Campgrounds near Chevy Chase, Maryland offer diverse natural settings within urban environments, where elevations range from 200-500 feet above sea level. The region experiences four distinct seasons with hot, humid summers reaching 90°F and winter temperatures regularly dropping below freezing. Fall camping season typically extends through mid-November, with some campgrounds remaining open year-round despite the colder conditions.
What to do
Disc golf course access: Bull Run Regional Park offers an 18-hole disc golf course within the park boundaries. A recent visitor noted, "Bull Run park is absolutely beautiful. So much to do and centered around many historical sites."
Trail exploration: Greenbelt Park Campground features extensive trail systems including access to the American Discovery Trail. According to a camper, "The American Discovery Trail (ADT) passes through the park. We found our site which was close to the bath house and before setting up my tent made my rounds."
Paddling opportunities: At Lake Fairfax Campground, visitors can enjoy water activities on the lake. "This camp site does have a lot of things to do like Water park, A big open field where you can sometimes watch cricket games, a nice lake where you can fish," reports one camper.
Mini-golf and recreation: Family-friendly activities abound at Pohick Bay Campground, where recreation options extend beyond typical camping. A reviewer explains, "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats" is available alongside other amenities.
What campers like
Urban camping proximity: Campers appreciate Greenbelt Park Campground for its location near DC while maintaining a natural setting. One visitor shared, "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground."
Clean facilities: Bathroom quality consistently receives high marks at Bull Run Regional Park. A camper enthusiastically reported, "I'll go again just for the showers. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had."
Family programming: Little Bennett Campground offers structured activities for children. A visitor mentioned, "Great campground. A bit pricey, but has a full hookup loop. Other loops are tent only. Wonderful bath house. Lots of stuff to do."
Spacious camping areas: Many campers value the size and privacy of sites at Cherry Hill Park. "The site was perfectly level with a fire ring, grill, picnic table and table with three chairs," noted one reviewer about their premium site.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Maryland's unpredictable fall weather affects camping conditions. When camping at Burke Lake Park, visitors note "the trail around the lake is a bit under 5 miles, but it's all trail. There is almost no elevation gain, and it is not very technically rigorous."
Noise factors: Several campgrounds experience various noise sources beyond highway traffic. A camper at Bull Run Regional Park reported, "The only drawback is that it is not quite. There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away."
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require extra preparation for RVs and trailers. A visitor to Lake Fairfax explained, "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."
Limited operating hours: Certain amenities have restricted availability. At Lake Fairfax Campground, a camper observed, "Jumping pillow and pedal cars are only open at certain hours. There is no swimming pool or lake."
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: Lake Fairfax Campground offers water recreation for children. A camper explained, "A lot to do: mountain bike trails (horses and walking, too); wooded hikes with water along the trails (great for dogs in the summer heat), skateboard park, BMX park, Water Park near the campground."
Organized activities: Special seasonal programs occur at various campgrounds. A visitor to Bull Run shared, "They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides. Great family friendly campground."
Multi-generational options: Camping with varied age groups works well at certain locations. One camper at Little Bennett Campground reported, "This is a good regional campground with activities for kids on special days. Took our grand daughter there for her first camping trip and she loved the bouncing strawberry and the hikes."
Transportation planning: For families wanting to visit DC attractions, transit options matter. A Cherry Hill Park visitor highlighted, "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."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose carefully at Little Bennett Campground for the best RV experience. A camper noted, "D Loop is for RVs, A, B, C& E are tents only. 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."
Hookup variations: Different campgrounds offer various utility options. A visitor to Cherry Hill Park shared, "50 amp hook-up, water, sewer, playground, mini golf, swimming pool, hot tub, basketball court, snack bar on site, nightly hayride, gated, on-site camp store."
Leveling requirements: Be prepared with blocks at certain sites. One RVer at Pohick Bay reported, "Not all sites are level (half). Staff are always nice and go out of their way to help."
Camp store access: Some campgrounds provide extensive on-site shopping. A visitor mentioned, "On-site RV supplies and repair parts, a snack bar and lots more. Look at the park map and try to get a site at the end of a row."
