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Tent camping near Fairmount Heights, Maryland offers several options within reasonable driving distance, including Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area and Marsden Tract Group Campsite along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. These tent campgrounds range from developed sites with hot showers to primitive hiker-biker stops along the C&O Canal, making it easy to find a fit based on how much gear you want to carry. Patapsco Valley State Park features non-electric tent sites on a loop separate from cabin accommodations, making it suitable for tent campers seeking a more traditional outdoor experience.
Most tent campsites in the area feature crushed stone or natural surfaces with varying degrees of levelness. Patapsco Valley's tent sites include fire rings with grill gates, picnic tables, and access to centrally located restrooms with hot showers. Several campgrounds, including Marsden Tract, operate seasonally with limited or no facilities—requiring campers to pack in water and supplies. According to one visitor, "The sites are flat and dispersed with most located adjacent to the river. Each site comes with a picnic table, fire ring and grill."
Tent-only camping experiences near Fairmount Heights provide access to hiking trails, water features, and natural surroundings. At Patapsco Valley State Park, tent campers can explore numerous trails and the Patapsco River, with one reviewer noting that "There is a huge park for kids, it's not within walking distance for little kids but it's a very short drive by the entrance to the park." The C&O Canal towpath offers additional tent camping options at various hiker-biker sites, where campers can enjoy riverside settings. These sites typically provide basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables. A camper described Swains Lock as having "ample space for tents, though only 1 table, fire ring and port-o-potty," highlighting the primitive but functional nature of many tent sites in the region.
"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
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"Purchasers the camp site is beautiful secluded quiet wonderful if you're looking for that extreme outdoors a no civilization it's a good hike to get to the campsite there's no parking nearby no water"
from $40 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $150 - $200 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"Good for a day use, parking is full most of the time but have a lot of space to park you may have to walk but you will find one spot..."
"Close to me so theres nothing new"
from $15 - $18 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $55 - $95 / night
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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.
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 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.
Tent camping near Fairmount Heights, Maryland offers access to the Patapsco River watershed and Chesapeake Bay areas, with elevations ranging from near sea level to approximately 300 feet in surrounding parks. The region experiences humid summers with temperatures averaging 85-90°F and mild spring and fall camping seasons. Most campgrounds within 30 miles operate seasonally from April through October with varying amenities.
Kayaking on the Patapsco River: Paddlers can access waterways at Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, which provides multiple water entry points. "Roland Lake in Baltimore County is a great place to kayak on the Patapsco River. Tons of wildlife, facilities, and amenities for you and your family," notes Anthony S.
Crabbing at local waterways: During summer months, campers can try crabbing at Endeavor Point where the pier offers direct water access. As one reviewer explains, "The pier was perfect to fish or crab off of and the beach had great views of the sunrise."
Hiking local nature trails: Many campsites connect to trail networks suitable for day hikes. "The hike I did was not very long but was well worth it. The trail was well marked but there was some confusion at one point on where we were supposed to go," reports Anthony S. about Patapsco Valley trails.
Experience seasonal light displays: Winter camping options include special events like at Sandy Point State Park. "Lights on the Bay is a great Christmas light drive thru that's over a mile long. Great host for the polar bear plunge," mentions Tony P.
Quieter off-season visits: Many campers prefer spring and fall to avoid summer crowds. "The best times to go are winter, spring, and fall," explains a reviewer about Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping. Another adds, "We prefer to visit in late spring while school is still in session. August is the worst month to visit if you like the water. Jellyfish take over with a vengeance!"
Kid-friendly amenities: Families appreciate dedicated play areas at certain campgrounds. At Patapsco Valley State Park, "This area is, possibly unintentionally, geared toward children. There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center," notes Sean M.
Mini-cabins for beginners: First-time campers appreciate shelter options when tent camping seems daunting. "The best part of this campground are the neat mini cabins. Small one room cabins that have electricity and heat. They are a nice touch for those that want to camp, but not completely 'rough it,'" explains a Patapsco Valley reviewer.
Multiple entrance options: Some parks offer various access points with different amenities. "Patapsco Valley offers 6 different entrances. Each one provides several different trail heads and experiences," explains Angel G.
Weather impacts on campsite conditions: Be prepared for drainage issues during rainstorms at some locations. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, one camper experienced challenges: "One negative was that 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."
Strict check-in times: Unlike some parks with flexible arrival, certain campgrounds enforce specific entry times. "This was also the first time we have ever had to wait till exactly 3pm to check in. So if you arrive early expect to wait until 3," warns Gabrielle E.
Wildlife considerations: Both insects and animals can be present depending on season. "The only thing we didn't like is how many roaches we saw everywhere and that they don't sell ice," notes a Patapsco Valley camper.
Crowding at water-adjacent sites: Waterfront parks can become extremely busy. "The line to get in can be a mile long!" warns David G. about Sandy Point State Park on holidays and weekends.
Sensory trails for kids: Some parks offer specialized nature experiences for children. "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," shares Angel G.
Playground proximity considerations: When booking sites with children, consider distance to play areas. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, a family noted, "Nice playground for the kids. Some nice scenic areas- great for pictures. Lots of picnic areas."
Family-friendly water activities: Beyond swimming, families enjoy fossil hunting at certain waterfront sites. At Sandy Point, one visitor shares, "Our favorite thing to do is to fossil hunt for sharks teeth."
Stroller-friendly assessment: Not all trails accommodate wheeled transport. "Be aware that neither the hiking trails or playground are stroller friendly," warns a camper about Patapsco Valley.
Budget military option: Service members can access affordable camping at Military Park United States Naval Academy/Annapolis Naval Station Annapolis FamCamp. "Military campground. Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap," reports Ginny L.
Tent pad surfaces: RVers who also tent camp note surface conditions can be challenging. At Patapsco Valley, "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 to the ground," advises Sean M.
Site placement considerations: Lower elevation sites may experience drainage issues. Alexandra T. notes that at Patapsco Valley, "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Fairmount Heights, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Fairmount Heights, MD is Campsites at Watkins Regional Park with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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TheDyrt.com has all 24 tent camping locations near Fairmount Heights, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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