Cabin camping near Greenbelt Park provides access to outdoor recreation within 20 miles of Washington DC. The region features rolling hills with elevations between 200-300 feet and mature hardwood forests. Most cabin facilities remain open year-round, with October and November offering colorful fall foliage and cooler temperatures.
What to do
Trail exploration: Bull Run Regional Park features multiple hiking trails through wooded areas. "We only spent three nights there. Staff was friendly and helpful with any information we needed. Nice play ground for the kids. They also really enjoyed the jumping pillow," notes one camper who visited Bull Run Regional Park.
Water activities: Patapsco Valley State Park maintains river access points popular for cooling off during summer months. A visitor explains, "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. The nature center was closed when we visited, but the kids still enjoyed the sensory trail and playground," making Patapsco Valley State Park a solid option for families.
Historical sites: Use cabin accommodations as a base for visiting nearby Civil War battlefields and monuments. One guest at Washington DC / Capitol KOA said, "The KOA is AOK! Phenomenal, clean sites in a beautiful wooded area. It is all it's cracked up to be!"
What campers like
Privacy features: Little Bennett Campground offers wooded sites with natural screening. A camper reports, "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup. D Loop is for RVs, A, B, C& E are tents only. There is a very nice network of trails, most if not all were leashed dog friendly," showing why Little Bennett Campground remains popular despite its location.
Proximity to attractions: Cabin campers value the strategic location for visiting multiple regional highlights. "This was a great stop to take the kids to visit the city. Easy access and well laid out sites. They have a bus stop for metro service to the city, but we took the 20 minute drive. They have a nice looking pool area, but it was too cold. The shop was cute and staff nice," notes a visitor to Cherry Hill Park.
Wildlife viewing: Area cabins provide opportunities to observe local fauna. One camper at Pohick Bay Campground shared, "Beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff!" The area supports diverse bird populations throughout the year.
What you should know
Cabin reservation requirements: Most locations require advance booking, with weekend dates filling 2-3 months ahead during peak season. At Adventure Bound Washington DC, one camper noted: "Location wise, it's great to see things in area. Both Washington DC and many area's along the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, Chesapeake Beach, Solomon's Etc. The sites are very close but adequate. Not a Bad stop, but the pool is closed so not a lot of frills."
Site variations: Cabin quality and amenities differ significantly between providers. A camper at Little Bennett Campground explains, "Out-of-state campers pay higher camping fee than Maryland residents, $66/night. No senior or veteran discount. No toilet/shower facility in FHU loop so had to hike to facilities in Loops B & E."
Noise considerations: Some cabins experience road or airport noise. A visitor to Capitol KOA observed, "Camp site wasn't level at all. I was actually kind of worried that it would slide into the woods. Pool was dirty. Ran out of hot water. Got chided by the golf cart police for driving >20 mph. Stayed at nicer campgrounds for significantly less money."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select cabin locations based on proximity to play areas. According to one visitor at Pohick Bay Campground, "We had a great time here over a long weekend in August. The check in is a breeze and the staff is super nice and helpful. They gave us a great intro to the park as we were first timers. They informed us that they had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend."
Swimming options: Cabins with pool access provide crucial summer recreation. A camper at Bull Run notes, "I'll go again just for the showers. We tent camped there with 2 other families memorial day weekend. It rained the entire time but we still had a blast. Best review I can give us of the bathrooms. They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had."
Activity schedules: Check for programmed family events when booking cabin stays. One visitor mentioned, "This campground is byfar one of the best I have ever stayed at. The price is a little steep, but with all the amenities you get, it is well worth it."
