24 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent campsites near Cheltenham, Maryland range from established state park grounds to primitive hiker-biker sites along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area offers tent-specific camping with non-electric sites in a forested setting, while Swains Lock and other hiker-biker overnight campsites provide more rustic options along the Potomac River. Lacy Oasis Campground and Campsites at Watkins Regional Park also accommodate tent campers within reasonable driving distance of Cheltenham.
Most tent camping areas feature basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and access to toilets. The Patapsco Valley sites have crushed stone tent pads that may require extra padding and alternative staking methods. Swains Lock and other C&O Canal sites are first-come, first-served with limited facilities—typically just fire rings, picnic tables, and portable toilets. Water sources vary significantly; some sites like Horsepen Branch have pumps with iodine-treated well water, while others require campers to bring their own supply. Seasonal considerations affect site conditions, with lower-elevation areas in Patapsco Valley becoming very wet during rainstorms.
Tent campers in the region benefit from proximity to natural features and relative seclusion despite being near urban areas. The C&O Canal sites offer direct views of the Potomac River with opportunities to observe wildlife. A camper noted, "In the morning we were awakened by the resident geese. We unzipped the tent to see a full moon setting, then later got up to watch the sun burn off the lazy fog on the river." Patapsco Valley provides access to numerous hiking trails and swimming holes, though some visitors recommend bringing hiking poles for the more challenging paths. Sites at Caledon State Park require a 2.5-mile hike on groomed gravel trails to reach the tent pads, creating a more secluded experience for those willing to make the trek.
"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."
from $90 - $190 / night
Check Availability"Based on my stay 3 nights and what I read of Greenbelt Park (the other closeby to Washington campground) I would say this has to be much better and I will stay here again on a future visit."
from $12 - $45 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $55 - $95 / night
Check Availability"Good for a day use, parking is full most of the time but have a lot of space to park you may have to walk but you will find one spot..."
"Close to me so theres nothing new"
from $15 - $18 / night
Check Availability"We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm and it was very wet even after the rain died down."
"There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center. There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes. The campground is on the smaller side."
from $20 - $51 / night
Check Availability"Private campground with cabins and tent sites. Tent sites are first come, first service so call ahead to ensure the space is available."
"They have a few tent camping spots as well as cabins. Just call ahead. I just showed up and got a perfect camp spot with a view of the sunrise and access to the private beach."
"There are two main beaches and there are picnic tables all over the park. There’s a popular boat launch amd small marina/bait store.
Get there early on weekends and holidays.""There are wonderful views of the water and swimming at the beach, pavilions for social gatherings, showers and bathrooms that are kept pretty very clean, and room for backpacking, hiking, picnicking,"
"Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap"
"7 or 8 tent pads. Wood for sale at the site for $4 honor system. Porta pottie right next to wood pile. You’re not supposed to setup anything outside of the “tent pads”."
"It was my first hike in primitive camping experience. We hiked for a few hours and finally got to our site which was right on the Potomac River."
from $16 / night
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TravelerClose to washington as we could get. Could also park our skoolie bus which was nice and had plenty of close by shower with bathrooms. Keep in mind only one shower per restroom house. We stayed at a pretty slow season so it wasn’t bad. Would recommend if visiting DC! They also have a dump station and water fill up.
ScoutWe stayed in site #133 with our 34'10" travel trailer/toy hauler. Overall, we really like the site. It's spacious, fairly level, heavily wooded, and feels surprisingly private. There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation. We had a nice large area for our chairs, fire pit, picnic table, and dogs. The biggest thing to know about #133 is the approach. We were instructed to pass the site, go around the loop, and then make a left turn into it. With our nearly 35' trailer, that would have required an extremely tight, almost 90-degree turn between the trees, and we did not feel we could safely make it. There is actually visible damage on one of the trees at the entrance, so it appears others may have had difficulty with the turn as well. Instead, we approached from the opposite direction and positioned the camper with our doors facing the main campsite area. That put the water and electric hookups on the opposite side, but our hoses and cord were long enough to run underneath the camper and reach without a problem. Once we figured that out, the site worked very well for us. I initially thought we probably wouldn't choose #133 again because of the awkward setup, but after spending the weekend here, I would. Now that we know how to approach and position our trailer, it really is a nice site. If you're bringing a longer travel trailer, just be prepared to do a little maneuvering and make sure your water hose and electrical cord have enough length if you decide to orient your camper the way we did.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
GuideSpent two nights while we saw the Avett Brothers play at Wolf Trap. Nice flat site with power. Campground was quiet and clean. The only negative is communication and signage. It took us a couple wrong turns to find our site and when we came back, after the concert around 11, the entrance gate was closed and we had to sneak in through the exit gate. Asked the next day and they said that is what campers do to access the park after 11pm.
RangerWe stayed at Little Bennett starting on Labor Day Monday and left before the weekend, so it is hard to say how this looks when the campground is full of life. They had quite a few activities for families and a pavilion capable of concerts and such, but there was minimal activity during our stay. My biggest complaint is that the gate code changed and we didn't get any notice--so after a long day and a dinner out near Baltimore (nearly an hour away), I had to call the police to get back to my camper. Otherwise, the campsite was relatively spacious and quiet. The bugs were a little rough. Lots of whitetail running around.
ScoutIt was a well maintained campsite. Clean bathrooms and great hikes to fossil beach.
GuideIf you want to be near Annapolis, right on the Severn River...this is it. About 15 RV spots nestled in the woods...with full hook ups. A couple of primitive spots as well. Just a quick 5 min walk to the river...right across from the Academy. NEX, gas within 10 min walk, and 15 min drive to downtown Annapolis. Staff is always great here, and the park is clean....for a park on the woods.
TravelerBased on my stay 3 nights and what I read of Greenbelt Park (the other closeby to Washington campground) I would say this has to be much better and I will stay here again on a future visit. Campground sits inside of a much larger park with great trails, amenities and well maintained. Campground is quiet, lots of trees, forest and yet each space is very large with good spacing and privacy to adjacent sites. High tree canopy at your site so lots of room to spread out. Sites themselves are a little rustic - a mix of grass, gravel and dirt, but not muddy (it rained a good bit prior to my stay) - but in good condition. Shower/toilet block is clean and good hot water and good water pressure. Most sites are flat or near flat and the ones that aren't need minimal levelling blocks. Campground apparently is never full and there was only 1 other when I was there - really hard to believe. There is a neighborhood road up by the sites near the shower block but it is low speed and lightly travelled and I had no disturbance from it. Nice surrounding neighborhood. No signs of vagrants. Park police patrolled multiple times per day and report very little non-camper entry to ther facilities. I felt very safe.Easy access to Eashington - bus stop outside the campground to metro or just drive to the metro (free parking weekend, $6 midweek) and then train (about 8 per hour) into the sites - an hour or less total to get there. For more local people, this seems like a good escape "to the woods" without travelling forever.
TravelerGood spot to get away and pitch a tent. Never anyone else there too! Make sure to get a daily ($4) or annual (~$22 I forget) Access Permit on Virginia DWR, as well as special WMA camping license (free)
Tent camping near Cheltenham, Maryland offers access to areas along the Potomac River with varied terrain from marshy riverside sites to forested settings. The region experiences humid summers with temperatures averaging 87°F in July and August, while spring and fall provide milder conditions with occasional rain that can affect lower-elevation campsites. Many campgrounds maintain first-come, first-served policies during peak season from May through September.
Fishing and crabbing opportunities: Endeavor Point offers direct water access for fishing enthusiasts. "The pier was perfect to fish or crab off of and the beach had great views of the sunrise," reports one visitor who enjoyed the Labor Day weekend despite noting "the campsites aren't dispersed and are pretty small."
Hiking on groomed trails: Caledon State Park Campground features accessible hiking paths leading to riverside camping. A camper describes the experience as an "easy 2.5 mile hike on groomed gravel trails" to reach the tent pads, adding that "no water on site and no reasonable source to filter water from so be prepared."
Sunrise viewing: Waterfront camping areas provide exceptional sunrise views over the Chesapeake tributaries. One camper at Matoaka Beach Cottages appreciated "a perfect camp spot with a view of the sunrise and access to the private beach," highlighting the simple beauty of waterfront tent camping near Cheltenham.
Wildlife encounters: The marshlands and waterways near tent camping sites host diverse wildlife. At Endeavor Point, campers mention seeing abundant wildlife during quieter weekdays, with one visitor noting "we went for labor day weekend and had a great time. it was pretty busy due to the holiday but still manageable."
River proximity: Matoaka Beach Cottages offers tent sites with water views. A camper described their experience as "a beautiful Peaceful camping trip! Out spot was very private and you could see the bay and hear the waves."
Family gathering spaces: Leesylvania State Park Campground provides facilities suitable for family reunions and group gatherings. According to a visitor, "This park is ALWAYS full of family's having picnics and enjoying time together! There's playground and a beach area for kids and family to all enjoy."
Limited water sources: Multiple tent camping areas require bringing your own water supply. A Caledon camper warns there's "no water on site and no reasonable source to filter water from," emphasizing preparation requirements.
Tent pad restrictions: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area has specific rules about tent placement. One camper advises: "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 to the ground."
Variable site sizes: Campsite dimensions vary significantly between locations. At Endeavor Point, a camper noted that "the campsites aren't dispersed and are pretty small," which can limit equipment setup options during busy periods.
Seasonal crowds: Popular waterfront tent camping sites fill quickly during summer weekends. A camper observed that Sandy Point becomes "extremely over crowded in the summer" and "closes daily very early as it hits capacity," suggesting off-season visits are preferable.
Playground access: Lacy Oasis Campground offers child-friendly spaces beyond typical camping amenities. A visitor who brought children mentioned, "My agency took about 25 children there last week and they did not want to leave, neither did I. The rates are very economical for what is being provided on the space."
Nature education opportunities: Several tent camping areas feature environmental programming. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area includes "a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center" according to a visitor who called it "a great way to get kids into camping."
Weather preparedness: Low-elevation tent sites can experience drainage issues during storms. One camper at Patapsco Valley noted: "When it rains it really flushes through the grounds. We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm and it was very wet even after the rain died down."
Limited hookup availability: Few campgrounds near Cheltenham offer full RV connections. At Marsden Tract Group Campsite, amenities are described as "super simple and the best price... easy to find and very clean," but without electrical or water connections for larger vehicles.
Site access considerations: Many tent-focused campgrounds have narrow access roads unsuitable for larger RVs. Patapsco Valley sites can be accessed "through a suburban neighborhood," but the campground itself is "on the smaller side" with limited turning radius for larger vehicles.
Alternative accommodations: Several tent-centric campgrounds offer cabin options for those seeking more structure. Patapsco Valley features "neat mini cabins. Small one room cabins that have electricity and heat. They are a nice touch for those that want to camp, but not completely 'rough it.'"
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cheltenham, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cheltenham, MD is Lacy Oasis Campground with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Cheltenham, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 tent camping locations near Cheltenham, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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