Camping options near Hyattsville, Maryland range from rustic tent sites to full-service RV parks within a 30-mile radius of the city. The region sits at low elevations between 50-300 feet, with a humid subtropical climate characterized by hot summers and mild winters. Seasonal camping considerations include peak humidity in July and August when temperatures regularly exceed 85°F.
What to Do
Disc golf adventures: Pohick Bay Regional Park features an 18-hole disc golf course that draws enthusiasts from across the region. "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. from Pohick Bay Campground.
Metro access to monuments: Many campgrounds offer convenient public transportation options to Washington DC attractions. "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," reports Joe R. who stayed at Cherry Hill Park.
Water activities: Several campgrounds feature aquatic recreation options beyond standard swimming pools. According to Anne K. at Pohick Bay Campground, "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats" provides campers with options to explore local waterways. The park's Pirate's Cove waterpark is "definitely a highlight in summer" for families with children.
What Campers Like
Nature access with urban proximity: Campers appreciate being close to city amenities while still enjoying natural surroundings. Josh J. notes about Bull Run Regional Park: "Stayed here for 2w while visiting friends in Alexandria. Took me 25-30m to get there so you are far away from bustle of city but not so far that going in to enjoy breakfast or the sights is a feat. Nice and quiet here during winter more so during week than weekends."
Spacious, wooded sites: The region offers camping spots with good separation between neighbors. "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup," reports Ray & Terri F. about Little Bennett Campground. They also mentioned "a very nice network of trails, most if not all were leashed dog friendly."
Premium amenities: Many campgrounds in the area feature above-standard facilities. According to Beth R., Cherry Hill Park provides extensive amenities: "You get what you pay for. This campground has so much to offer. We loved it. Pros: 50 amp hook-up, Water, Sewer, Playground, Mini Golf, Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Basketball court, Snack bar on site, Nightly hayride, Gated, On-site camp store, On-site bus shuttle."
What You Should Know
Pricing expectations: Camping in the DC metro area tends to be more expensive than more rural regions. One visitor to Washington DC Capitol KOA noted: "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."
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience ambient noise from nearby development. A visitor to Bull Run Regional Park mentioned: "There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away. The sites are nicely spread out. My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level."
Weather-related challenges: The region's climate can create site issues during rainy periods. A recent visitor to Bull Run explained: "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."
Tips for Camping with Families
Educational opportunities: Many campgrounds organize activities that combine fun with learning. "The campground had a scavenger hunt for 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," reported Ben G. from Pohick Bay Campground.
Family-friendly glamping: Luxury camping options cater well to families new to outdoor experiences. A visitor to Washington DC Capitol KOA shared: "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."
Playground proximity: When booking sites, consider distance to play areas. As one camper at Bull Run Regional Park mentioned: "Only draw back is that there's only one playground that's awkwardly located." However, another visitor highlighted the benefits of strategic site selection: "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Several campgrounds have uneven sites requiring preparation. "Not all sites are level (half)," notes Robert P. about Ramblin' Pines. Similarly at Bull Run Regional Park: "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level."
Cell service considerations: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. Ray & Terri F. reported about Little Bennett Campground: "AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster(1 bar), 8 MB/s with it(2 bars). There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy. OTA TV was descent using an external omni antenna. There is no WiFi."
Check-in logistics: Some parks have complex arrival procedures. One visitor to Little Bennett noted: "Entrance gate required entry code. Instructed by staff via gate phone to proceed to campsite as check-in at camp store is at dead end with insufficient turning space for pickup towing 28ft bumper pull; complete check-in after camper was unhooked at site."
