Best Campgrounds near Germantown, MD

Camping options near Germantown, Maryland include several established campgrounds within a 30-minute drive. Little Bennett Campground, one of the closest camping areas to the city, offers a mix of tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping accommodations. Other nearby options include Ramblin' Pines and Cherry Hill Park, which provide full-hookup RV sites along with tent camping areas. The region primarily features developed campgrounds rather than dispersed camping, with most sites offering amenities like fire pits, picnic tables, and access to restroom facilities.

Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with prime camping months running from April through October. Little Bennett Campground specifically operates from April 1 to October 30. Reservations are typically required, especially for weekend stays when sites fill quickly. "For a quick getaway that isn't far, Little Bennett is a great campground. The staff is very helpful. They've got nice hiking trails, an adequate camp store, a jumping pillow and other activities for kids," noted one camper. Nearby Lake Fairfax Campground in Virginia has a similar operating season, running from March 22 to September 7. Weather in this region is characterized by humid summers and mild winters, with occasional thunderstorms during summer months.

Families appreciate the amenities at many Germantown-area campgrounds. Little Bennett receives positive reviews for its family-friendly features, including weekend activities, a jumping pillow, pedal carts, and hiking trails. Sites are generally well-spaced with vegetation providing privacy between neighbors. According to visitor feedback, "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup." Campgrounds like Greenbelt Park offer more primitive camping experiences with fewer amenities but still maintain easy access to Washington, DC. Campers seeking more rustic experiences can find smaller private camping areas like The Garden or Button Farm, which offer more limited facilities but provide a quieter atmosphere away from the larger, more developed campgrounds.

Best Camping Sites Near Germantown, Maryland (124)

    1. Little Bennett Campground

    23 Reviews
    Clarksburg, MD
    5 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"

    2. Lake Fairfax Campground

    25 Reviews
    Reston, VA
    15 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."

    3. Cherry Hill Park

    42 Reviews
    Beltsville, MD
    20 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."

    4. Ramblin' Pines

    17 Reviews
    Woodbine, MD
    18 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 ❤️"

    5. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    24 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"

    6. Bull Run Regional Park

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

    $39 - $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. The Garden

    2 Reviews
    Damascus, MD
    9 miles
    +1 (240) 654-7056

    $15 - $55 / night

    8. Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA

    39 Reviews
    Harpers Ferry, WV
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 535-6895

    $40 - $80 / night

    "We set up camp at Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA Holiday as our launchpad to visit the historic sites in and around Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and Frederick, Maryland. "

    "It’s very close to Harper’s Ferry (almost worth the hike into town rather than the difficulty finding parking in a town with one parking lot)."

    9. Button Farm

    1 Review
    Poolesville, MD
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (240) 579-5112

    $30 / night

    "You are able to drive right up to the camp area and we kept our car right next to our tent. There are nearby chickens, geese and pigs. "

    10. Camping by the Creek in Woods

    2 Reviews
    Great Falls, VA
    7 miles
    +1 (240) 595-5000

    $45 - $55 / night

    "Awesome site tucked away in mature woods. Quiet. Easy paved access. Near C&O Canal, biking, hiking across street in Block House Park. Lovely attentive host."

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Recent Reviews near Germantown, MD

1027 Reviews of 124 Germantown Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Great non-electric site, no dumstation

    This site is at the very top of the loop so it has a great cozy vibe and is spaced well away from other sites. The only downside is that the bathhouse is a walk downhill and then a walk back uphill. Surprised there’s no place for someone to park next to the bathhouse - only trails to it- so if you have accessibility needs, consider choosing a site that’s lower in the loop. The site is level and was raked by the hosts before we got there. Really clean and quiet except for some road noise. Showers are SO nice compared to other campsite. Hot water is hot, no push buttons, and there is a shower wand in both stalls. No dump station though!! Dump before you get here. Also if you work remote and depend on service, it’s spotty. Very wooded so Starlink can’t help much. OH- Don’t bother visiting the winery down the road. Ew. Just don’t.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA

    Dense and chaotic, but great breakfast

    We got here late on a Friday and boy was it packed. It was a pretty tight fit and at a perpendicular. Not sure why campsites do that. We didn’t use the bathroom or showers because it was so late and honestly because they only had one bathroom location for all those people and it was on the opposite side of the campsite. They have SO many activities going on for kids and families including crafts and a magic show. They also had a diner and general store. Didn’t go into the store but did get breakfast from the diner and the breakfast was honestly delicious. It was about a 20 min wait at 8:15 but the quality of the food totally makes up for that. I recommend the sausage gravy and biscuits. Overall, great spot if you’ve got kids. Pretty packed if you’re just traveling or looking for some outdoor time.

  • 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!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Watermelon Park Campground

    Beautiful setting!

    This camping ground is for RVs only. It's right on the Shenandoah River so it's a quiet peaceful setting. However it's a long way from any town, has terrible wifi, (the mobile data was slightly better) & doesn't hav a laundry room. The road in is very narrow so our moterhome had a little difficulty getting in, but we made it! There is only a dumping station. This is just info, not a bad review :) they have showers & firewood & the staff is very friendly & helpful! Tubing on the river was closed for the season but that wud have been a great pass time!

  • Marcandpatti B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Gettysburg Campground

    Good spot for Gettysburg, a bit spendy.

    We stayed here mid-week in September so it was very quiet. There was a bit of road noise as our site was close to the entrance. Host was super friendly. They have a bunch of things going on with groups that stay here; next group is quilters with vintage trailers, sorry to miss that. All of the utilities worked just fine. Sites re a bit close to each other, not a lot of foliage between sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Great location and friendly staff

    We have a motorhome with no additional vehicle and two dogs, and this site couldn’t have been more perfect for us. A dog park, walking distance to most everything we wanted to see. The national park is mostly dog friendly. My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site. The staff was super friendly and welcoming.

  • p
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Rv stay

    Site and bathrooms clean. Activities provided free each day. Food trucks in park. Close to museum and battleground sites.


Guide to Germantown

Camping near Germantown, Maryland, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds nearby, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature and make lasting memories.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails at Catoctin Mountain Park. One reviewer mentioned, "Catoctin Mountain Park has 25 miles of hiking trails," making it a fantastic place for both beginners and experienced hikers.
  • Fishing: Head to Codorus State Park Campground for some fishing. A visitor shared, "There’s a lot to do in the area. Tons of hiking, exploring along the lake," which makes it a great spot for fishing enthusiasts.
  • Visiting Historical Sites: Check out the nearby historical sites like Gettysburg. One camper noted, "We went to a winery and an ice cream place as well as did some other fun things," highlighting the area's rich history and attractions.

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A review for Greenbrier State Park Campground stated, "The bath houses & sites are always clean," which is a big plus for families.
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors mention the helpfulness of the staff. One camper at Cherry Hill Park said, "Staff very helpful and really explained the Metro system very well," making it easier for newcomers to navigate.
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers enjoy the peacefulness of places like Pohick Bay Campground. A reviewer mentioned, "During the week was very quiet," which is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

What you should know

  • No Wi-Fi at Some Campgrounds: If you need internet access, be aware that some campgrounds, like Oak Ridge Campground, have limited cell service and no Wi-Fi. One visitor noted, "Didn’t find WiFi and Verizon cell service was limited."
  • Site Size and Spacing: Some campgrounds have close sites. A camper at Harpers Ferry KOA mentioned, "The sites were so unlevel, close together," which might be a concern for larger groups.
  • Limited Amenities: Campgrounds like Owens Creek Campground have basic amenities. A review stated, "The sites are very clean but close to each other," so plan accordingly.

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Campgrounds with Play Areas: Look for campgrounds that have playgrounds or kid-friendly activities. One parent at Bull Run Regional Park said, "The playground and trails were nice, kids really enjoyed the chance to take in nature."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having snacks on hand can keep the kids happy. A camper at Cherry Hill Park mentioned, "Nicely stocked store, great cafe onsite," which is a great option for quick bites.
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Make sure to respect quiet hours, especially in family-friendly campgrounds. A visitor at Pohick Bay Campground noted, "The weekend tends to be a bit louder," so be prepared for that.

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Compatibility: Before booking, ensure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Harpers Ferry KOA said, "If the person across from your site is already parked, good luck having enough room to back into your site."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you prefer more amenities, choose campgrounds with full hookups. A camper at Codorus State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are fairly large and they do have some full hookup sites which is nice."
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Pohick Bay Campground shared, "This place is so noisy with these helicopters that fly 24/7," so consider that when planning your stay.

Camping near Germantown, MD, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for a quiet getaway or a fun family adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fishing opportunities are available at campsites near Germantown?

Several campgrounds near Germantown offer good fishing opportunities. Brunswick Family Campground provides direct access to the Potomac River, where campers can fish right from the shoreline. Greenbrier State Park features a 42-acre man-made lake ideal for fishing, with species including trout, bass, and bluegill. Both locations offer a pleasant combination of camping and fishing experiences, though you'll need a Maryland fishing license. The parks typically provide fishing access year-round, with seasonal variations in catch rates.

What amenities like showers are available at Germantown area campgrounds?

Campgrounds around Germantown offer varying levels of amenities. Owens Creek Campground in Catoctin Mountain Park provides clean bath houses with showers, set in a peaceful, shaded environment. For more luxurious facilities, Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA offers full-service bathrooms with hot showers, along with amenities like a pool and laundry facilities. Most developed campgrounds in the area provide at minimum flush toilets and drinking water, though amenities tend to be more basic at primitive sites like those along the C&O Canal.

Where can I find camping spots near Germantown, MD?

Several excellent campgrounds are located within a short drive from Germantown. Greenbelt Park Campground offers a convenient bare-bones National Park Service option with tent sites just 25 miles away, making it perfect for quick getaways. For families seeking a more private setting, Little Bennett Regional Park provides wooded sites with good privacy. Other solid options within reasonable driving distance include Cedarville State Forest and Swains Lock on the C&O Canal for those preferring something more rustic and natural.

Is Little Bennett Regional Park a good camping option near Germantown?

Yes, Little Bennett Regional Park is an excellent camping option near Germantown, offering one of the closest developed campgrounds to the area. As part of Montgomery County's park system, it features wooded campsites with good privacy, hiking trails, and family-friendly amenities. The campground is typically open April through November, making it a convenient option for Germantown residents looking for a quick camping getaway without traveling far. Reservations are recommended, especially during summer weekends and holidays.