Campgrounds near Greenbelt, Maryland range from basic tent sites to full-service RV parks, with several options located within 30 minutes of the city. The area's climate features humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 85°F from June through August, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with highs in the 60-70°F range. Most camping spots near Greenbelt remain open from March through October, with limited winter availability at select locations.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: Patapsco Valley State Park offers over 70 miles of multi-use trails through wooded terrain. "We enjoyed hiking the trails directly from our campsite that led us down to the Patapsco River. There is a lot of history associated with the River and the area. You can even swim in this river," notes one visitor at Patapsco Valley State Park-Hollofield Area.
Swimming and water activities: Several campgrounds feature pools and water features, particularly valuable during hot summer months. Lake Fairfax Campground provides multiple water-based options, with one camper mentioning: "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)."
Day trips to Washington DC: Many campers use Greenbelt area campgrounds as a base for exploring the capital. At Cherry Hill Park, visitors appreciate the transportation options: "The best park in the DC area! Plan and reserve you DC tours right at the campground. No need to drive anywhere, the tour buses pick you up at the park!"
Urban and natural exploration: The region offers a mix of city access and nature experiences. "We really loved road biking to the nearby H Mart to have fun shopping and browsing their unique selection. (This is a super large Korean store packed with fruits, vegetables, seafood and other food stuff that could put an American grocery store to shame," shares a camper at Patapsco Valley State Park-Hollofield Area.
What campers like
Accessibility to urban amenities: Campers consistently mention appreciating the blend of camping with nearby city access. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," notes a visitor at Greenbelt Park Campground.
Transportation options: Multiple campgrounds offer solutions for reaching DC without driving. One Cherry Hill Park camper explains, "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."
Family-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds feature dedicated facilities for children. At Washington DC / Capitol KOA, families find plenty of activities: "We stopped at the DC KOA as a base to visit the Capitol. This is not a site for nature lovers but is perfect for kids. 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: Despite urban proximity, wildlife sightings remain common. One Greenbelt Park camper shares: "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground. Living nearby but storing my popup camper elsewhere, I often park my camper here for a few days while I pack it for a trip."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer humidity and insects can impact comfort levels. At Cedarville State Forest, one camper warns: "We spent most of the trip adjusting the water proofing so we stayed dry. When the rain did calm down Cedarville state forest offered some very serene and peaceful views. Which is surprising due to the forests location."
Proximity to flight paths: Several campgrounds experience air traffic noise. A Cedarville State Forest visitor notes: "It's close to a Naval base, and therefore you constantly hear airplanes, and helicopters at all times."
Site spacing and privacy: Campsite proximity varies significantly between locations. At Pohick Bay Campground, a reviewer explains: "Sites are spacious and decently level (depends on the site I'm sure). Plenty of playgrounds and trails nearby to keep the family busy."
Ticks and insects: Bug activity is common, particularly in wooded areas during warmer months. One Cedarville visitor cautions: "I've never left this park without at least one tick. No camp store. Firewood is available. Supplies can be gotten nearby."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated recreational facilities. "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc). If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy," advises a Washington DC / Capitol KOA visitor.
Playground access: Multiple locations feature playground equipment. At Lake Fairfax Campground, one camper notes: "This campground is nice for a quick weekend and does have pretty trails next to the campground. The sites are largely in more of a meadow and not many are very wooded. Our site, 41, was level and nicely spaced from other sites but many tent sites were not level at all."
Water features for summer heat: Pools and splash pads provide relief during hot weather. "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," shares a visitor at Patapsco Valley State Park.
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer ranger programs and nature activities. A Patapsco Valley State Park camper suggests: "For camping or just spending a day out on the trail with the kids we prefer the Hilton entrance. There are two huge playgrounds and a youth campground as well as a family campground."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Greenbelt Park has specific areas for different vehicle sizes. "Loop A is for organized groups/youth/scouts, Loop B is for tents and RVs under 30 ft, Loop C is for tents, and Loop D is for tents and RVs under 35 ft. No hookups at any of the sites," explains one RVer.
Hookup availability: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of amenities. At Pohick Bay Campground, campers find: "Nice layout, not all sites are level (half). Staff are always nice and go out of their way to help."
Dump station and water fill locations: Know where to find essential RV services. One Greenbelt Park camper explains: "There's a dump station and drinking water fill in loop C (sorry tenters who wanted to avoid RVs). 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."
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional preparation. A Lake Fairfax visitor cautions: "Camp site wasn't level at all. I was actually kind of worried that it would slide into the woods."
