Codorus State Park Campground
Top Tier
I love this place. The tent sites are super, rustic but superior. Showers are a walk. Tent Sites are very private huge and I love that.
84 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds surrounding Jessup, Maryland provide varied options within 30 minutes of the city, including developed facilities with full hookups and more rustic tent camping experiences. Cherry Hill Park in College Park and Greenbelt Park Campground offer mixed-use campsites accommodating both tent and RV camping, while Patapsco Valley State Park provides cabin lodging options. Several campgrounds in the area feature family-friendly amenities with picnic tables, fire rings, and access to hiking trails, particularly along the Patapsco River corridor that runs through multiple recreation areas.
Road conditions and accessibility remain consistent year-round with most campgrounds situated near major highways, though sites fill quickly during peak camping season from April through October. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, especially at popular locations like Patapsco Valley State Park and Hollofield Area Campground. "This is a fairly nice, bare bones NPS campground. If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it," notes one camper about Greenbelt Park. Several state parks have seasonal operating schedules, with Patapsco Valley State Park operating from April 1 to October 30. Cell coverage is generally good throughout the region, though helicopter and airplane noise can impact some camping areas near military installations.
The proximity to Washington DC represents a major draw for campers seeking outdoor experiences while staying near urban amenities. Campgrounds like Cherry Hill Park specifically cater to visitors exploring the capital, offering orientation services for museums and transportation. Several visitors mentioned hiking trails as key highlights, particularly at Patapsco Valley State Park which features 70 miles of multi-use trails. A visitor commented that "We enjoyed hiking the trails directly from our campsite that led us down to the Patapsco River." Sites vary considerably in privacy and spacing, with some tent-only areas offering more seclusion than RV-oriented loops. While most developed campgrounds provide electrical hookups, water access, and bathroom facilities, amenities vary significantly between state, county, and private campgrounds throughout the region.
"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"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"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"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"
from $150 - $200 / night
Check Availability











I love this place. The tent sites are super, rustic but superior. Showers are a walk. Tent Sites are very private huge and I love that.
The sites offer plenty of space and privacy, making it easy to relax and enjoy nature. The campground is conveniently located near the lake, with beautiful views and easy access to the water. There is also a nice swimming pool, which is a great bonus. We enjoyed kayaking on the lake and spending time outdoors. Overall, it's a wonderful place to unwind, relax, and enjoy a peaceful getaway. We would definitely come back!
We spent a week at Bay Shore Campground to explore Rock Hall, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. What stands out about this campground? The view!
For me, this is a 4-star campground because of the view and nice staff, but not 5-stars because of the sloped site packed in with the neighbors and no sewer connection.
THINGS I LIKED:
— Great view from our site of the Chesapeake Bay— especially for sunset each evening
— Friendly staff
— Nearby Rock Hall, Chestertown, and Eastern Neck Island Wildlife Refuge
— They offered a promo to pay for 6 nights, and the 7th was free
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
— Our site(Site B) had an amazing view of Chesapeake Bay, but the slope made it difficult to get even close to level— even with my front jacks fully extended. I had to buy additional leveling blocks from the camp store(at twice the price of Amazon) just so we didn’t feel like walking uphill to walk around our motorhome. I admit, I am spoiled but really appreciate the campgrounds that level their sites. I think it could be done in a few hours with a rented front loader at a couple nights’ cost.
— Our site(Site B) was tight. The neighbor’s awning was just inches from our motorhome. I understand the need for any business to maximize revenue, but this was unpleasantly close.
— There are no sewer hookups at the sites. They do have a couple of dump stations for your way out and provide a pump-out service once per week at$40 a pop. They were nice enough to pump me out a second time since I stayed 7 nights. Again, I know I’m spoiled, but a sewer connection is a necessity when you’re staying 8 days.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
Sure thing, but we’d stay at a different site.
Thought the campsites were extremely close together. There were A LOT of kids and no quiet hours. Good for families. Not good for a camping camping experience.
Nice campground had my 6 and 7 year old. The site was pretty private and had bathrooms close. I would definitely go again.
If youre looking for fun and people, go to the south campground. But if youre looking for true quiet and have a tent, check out the dispersed campsites. Good shower and bathroom setup that i bet would fare well in a tornado, its got that solid storm shelter feel. Next to a quiet airport, plenty of free firewood to gather
Private campground with cabins and tent sites. Tent sites are first come, first service so call ahead to ensure the space is available. The host family was very nice and easy to work with and talk to. Fire pits were at tent sites and past the office was beach access into Chesapeake Bay. There are trash bins and porta potty’s on sight that are all maintained and kept clean. Beautiful sights and plenty to do in the area with DC being roughly an 40-60 minutes away.
Stayed here for a week while working nearby. Easy to get to and set up. Office was closed when we arrived but arrival paperwork was posted outside office door. Even with busy road nearby, park was quiet and felt private. Sites were level and paved making setup easy. Sites had 1/2 site extra paved for vehicle with extra parking nearby. There was no litter in park, we observed a staff member daily making the rounds to keep everything clean. There was walking access into the park on wide private roads without traffic. With park access you are able to walk into national forest park from RV camp. National Forest visitor center close by, 1 exit away going south I95. Amenities in RV park included swimming pool, chess board with extra large pieces, playground and clean bath house. Firewood and ice on site.
This is a lovely campground that I recommend and would stay again. We have been twice: once as a family and once with a Scout troop. The RV sites are fairly large and clean. The tent-only sites are smaller and have a metal fire ring with a grate (nice!). The RV sites have mostly brick rings without grates. The bathrooms are fairly small (two showers on the female and one on the male) which might be an issue on busy weekends. The only real water entrance is the boat ramp, but you can climb down a cliff in other places. A, D, and E are sunnier. B and C and Nottingham are mostly wooded with mature trees. We used the site as a base for a bike trip along the C&O to go to Harper’s Ferry (14mi round trip along a gravel path). The staff were friendly and there is a small camp store.
But the trains! THE TRAINS!!! Every review will mention them for a reason. The site is adjacent to a rail yard that runs all day. Not just a passing train, but clanging car and engine changes. It’s LOUD. I slept with earplugs, but could still hear the noise. The yard really starts going around 5am and goes all day. It slows down after 8/9pm, but never stops entirely. The trains are the only reason for the removed star and it’s not the campground’s fault. But almost all of the real complaints are about the noise. If you want an extra quiet campground with only birds and running water, this is not the place for you. But if you don’t mind the loud bangs and low rumbles, this place is fine!
The entrance is beyond the train yard and about a mile down a widened part of the C&O. It is possible to be trapped inside or outside if a train is stopped at the crossing (30min for us, once).
In short, it’s a great campground if you bring ear plugs!
Camping sites near Jessup, Maryland offer a mix of secluded woodland retreats and convenient base camps for exploring nearby urban attractions. Located in the Patapsco Valley region at elevations between 200-300 feet, campsites in this area provide access to over 100 miles of trails through deciduous forests. Summer humidity can make July and August camping challenging without proper ventilation or electrical hookups.
Explore historic trails: At Patapsco Valley State Park's Hilton Area, hikers can access numerous routes with unique natural features. "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," notes one visitor to Hollofield Area Campground.
Visit Washington DC affordably: Greenbelt Park Campground serves as an economical base for DC sightseeing, just 13 miles from the capital. "It's a great place to camp if you want to make a visit to D.C. very affordable, as it's located just 1.5 miles from the nearest Metro Station. You can leave your car behind and visit the sites on foot or bike," explains a camper at Greenbelt Park Campground.
Enjoy water activities: The Patapsco River provides opportunities for fishing, swimming, and kayaking during summer months. "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," reports a visitor to Patapsco Valley State Park.
Seclusion amid development: Despite urban proximity, many campsites maintain a natural atmosphere. "What a crazy, but well-placed spot for a campground! This mid-sized campground is just 2 miles from Washington D.C. area traffic, shopping centers, etc. Honestly, we didn't hear the traffic at night and just a bit when we woke up in the morning," shares a camper from Greenbelt Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early mornings offer chances to spot local fauna. "We saw deer in the mornings and had an overall great experience," mentions a visitor to Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area. The park's ecosystem supports diverse wildlife despite urban encroachment.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain good hygiene standards despite high usage. "The bathroom is relatively clean, but very old and needs some maintenance. There is one hot shower per bathhouse," notes a Greenbelt Park visitor, while another mentions that at Ramblin' Pines, "Sites are pretty close together, but otherwise nice and well maintained."
Reservation requirements: Many popular campgrounds near Jessup require advance booking, especially on weekends. "Reservations are required for this campground, no more iron ranger on site as of 2018," warns a visitor to Greenbelt Park.
Site spacing considerations: Campsite proximity varies widely between parks. At Ramblin' Pines, a camper notes, "The most crowded uncomfortable campsites I have ever seen," while another says, "Nice large sites with friendly staff."
Noise factors: Highway sounds affect some campgrounds more than others. At Hollofield Area, "Weekends are noisy way past 10 pm with kids etc. plus the interstate traffic noise," according to one reviewer, though many mention the surprising quiet given urban proximity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Jessup, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Jessup, MD is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 42 reviews.
What parks are near Jessup, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Jessup, MD that allow camping, notably Greenbelt Park and Rock Creek Park.
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