Camping options near Hanover, Maryland provide RV travelers with a strategic base for exploring the region's historic sites and urban attractions. Located in the Piedmont Plateau region of the mid-Atlantic, most campgrounds sit at elevations between 200-400 feet above sea level, creating moderate terrain suitable for various camping setups. Winter temperatures generally remain above freezing, allowing several campgrounds to maintain year-round operation with limited seasonal closures.
What to do
Hiking trails with water access: Patapsco Valley State Park's Hollofield Area offers access to 70 miles of hiking trails. "Beautiful park with 70 miles of hiking/biking/multi use trails. There are parks on both sides of the river to explore and experience the trails. Be sure to bring/download maps," notes one camper at Hollofield Area Campground. The park allows swimming in designated areas of the Patapsco River during warmer months.
Historic site visits: Located 40 minutes from Bull Run Regional Park, Washington DC monuments provide day-trip opportunities. "We stayed at Bull Run Regional Campground on our visit to Washington DC. It was fall and the colors were gorgeous," shares a visitor to Bull Run Regional Park. For Civil War history, Gettysburg is accessible from several campgrounds with battlefield tours available.
Water activities: Multiple parks feature water recreation options beyond swimming. "If you like boating, kayaking or canoeing, this is the place," notes a camper about Bar Harbor RV Park, where visitors can enjoy shoreline sites with direct water access. Small boat and kayak launches are available at waterfront locations with seasonal rental options at select parks.
What campers like
Waterfront camping access: Bar Harbor offers premium waterfront sites directly on Bush River. "The daily waterfront sites are pricy but right on the water with great views. Some of the trailer sites are a tough back in but worth the trouble," according to a visitor at Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina. These sites allow fishing from campsites without needing to relocate.
Clean facilities: Cherry Hill Park maintains high cleanliness standards throughout its grounds. "Everything was extremely clean and well maintained. We loved the brick patio with patio furniture," reports a camper at Cherry Hill Park. Modern bathhouses with regular maintenance appear consistently in positive reviews across several parks.
Family amenities: Recreational facilities vary significantly between parks. "This campground has 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," lists a visitor to Cherry Hill Park. Seasonal activities including hayrides operate at select locations with most family programming concentrated during summer months.
What you should know
Military base access requirements: Several campgrounds operate on military bases with specific entry protocols. "This campground is abord Fort Belvoir, an US Army base in Northern, VA," explains a reviewer of Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp. Valid military credentials are required for base campgrounds, including Fort Belvoir and Camp Meade RV Park.
Flight path noise: Proximity to major airports affects sound levels at certain parks. Bull Run Regional Park experiences aircraft noise from nearby Dulles International Airport. "The only drawback is that it is not quite. There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away," a visitor notes about Bull Run.
Check-in restrictions: Operating hours vary considerably between parks with some imposing narrow arrival windows. "The keycard entry system is pretty inconvenient though ($40 cash only deposit!) and the hours are inconvenient as well. You can only check in between 2 and 4!" shares a visitor to Ramblin' Pines regarding off-season policies.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature multiple play areas with varying equipment. "There's a pond for fishing, a pool for swimming and a little general store for all your needs, the kids loved the bounce pillow," shares a camper at Ramblin' Pines. Some parks maintain natural playgrounds with logs and boulders rather than traditional equipment.
Activity planning: Seasonal programming increases during summer months with scheduled events. "The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish," notes a visitor to Bull Run Regional Park regarding structured activities.
Pool facilities: Swimming options vary from basic pools to more elaborate aquatic centers. "Pool was clean and quite good sized, had it to ourselves due to season," reports a camper at Round Top Campground. Most pools operate seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day with varying hours and supervision requirements.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling needs: Terrain variations affect how much leveling equipment RVers should bring. "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," explains a visitor to Bull Run Regional Park. Many sites require front-to-back leveling rather than side-to-side adjustments.
Road navigation challenges: Campground layouts present varying degrees of maneuvering difficulty. "The sites are pretty close, but there were all sizes of RVs there, even large class A," notes a reviewer about Bar Harbor RV Park, indicating accessibility despite tight spacing. Interior roads often narrow significantly during peak season with two-way traffic creating additional navigation challenges.
Storage options: Extended stay campers have limited storage options. "They even allowed us to store the camper while we took a cruise out of Baltimore!" shares a Ramblin' Pines visitor, highlighting an uncommon service. Most parks require complete removal of equipment between stays unless specifically reserved for consecutive periods.
