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Camping near Bowie, MD
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Campgrounds near Bowie, Maryland range from basic tent sites to full-service camping with RV hookups, cabin rentals, and glamping accommodations within a short drive of Washington D.C. Greenbelt Park Campground, located approximately 7 miles west of Bowie, serves as a forested retreat with tent and RV sites but no hookups. Cherry Hill Park in College Park offers more amenities including full hookups for RVs, cabin rentals, and glamping accommodations. The Washington DC/Capitol KOA in Millersville provides similar developed facilities within 10 miles of Bowie, with options ranging from primitive tent sites to cabins and yurts.
Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during summer months and weekends. Greenbelt Park Campground has transitioned to an online reservation-only system with no cash payments accepted at the entrance. "The campground rangers are friendly, knowledgeable and approachable for local information about local history and grocery stores," noted one visitor about Greenbelt Park. Sites at developed campgrounds typically include picnic tables and fire rings, though some parks prohibit hanging items from trees, including hammocks. Cell service is generally good throughout the region due to proximity to urban areas, though site selection can impact connectivity in more wooded campgrounds.
Campers consistently mention the convenient location of area campgrounds for visiting Washington D.C. attractions. Greenbelt Park receives particular attention as an affordable base camp with easy access to public transportation. "It's a great place to camp if you want to make a visit to D.C. very affordable, as it's located just 1.5 miles from the nearest Metro Station," shared one camper. Despite their proximity to urban areas, many campgrounds maintain a surprisingly natural atmosphere. Some visitors note occasional traffic noise but appreciate the forest setting that blocks visual signs of development. Wildlife sightings, particularly deer, are commonly reported even at campgrounds closest to the city. During warmer months, campers should prepare for mosquitoes and ticks, especially when using hiking trails that connect to many of the campgrounds.
Best Campgrounds near Bowie (89)
1. Cherry Hill Park
"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."
from $999 / night
Check Availability2. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
"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"
from $20 / night
Check Availability3. Washington DC / Capitol KOA
"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."
4. Adventure Bound Washington DC
"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"
5. Pine Tree Associates Nudist Club
"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."
from $30 - $55 / night
Check Availability6. Cedarville State Forest
"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."
from $30 / night
Check Availability7. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
"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
Check Availability8. Camp Meade RV Park
9. Campsites at Watkins Regional Park
"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
Check Availability10. Hollofield Area Campground
"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
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Drive Time
- 18 min from Washington, DC
- 27 min from Baltimore, MD
- 1 hr 6 min from Lexington Park, MD
- 1 hr 27 min from Gettysburg, PA
Recent Camping Photos near Bowie, MD
183 Photos of 89 Bowie Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt ParkB
Pinetree Associates
Washington DC / Capitol KOAA
Adventure Bound Washington DC
Cherry Hill Park
Louise F. Cosca Regional Park
Lacy Oasis Campground
Cedarville State Forest
Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Hollofield Area CampgroundK
Marsden Tract Group Campsite — George Washington Memorial Parkway
Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Recent Reviews near Bowie, MD
583 Reviews of 89 Bowie Campgrounds
Michael H.
GuideLake Fairfax Campground
Decent campground in the middle of a urban area
Spent 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.
Thomas B.
RangerRedemption Springs
Pleasant Stay and Hosts
We 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!
- Thomas B.Ranger
Little Bennett Campground
Great Potential?
We 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.
- JasonGuide
Annapolis MWR Academy RV/Campground
Great spot for Retirees/Active
If 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.
- SSean D.
TravelerCampsites at Watkins Regional Park
Excellent choice for a Washington visit or local getaway
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. 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.
- Judy W.Guide
Smallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023
Great Escape! Air conditioned cabins!
What a gem! We found this place as an alternative to staying in DC during 4th of July festivities. Nice spacious sites, cabins were super clean and smelled great! Did I mention they were air conditioned during the hotest week of the summer!
Bathrooms and showers were spotless.
Many things to see and do there. Historic property, big lake (no swimming), boating, fishing, hiking. There is an Art Center with juried displays for sale.
Kat E.ScoutBurke Lake Park Campground
Amenities good
The park is very well maintained, and the campsites have clean fire pits and cooking grills. The restrooms are clean, spacious, and well maintained, and my campsite was large enough to comfortably fit a 6-person tent and a canopy.
However, there were a few concerns during our stay. Despite the campground’s quiet hours policy starting at 10:00 PM, many campers continued to make noise well past that time. I did not notice any campground staff or maintenance personnel making rounds to enforce the quiet hours.
I also felt concerned about security. One of my neighboring campers, who was visiting from South Carolina, told me that his generator had been stolen during the night. He reported the theft to the police, and an official report was filed. Incidents like this made me feel unsafe while camping.
I recommend increasing staff or security patrols, especially during the evening and overnight hours, to enforce quiet hours and improve the safety and security of campers and their belongings. With better enforcement and security, Burke Lake Campground would provide an even better camping experience.
- TTrevorTraveler
Bay Shore Campground
Fred’s bay shore
One of our favorite places. Very well kept. No bathhouse so bring your own. A lot of shady sites. Great views of Chesapeake bay. Flat roads in the area for cycling.
Guide to Bowie
Camping near Bowie, Maryland offers access to significant watershed areas, with several campgrounds situated along the Patapsco and Potomac Rivers. The region experiences four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F and high humidity levels, while spring and fall bring milder conditions ideal for outdoor activities. Local camping areas range from 50 to 400 feet in elevation, with most sites featuring moderate tree cover.
What to do
Disc golf at Pohick Bay: The 18-hole course at Pohick Bay Campground offers a challenging game among trees. "I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," notes Rachel L., who calls this spot her "go-to weekend camping spot."
Kayaking and paddling: Waterways near campsites provide paddling opportunities with rental options available. "There is boat rental a short walk down the trail from the campgrounds," explains Ben G. from Pohick Bay, while at Cherry Hill Park, campers enjoy easy access to nearby water activities as part of their stay.
Hiking from camp: Trail networks connect directly to many campsites. "We enjoyed hiking the trails directly from our campsite that led us down to the Patapsco River," shares Travyl Couple about their stay at Hollofield Area Campground, where "70 miles of hiking/biking/multi-use trails" provide extensive outdoor options.
What campers like
Urban oasis feeling: Despite proximity to cities, campers appreciate natural settings. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen," explains Becky about Greenbelt Park Campground, adding that "weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground."
Proximity to metro stations: Easy public transit access allows for car-free sightseeing. "It's a great place to camp if visiting DC," explains Laura M., noting that at Greenbelt "the green line takes you to the National Mall" with trips costing "about $2 each way on the train."
Wildlife encounters: Unexpected animal sightings enhance the experience. At Cedarville State Forest, Ben J. reports that even before reaching the gates, his group "saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits." Many campgrounds maintain enough forest cover to support local wildlife despite urban proximity.
What you should know
Site reservations required: Most campgrounds no longer accept walk-ups. "This is a NO CASH facility which means you CANNOT pay upon arrival," Crystal C. warns about Greenbelt Park, advising visitors to "reserve online."
Noise considerations: Airport and traffic sounds affect some locations. At Adventure Bound Washington DC, Cynthia D. reports that the "nearby road was very busy with a lot of traffic noise especially early in the morning," while Hollofield campers mention airplane flyovers.
Tick and insect precautions: Wooded areas require protective measures. Joe C. describes Cedarville State Forest as "Tickville" noting that "the ticks were waaaay too plentiful" during summer months, making insect repellent essential gear for camping in this region.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Several campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. At Patapsco Valley State Park, Angel G. notes it's "perfect for keeping the kids entertained" with "a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park."
Scheduled programming: Check for organized activities when booking. Ben G. found that Pohick Bay staff "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."
Swimming options: Pool facilities offer relief during hot weather. Cherry Hill Park features "a pool, splash pad, RV supplies and repair parts, a snack bar and lots more," according to Scott C., making it suitable for families seeking additional recreation beyond camping.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: Limited electrical sites require advance planning. At Hollofield Area Campground, Jennifer S. explains the layout has "two concentric circles. The inner circle has electric but no water or sewer. The outer circle is primitive."
Water fill considerations: Water access varies significantly between parks. Laura M. notes that at Greenbelt Park, "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 extra work for comfortable setup. At Washington DC/Capitol KOA, Guerrmo warns that the "camp site wasn't level at all. I was actually kind of worried that it would slide into the woods," suggesting RVers bring leveling blocks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Bowie, MD?
Which is the most popular campground near Bowie, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bowie, MD is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 44 reviews.
What parks are near Bowie, MD?
What parks are near Bowie, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Bowie, MD that allow camping, notably Greenbelt Park and Fort Dupont Park.
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