Camping opportunities near Kensington, Maryland exist within a 20-mile radius in the Piedmont region, where elevations range from 300-500 feet. The area experiences hot, humid summers and mild to cold winters, with camping available year-round at select locations. Several campgrounds feature seasonal yurt accommodations that can withstand the variable Mid-Atlantic climate conditions.
What to do
Explore DC monuments: Stay at Bull Run Regional Park and use it as a base for sightseeing. "We stayed at Bull Run Regional Campground on our visit to Washington DC. It was fall and the colors were gorgeous. The sites are all pull-through off the roads through the campground. So your camper faces the woods and you feel like you're all alone," notes Roberta K.
Disc golf course: Several parks feature courses including Pohick Bay. "Pohick Bay is my go-to weekend camping spot. Just a few miles outside DC, Pohick Bay is a hidden gem in the area. I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," recommends Rachel L.
Nature scavenger hunt: Perfect for kids at Bull Run. "This campground was full of stuff to do and we didn't even get to do a lot of it. The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish," shares Bridget H.
Metro access to Washington: Cherry Hill Park offers transit options. "The campground is very close to DC and you are able to ride the metro bus right from the campground. Overall, we had an unforgettable stay at Cherry Hill Park!" states Jonathan B.
What campers like
Premium camping pads: At Little Bennett Campground, sites are well-maintained. "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup. D Loop is for RVs, A, B, C& E are tents only," explains Ray & Terri F.
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural surroundings. "We stayed at site D72 for 4 days. The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup," notes one visitor to Little Bennett.
Clean shower facilities: Pohick Bay Campground offers well-maintained bathrooms. "Sites are spacious and decently level (depends on the site I'm sure). Amenities and such are what you'd expect - clean but not new," reports Kristen M.
Year-round yurt camping: For those seeking yurt camping near Kensington, Maryland, several options exist within a 30-minute drive. Ramblin' Pines offers comfortable yurt accommodations. "Nice large sites with friendly staff. Lots of free activities for children and it's close to home," shares Christopher M.
What you should know
Reservations required: Most campgrounds near Kensington require advance booking, especially during summer months. "Reserved 137 days prior to arriving," notes one Little Bennett camper.
Wildlife awareness: Some campgrounds have active wildlife. "Raccoons run wild at night flipping trash can lids on your campsite hunting for food. Use repel spray to keep the raccoons off your site," warns Tye S. about Cosca Regional Park.
Weather considerations: The Mid-Atlantic region can experience severe storms. "While we were here, there was a fairly heavy day of rain. Couple inches, I suppose, but nothing Biblical. The mouths of the metal culverts in our loop were bent downward from campers driving over them, which obstructed the flow. Result was lots of standing water at our campsite," reports Stuart O.
Site selection: Pay attention to site details before booking. "Check out your site before booking, some sites are steep but spacious. Close to town but far enough to enjoy yourself," advises Ben S. about camping at Cosca Regional Park.
Tips for camping with families
Hayride activities: Bull Run offers evening programs. "They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides. Great family friendly campground," mentions Bridget H.
Kid-friendly amenities: Ramblin' Pines offers multiple play areas. "The place was nice, lots for kids to do, plenty if shaded spots! Nice pool... they even allowed us to store the camper while we took a cruise out of Baltimore!" shares Jason L.
Pool access policies: Check age restrictions for swimming. "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 so she didn't care if she was in the pool or not but I could see where it would be a problem trying to explain to a 2-3 year old," advises Stephanie H. about the Washington DC/Capitol KOA.
Bounce pillow attractions: Several campgrounds feature this popular activity. "The kids loved the bounce pillow," notes Michelle L. about Ramblin' Pines.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Pull-through sites offer advantages. "The sites are all pull-through off the roads through the campground. So your camper faces the woods and you feel like you're all alone," explains Roberta K. about Bull Run.
Satellite coverage: Thick tree cover affects reception. "There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy. OTA TV was descent using an external omni antenna," advises Ray & Terri F. about Little Bennett.
Cell service: Reception varies by provider. "AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster(1 bar), 8 MB/s with it(2 bars)," reports the same Little Bennett visitor.
Site leveling: Many campers note leveling challenges. "Site#D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back," shares a reviewer about Little Bennett Campground.
