Camping sites near Glenn Dale, Maryland offer proximity to the Patuxent River, with elevations ranging from 50 to 250 feet above sea level across the region. Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with July temperatures averaging 80°F and occasional afternoon thunderstorms common in summer months. Weekday camping typically offers more availability and quieter experiences than weekends.
What to do
Trail exploration at Cedarville State Forest: Visitors can access multiple hiking paths with varied terrain options for all skill levels. "We hiked the brown trail and it was a nice walk. We have AT&T and had two bars pretty consistently," noted a camper at Cedarville State Forest.
Water activities on the Patapsco River: Swimming holes and fishing spots available directly from campgrounds. A visitor to Patapsco Valley State Park mentioned, "We found a small river and swimming hole at the bottom of the hill off to the side opposite the cabins/park."
Disc golf at Pohick Bay: The 18-hole course offers challenging play through wooded terrain. "Pohick Bay is my go-to weekend camping spot. Just a few miles outside DC, Pohick Bay is a hidden gem in the area. I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," shares one camper.
Educational programs at Greenbelt Park: Rangers conduct monthly campfire circles with scheduled activities. A reviewer noted, "Rangers keep a close eye on things, and there are monthly programs at the campfire circle that I sometimes attend even when not camping here."
What campers like
Convenient transportation options: The ability to use public transit from camps to explore DC. "What we did, since we don't have a tow car, and just have our 26ft motorhome, is we packed up and drove to the Greenbelt station about 5 miles away, parked there for the day, and took the green line into town," explains a visitor to Greenbelt Park Campground.
Kid-friendly amenities: Family-focused recreational areas with supervised activities. A camper at Washington DC Capitol KOA shared, "We had a site near the pool, outdoor chess set, jumping pillow and gaga ball pit. Our kids (9, 10 and 14) all had fun and made friends."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Natural habitats supporting diverse animal populations. "Saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits, before we even reached the gates," reported one visitor to Cedarville State Forest.
Spacious campsites at select locations: Some spots offer better privacy than others. A camper at Cherry Hill Park remarked, "I wish there was a little bit more room in between the campers for privacy but it did not hurt our stay."
What you should know
Tick protection essential: Multiple campgrounds report high tick populations. "We had a lot of ants at our campsite. They didn't cause any problems and were never in our camper or in our food when we ate outside but they were there and it was evident that there were a lot of ants," noted a visitor to Cherry Hill Park.
Flight path noise impacts: Several campgrounds experience airplane traffic overhead. "It's close to a Naval base, and therefore you constantly hear airplanes, and helicopters at all times," mentions a camper at Cedarville State Forest.
Standing water after rain: Low-lying areas can become soggy and increase mosquito activity. "There is even standing water around our site which brings us to...the MOSQUITOS! We tried fans, tiki torches, and many deet free or light deet products before having to buy 100% deet so we could be outside."
Limited shower facilities: Some locations have minimal shower facilities for the number of sites. "There's only one large shower per bath house, and you only have a curtain (no door and no lock)," reported a visitor to Greenbelt Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds within campgrounds: Multiple locations feature play areas directly accessible from sites. A camper at Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area explained, "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."
Nature education opportunities: Specialized trails designed for children. "This is a small gem of a state park campground, one of only two is the massive Patapsco Valley State Park. It's a bit odd getting here through a suburban neighborhood, but the Hilton area is great. It seem like this area is, possibly unintentionally, geared toward children."
Evening activities: Scheduled programming at select campgrounds. "They informed us that they had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend, they had an outdoor movie scheduled for Friday night, a campfire story time scheduled for Saturday night and crafts scheduled for Sunday morning."
Cabin alternatives: Structures available for easier family camping. "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.'"
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Corner sites offer more privacy at densely packed campgrounds. "Look at the park map and try to get a site at the end of a row. The sites are pretty close together but on the ends at least you only have a neighbor on one side," advised a camper at Adventure Bound Washington DC.
Water fill challenges: Some campgrounds have limited or inconvenient water sources. "The water fill was a little annoying in that there's a handle you have to hold down the whole time, but we used a rock to prop the handle down."
Navigation timing: Avoid arriving after dark at certain locations. "Do not try and come in after dark. Very tight and very dark," warns an RVer.
Campsite levelness varies: Some sites require significant leveling. "Camp site wasn't level at all. I was actually kind of worried that it would slide into the woods," reported one RVer about their experience.
