c
cara S.
Scout
ScoutPatapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Hilton area
Thought the campsites were extremely close together. There were A LOT of kids and no quiet hours. Good for families. Not good for a camping camping experience.
Best Campgrounds near Hanover, MD
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.
Best Camping Sites Near Hanover, Maryland (82)
1. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
20 ReviewsCatonsville, MD6 milesWebsite+1 (410) 461-5005$20 - $51 / night
"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."
2. Cherry Hill Park
42 ReviewsBeltsville, MD16 milesWebsite+1 (301) 937-7116$999 / night
"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."
3. Hollofield Area Campground
18 ReviewsWindsor Mill, MD8 milesWebsite+1 (410) 461-5005$19 - $27 / night
"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."
4. Washington DC / Capitol KOA
16 ReviewsMillersville, MD10 milesWebsite+1 (410) 923-2771"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."
5. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
32 ReviewsGreenbelt, MD17 milesWebsite+1 (301) 344-3948$20 / night
"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"
6. Ramblin' Pines
17 ReviewsWoodbine, MD19 milesWebsite+1 (410) 795-5161$30 - $70 / night
"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 ❤️"
7. Camp Meade RV Park
2 ReviewsOdenton, MD7 milesWebsite+1 (888) 722-42378. Pine Tree Associates Nudist Club
2 ReviewsCrownsville, MD15 milesWebsite+1 (410) 841-6033$30 - $55 / night
"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."
9. Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping
8 ReviewsGibson Island, MD21 milesWebsite+1 (888) 432-226710. Little Bennett Campground
23 ReviewsClarksburg, MD31 milesWebsite+1 (301) 528-3430"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"
Recent Camping Photos near Hanover, MD
250 Photos of 82 Hanover Campgrounds
Jennifer S.
Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Richard B.
Hollofield Area Campground
Angie G.
Washington DC / Capitol KOA
Manager P.
Pinetree Associates
Artemis A.
Cherry Hill Park
Becky
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
Michelle L.
Ramblin' Pines
Kristy R.
Adventure Bound Washington DC
James W.
The Garden
Jarmonay N.
Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Chrystal P.
Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Emerson K.
Marsden Tract Group Campsite — George Washington Memorial Parkway
Recent Reviews near Hanover, MD
727 Reviews of 82 Hanover Campgrounds
MBOLScoutSusquehanna State Park Campground
Great time with kids
Nice campground had my 6 and 7 year old. The site was pretty private and had bathrooms close. I would definitely go again.
- FFredrick K.
TravelerMarble Quarry Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Great place to get some peace and quiet
If youre looking for fun and people, go to the south campground. But if youre looking for true quiet and have a tent, check out the dispersed campsites. Good shower and bathroom setup that i bet would fare well in a tornado, its got that solid storm shelter feel. Next to a quiet airport, plenty of free firewood to gather
- VVaught M.Scout
Brunswick Family Campground
Lovely campground on the C&O. Beware the trains!
This is a lovely campground that I recommend and would stay again. We have been twice: once as a family and once with a Scout troop. The RV sites are fairly large and clean. The tent-only sites are smaller and have a metal fire ring with a grate (nice!). The RV sites have mostly brick rings without grates. The bathrooms are fairly small (two showers on the female and one on the male) which might be an issue on busy weekends. The only real water entrance is the boat ramp, but you can climb down a cliff in other places. A, D, and E are sunnier. B and C and Nottingham are mostly wooded with mature trees. We used the site as a base for a bike trip along the C&O to go to Harper’s Ferry (14mi round trip along a gravel path). The staff were friendly and there is a small camp store.
But the trains! THE TRAINS!!! Every review will mention them for a reason. The site is adjacent to a rail yard that runs all day. Not just a passing train, but clanging car and engine changes. It’s LOUD. I slept with earplugs, but could still hear the noise. The yard really starts going around 5am and goes all day. It slows down after 8/9pm, but never stops entirely. The trains are the only reason for the removed star and it’s not the campground’s fault. But almost all of the real complaints are about the noise. If you want an extra quiet campground with only birds and running water, this is not the place for you. But if you don’t mind the loud bangs and low rumbles, this place is fine!
The entrance is beyond the train yard and about a mile down a widened part of the C&O. It is possible to be trapped inside or outside if a train is stopped at the crossing (30min for us, once).
In short, it’s a great campground if you bring ear plugs!
Thiru Moorthy G.ScoutBull Run Regional Park
⭐ 1-Star Review – Shockingly Rude, Misleading, and Embarrassing Experience
I am writing this review because what happened to me at Bull Run Regional Park Campground was not just inconvenient—it was humiliating, unprofessional, and completely avoidable.
I camp in my Tesla. I have already stayed at this exact campground before with no issue. Their online reservation system allowed me to book again—no warnings, no restrictions, nothing to indicate a problem. So I drove all the way from North Carolina to Virginia trusting that everything was fine.
When I arrived to check in, the office staff was literally handing me the paperwork. Out of nowhere, a ranger barged in and bluntly told me: “You cannot camp in a Tesla. You need a separate rig.”
His tone was rude, dismissive, and made me feel like I was doing something dirty or cheap. There was zero respect, zero empathy—just instant judgment. I felt like I was being treated as if I was trying to sneak in or break rules, even though they allowed the booking and accepted my reservation.
If they have such a rule, why wasn’t I notified during booking? Why was I allowed to stay the first time? Why let me drive for hours only to embarrass me at the check-in counter?
The office employee even tried to defend me, but he couldn’t convince the ranger. Instead, they told me I could not stay and promised an immediate refund.
After a long drive, being spoken to like that was extremely disappointing. I’ve camped all over North Carolina and never been treated with such disrespect. Camping in a Tesla is clean, quiet, zero-emission, and safe, yet I was made to feel like I didn’t belong.
To make matters worse, it has now been seven days and not a single dollar of the refund has appeared. When I called, the office representative didn’t even ask for my reservation details and seemed completely clueless. She first said she couldn’t do anything, then suddenly changed her story and said she would “leave a note.” When I asked to speak with someone who could actually help, she put me on hold and suddenly claimed the manager had “just refunded” me and that I would see the money in two business days.
After everything that happened, it felt like another layer of indifference and incompetence.
This entire experience—from the rude ranger to the unprofessional refund handling—left me feeling disrespected and upset. For a campground that charges over $75 a night after fees and taxes, the treatment I received was unacceptable.
Guests deserve honesty, clear communication, and basic respect.
- aamanda A.Scout
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
Great Campsite!
The campground is well maintained. The facilities were clean, and the other campers were friendly. There was plenty of firewood (fallen tree limbs and branches on the ground to use. Overall we had a great time!
- P
Peter K.TravelerArtillery Ridge Campground
Nice campground
Nice clean and open sites but we stayed in the 400 section which was separate from the main campground. Very easy check in. Did it online and just pulled up to the little shack they have and grabbed our packet. We didn’t use the bathhouse but it was very clean. A little older and could probably use a little updating. The campground is only a mile and a half from town which was awesome and direct access to battlefield trails right there. The only complaint we had was the WiFi was awful. Maybe it was because of the section we were in but once the campground filled up it was useless.
Chelsea B.
RangerManor - Cunningham Falls State Park
Hot showers! But no dump station
Campsite We stayed at M17 after staying at M26 for a night. 17 wasn’t as level and so we had to scrunch to one side of the site to get level. It was closer to the bath house. Overall cozy. Bath house It’s in need of some repairs but don’t let that scare you- these showers are hot and the shower wands are a really nice convenience after using cold push button showers. Lantern flies! Invasive Spotted Lantern Flies are everywhere. I squished as many as I could but keep an eye out and check your gear before leaving! Dump station This campsite doesn’t have a dump station so we went to the Cunningham falls site to dump after leaving and they let us dump no problem. Road noise Since you’re near the highway, there is constant road noise and it’s even worse on the trails but it’s quiet otherwise. Deducted one star for no dump station.
Eric Y.ScoutArtillery Ridge Campground
Nice Spot
Clean, friendly, nice showers and laundry. Close to battle sites.
Guide to Hanover
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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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?
Which is the most popular campground near Hanover, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hanover, MD is Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area with a 4.1-star rating from 20 reviews.
What parks are near Hanover, MD?
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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