105 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Fulton, Maryland ranges from full-hookup RV parks to rustic tent campsites, all within an hour's drive and well-positioned for exploring the Baltimore-Washington corridor. Patapsco Valley State Park, located about 20 minutes northwest, offers tent and RV camping with electric hookups in its Hilton and Hollofield areas. Cherry Hill Park in nearby College Park provides full-service amenities including water and sewer hookups, along with glamping options and yurts. Greenbelt Park Campground, managed by the National Park Service, offers a more rustic experience with tent and RV sites but limited hookups. Most campgrounds in this region maintain well-developed facilities while providing access to hiking trails and water recreation.
Reservations are essential for most campgrounds in the Fulton area, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. The primary camping season runs from April through October, with some facilities like Ramblin' Pines and Cherry Hill Park remaining open year-round. Many Maryland state parks prohibit alcohol consumption, a regulation worth noting when planning trips. As one camper at Greenbelt Park noted, "If you're in the DC area and just want someplace close by for a short camping trip, this probably fits the bill. As soon as you leave the park you are in College Park with Metro access close by." Urban noise is common at campgrounds closer to the metropolitan areas, with aircraft and traffic sounds frequently mentioned in reviews.
Campers frequently highlight the convenience of these locations for accessing Washington DC attractions. Several campgrounds, including Cherry Hill Park, offer orientation sessions about navigating the metro system and visiting monuments. The proximity to urban amenities doesn't completely sacrifice natural experiences. Patapsco Valley State Park receives praise for its extensive trail network, with one visitor noting, "This is where this campground shines. It has access to many trails and the Patapsco River." Summer heat and humidity can be challenging, with shaded sites being particularly valuable. Sites at most campgrounds tend to be relatively close together, with privacy varying significantly between locations and specific site numbers.
"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 Availability"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 Availability"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 Availability"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 Availability"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 Availability"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."
"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"
"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 Availabilityfrom $150 - $200 / night
Check Availability
ScoutFrome the moment you drive up the women at the gate is about as welcoming ( as my Pops would say ) "A fart in church.," Great way to start your vacation. Didn't get much better in the office. The one guy that worked there did at least smile at us....
TravelerThere 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.
TravelerNice 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.
RangerI 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.
GuideThe 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!
LegendWe 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.
GuideThe sites are close together. The park was not full Mother’s Day weekend. It is a very nice park. The bathhouses were clean. The amenities were good although we didn’t utilize them. The national historic site was very close and we walked over day 1 rode our bikes day 2. The C&O canal is accessible but you must walk your bike across the lower town bridge and carry it down the stairs. This section of the trail was very good and we completed 38 miles.
ScoutThought 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.
TravelerIf youre looking for fun and people, go to the south campground. But if youre looking for true quiet and have a tent, check out the dispersed campsites. Good shower and bathroom setup that i bet would fare well in a tornado, its got that solid storm shelter feel. Next to a quiet airport, plenty of free firewood to gather
The Fulton, Maryland area offers numerous campground options within 30-40 minutes of the Baltimore-Washington corridor. Most campgrounds in this region operate from April through October, though several remain open year-round. Summer temperatures typically range from 75°F to 90°F with high humidity, making shaded sites particularly valuable.
Hiking trails with varied difficulty: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area offers extensive trail networks accessible directly from campsites. "The trails we have been on are all pretty moderate to hard but offer beautiful waterfalls and river views. This definitely is a park that takes a while to explore all of it," notes one visitor who appreciates that the park's multiple entrances can't be fully explored in a single day.
Fishing opportunities: Ramblin' Pines features a fishing pond on premises. "There's a pond for fishing, a pool for swimming and a little general store for all your needs," according to one camper, making it convenient for anglers who don't want to travel far from their site.
Nature exploration for children: The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring combines camping with outdoor adventures. "Groups only- no individual campsites," mentions one reviewer, noting it's "very convenient for before or after your time in the largest aerial challenge course in North America."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature pools, but Lake Fairfax Campground offers multiple water recreation options. "There's a water park, paddle boats, playgrounds, trails, skate park, sports fields, and the bathrooms are the nicest I've ever seen," reports one enthusiastic visitor who gave the facilities five stars.
Convenient DC access: Cherry Hill Park provides exceptional transportation options to Washington DC attractions. "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," explains one visitor who found this approach more convenient than driving.
Privacy between sites: Little Bennett Campground offers well-separated sites for those seeking more seclusion. "Lots of vegetation between sites providing privacy from neighbors," notes one camper who appreciated the natural buffers. Another mentioned, "This place is quiet, the spaces are big. They can accommodate large campers, ours is 35 ft."
Urban escape atmosphere: Greenbelt Park Campground creates a surprising wilderness feel despite its urban location. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," writes one regular visitor who appreciates the convenient "getaway" feeling without traveling far from home.
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms, with Lake Fairfax earning particular praise. "Five stars for the restroom facilities. Bright, large, clean and very well maintained," reports one camper, though noting the trade-off is that "this place gets crowded."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, with some implementing strict check-in policies. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, "This was also the first time we have ever had to wait till exactly 3pm to check in. So if you arrive early expect to wait until 3," warns one camper.
Site conditions vary significantly: Ground surfaces differ between campgrounds, affecting tent camping comfort. "The crushed stone at the sites isn't comfortable for tents, and they won't let you pitch it on the ground, so bring extra pads and alternative ways to secure the tent to the ground," advises a Patapsco Valley visitor.
Weather impacts: Summer storms can create challenging conditions. One camper at Patapsco Valley noted, "When it rains it really flushes through the grounds. We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm."
Alcohol policies: Rules regarding alcohol consumption vary between parks. Many Maryland state parks prohibit bringing alcohol, while private campgrounds often permit it. Patapsco Valley reminds visitors: "No alcohol or firewood can be brought into the park. Firewood can only be purchased on site due to harmful insects."
Playground access: Patapsco Valley State Park Hollofield Area offers natural play spaces for children. "There is a 'natural' playground in the loop, and then if you drive down further to the park entrance, there is a large playground for the kids," shares one parent, adding details about "large rocks and overturned trees" that their children enjoyed.
Swimming restrictions: Some campgrounds have specific pool policies regarding children. One camper noted at Ramblin' Pines: "I didnt like that non potty trained kids are not allowed to swim in their pool. Luckily we only have a 9 month old currently that isn't potty trained."
Educational activities: Several parks offer ranger-led programs. At Greenbelt Park, a regular visitor mentions, "There are monthly programs at the campfire circle that I sometimes attend even when not camping here," providing enrichment opportunities for children.
Activity variety: Washington DC Capitol KOA provides multiple entertainment options. "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," reports one parent who found it "perfect for kids" though "not a site for nature lovers."
Electric hookup limitations: Not all campgrounds offer full RV services. Hollofield Area Campground has "only 20/30amp electricity and NO water or sewer- although there was a dump and a place to fill your water tank," according to one RVer who noted the absence of laundry facilities.
Leveling requirements: Site grading varies considerably between campgrounds. At Little Bennett, one camper reports, "Site#D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back."
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have specific approach requirements. For Hollofield Area, RVers should note: "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.)"
Site selection strategy: At Cherry Hill Park, a reviewer advises, "Look at the park map and try to get a site at the end of a row. The sites are pretty close together but on the ends at least you only have a neighbor on one side."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Fulton, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fulton, MD is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 42 reviews.
What parks are near Fulton, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Fulton, MD that allow camping, notably Greenbelt Park and Rock Creek Park.
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