Best Campgrounds near Lothian, MD

Campgrounds near Lothian, Maryland include both public and private options within a 20-mile radius of the Chesapeake Bay region. Adventure Bound Washington DC in Lothian provides tent, RV, and cabin camping with full hookup sites, while nearby options include Cherry Hill Park in College Park offering premium glamping yurts. Cedarville State Forest provides more natural settings with primitive tent sites and limited RV camping. The unique Pine Tree Associates Nudist Club campground offers an unconventional camping experience with tent, RV and cabin options approximately 15 miles northeast of Lothian.

Many campgrounds in this area are open year-round, though some forest service locations like Cedarville State Forest operate seasonally from April through October. According to one visitor, "This place is a good place to stay... it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest Metro station." Accessibility varies significantly between locations, with private campgrounds typically offering better maintained roads and facilities. Sites at Adventure Bound Washington DC and Washington DC/Capitol KOA tend to feature gravel pads with full hookups, while forest campgrounds provide more natural settings with limited amenities. Summer months bring higher humidity and temperatures, making spring and fall ideal for tent camping.

Waterfront camping represents a highlight of the region, with Breezy Point Beach Campground offering direct Chesapeake Bay access. As one camper noted, "The sites are close together. No worse than a typical KOA though. There is additional space behind each site leading onto the beach that houses a table and fire ring." Several developed campgrounds in the area cater primarily to working professionals and long-term stays rather than recreational camping. Reviews consistently mention the convenient location for exploring Washington DC, Annapolis and Baltimore attractions. Campers seeking solitude should consider Lacy Oasis Campground, which offers just six primitive sites in a more secluded setting. Most camping areas provide basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables and access to toilet facilities, though shower availability varies significantly by location.

Best Camping Sites Near Lothian, Maryland (87)

    1. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 344-3948

    $20 / night

    "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"

    2. Adventure Bound Washington DC

    9 Reviews
    Upper Marlboro, MD
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (443) 607-8609

    "We had a fantastic time our 1st time at #AdventureBoundCampingResort in Lothian, Maryland."

    "This place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest"

    3. Cherry Hill Park

    42 Reviews
    Beltsville, MD
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 937-7116

    $282 - $999 / night

    "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."

    4. Washington DC / Capitol KOA

    16 Reviews
    Millersville, MD
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 923-2771

    "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."

    "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. The staff is exceptionally friendly and helpful."

    5. Cedarville State Forest

    17 Reviews
    Brandywine, MD
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 888-1410

    $30 / night

    "We picked up the camping registration outside the office at the entrance, no need to speak with anyone. Then we just drove down to our campsite in the family camping loop."

    "Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC."

    6. Lacy Oasis Campground

    2 Reviews
    Chesapeake Beach, MD
    10 miles
    +1 (202) 270-5189

    $90 - $190 / night

    "Whether you are an adult or a child, this place will have a positive effect on you. The owners are involved and designed this space with the visitors pleasure in mind."

    7. Pine Tree Associates Nudist Club

    2 Reviews
    Crownsville, MD
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 841-6033

    $30 - $55 / night

    "My wife and I were trying to find an RV location near the Annapolis city dock for a boat show and found Pine Tree Associates."

    "Camping fees include access to a large outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a hot tub. There is room for tenting and campers."

    8. Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping

    8 Reviews
    Gibson Island, MD
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    9. Breezy Point Beach

    5 Reviews
    Chesapeake Beach, MD
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 535-0259

    $60 - $70 / night

    "There is additional space behind each site leading onto the beach that houses a table and fire ring. It feels like each site has loads of room out to the beach."

    10. Military Park United States Naval Academy/Annapolis Naval Station Annapolis FamCamp

    1 Review
    Annapolis, MD
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 293-9200

    "Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 87 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Lothian, MD

625 Reviews of 87 Lothian Campgrounds


  • C
    Oct. 31, 2025

    Prince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    Beautiful views - steep sites

    caution though, the back row is steep. We were unable to get our Super C level.  The rain created red clay mud so the dogs were a mess - actually became sort of comical.  All in all it was a beautiful and clean location.  Try and reserve row E if you need full hook up

  • Amanda S.
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Washington DC / Capitol KOA

    Got bed bugs? They do.

    Stayed in cabin 202 for a Fri- Sun and on our last morning we found a bed bug on our clothing. While they gave a refund it does not come close to cover the time and energy of remediating all of our clothing, sheets, and blankets. We also had to throw out items that could not be cleaned properly and now have to replace them(pillows, shoes, etc). My husband has 23 bites over the course of 2 nights. They burn and itch very badly. I truly hope this was a hiccup for them and they go through correct methods of having the cabin treated properly. 

    UPDATE: A recount of the bites- my husband has 31 bites so far. The remediation of all of our items is exhausting. All the blankets, clothing, suit cases, all the other items we used in the cabin needs to be cleaned. We had to throw out our shoes because they shrunk in the dryer. Spent$$$ replacing shoes for a family for 4. Pillows are not cheap to replace either. I bought a new corset at the renfest this weekend that I'm hoping doesn't get ruined when it goes through the dryer. That too was expensive. So if you're looking to have to spend a bunch of extra money to replace items you didn't want to replace in the first place- I recommend staying here.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Pax River Hog Point Campgrounds — Naval Airstation (Nas) Patuxent River

    Left Early, Won’t Be Back

    When we saw a review of this campground on Rec.gov complaining about the amount of bugs we thought they were being ridiculous, they were not. In addition to an insane amount of bugs making the experience here uniquely miserable — it is not quiet or peaceful. A (clearly quite drunk) group nearby was singing at the top of their lungs until at least 11pm when we made the decision to bail seeing as we weren’t going to be getting any sleep between being eaten alive and serenaded.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Adventure Bound Washington DC

    Nice

    This place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest Metro station. It's crowded but folks are quiet & respectful!

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Aquia Pines Campground

    Good stopover near the highway but hidden between the trees

    We where forced land-inwards because of tropical storm Erin (potential hurricane hitting the Outer Banks). So we decided to visit Washington DC and had a stopover here. It was conveniently located. Terrain is not flat but our spot was well levelled. There is a big dog (and an older gentleman) in the office to welcome you. Full hook up was oké and our spot was nicly secluded between the trees.

  • Erin W.
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Lake Fairfax Campground

    Nice for a quick weekend

    This campground is nice for a quick weekend and does have pretty trails next to the campground. The sites are largely in more of a meadow and not many are very wooded. Our site, 41, was level and nicely spaced from other sites but many tent sites were not level at all. Many tents were on a full slant. There is a waterpark that is an extra cost which is fun for kids. Bathrooms are well maintained and huge.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Cherry Hill Park

    Can’t beat it

    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. So $4-9 per person. We rode in all 4 days this way. Personalized, comfortable. Door to door. We saw tons of stuff. No one can say they saw everything. We took the train from Union station to Penn station. Saw the nationals, the orioles. So fun. The park itself has more than most. Mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry, a store and office open early!! And late!!! Wow! Just can’t be beat. Great sites. So many other things in the park. Splash pad, paved roads for scootering. Just awesome!

  • Caleb S.
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area

    Tabolt island state park

    We had a nice stay overlooking the marsh. The small crabs were skittering around the campsite and birds perched in the marsh. The beach was nice and clean.


Guide to Lothian

Campsites near Lothian, Maryland range from primitive tent sites to full-facility RV parks within a 20-mile radius. The region sits along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay watershed at elevations generally under 200 feet, creating relatively flat terrain for camping. Most campgrounds stay open through October with a few year-round options, though summer humidity levels regularly exceed 80 percent from June through August.

What to do

Fossil hunting on beaches: The Chesapeake Bay shoreline offers prime shark tooth collecting opportunities at Breezy Point Beach. According to one visitor, "I collected shark teeth... 178 shark teeth to be exact 🦈" making it a popular activity for families.

Metro access to Washington DC: Greenbelt Park Campground provides convenient access to national attractions. "Take 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," advises one camper.

Hiking woodland trails: Cedarville State Forest offers several trail options through mixed hardwood forest. "There are decent trails to hike here too... There are some abandon camp loops around the open campground which makes for some cool walks with your dog. Equestrian trails go deep into the woods if you want a longer trail," notes one visitor.

What campers like

Urban forest escapes: Greenbelt Park Campground provides natural settings despite urban proximity. One camper explains, "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground... there are monthly programs at the campfire circle that I sometimes attend even when not camping here."

Waterfront camping access: Breezy Point Beach offers sites directly on the Chesapeake Bay. "The sites are backed right to the Chesapeake Bay and the view and access are priceless. The day-use folks are not allowed on the camping side of the beach... so, there's plenty of beach space and water space for campers," explains one visitor.

Small, secluded options: Lacy Oasis Campground provides a more intimate camping experience with just six primitive sites. A camper notes, "If you are a nature lover, a person who loves peace, serenity, and, tranquility, or just need some respite, Lacy Oasis is the place to be."

What you should know

Worker-oriented campgrounds: Several campgrounds near Lothian primarily serve as housing for working professionals. At Adventure Bound Washington DC, "People working in DC using the campground as their residence, leaving 5ish because of traffic to be encountered. Well hopped up diesel pickups, non-baffled Harley exhausts... 60% were long term residents of the campground."

Tick prevalence: Wooded campgrounds in the area require tick prevention measures. At Cedarville State Forest, "Lots and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers."

Capacity limitations: Sandy Point State Park fills quickly during summer weekends. "The park closes daily very early as it hits capacity. The best times to go are winter, spring, and fall," according to one reviewer.

Tips for camping with families

Pool facilities: Washington DC / Capitol KOA provides extensive recreation options. "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc). If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy."

Beach access with children: Breezy Point Beach offers protected swimming areas. "They have renovated the beach and per my friends, the fencing protecting the area is new, but needed."

Children's programming: Several campgrounds offer organized activities. At Greenbelt Park, "Rangers keep a close eye on things, and there are monthly programs at the campfire circle."

Tips from RVers

Site conditions: Most RV sites in the region are developed but closely spaced. At Cherry Hill Park, "Sites are close and need service. Sandy dirt covered. They could add gravel or grass and a plant or two near the sewer pipes to help."

Navigation challenges: Tight turns and narrow roads can create access issues. At Adventure Bound Washington DC, one camper advised "Do not try and come in after dark. Very tight and very dark."

Leveling requirements: Cherry Hill Park provides premium sites with better leveling. "We had a premium site for seven nights. The site was perfectly level with a fire ring, grill, picnic table and table with three chairs."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Lothian, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lothian, MD is Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park with a 4.1-star rating from 32 reviews.

What parks are near Lothian, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Lothian, MD that allow camping, notably Greenbelt Park and Fort Dupont Park.