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The Maryland area surrounding Hanover features multiple developed campgrounds with amenities ranging from basic to full-service. Patapsco Valley State Park, approximately 15 miles northwest of Hanover, offers both tent and cabin camping at its Hilton Area and Hollofield Area campgrounds. Cherry Hill Park and Washington DC/Capitol KOA provide more comprehensive facilities including RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options. Mixed-use campgrounds predominate in this region, with most offering accommodation for different camping styles rather than specializing in a single type.
Seasonal considerations affect campground availability, with several parks like Patapsco Valley operating from April through October. The region experiences humid summers and occasional heavy rainfall that can impact camping conditions. "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," noted one visitor about Patapsco Valley. Many campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when they frequently reach capacity. Most developed sites provide electrical hookups, showers, and toilets, though amenities vary by location. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region given its proximity to major urban areas.
Patapsco Valley State Park receives particular praise for its family-friendly atmosphere and accessible trail network. Campers frequently mention the large playground facilities as highlights for families with children. According to one review, "The Hilton entrance of Patapsco Valley Park is perfect for keeping the kids entertained. There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park." The campground options near Hanover balance natural settings with proximity to urban conveniences, with most sites located within 30 minutes of Baltimore. Sites at Hollofield Area offer more privacy in the non-electric sections, while the electric sites tend to be closer together. Despite being near metropolitan areas, several campgrounds maintain surprisingly peaceful environments with minimal traffic noise.
"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."
from $999 / night
Check Availability"Camp site(Tent camping)
The camp site is what it is, just a camp site :) It's one of the bigger state parks surrounded by forest in MD.""Another negative was after the storm for the next few days we heard trees falling nearby."
from $20 - $51 / night
Check Availability"It has 8 recreation areas and we stayed at the Hollofield Area in April- one of our first experiences in a Maryland State Park. Beautiful park with 70 miles of hiking/biking /multi use trails."
"This campground is pleasant, but the sites are situated quite close to one another."
from $19 - $27 / night
Check Availability"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."
"The location worked for my trip but not sure it’s that convenient to DC."
"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"
from $20 / night
Check Availability"We stay at Ramblin Pines because it is close to family and a good proximity to visiting Baltimore and Frederick."
"We love this home away from home ❤️"
from $30 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $30 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Quiet woods in Maryland about 30 or 40 miles north of DC. Tenting, and RV spots partial to full service. Just of hiway 270. pricey ($66/night) for a state park, but nice."
"PROS Very nice small Montgomery County Park
No reservation fee to make on-line reservations
Reserved 137 days prior to arriving
Entrance gate required entry code Instructed by staff via gate phone"
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.
GuideWhere we were camping had blown up their dump station. Artillery Ridge helped us out. $10. to dump. If we come to camp in Gettysburg, it will be hear.
GuideYou just can't beat a pennsylvania park. This one is not an exception. Nice clean restroom, plenty of room. Now, what cost a star. Yes, it rained like hell. When we broke camp and go dump. The dump station was overflowing with sewer. Go to the guard shack to tell them, and find another site. None there. Can I go to an unused full hookup to dump? No! I would have to pay for the site. Two hours later, we found a place to dump for $10.
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.
GuideThis is a great camping spot. The sites aren’t too close together and the hosts are very friendly. The only reason I gave it four stars is because we are near a highway so you can hear cars throughout the night. But the crickets make up for it by being as loud as possible. With the fees, it cost $25 for a non-electric site and with access to showers after a long trek I was happy to pay.
RangerWe stayed at Redemption Springs to get relatively close to Baltimore without bringing our 30ft travel trailer into the city. Seth and the other gentlemen I spoke with were all extremely accommodating. Enjoyed learning about their approach to restorative farming and purchasing a variety of treats at the farm store. Beef, pork, chicken, seasonings, baked goods, and more. We booked on Hipcamp and recommend following his driving instructions. Our rig fit fine by tuhe main barn and they kept an eye on us going in and out to make sure we didn't have issues making any of the turns. Lots of farm life!
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.
Camping spots near Hanover, Maryland range from primitive tent sites to full-service RV parks, all within a 30-mile radius of the town. The area sits at elevations between 50-300 feet above sea level within the Patapsco River watershed, creating varied camping terrain. Many campgrounds remain open year-round despite Maryland's humid continental climate, with summer overnight temperatures averaging 65-75°F.
Fishing at multiple locations: Access the Patapsco River directly from the trails at Hollofield Area Campground for trout, bass and other freshwater species. "We enjoyed hiking the trails directly from our campsite that led us down to the Patapsco River. There is a lot of history associated with the River and the area. You can even swim in this river. Fishing looked like fun too," notes one camper.
Metro access to Washington DC: The green line from Greenbelt Park Campground takes campers directly to the National Mall in about 30 minutes. One visitor explains, "The great thing about it that you can spend entire days at the always-free Smithsonian museums and still fall asleep in the woods. Can't beat the close proximity to DC."
Local farm visits: Several small farms within 10 miles of Hanover welcome visitors, particularly in fall harvest season. Pick your own produce or visit farm animals as a break from camping activities. Campers can ask rangers for current recommendations based on season.
Natural playgrounds: The natural play areas are a hit with children at several parks. "The kids loved the 'natural playground' with large rocks and overturned trees," shares a visitor at Little Bennett Campground, which maintains both traditional and natural play areas.
DC transportation options: Visitors appreciate not needing to drive into the capital. "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," reports a camper at Cherry Hill Park.
Peaceful wooded sites: Despite urban proximity, many campgrounds maintain a forest feel. "Being just barely off the beaten path, I wasn't expecting all too much. I was surprised at the quiet, understated beauty of the forestry around the perfectly level campsite," writes one camper about Hollofield Area.
Campground entrances can be tricky: Several parks have entrance issues worth noting. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, "Getting in to the park was a little difficult. We missed the entrance and had to turn around. Friends who were camping with us had the same problem," warns one visitor.
Seasonal water challenges: Drainage problems affect some camping areas during rainstorms. "When it rains it really flushes through the grounds," reports a camper, noting site selection matters during wet weather.
Traffic noise varies: Highway sounds are present at certain campgrounds despite tree buffers. Proximity to BWI airport means occasional aircraft noise at specific sites. At Greenbelt Park, "You can barely hear the traffic from the road outside the park."
Pool access considerations: Not all campgrounds allow young children in pools. "I didnt like that non potty trained kids are not allowed to swim in their pool," notes a visitor at Washington DC / Capitol KOA. Check pool policies before booking if swimming is important.
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds offer extensive child activities. "This park has a wide range of activities for kids. The hike I did was not very long but was well worth it," explains a visitor to Patapsco Valley State Park, adding that trails were well-marked for family use.
Off-season benefits: Family campers report more space and fewer crowds during spring and fall. "During the week, it wasn't too bad. Easy to walk trails are right off the loop and there are tall trees with a little opening to see the stars," notes a camper at Hollofield Area.
Height restrictions: Approach certain parks only from designated directions if your RV exceeds height limits. "APPROACH THIS PARK ONLY FROM THE WEST IF YOUR VEHICLE IS OVER 11 FEET HIGH. (There is a 11' bridge coming east bound into this park.)" warns an RVer about Hollofield Area.
Amenities vary significantly: Electric service types differ between parks, with some offering only 20/30 amp connections. "There is only 20/30amp electricity and NO water or sewer- although there was a dump and a place to fill your water tank," notes a camper about local options.
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites require significant leveling equipment. "Site#D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back," reports an RVer at Little Bennett Campground, suggesting campers bring extra leveling blocks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Hanover, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hanover, MD is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 44 reviews.
What parks are near Hanover, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Hanover, MD that allow camping, notably Greenbelt Park and Rock Creek Park.
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