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heather B.
Scout
ScoutCherry Hill Park
Like a resort
This camp ground is like a resort with 2 pools mini golf splash pad and many other amenities
Camping near Laurel, MD
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The area surrounding Laurel, Maryland provides multiple developed campground options ranging from urban-proximate RV parks to more natural settings within state parks. Cherry Hill Park in nearby College Park offers full-hookup RV sites, cabins, and tent camping with amenities including swimming pools, showers, and picnic tables. Camp Meade RV Park in Laurel and Greenbelt Park Campground provide alternatives with varying levels of facilities. Most campgrounds in this region accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several also offering cabin rentals and glamping options.
Camping facilities near Laurel remain accessible year-round, though some state parks like Patapsco Valley operate seasonally from April through October. Most developed sites require reservations, particularly during summer months when proximity to Washington DC makes these campgrounds popular bases for tourists. "Cherry Hill Park was easy to find and get to basically right off I-95. This was our first time RVing into the WA DC area and we were concerned about traffic getting to the campground," noted one visitor. Road access to campgrounds is generally well-maintained with paved roads leading to most facilities. Noise from nearby highways affects some campgrounds, particularly those closest to I-95 and major roadways.
The camping experience in this region balances suburban convenience with outdoor recreation. Many campgrounds feature wooded settings despite their proximity to urban areas. Patapsco Valley State Park and Hollofield Area Campground provide more natural surroundings with hiking trails and river access. Visitors frequently mention clean facilities as a highlight of camping in this area. According to reviews, Cherry Hill Park maintains "pristine" bathrooms and well-kept grounds. Several campgrounds provide transportation connections to Washington DC, making them practical bases for capitol tourism. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring offers a more primitive tent camping experience with just five sites available. Campers seeking quiet natural settings should choose sites farther from major roadways, as traffic noise is mentioned in multiple reviews of campgrounds throughout the region.
Best Campgrounds near Laurel (90)
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. 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 Availability5. 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
Check Availability6. Ramblin' Pines
"We stay at Ramblin Pines because it is close to family and a good proximity to visiting Baltimore and Frederick."
"We love this home away from home ❤️"
from $30 - $70 / night
Check Availability7. Camp Meade RV Park
8. Little Bennett Campground
"Quiet woods in Maryland about 30 or 40 miles north of DC. Tenting, and RV spots partial to full service. Just of hiway 270. pricey ($66/night) for a state park, but nice."
"PROS Very nice small Montgomery County Park
No reservation fee to make on-line reservations
Reserved 137 days prior to arriving
Entrance gate required entry code Instructed by staff via gate phone"
9. Lake Fairfax Campground
"We set up our tent in the far side of the campground close to the lake ( site 27). It is slightly slant but still comfortable in the tent. Bathrooms are close by and kept clean."
"For tent camping I would suggests sites 30,33 or 35 these are tucked along the tree line. The bathroom facilities were the cleanest I have seen in a campground."
from $30 - $70 / night
Check Availability10. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring
from $150 - $200 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 16 min from Baltimore, MD
- 25 min from Washington, DC
- 1 hr 7 min from Hagerstown, MD
- 1 hr 15 min from Gettysburg, PA
Recent Camping Photos near Laurel, MD
225 Photos of 90 Laurel Campgrounds
Evelyn T.
Cherry Hill Park
Becky
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
Angie G.
Washington DC / Capitol KOA
Jennifer S.
Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Jennifer S.
Hollofield Area Campground
Manager P.
Pinetree Associates
Michelle L.
Ramblin' Pines
Chrystal P.
Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Emerson K.
Marsden Tract Group Campsite — George Washington Memorial Parkway
Shari G.
Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Kristy R.
Adventure Bound Washington DC
Tye S.
Louise F. Cosca Regional Park
Recent Reviews near Laurel, MD
652 Reviews of 90 Laurel Campgrounds
- H
Holly B.
GuideCherry Hill Park
My All Time Favorite…so far
This park is top notch. The grounds are immaculate. The staff is friendly and helpful. They have a lovely gift shop. We were in the 400 sites and it was nice and shady. Though you are close to highways I don’t recall hearing and noise. I love that they have shuttles to DC., walking trails and a large dog park. This is my all time favorite park so far and I need to go back.
- TTroli R.Guide
Aberdeen Proving Ground RV Park
Bougie sites; AWFUL reservation system
BASE ACCESS REQUIRED!
Electric/Water/Sewer hookup sites for $56 a night! (2 night minimum) Which is a great full hookup price, even though it's gone up $6 since last year. Weekly and monthly pricing available as well.
The sites are neat, well maintained, level, and sunny with concrete pads and paved campground roads. Centrally located laundry facilities and airconditioned bath house. Playground, boat launch, beach volleyball court, disk golf, basketball court, and outdoor pool all within walking distance. Other base amenities include: commissary, gas station, bowling, BBQ, Dunkin', and Greek restaurants, and golf. (I'm sure I'm forgetting something.)
Note: in July it is very buggy - the biting flies are the worst. So bring bug spray or a screened in tent to eat in.
The downside: the reservation system is a major PITA. You have to download a PDF packet, fill it out, and EMAIL it in. When you get your confirmation, it doesn't include a specific site number. You get assigned one when they call you the week of your scheduled check-in for payment completion.
Don't miss out on: the water! My advice would be to reserve one of their boats at the same time you reserve your campsite. The water in this area is great - no jellyfish, low waves. You can SUP, kayak, pontoon boat. Whatever your preference. There are large flats of grasses - which you'd want to avoid with a motor but are so much fun to paddle over. Also check out the Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge island. You can't go inland, but you can anchor off shore, jump in and wade around the shallows.
Also very driveable to an off-base movie theater, Baltimore, and Havre de Grace.
Jeremy G.
TravelerJoint Base Andrews Military FamCamp
Could be a great campground but......
There are some good things about this Famcamp. It's like a diamond in the rough. If the military would spend some time and money on it, it could be a great campground. One of the greatest points about this campground is its location. You are so close to downtown D.C.! Every RV site (as far as I saw) was a level concrete pad. All sites, except for tent sites, have full electricity. Most sites have sewer and water. Sites 12-18 should be mainly used for the smaller travel trailers. I had an interesting time getting my 35' 5th wheel into the site. Even though I got my RV into the site, I don't have much room for my truck. My site has a picnic table, fire pit, and a grill. Everything is rusted beyond repair. My grill was filled with cigarette butts and my fire pit had trash in it. There is some shade. My site has two trees at the front of the pad on both sides of the RV. My bedroom stays nice and cold and I have a good view for my Starlink in the rear. The sites are close to each other, but there is some space. The good thing is that we are surrounded by the golf course. You don't get much noise from the base, because of the location, and because the FamCamp is surrounded by trees. You can hear the busy road outside the fence but I don't hear it much inside the RV. Every once in a while you'll hear an aircraft... but this is an air base, it's expected. We were told the community laundry was not working and to use the base laundry mat. Finally, one of the best parts about the campground, is the lady at outdoor rec that is in charge of the Famcamp. She is very nice and helpful. She will try to assist you with anything you need from directions to useful tips.
- AAimee K.Traveler
Washington DC / Capitol KOA
Good location
Nice campground, maintained very well and clean. Laundry room and Propane fill on site so that was nice. RV Site was fairly level and easy to get into. Some sites are a bit close together and not long enough to keep your tow vehicle hooked up. A bit inconvenient if you’re only there for 1 night.
MsTrailBlazer 🏔.
RangerCodorus State Park Campground
Top Tier
I love this place. The tent sites are super, rustic but superior. Showers are a walk. Tent Sites are very private huge and I love that.
- MMaybe I.Guide
Codorus State Park Campground
Excellent campground!
The sites offer plenty of space and privacy, making it easy to relax and enjoy nature. The campground is conveniently located near the lake, with beautiful views and easy access to the water. There is also a nice swimming pool, which is a great bonus. We enjoyed kayaking on the lake and spending time outdoors. Overall, it's a wonderful place to unwind, relax, and enjoy a peaceful getaway. We would definitely come back!
Matt S.
LegendBay Shore Campground
What stands out about this campground? The view!
We spent a week at Bay Shore Campground to explore Rock Hall, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. What stands out about this campground? The view!
For me, this is a 4-star campground because of the view and nice staff, but not 5-stars because of the sloped site packed in with the neighbors and no sewer connection.
THINGS I LIKED:
— Great view from our site of the Chesapeake Bay— especially for sunset each evening
— Friendly staff
— Nearby Rock Hall, Chestertown, and Eastern Neck Island Wildlife Refuge
— They offered a promo to pay for 6 nights, and the 7th was free
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
— Our site(Site B) had an amazing view of Chesapeake Bay, but the slope made it difficult to get even close to level— even with my front jacks fully extended. I had to buy additional leveling blocks from the camp store(at twice the price of Amazon) just so we didn’t feel like walking uphill to walk around our motorhome. I admit, I am spoiled but really appreciate the campgrounds that level their sites. I think it could be done in a few hours with a rented front loader at a couple nights’ cost.
— Our site(Site B) was tight. The neighbor’s awning was just inches from our motorhome. I understand the need for any business to maximize revenue, but this was unpleasantly close.
— There are no sewer hookups at the sites. They do have a couple of dump stations for your way out and provide a pump-out service once per week at$40 a pop. They were nice enough to pump me out a second time since I stayed 7 nights. Again, I know I’m spoiled, but a sewer connection is a necessity when you’re staying 8 days.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
Sure thing, but we’d stay at a different site.
- ccara S.Scout
Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Hilton area
Thought the campsites were extremely close together. There were A LOT of kids and no quiet hours. Good for families. Not good for a camping camping experience.
Guide to Laurel
Camping options near Laurel, Maryland are positioned within the Patuxent River watershed at elevations ranging from 150 to 300 feet above sea level. The region typically experiences humid subtropical weather with four distinct seasons, allowing for year-round camping with spring and fall offering the most moderate temperatures. Most campgrounds remain accessible despite winter closures at select state parks, with the proximity to both Baltimore and Washington DC creating higher demand during summer tourist season.
What to do
Trail exploration: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area offers extensive hiking opportunities with varying difficulty levels. "The hike I did was not very long but was well worth it. The trail was well marked but there was some confusion at one point on where we were suppose to go. Luckily I had an app that kept me on trail. There are some pretty cool Bridges, old houses, and a water fall," notes a visitor. The park contains multiple trail systems suitable for day hikes directly from campsites.
Urban tourism and monument visits: Campers frequently use these campgrounds as bases for exploring Washington DC. "We took the METRO if you are going into the District. There are two stations very close to camp (Greenbelt and University Park). Rides vary depending on how far you are going but on average I spent about $10 per day on METRO versus $20-$40 on parking in the district," explains a camper at Greenbelt Park Campground. The train ride from Greenbelt station to the national mall takes approximately 30 minutes.
Water recreation: Several campgrounds provide access to swimming and water activities during warmer months. "The lake is beautiful!" remarks one visitor to Lake Fairfax Campground, which features both a lake and water park with additional admission fees. For river-based recreation, campers can access the Patapsco River via Forest Glen Trail at Patapsco Valley State Park.
What campers like
Urban escape settings: Despite proximity to metropolitan areas, many campgrounds maintain natural surroundings. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," notes a camper at Greenbelt Park Campground. Several visitors mention the contrast between suburban locations and forest settings as a highlight.
Transportation options: The ability to access public transit from campgrounds ranks high among visitor priorities. One camper at Washington DC Capitol KOA reported, "Proximity to DC and surrounding areas can't be beat. Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle. It takes about a half hour to get downtown to the monuments. Our uber rides ranged from 20-45$ for a family of 5."
Campsite privacy: The spacing between sites varies significantly between campgrounds in the area. At Little Bennett Campground, a visitor noted, "Lots of vegetation between sites providing privacy from neighbors," while another mentioned "very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup." Many campgrounds feature wooded settings that create natural separation despite relatively close site placement.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the region require advance booking, particularly during peak season. "You can pay for the metro with an app or get a card, either way it costs you $2 to buy the card, and then $2 each way on the train. Everyone over age 5 needs their own card, no sharing one card," explains a visitor to Greenbelt Park Campground.
Noise considerations: Due to urban proximity, some campgrounds experience transportation noise. "Decent little campground! It was quiet aside from occasional air traffic noise," mentions one camper at Greenbelt Park. Sites farther from main roads typically offer the quietest camping experience.
Seasonal variations: Availability and amenities change throughout the year. "Being just barely off the beaten path, I wasn't expecting all too much from the one night stay over planned heading from New Jersey to Shenandoah in Virginia. I was surprised at the quiet, understated beauty of the forestry around the perfectly level campsite," notes a visitor to Hollofield Area Campground, which operates seasonally from April through October.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, "There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park. The nature center was closed when we visited, but the kids still enjoyed the sensory trail and playground," reports one family. The campground's facilities specifically cater to children with nature-focused activities.
Camp activities: Various organized programs exist for younger campers. "The park was nice and level, but a bit small, with a short driveway. Nice playground for the kids. Some nice scenic areas - great for pictures. Lots of picnic areas," comments a visitor to Patapsco Valley State Park. Many campgrounds offer weekend programming during summer months.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers and interpretive trails provide learning experiences. "The Hilton entrance of Patapsco Valley Park is perfect for keeping the kids entertained. There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park," notes a camper, highlighting the value for families seeking educational content alongside recreation.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: RV campers should research site specifications before booking. At Washington DC / Capitol KOA, a visitor advises, "If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy." Site privacy varies significantly between campgrounds and even within the same facility.
Hookup considerations: Electric, water, and sewer connections vary by campground. "Site#D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back. Site#D69 gravel parking pad," reports an RVer at Little Bennett Campground, noting the importance of bringing leveling equipment.
Navigational challenges: Some campgrounds have access limitations. One camper at Hollofield Area Campground cautions, "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.)" This type of specific information can prevent significant problems for larger rigs attempting to access camping areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does camping cost at sites near Laurel?
How much does camping cost at sites near Laurel?
Camping costs near Laurel vary by amenities and location. At Fairfax County Burke Lake Park, you'll find affordable camping with access to numerous recreational amenities including a lake for fishing, boat rentals, a paved 5-mile path, playground, carousel, and kiddy train. For a more rustic experience, Brunswick Family Campground offers reasonably priced riverside sites with welcoming staff. The campground is situated between railroad tracks and the river, creating a unique atmosphere that feels away from the city while still being accessible from the DC metro area.
Where are the best camping sites near Laurel?
Where are the best camping sites near Laurel?
Several excellent camping options surround Laurel. Greenbelt Park Campground offers a convenient natural escape with wooded sites, though you may hear occasional urban sounds from nearby areas. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area provides beautiful riverside camping with extensive trail networks spanning 32 miles along the Patapsco River. For those seeking family-friendly options, Cedarville State Forest features clean campsites in a peaceful forest setting. Military personnel should consider Camp Meade RV Park for its convenient location and multiple access options.
What amenities do campgrounds near Laurel offer?
What amenities do campgrounds near Laurel offer?
Cherry Hill Park stands out with extensive amenities including clean facilities, a pool, and staff who provide comprehensive orientations to Washington DC attractions, tours, and transportation. The park is conveniently located about 6 miles from the Metrorail near University of Maryland. For something more basic but well-maintained, Louise F. Cosca Regional Park offers 25 sites with water hookups at every site and electrical connections at 5 specific sites (2, 5, 18, 24, 25). The park features regular patrols by Park Police for safety and security.
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