Camping sites near Riverdale Park sit within Maryland's Piedmont region at 49 feet above sea level, with moderate year-round temperatures averaging 55-80°F in summer months. The area's watersheds flow into the Chesapeake Bay, creating diverse riparian habitats around campgrounds. The high water table can affect tent camping spots after heavy rainfall.
What to do
**Trail exploration at Greenbelt Park: There are 9 miles of hiking trails suitable for all skill levels. The American Discovery Trail passes through the park, connecting to broader regional path networks. "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. The American Discovery Trail (ADT) passes through the park," notes Becky at Greenbelt Park Campground.
**Historical sites access: Several campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring Civil War battlefields and colonial history sites within 30-45 minutes by car. "Plenty of things to do here to keep a family occupied. There is boat rental a short walk down the trail from the campgrounds and the pool and disc golf course are another short trail walk away," mentions Ben G. at Hollofield Area Campground.
**Water recreation: The Patapsco River provides swimming and fishing opportunities directly from some campgrounds, eliminating the need for additional travel. "Took a fairly easy hike down to the river and even went for a swim," shares Diana S. at Patapsco Valley State Park-Hollofield Area.
What campers like
**Well-maintained facilities: Bathrooms receive regular cleaning even in the busiest pet-friendly loops. "The bathhouse is standard but also has laundry and an outdoor dish washing station. The campground was quiet which is nice," reports Ben G. at Pohick Bay Campground.
**Buffer between sites: Some campgrounds feature natural barriers providing privacy despite proximity to others. "Sites were well-maintained, including lavatories. Plenty of tree cover," explains Timothy C. about Greenbelt Park Campground.
**Unexpected wildlife encounters: Despite the suburban location, campers report seeing deer, birds, and small aquatic creatures. "We had a nice stay overlooking the marsh. The small crabs were skittering around the campsite and birds perched in the marsh," notes Caleb S. at Patapsco Valley State Park.
What you should know
**Varied site leveling: Prepare for potentially uneven terrain at tent-only areas. "My site was level and nicely spaced from other sites but many tent sites were not level at all. Many tents were on a full slant," warns Erin W. about Lake Fairfax Campground.
**Reservation requirements: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Riverdale Park have moved to reservation-only systems, eliminating walk-up registration. "Reserve online - this is a NO CASH facility which means you CANNOT pay upon arrival so you will have to do so online," advises Crystal C. about Greenbelt Park.
**Noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience aircraft or traffic noise due to their proximity to transportation corridors. "There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away," mentions Drew M. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Tips for camping with families
**Activity planning: Dog-friendly campgrounds with diverse recreational options keep children engaged. "This park has a lot to offer & there is bunch of activities available outside the campground. This is the first place I ever camped," shares Shawn W. about Lake Fairfax Campground.
**Nature programs: Many parks offer ranger-led educational activities scheduled throughout the weekend. "They informed us that they 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," explains Ben G. at Pohick Bay Campground.
**Playground access: Dedicated play areas within walking distance from campsites provide convenient activity options. "The inner loop was completely full, and the sites were just too closely spaced for my preferences. If you're a tent camper and don't need electric, the sites on the outer loop were quite nice and private," reports Jen V. about Hollofield Area Campground.
Tips from RVers
**Limited hookup availability: Bring extra water storage as full hookups are rare at pet-friendly sites near Riverdale Park. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious. We are tent campers but almost all our neighbors were in an RV or trailer. The site had water and electric which was nice," explains Ben G. at Pohick Bay Campground.
**Dump station accessibility: Plan water usage around the operating hours of dump facilities, which sometimes close for maintenance mid-day. "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," shares Laura M. about Greenbelt Park Campground.
**Navigation challenges: Larger rigs should approach from specific directions to avoid low bridges and tight turns. "APPROACH THIS PARK ONLY FROM THE WEST IF YOUR VEHICLE IS OVER 11 FEET HIGH. (There is a 11' bridge coming east bound into this park)," cautions Travyl Couple about Hollofield Area Campground.
