10 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Camping near Greenbelt Park in Maryland ranges from primitive tent sites in wooded loops to full-hookup RV parks and cabin accommodations, all just minutes from Washington DC. The National Park Service operates the main Greenbelt Park Campground with tent and small RV sites across four distinct loops, while nearby Cherry Hill Park and Washington DC/Capitol KOA offer more developed options with full hookups and cabin accommodations. Most campgrounds in this region maintain year-round or extended seasonal operations, though Greenbelt's primitive-style camping contrasts with the resort-like amenities found at commercial facilities within a 20-mile radius.
Reservations are required at most established campgrounds near Greenbelt, with advance booking strongly recommended during peak travel seasons. The area experiences typical mid-Atlantic climate conditions with hot, humid summers and mild winters, making spring and fall particularly popular for camping. Greenbelt Park Campground offers limited amenities with no electrical hookups, though bathhouses with showers are available throughout the camping loops. Cell coverage remains strong across most campgrounds due to their proximity to urban areas. As one camper noted, "When I was checking out this site I wasn't sure how it would work out exactly. It seemed close to the METRO, which made for a great option when exploring the DC area."
The most distinctive feature of camping in this region is the surprising tranquility found within an otherwise heavily developed metropolitan area. Campers consistently highlight the convenience of using public transportation to access Washington DC attractions while maintaining a natural overnight experience. Though road and air traffic noise is occasionally mentioned in reviews, most visitors find the wooded settings provide adequate buffer from urban sounds. Several visitors mentioned encountering deer and other wildlife within Greenbelt Park despite its urban setting. A recent review explained, "It's a little strange to be in the middle of a suburban area and suddenly in a gigantic green space." Sites at Greenbelt Park tend to be relatively close together with variable privacy, though the surrounding forest creates a sense of seclusion in many camping loops.
"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."
Available this weekend
from $999 / night
"The bathhouse situation. "
"If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."
Available this weekend
from $20 / night
"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 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."
"It took us a couple wrong turns to find our site and when we came back, after the concert around 11, the entrance gate was closed and we had to sneak in through the exit gate."
from $30 - $70 / night
"We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids."
"We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."
Available this weekend
from $37 - $170 / night
"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
"We had a fantastic time our 1st time at #AdventureBoundCampingResort in Lothian, Maryland."
"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"
"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
"Based on my stay 3 nights and what I read of Greenbelt Park (the other closeby to Washington campground) I would say this has to be much better and I will stay here again on a future visit."
from $12 - $45 / night
TravelerClose to washington as we could get. Could also park our skoolie bus which was nice and had plenty of close by shower with bathrooms. Keep in mind only one shower per restroom house. We stayed at a pretty slow season so it wasn’t bad. Would recommend if visiting DC! They also have a dump station and water fill up.
ScoutWe stayed in site #133 with our 34'10" travel trailer/toy hauler. Overall, we really like the site. It's spacious, fairly level, heavily wooded, and feels surprisingly private. There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation. We had a nice large area for our chairs, fire pit, picnic table, and dogs. The biggest thing to know about #133 is the approach. We were instructed to pass the site, go around the loop, and then make a left turn into it. With our nearly 35' trailer, that would have required an extremely tight, almost 90-degree turn between the trees, and we did not feel we could safely make it. There is actually visible damage on one of the trees at the entrance, so it appears others may have had difficulty with the turn as well. Instead, we approached from the opposite direction and positioned the camper with our doors facing the main campsite area. That put the water and electric hookups on the opposite side, but our hoses and cord were long enough to run underneath the camper and reach without a problem. Once we figured that out, the site worked very well for us. I initially thought we probably wouldn't choose #133 again because of the awkward setup, but after spending the weekend here, I would. Now that we know how to approach and position our trailer, it really is a nice site. If you're bringing a longer travel trailer, just be prepared to do a little maneuvering and make sure your water hose and electrical cord have enough length if you decide to orient your camper the way we did.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
GuideSpent two nights while we saw the Avett Brothers play at Wolf Trap. Nice flat site with power. Campground was quiet and clean. The only negative is communication and signage. It took us a couple wrong turns to find our site and when we came back, after the concert around 11, the entrance gate was closed and we had to sneak in through the exit gate. Asked the next day and they said that is what campers do to access the park after 11pm.
GuideThis is a great camping spot. The sites aren’t too close together and the hosts are very friendly. The only reason I gave it four stars is because we are near a highway so you can hear cars throughout the night. But the crickets make up for it by being as loud as possible. With the fees, it cost $25 for a non-electric site and with access to showers after a long trek I was happy to pay.
RangerWe stayed at Redemption Springs to get relatively close to Baltimore without bringing our 30ft travel trailer into the city. Seth and the other gentlemen I spoke with were all extremely accommodating. Enjoyed learning about their approach to restorative farming and purchasing a variety of treats at the farm store. Beef, pork, chicken, seasonings, baked goods, and more. We booked on Hipcamp and recommend following his driving instructions. Our rig fit fine by tuhe main barn and they kept an eye on us going in and out to make sure we didn't have issues making any of the turns. Lots of farm life!
RangerWe stayed at Little Bennett starting on Labor Day Monday and left before the weekend, so it is hard to say how this looks when the campground is full of life. They had quite a few activities for families and a pavilion capable of concerts and such, but there was minimal activity during our stay. My biggest complaint is that the gate code changed and we didn't get any notice--so after a long day and a dinner out near Baltimore (nearly an hour away), I had to call the police to get back to my camper. Otherwise, the campsite was relatively spacious and quiet. The bugs were a little rough. Lots of whitetail running around.
GuideIf you want to be near Annapolis, right on the Severn River...this is it. About 15 RV spots nestled in the woods...with full hook ups. A couple of primitive spots as well. Just a quick 5 min walk to the river...right across from the Academy. NEX, gas within 10 min walk, and 15 min drive to downtown Annapolis. Staff is always great here, and the park is clean....for a park on the woods.
TravelerBased on my stay 3 nights and what I read of Greenbelt Park (the other closeby to Washington campground) I would say this has to be much better and I will stay here again on a future visit. Campground sits inside of a much larger park with great trails, amenities and well maintained. Campground is quiet, lots of trees, forest and yet each space is very large with good spacing and privacy to adjacent sites. High tree canopy at your site so lots of room to spread out. Sites themselves are a little rustic - a mix of grass, gravel and dirt, but not muddy (it rained a good bit prior to my stay) - but in good condition. Shower/toilet block is clean and good hot water and good water pressure. Most sites are flat or near flat and the ones that aren't need minimal levelling blocks. Campground apparently is never full and there was only 1 other when I was there - really hard to believe. There is a neighborhood road up by the sites near the shower block but it is low speed and lightly travelled and I had no disturbance from it. Nice surrounding neighborhood. No signs of vagrants. Park police patrolled multiple times per day and report very little non-camper entry to ther facilities. I felt very safe.Easy access to Eashington - bus stop outside the campground to metro or just drive to the metro (free parking weekend, $6 midweek) and then train (about 8 per hour) into the sites - an hour or less total to get there. For more local people, this seems like a good escape "to the woods" without travelling forever.
Greenbelt Park camping offers a distinctive overnight experience near the nation's capital, with temperatures typically ranging from 30°F in winter to 90°F in summer with high humidity. The park sits at an elevation of approximately 200 feet above sea level in Maryland's Coastal Plain physiographic province. Campgrounds near Greenbelt operate on various reservation systems, with many requiring booking 6-12 months in advance during peak season.
Disc golf courses: Pohick Bay Regional Park features an 18-hole course 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," notes Rachel L.
Water activities: Cherry Hill Park provides multiple water-based recreation options for campers. "They have so much to offer. 50 amp hook-up, Water, Sewer, Playground, Mini Golf, Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Basketball court, Snack bar on site, Nightly hayride," explains Beth R., highlighting the variety of activities available after a day exploring DC.
Mountain biking: Lake Fairfax Campground offers extensive trail systems for bikers. "A lot to do: mountain bike trails (horses and walking, too); wooded hikes with water along the trails (great for dogs in the summer heat), skateboard park, BMX park, Water Park near the campground, fishing, & canoeing)," reports Amy B., noting the diverse terrain suitable for different skill levels.
Urban forest experience: Greenbelt Park Campground provides a natural retreat with surprisingly diverse wildlife viewing. "It is a super large park that runs 32 miles along the Patapsco River. Beautiful park with 70 miles of hiking/biking/multi-use trails," shares Travyl Couple, describing the extensive trail system that connects various recreation areas.
Public transportation access: Several campgrounds provide connections to Washington DC transportation systems. "This camp has a lot to offer - mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry, a store and office open early and late. Just can't be beat. Great sites. Proximity to DC and surrounding areas can't be beat. Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle. It takes about a half hour to get downtown to the monuments," explains Jennifer H.
Wildlife encounters: Despite urban proximity, many campers report surprisingly rich wildlife viewing opportunities. "Saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits, before we even reached the gates. Moderate privacy and space, especially considering how close it is to DC," notes Ben J. about Cedarville State Forest.
Seasonal considerations: The region experiences typical mid-Atlantic temperature swings. "It's a little strange to be in the middle of a suburban area and suddenly in a gigantic green space," explains one review about the urban forest contrast at many sites.
Tick awareness: Multiple campgrounds report tick issues, especially in summer months. "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers," warns Ben J., emphasizing proper preparation when hiking trails near Washington DC/Capitol KOA.
Site selection: Campsite spacing varies significantly between locations. "Sites were well-maintained, including lavatories. Plenty of tree cover. NOTE: park service forbade tying lines or straps to the trees at the time of our visit (Autumn 2024), so if you favor hammock camping or deploying tarps/ridgelines, plan accordingly," advises Timothy C.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature exceptional playground facilities. "We had a great time here over a long weekend in August. 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. about Pohick Bay Regional Park.
Educational programs: Ranger-led activities provide learning opportunities for children. "There is a 'natural' playground in the loop, and then if you drive down further to the park entrance, there is a large playground for the kids. I've attached photos from the 'natural playground' aka, large rocks and overturned trees. The kids loved it," explains Jennifer S.
Water features for cooling off: Many campgrounds have swimming options for hot summer days. "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," notes Angel G. about Patapsco Valley State Park.
Level site selection: Many campgrounds have variable terrain requiring leveling equipment. "Sites are spacious and decently level (depends on the site I'm sure). Plenty of playgrounds and trails nearby to keep the family busy," shares Kristen M.
Electric and hookup options: Electrical service varies significantly between parks. "The inner circle has electric but no water or sewer. The outer circle is primitive. There is a dump station," notes Rebecca C. about the Hollofield Area of Patapsco Valley State Park-Hollofield Area.
Arrival timing: Many campgrounds have specific check-in procedures. "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. Sites were pretty level," reports Joe R., explaining the transportation options available at Cherry Hill Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Greenbelt Park?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Greenbelt Park is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 44 reviews.
What parks are near Greenbelt Park?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Greenbelt Park that allow camping, notably Rock Creek Park and Fort Dupont Park.
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