Best Tent Camping near Marriottsville, MD
Tent campsites in and around Marriottsville, Maryland include several walk-in and primitive options along rivers, canal systems, and wooded areas. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area and The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring both offer tent camping within reasonable driving distance. Patapsco Valley features tent sites with access to hiking trails and natural features, while the nearby Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park corridor provides multiple hiker-biker tent camping sites for those seeking a more primitive experience.
Road access varies significantly between tent campgrounds in the region. At Patapsco Valley's Hilton Area, tent sites are situated on crushed stone pads that can be uncomfortable without extra padding underneath. A camper wrote, "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." Many tent sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and nearby toilets, though amenities are more limited at hiker-biker sites. Most tent campgrounds prohibit bringing outside firewood due to harmful insects, requiring purchase on-site. Seasonal operation typically runs April through October for established tent campgrounds.
Areas along the C&O Canal towpath offer tent-only camping experiences with unique waterfront settings. Most sites feature flat tent pads, fire rings, and some form of toilets (either pit toilets or portable units). Several campsites provide direct access to the Potomac River, creating scenic backdrops for primitive tent camping. As one review noted, "Sites are flat and dispersed with most located adjacent to the river." Tent campers should prepare for varying levels of privacy, as many of these sites are located just off the busy C&O towpath, which sees regular traffic from hikers, runners, and cyclists during daylight hours. Water access varies between sites, with some offering pumps (seasonally available) while others require campers to bring their own water supply. Most hiker-biker tent sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, making weekday visits preferable for securing preferred spots.
