Best Campgrounds near Kensington, MD

Kensington is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Kensington is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Find the best campgrounds near Kensington, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near Kensington, Maryland (97)

    1. Cherry Hill Park

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

    $282 - $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
    10 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. Lake Fairfax Campground

    25 Reviews
    Reston, VA
    14 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."

    4. Little Bennett Campground

    23 Reviews
    Clarksburg, MD
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 528-3430

    "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"

    5. Pohick Bay Campground

    39 Reviews
    Lorton, VA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 339-6104

    $37 - $170 / 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."

    6. Bull Run Regional Park

    42 Reviews
    Iron Gate, VA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 631-0550

    $43 - $100 / night

    "History buffs will like to explore the park surrounding the campground. Fun little water park within walking distance of all campsites that was great for kids."

    "We booked site 136 due to proximity of the playground (traveling with a 5 & 10 yr old). The site was great except the weird parking stops on every site but the pull throughs."

    7. Ramblin' Pines

    17 Reviews
    Woodbine, MD
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 795-5161

    $30 - $70 / night

    "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 ❤️"

    9. Burke Lake Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Burke, VA
    22 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."

    10. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring

    1 Review
    Sandy Spring, MD
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (240) 389-4386

    $150 - $200 / night

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Recent Reviews near Kensington, MD

744 Reviews of 97 Kensington Campgrounds


  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders

    Awesome views on the Potomac

    Very cool spot. Amazing sites right on the Potomac. There is a Ale House above the office that delivers for free to your site (2.5 miles away), just tip the driver

  • 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!

  • Caleb S.
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area

    Tabolt island state park

    We had a nice stay overlooking the marsh. The small crabs were skittering around the campsite and birds perched in the marsh. The beach was nice and clean.

  • John B.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA

    Overcrowded with upkeep

    I hate leaving bad reviews, but I think people should be aware of this campsite. First thing we noticed when we arrived at the campsite was that it was very tight. We had a pull through campsite, but on the camp side it was all dirt and grass that look like it hadn’t been mowed in over two weeks. With the heat and humidity we have been having for the last couple weeks, I knew this was gonna be a buggy site. Then the rains came and everything turned into mud. We had a rug laid down, but the mud and water worked its way through that. We couldn’t enter the RV without tracking mode through it. On days it was raining we spent a lot of time in the camper. That’s when we discovered another issue. On almost all occasions there was no Internet. We had a strong Wi-Fi signal, but no Internet. Upon talking to some of our neighbors who frequented this campsite, they said they had never seen it this bad. The other thing too, was that there was hardly any trash receptacles. Ending this on a good note, we loved how close it was to historical Harpers Ferry, and how convenient it was to be able to walk to the visitor center and catch a ferry. It really is a beautiful area. I would hope that the management of this KOA would address these issues, because I’m sure I’m not gonna be the only one to leave a negative review about this campground.

  • Josey F.
    Jun. 30, 2025

    Greenville Farm Family Campground

    Wonderful!

    We are repeat customers and come here with our troops. Nice mix of RV and tent campers. Quiet. Trails, creek, pool, fishing ponds (back end), batheooms, etc, great rates. No firewood- need to bring your own.

  • L
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    Nice Little Campground

    Decent little campground! It was quiet aside from occasional air traffic noise, and while there wasn't much spacing between some camp sites everyone was respectful. My spot was a little difficult to find because the online park map was incorrect, and the spot was basically an extended shoulder of the road. Checking in was a breeze, though!


Guide to Kensington

Camping near Kensington, Maryland, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Greenbrier State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Great hiking to Annapolis Rocks or the Washington Monument right from the park, no need to drive!"
  • Fishing and Kayaking: At Tuckahoe State Park Campground, you can fish in the lake or paddle the Tuckahoe River. A visitor shared, "We had our own yaks, but the park will rent them."
  • Historical Sites: Visit the nearby Harpers Ferry area, rich in Civil War history. One camper noted, "Great location, amazing amenities... the historic trench section is nice in the trees."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A review for Cherry Hill Park stated, "The bathrooms/showers are very clean and modern."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A visitor at Codorus State Park Campground said, "The sites are fairly large and they do have some full hook up sites which is nice."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention helpful staff. One review for Pohick Bay Campground highlighted, "The check-in at the camp store is crowded and narrow... but our 34 ft makes it okay."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy, especially near highways. A camper at Bull Run Regional Park warned, "This place is absolutely the most horrific noisy place... like sleeping on the side of the highway."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at Owens Creek Campground noted, "The sites are very clean but close to each other... the bathrooms are very clean and there’s some trails around the creek."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. One camper at Cherry Hill Park mentioned, "It stays booked because it is such a well-maintained campground."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities for kids. A review for Westmoreland State Park Campground said, "Great playground with plenty of other kids."
  • Plan for Nature Activities: Bring bikes or kayaks for family fun. One camper at Tuckahoe State Park Campground shared, "There are a lot of walking trails, and a pond to fish in."
  • Pack Snacks and Games: Keep the kids entertained with snacks and games during downtime. A visitor at Cherry Hill Park mentioned, "The camp store is very well stocked with camping stuff, food, and beer."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site before booking. A review for Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA noted, "The sites were so unlevel, close together, and the whole infrastructure in need of repair."
  • Use Public Transport: If visiting DC, consider using public transport to avoid parking hassles. A camper at Cherry Hill Park said, "We didn't drive to DC at all - just used public transit."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Weekends can get busy, so plan accordingly. One visitor at Pohick Bay Campground mentioned, "The weekend tends to be a bit louder but during the week was very quiet."

Camping near Kensington, Maryland, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With a little planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Kensington, MD?

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

What parks are near Kensington, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Kensington, MD that allow camping, notably Rock Creek Park and Greenbelt Park.