Campgrounds near Spencerville, Maryland provide year-round options within a 30-mile radius of the town. The region lies in the Piedmont plateau, with elevations ranging from 200-400 feet and a humid subtropical climate featuring hot summers and mild winters. Winter camping is available at several locations, though most tent-only areas close from November through March due to freezing temperatures and occasional snow.
What to do
Fishing and water activities: The Patapsco River at Hollofield Area Campground offers multiple access points for fishing and swimming. One visitor reported, "We took a fairly easy hike down to the river and even went for a swim."
Trail exploration: With over 70 miles of multi-use paths, the Patapsco Valley trail system connects directly to campsites. A reviewer noted, "We really loved hiking the trails directly from our campsite that led us down to the Patapsco River. There is a lot of history associated with the River and the area."
Family amenities: The Washington DC/Capitol KOA features recreational options for kids of all ages. A camper shared, "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc)."
Nature programs: Greenbelt Park offers monthly ranger-led programs at their campfire circle. A local camper mentioned, "There are monthly programs at the campfire circle that I sometimes attend even when not camping here."
What campers like
Natural settings close to urban areas: Despite proximity to DC, campers appreciate the forest immersion. One visitor to Greenbelt Park Campground noted, "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground."
Level, spacious sites: Many RVers appreciate the well-maintained camping areas at Little Bennett Campground. A reviewer commented, "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup."
Unique accommodations: Beyond standard tent and RV sites, several campgrounds offer cabins and alternative options. At Cherry Hill Park, a camper shared, "We loved the brick patio with patio furniture. Close to plenty of attractions."
Clean facilities: Consistently clean restrooms and showers are frequently mentioned in reviews. One visitor to Lake Fairfax noted, "Five stars for the restroom facilities. Bright, large, clean and very well maintained."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking through recreation.gov or their own systems. At Ramblin' Pines, the keycard entry system requires "$40 cash only deposit" and limited check-in hours "between 2 and 4."
Weather impacts: Heavy rain affects ground conditions at several campgrounds. A camper noted about Patapsco Valley State Park, "When it rains it really flushes through the grounds. Our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm and it was very wet even after the rain died down."
Site selection tips: RV sites with hookups often offer less privacy than tent-only areas. At Hollofield Area, "The inner circle has electric but no water or sewer. The outer circle is primitive. There is a dump station."
Tree restrictions: Some parks limit what you can attach to trees. At Greenbelt Park, "Park service forbade tying lines or straps to the trees at the time of our visit, so if you favor hammock camping or deploying tarps/ridgelines, plan accordingly."
Tips for camping with families
Natural playgrounds: Beyond traditional equipment, some parks feature unique play areas. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, a parent described, "It seem like this area is, possibly unintentionally, geared toward children. There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center."
Pool restrictions: Check swimming pool policies for children. One camper noted, "I didnt like that non potty trained kids are not allowed to swim in their pool."
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer environmental programs designed for children. A visitor reported, "The nature center was closed when we visited, but the kids still enjoyed the sensory trail and playground."
Weekday advantages: For families seeking quieter experiences, weekday camping provides more space. "The campground and park fill up on the weekends but are nearly empty during the week."
Tips from RVers
Approach directions: Pay attention to height restrictions when approaching campgrounds. At Patapsco Valley, "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.)"
Cell service and connectivity: Signal varies significantly between campgrounds. At Little Bennett, a camper reported, "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."
Driveway widths: Many campsites have narrow entrances. A visitor noted, "Driveways are all very narrow. Most have too much tree cover for solar or starlink, but some sites are more open and you might be able to make it work."
Leveling requirements: Be prepared with leveling equipment. At Hollofield Area, "Site was level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back."
