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Best Campgrounds near Harwood, MD

615 Reviews

Camping near Harwood, Maryland encompasses a mix of state parks, private campgrounds, and waterfront sites within easy reach of both Washington DC and Annapolis. The area features established campgrounds like Adventure Bound Washington DC in Lothian and Cedarville State Forest, which provide varying levels of amenities for tent and RV campers. Sandy Point State Park near Annapolis offers youth group camping with Chesapeake Bay views, while smaller private operations like Lacy Oasis Campground provide more intimate camping experiences with just six sites. Cherry Hill Park in College Park stands out as a highly-rated option with full hookups and amenities for those visiting the DC area.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October. Cedarville State Forest typically opens in April and closes in October, while Sandy Point State Park operates from March to October. Some facilities like Adventure Bound Washington DC and the Naval Station Annapolis FamCamp remain open year-round. Summer humidity and mosquitoes can be significant, particularly in wooded areas near water. According to reviews, Cedarville State Forest can experience severe mosquito activity in summer months, with one camper noting they "had to buy 100% deet so we could be outside."

The camping options near Harwood reflect the region's position between urban centers and natural areas. Greenbelt Park provides a National Park Service camping experience surprisingly close to DC, though campers note the proximity to civilization is evident. As one visitor observed, "Helicopters and planes fly over regularly, and you can hear sirens from neighboring College Park." For RV travelers, several campgrounds offer full hookups, though not all accommodate large rigs. Cherry Hill Park provides extensive amenities and even offers "a lengthy orientation to Washington, tours, restaurants, Metrorail, parking, museums, and monuments" according to one reviewer, making it particularly suitable for tourists using the campground as a base for DC exploration.

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Best Camping Sites Near Harwood, Maryland (86)

    1. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 344-3948

    $20 / night

    "If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."

    "The campsite is superb with walking trails, wildlife and the occasional overflying US Presidential Helicopter.

    Easily accessible from close by freeways, and charmingly peaceful"

    2. Cherry Hill Park

    42 Reviews
    Beltsville, MD
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 937-7116

    $282 - $999 / night

    "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."

    3. Adventure Bound Washington DC

    8 Reviews
    Upper Marlboro, MD
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (443) 607-8609

    "We had a fantastic time our 1st time at #AdventureBoundCampingResort in Lothian, Maryland."

    "This campground is conveniently located in the middle of the DC / Annapolis area and has a lot to offer! There are plenty of options, both for RV's and in general and the staff is super friendly!"

    4. Washington DC / Capitol KOA

    15 Reviews
    Millersville, MD
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 923-2771

    "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."

    5. Cedarville State Forest

    17 Reviews
    Brandywine, MD
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 888-1410

    $30 / night

    "We picked up the camping registration outside the office at the entrance, no need to speak with anyone. Then we just drove down to our campsite in the family camping loop."

    "Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC."

    6. Pine Tree Associates Nudist Club

    2 Reviews
    Crownsville, MD
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 841-6033

    $30 - $55 / night

    "My wife and I were trying to find an RV location near the Annapolis city dock for a boat show and found Pine Tree Associates."

    "Camping fees include access to a large outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a hot tub. There is room for tenting and campers."

    7. Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping

    8 Reviews
    Gibson Island, MD
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    8. Lacy Oasis Campground

    2 Reviews
    Chesapeake Beach, MD
    13 miles
    +1 (202) 270-5189

    $90 - $190 / night

    "Whether you are an adult or a child, this place will have a positive effect on you. The owners are involved and designed this space with the visitors pleasure in mind."

    9. Military Park United States Naval Academy/Annapolis Naval Station Annapolis FamCamp

    1 Review
    Annapolis, MD
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 293-9200

    "Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap"

    10. Breezy Point Beach

    5 Reviews
    Chesapeake Beach, MD
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 535-0259

    $60 - $70 / night

    "There is additional space behind each site leading onto the beach that houses a table and fire ring. It feels like each site has loads of room out to the beach."

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Recent Camping Photos near Harwood, MD

230 Photos of 86 Harwood Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Harwood, MD

615 Reviews of 86 Harwood Campgrounds

  • Erin W.
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Lake Fairfax Campground

    Nice for a quick weekend

    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. Many tents were on a full slant. There is a waterpark that is an extra cost which is fun for kids. Bathrooms are well maintained and huge.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Cherry Hill Park

    Can’t beat it

    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. Our uber rides ranged from 20-45$ for a family of 5. So $4-9 per person. We rode in all 4 days this way. Personalized, comfortable. Door to door. We saw tons of stuff. No one can say they saw everything. We took the train from Union station to Penn station. Saw the nationals, the orioles. So fun. The park itself has more than most. Mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry, a store and office open early!! And late!!! Wow! Just can’t be beat. Great sites. So many other things in the park. Splash pad, paved roads for scootering. Just awesome!

  • Caleb S.
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area

    Tabolt island state park

    We had a nice stay overlooking the marsh. The small crabs were skittering around the campsite and birds perched in the marsh. The beach was nice and clean.

  • Adam and Suzanne B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2025

    Tuckahoe State Park Campground

    meh

    The campground is wooded and only has electric hookups available.  The sites are well spaced. The bathhouse is dated and was clean enough to use. There isn't much to do in the park but it was an ok jumping off point to visit St. Michaels. Good dump station and potable water fill.  Spigots throughout the campground.

  • L
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    Nice Little Campground

    Decent little campground! It was quiet aside from occasional air traffic noise, and while there wasn't much spacing between some camp sites everyone was respectful. My spot was a little difficult to find because the online park map was incorrect, and the spot was basically an extended shoulder of the road. Checking in was a breeze, though!

  • Shanna S.
    May. 12, 2025

    Martinak State Park Campground

    We’ll be back!

    Great short camping trip for a quick weekend away. We stayed on the butterfly loop.

    Cell service (T-Mobile) was spotty at times, bathhouses were fine, and the ranger was on patrol regularly. We felt very safe!

    Wonderful park! We’ll be back!

  • Stuart O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 18, 2025

    Bull Run Regional Park

    Expensive for what you get; and drainage problems.

    We have found municipal campgrounds in Northern Virginia are a bit spendy for being government sponsored.  Not as bad as South Carolina, but way more than Florida.  Fine.  Comes with the territory.  But Bull Run manages to goose you even more.  There are occupancy AND transaction fees that really add up if you're only there a few nights.  But the real kicker is a 2-night minimum stay.  Even mid-week.  In APRIL for gosh sakes!

    While we were here, there was a fairly heavy day of rain.  Couple inches, I suppose, but nothing Biblical.  The mouths of the metal culverts in our loop were bent downward from campers driving over them, which obstructed the flow.  Result was lots of standing water at our campsite.

    We're done with NOVA Parks campgrounds.  Better cost options exist with Fairfax County Parks.

Guide to Harwood

Camping near Harwood, Maryland, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and easy access to the sights of Washington, D.C. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a place to park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Visit Washington, D.C.: Many campers use the nearby campgrounds as a base to explore the nation's capital. For example, at Cherry Hill Park, one reviewer said, "We stayed a week at Cherry Hill and it had everything we needed for visiting DC."
  • Enjoy outdoor activities: Hiking and biking are popular in the area. A visitor at Pohick Bay Campground mentioned, "Bring bikes. Long bike trail along the road."
  • Explore local parks: Patapsco Valley State Park is great for hiking, with one camper noting, "This is where this campground shines. It has access to many trails and the Patapsco River."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained bathrooms and showers. A reviewer at Greenbelt Park Campground said, "The bathrooms/showers are very clean and modern."
  • Community feel: Many campgrounds foster a sense of community. One camper at Pohick Bay Campground mentioned, "There is a generally good sense of community, which is lucky because of how close together the sites are."
  • Convenient location: Campers love the proximity to D.C. A visitor at Cherry Hill Park noted, "You can't beat this campground for a DC visit."

What you should know:

  • Noise levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads or airports. A camper at Pohick Bay Campground warned, "This place is so noisy with these helicopters that fly 24/7."
  • Site spacing: Campsites can be close together, which might not suit everyone. A reviewer at Hollofield Area Campground mentioned, "The sites are situated quite close to one another."
  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds may lack certain amenities. A visitor at Cedarville State Forest noted, "There is no camp sink, which was a bummer."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities for children. A camper at Cherry Hill Park said, "There is also plenty to do for the kids, like Tractor Ride through the Campground."
  • Plan for meals: Check if the campground has a store or nearby dining options. One reviewer at Greenbelt Park Campground mentioned, "There’s a large grocery store in the same shopping center."
  • Safety first: Ensure the campground has good security. A visitor at Cherry Hill Park praised, "Security is excellent."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Pohick Bay Campground mentioned, "We visited Cherry Hill Park Campground in a Class A Motorhome and while it was tight, we fit no problem."
  • Look for full hookups: Sites with full hookups can make your stay more comfortable. A reviewer at Adventure Bound Washington DC noted, "Full hookups at most sites."
  • Arrive early: Some campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A visitor at Cedarville State Forest advised, "We didn’t see a camp host until we left on Monday."

Camping near Harwood, Maryland, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With a mix of activities, clean facilities, and a friendly atmosphere, it's a great spot to enjoy the outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Harwood, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Harwood, MD is Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park with a 4.1-star rating from 32 reviews.

What parks are near Harwood, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Harwood, MD that allow camping, notably Greenbelt Park and Fort Dupont Park.

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