Campgrounds near Glenn Dale, Maryland offer varying outdoor experiences within the wooded Coastal Plain region. Sitting at elevations around 150-200 feet, the area features a mix of deciduous forest and wetland habitats. Summer camping typically sees temperatures in the 80s with moderate humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions in the 60-70°F range.
What to Do
Trail exploration: At Cedarville State Forest, hikers can access multiple paths through mixed hardwood forest. "There are decent trails to hike here too. There's a sacrifice of space here- I'd like to see it expand a bit, as the campground can fill quickly," notes Bill G. The brown trail offers a relatively easy walk according to campers.
Disc golf course: Bull Run Regional Park features an 18-hole disc golf course among its recreational options. "Park has golf frisbe course, decent water park for kids, hiking trails, small creek/river you can explore, playgrounds," reports Tom C. The course winds through wooded sections of the park.
Kayaking access: Tuckahoe State Park provides direct water access from the camping area. "Canoe/kayak launch between sites 46 and 48. The walk to Tuckahoe Creek from the parking area is very short," explains Mary S. The creek connects to Tuckahoe Lake where gas motors aren't permitted.
What Campers Like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained bathrooms at Tuckahoe State Park Campground. "The bathroom/showers are the cleanest I've ever seen, especially since we stayed in the hottest time of the year," writes Bill G. The campground includes separate loops for tent/cabin sites and RV electric sites.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local fauna. "Saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits, before we even reached the gates," reports Ben J. about Cedarville State Forest. The forested settings provide natural habitats for various species.
Spacious sites: Pohick Bay Campground receives praise for its campsite layout. "Sites are spacious and decently level (depends on the site I'm sure)," notes Kristen M. The campground features pull-through sites with varying degrees of privacy.
What You Should Know
Ticks prevalent: Multiple reviewers warn about ticks at Cedarville State Forest. "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers," advises Ben J. This issue appears worse during warmer months.
Aircraft noise: Due to the proximity of Andrews Air Force Base, several campgrounds experience overhead flights. At Bull Run Regional Park, "I66 is not that far away... It is on a flight path for DCA," notes Drew M. Noise-sensitive campers may want to bring earplugs.
Limited horse facilities: Despite occasional horseback rider sightings on trails, no dedicated horse campgrounds near Glenn Dale, Maryland exist with proper equestrian amenities. Camp Meade RV Park, like other area campgrounds, lacks horse corrals, wash racks, or dedicated equestrian campsites.
Tips for Camping with Families
Scheduled activities: Bull Run Regional Park offers organized family programs. "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," shares Ben G., noting these activities were perfect for camping with young children.
Playground proximity: When booking sites, consider location relative to play areas. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse," mentions Ben G. at Bull Run Regional Park. This setup allows parents to monitor children while at the campsite.
Water activities: Several parks offer water-based recreation for families. "Pirate's Cove waterpark is definitely a highlight in summer," notes Anne K. about Pohick Bay. Many campgrounds combine water features with hiking trails to provide activity options.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RVers should check site specifications before booking. "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," shares Drew M. about Bull Run Regional Park. Site terrain varies considerably among area campgrounds.
Hookup availability: Camp Winery provides limited hookups for RVs with primitive camping being the primary option. Most area campgrounds offer at least electrical hookups, though full-service sites are less common. For equestrian RVers seeking horse campgrounds near Glenn Dale, Maryland, options are extremely limited as no reviewed campgrounds feature horse-specific facilities.
