Washington DC extend the range of options with cabin accommodations approximately 20-30 miles from Fairmount Heights. Campers browse The Dyrt when exploring the best sites near Fairmount Heights to find detailed information about these developed campgrounds.

"This campground is about 25 sites. Only 5 sites have electric but all 25 sites have water hookup," noted one reviewer about Louise F. Cosca Regional Park. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October, though some like Cherry Hill Park and Bull Run Regional Park remain open year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend camping during summer months when sites fill quickly. Many developed campgrounds provide electric hookups, drinking water, and sanitary facilities, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Primitive camping options are limited in the immediate vicinity of Fairmount Heights, with most established sites requiring advance booking through reservation systems. Weather considerations include humid summers and occasional storms that can affect camping conditions, particularly at sites near water bodies.

Campers report high satisfaction with the proximity to Washington DC while still enjoying natural surroundings. Greenbelt Park receives positive reviews for its peaceful environment despite being surrounded by suburban development, with one visitor noting, "This is a fairly nice, bare bones NPS campground" that offers an "affordable outdoors-y option to stay while you're visiting DC." Family-friendly amenities are common at the region's developed campgrounds, with several featuring playgrounds, hiking trails, and water recreation opportunities. Sites with more privacy and natural settings tend to be found at Cedarville State Forest and Patapsco Valley State Park, though these locations are slightly farther from Fairmount Heights. Noise levels vary considerably, with campgrounds closer to highways and urban areas experiencing more ambient sound from traffic and aircraft.

Best Camping Sites Near Fairmount Heights, Maryland (83)

    1. Cherry Hill Park

    42 Reviews
    Beltsville, MD
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 937-7116

    $285 - $999 / night

    "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."

    2. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 344-3948

    $20 / night

    "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"

    3. Pohick Bay Campground

    38 Reviews
    Lorton, VA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 339-6104

    $33 - $150 / night

    "We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids."

    "We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."

    4. Cedarville State Forest

    17 Reviews
    Brandywine, MD
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 888-1410

    $30 / night

    "We picked up the camping registration outside the office at the entrance, no need to speak with anyone. Then we just drove down to our campsite in the family camping loop."

    "Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC."

    5. Adventure Bound Washington DC

    9 Reviews
    Upper Marlboro, MD
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (443) 607-8609

    "We had a fantastic time our 1st time at #AdventureBoundCampingResort in Lothian, Maryland."

    "This place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest"

    6. Lake Fairfax Campground

    25 Reviews
    Reston, VA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 471-5414

    $30 - $70 / night

    "We set up our tent in the far side of the campground close to the lake ( site 27). It is slightly slant but still comfortable in the tent. Bathrooms are close by and kept clean."

    "For tent camping I would suggests sites 30,33 or 35 these are tucked along the tree line. The bathroom facilities were the cleanest I have seen in a campground."

    7. Washington DC / Capitol KOA

    16 Reviews
    Millersville, MD
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 923-2771

    "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."

    8. Louise F. Cosca Regional Park

    4 Reviews
    Clinton, MD
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 868-1397

    $10 - $45 / night

    "Site 24 and 25 are very close together but the other sites are at a distance however, 6 of the 25 sites are unleveled so tent camping is probably the only option."

    "Close to town but far enough to enjoy yourself. Bathrooms are clean and have decent showers."

    9. Andrews AFB Military FamCamp

    1 Review
    Clinton, MD
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 981-4109

    $18 - $30 / night

    10. Burke Lake Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Burke, VA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 323-6600

    "We stayed Burke lake campground for one night last week. It was very peaceful place. The whole camp ground was very clean and well kept."

    "This was my second time going Burke Lake and it was just as enjoyable as the first."

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Recent Reviews near Fairmount Heights, MD

530 Reviews of 83 Fairmount Heights Campgrounds

  • Thiru Moorthy G.
    Nov. 27, 2025

    Bull Run Regional Park

    ⭐ 1-Star Review – Shockingly Rude, Misleading, and Embarrassing Experience

    I am writing this review because what happened to me at Bull Run Regional Park Campground was not just inconvenient—it was humiliating, unprofessional, and completely avoidable.

    I camp in my Tesla. I have already stayed at this exact campground before with no issue. Their online reservation system allowed me to book again—no warnings, no restrictions, nothing to indicate a problem. So I drove all the way from North Carolina to Virginia trusting that everything was fine.

    When I arrived to check in, the office staff was literally handing me the paperwork. Out of nowhere, a ranger barged in and bluntly told me: “You cannot camp in a Tesla. You need a separate rig.”

    His tone was rude, dismissive, and made me feel like I was doing something dirty or cheap. There was zero respect, zero empathy—just instant judgment. I felt like I was being treated as if I was trying to sneak in or break rules, even though they allowed the booking and accepted my reservation.

    If they have such a rule, why wasn’t I notified during booking? Why was I allowed to stay the first time? Why let me drive for hours only to embarrass me at the check-in counter?

    The office employee even tried to defend me, but he couldn’t convince the ranger. Instead, they told me I could not stay and promised an immediate refund.

    After a long drive, being spoken to like that was extremely disappointing. I’ve camped all over North Carolina and never been treated with such disrespect. Camping in a Tesla is clean, quiet, zero-emission, and safe, yet I was made to feel like I didn’t belong.

    To make matters worse, it has now been seven days and not a single dollar of the refund has appeared. When I called, the office representative didn’t even ask for my reservation details and seemed completely clueless. She first said she couldn’t do anything, then suddenly changed her story and said she would “leave a note.” When I asked to speak with someone who could actually help, she put me on hold and suddenly claimed the manager had “just refunded” me and that I would see the money in two business days.

    After everything that happened, it felt like another layer of indifference and incompetence.

    This entire experience—from the rude ranger to the unprofessional refund handling—left me feeling disrespected and upset. For a campground that charges over $75 a night after fees and taxes, the treatment I received was unacceptable.

    Guests deserve honesty, clear communication, and basic respect.

  • a
    Nov. 17, 2025

    Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    Great Campsite!

    The campground is well maintained. The facilities were clean, and the other campers were friendly. There was plenty of firewood (fallen tree limbs and branches on the ground to use. Overall we had a great time!

  • C
    Oct. 31, 2025

    Prince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    Beautiful views - steep sites

    caution though, the back row is steep. We were unable to get our Super C level.  The rain created red clay mud so the dogs were a mess - actually became sort of comical.  All in all it was a beautiful and clean location.  Try and reserve row E if you need full hook up

  • Amanda S.
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Washington DC / Capitol KOA

    Got bed bugs? They do.

    Stayed in cabin 202 for a Fri- Sun and on our last morning we found a bed bug on our clothing. While they gave a refund it does not come close to cover the time and energy of remediating all of our clothing, sheets, and blankets. We also had to throw out items that could not be cleaned properly and now have to replace them(pillows, shoes, etc). My husband has 23 bites over the course of 2 nights. They burn and itch very badly. I truly hope this was a hiccup for them and they go through correct methods of having the cabin treated properly. 

    UPDATE: A recount of the bites- my husband has 31 bites so far. The remediation of all of our items is exhausting. All the blankets, clothing, suit cases, all the other items we used in the cabin needs to be cleaned. We had to throw out our shoes because they shrunk in the dryer. Spent$$$ replacing shoes for a family for 4. Pillows are not cheap to replace either. I bought a new corset at the renfest this weekend that I'm hoping doesn't get ruined when it goes through the dryer. That too was expensive. So if you're looking to have to spend a bunch of extra money to replace items you didn't want to replace in the first place- I recommend staying here.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Pax River Hog Point Campgrounds — Naval Airstation (Nas) Patuxent River

    Left Early, Won’t Be Back

    When we saw a review of this campground on Rec.gov complaining about the amount of bugs we thought they were being ridiculous, they were not. In addition to an insane amount of bugs making the experience here uniquely miserable — it is not quiet or peaceful. A (clearly quite drunk) group nearby was singing at the top of their lungs until at least 11pm when we made the decision to bail seeing as we weren’t going to be getting any sleep between being eaten alive and serenaded.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Adventure Bound Washington DC

    Nice

    This place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest Metro station. It's crowded but folks are quiet & respectful!

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Aquia Pines Campground

    Good stopover near the highway but hidden between the trees

    We where forced land-inwards because of tropical storm Erin (potential hurricane hitting the Outer Banks). So we decided to visit Washington DC and had a stopover here. It was conveniently located. Terrain is not flat but our spot was well levelled. There is a big dog (and an older gentleman) in the office to welcome you. Full hook up was oké and our spot was nicly secluded between the trees.

  • Erin W.
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Lake Fairfax Campground

    Nice for a quick weekend

    This campground is nice for a quick weekend and does have pretty trails next to the campground. The sites are largely in more of a meadow and not many are very wooded. Our site, 41, was level and nicely spaced from other sites but many tent sites were not level at all. Many tents were on a full slant. There is a waterpark that is an extra cost which is fun for kids. Bathrooms are well maintained and huge.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Cherry Hill Park

    Can’t beat it

    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. So $4-9 per person. We rode in all 4 days this way. Personalized, comfortable. Door to door. We saw tons of stuff. No one can say they saw everything. We took the train from Union station to Penn station. Saw the nationals, the orioles. So fun. The park itself has more than most. Mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry, a store and office open early!! And late!!! Wow! Just can’t be beat. Great sites. So many other things in the park. Splash pad, paved roads for scootering. Just awesome!

Guide to Fairmount Heights

Camping near Fairmount Heights, Maryland offers access to outdoor experiences within 20-40 miles of the area. The region has a humid subtropical climate with average summer temperatures reaching 85-90°F and winter lows around 30°F. Most campsites are situated at elevations between 100-300 feet above sea level, with terrain consisting primarily of gently rolling hills and forested areas interspersed with suburban development.

What to do

Hiking trails: Several campgrounds near Fairmount Heights connect to trail systems. At Greenbelt Park Campground, campers can access the American Discovery Trail. "The ADT passes through the park," notes one visitor who appreciates the trail access even when not camping.

Water recreation: For families seeking water activities, Pohick Bay Campground offers multiple options. "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats" is available according to one reviewer. Another mentions that the park includes "a mini train ride that goes around part of the park" and "boat rentals" within walking distance from campsites.

Disc golf: Some regional parks include disc golf courses for visitors. A camper at Pohick Bay recommends "taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course" as an activity option. Local parks provide equipment rental for beginners.

What campers like

Urban camping proximity: Cherry Hill Park receives consistent praise for its location. "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," shares one visitor. Transportation options make it practical for exploring the capital.

Natural settings: Many campers appreciate finding forest surroundings near urban centers. At Cedarville State Forest, a reviewer noted "Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking" provides an accessible outdoor experience just a short distance from Washington, DC.

Varied amenities: Campgrounds differ significantly in their facilities. One camper at Lake Fairfax Park observed, "A lot to do: mountain bike trails (horses and walking, too); wooded hikes with water along the trails (great for dogs in the summer heat), skateboard park, BMX park, Water Park near the campground, fishing, & canoeing)."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds around Fairmount Heights require advance booking. At Lake Fairfax Campground, "Sites vary in levelness, some are fairly level and some are on a mini hill. Driveways are all very narrow." Research site conditions before booking.

Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts camping experiences. A visitor to Greenbelt Park mentioned, "The shower was a bit cold in November!" while another noted the campground remains usable year-round as "a nice escape for those with larger rigs."

Tree policies: Some parks have specific rules regarding trees. One camper at Greenbelt Park warned: "NOTE: park service forbade tying lines or straps to the trees at the time of our visit (Autumn 2024), so if you favor hammock camping or deploying tarps/ridgelines, plan accordingly."

Insect preparation: Ticks and mosquitoes are common in warmer months. A Cedarville State Forest camper shared: "We hiked the brown trail and it was a nice walk. Bring bug and tick spray - definitely need it!"

Tips for camping with families

Water parks: Several of the best places to camp near Fairmount Heights include water parks. A visitor to Burke Lake Park mentioned, "Excellent campground and park for families. Swimming, biking, and hiking," making it ideal for active children.

Campground activities: Look for campgrounds with scheduled events. At Adventure Bound Washington DC, a family shared they "had a fantastic time" and noted that "Saturday night seems to be the neighbors party night so it was quite lively with music and laughter."

Playground access: Consider campsite proximity to playgrounds. One family at Pohick Bay explained: "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious... This was an amazing weekend for us and we will definitely be back."

Tips from RVers

Site challenges: Many campgrounds have limitations for larger RVs. At Cedarville State Forest, a camper noted: "Site 6 was good but not for larger rigs. We have a pop up and had to navigate around a tree that would have been very difficult for larger rigs. Site 5 or 7 wouldn't have that problem."

Electric considerations: Electrical options vary widely between locations. Louise F. Cosca Regional Park has limited electric sites as one camper pointed out: "This campground is about 25 sites. Only 5 sites have electric (2, 5, 18, 24, 25) but all 25 sites have water hookup."

Leveling requirements: Always check site grading before booking. A visitor at Lake Fairfax reported: "The outer loop campsites are easily more level than the center loop. If leveling perfectly is a concern you may want to call ahead and ask before commiting to the inner loop."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Fairmount Heights, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fairmount Heights, MD is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 42 reviews.

What parks are near Fairmount Heights, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Fairmount Heights, MD that allow camping, notably Fort Dupont Park and Greenbelt Park.

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