RV camping near St. Leonard, Maryland offers convenient access to the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay area. The region features a mix of military, state park, and private camping options within a 30-mile radius. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping provides more comfortable conditions in the 60-75°F range.
What to do
Fossil hunting excursions: At Westmoreland State Park, visitors can search for prehistoric shark teeth. "We came from Pa/De and wanted to look for sharks teeth. It was beautiful here so we decided to stay the night," shared one camper. The park offers a dedicated fossil beach accessed via hiking trails.
Kayaking on the Potomac: Camp at 1 Acre Campground for immediate river access. "The 1 Acre Campground is a unique spot near the river and boat launch that offers 50AMP and sewer hookups for a convenient stay," notes a reviewer. This single-site campground provides private water access for paddlers.
Historical explorations: The region features significant Colonial and Revolutionary War sites within short drives. "Right down the road from George Washington's birthplace," mentions a camper staying at Thousand Trails Harbor View. Military history enthusiasts should visit "National Marine Corp Museum just around corner" from Prince William Forest RV Campground.
What campers like
Shaded campsites: Thousand Trails Harbor View offers relief from summer heat. "All the sites are very shady, which certainly comes in handy in the Virginia heat," reports one camper. Another mentioned: "Site was spacious, level and shady. The site next to ours had perfect hammock trees too!"
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain high standards for bathhouses. At Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp, campers appreciate the "Super clean, very well maintained" facilities. Another reviewer noted the "Good site, secure location, decent facilities with solid WiFi."
Nature viewing opportunities: Waterfront access provides wildlife spotting opportunities. "Eagle's nest were interesting," noted one camper at Fort Belvoir. Another camper mentioned Westmoreland State Park offers "Beautiful views, good trails, nice sites" with direct Potomac River access.
What you should know
Military base restrictions: Several campgrounds require military credentials. "You need military credentials" to stay at Fort Belvoir, while Camp Meade RV Park reminds campers about base protocols: "Was great not to have to really worry about anything because you are securely on post. I forgot all about revielle 🤣. They reminded me."
Seasonal conditions: Spring campers should prepare for pollen. At Prince William Forest RV Campground, one reviewer warned: "If you have allergies, avoid spring. EVERYTHING outside was covered in a light haze of pollen. I worked outside several days and had to wipe my computer off a couple times a day."
Site spacing concerns: Many campgrounds feature close quarters. At Thousand Trails Harbor View, reviewers note: "The sites are CLOSE," and "They are also very close together—our slide was almost touching our neighbor's slide." Consider requesting end sites when possible for added privacy.
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming options during summer months. Prince William Forest RV Campground features "Nice pool and bath house" according to reviewers. Another camper noted that Thousand Trails Harbor View has "a nice size pool and includes a kiddie pool."
Playground accessibility: Cherry Hill Park provides extensive recreation options. "Playground, Mini Golf, Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Basketball court, Snack bar on site, Nightly hayride," lists one reviewer. Another camper adds, "paved roads for scootering" as a kid-friendly feature.
Weekend planning: Expect higher occupancy Friday through Sunday. "Sunday and Monday nights if you have flexibility with jobs etc. It was SUPER quiet during my stay," suggests a Westmoreland State Park camper. Prince William Forest stays "Quiet campground with tables and fire rings at all sites" but gets busier on weekends.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Bring adequate leveling equipment. At Fort Belvoir, "our site wasn't fully level, so bring plenty of leveling blocks." Similarly, a camper at Thousand Trails Harbor View noted: "Had to put down boards to park our travel trailer because about a third of the pad had just turned into mud."
Size considerations: Large rigs should research site dimensions carefully. Cherry Hill Park accommodates larger setups, but some campgrounds have limitations. Prince William Forest has "pull-through sites with 30-amp electric and water hookups" but many spaces "could use a trim along the roads" according to reviewers.
Connectivity options: Remote workers have viable options. At Prince William Forest, "I work full-time remote and the Verizon service was perfect with our hotspot." Cherry Hill offers "spotty Wi-Fi" according to campers, so bring your own cellular hotspot for reliable connection.
