22 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent campsites near Savage, Maryland range from developed sites with bathhouses and crushed stone pads to primitive walk-in tent camping along the C&O Canal towpath. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area provides tent-specific sites with crushed stone pads and basic amenities, while several hiker-biker campsites along the C&O Canal National Historical Park offer more rustic options for tent campers seeking a more natural setting.
The tent camping experience at Patapsco Valley State Park features fire rings with grill grates, picnic tables, and access to clean bathhouses with hot showers. Most sites have some slope, particularly in the lower section of the campground which can become problematic during heavy rain. Walk-in tent sites at locations like Swains Lock and Marsden Tract provide more primitive accommodations with limited facilities. Campers should note that alcohol is prohibited in Maryland state parks, and outside firewood cannot be brought into Patapsco Valley due to invasive species concerns.
Tent-only camping areas along the C&O Canal offer riverside settings with basic amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and seasonal water pumps. These walk-in tent sites are typically first-come, first-served and provide direct access to the towpath trail system. The Swains Lock area features five separate tent campsites with river views and is accessible via a short walk from the parking area. A camper noted, "If I lived in Washington DC, this is where I would ride my bike to every weekend. Bring the family, bring the fishing poles and forget that there is a hyper uptight city just a few miles away." Many tent campgrounds in the region serve as convenient basecamps for exploring extensive trail networks, with several offering access to swimming areas during warmer months.
"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 Availabilityfrom $150 - $200 / 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 Availability"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"
"Purchasers the camp site is beautiful secluded quiet wonderful if you're looking for that extreme outdoors a no civilization it's a good hike to get to the campsite there's no parking nearby no water"
from $40 / night
Check Availability"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 Availabilityfrom $22 - $100 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $6 / night
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GuideGreat campsite. Fire pit, picnic table, swimming pool ( not open), miniature golf course, laundromat, bathrooms, showers, dump station, gathering areas for groups, playground, and even a horse area and stalls for horses. Dog friendly. Staff was very helpful and curious.
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 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.
Tent camping near Savage, Maryland offers opportunities for exploring over 200 acres of natural landscape within a 30-mile radius of this centrally located town. The region sits at a transition zone between the Piedmont Plateau and Atlantic Coastal Plain, creating diverse ecosystems for campers to explore. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with moderate to high humidity, while spring and fall provide more comfortable camping conditions with daytime temperatures in the 60s-70s.
Trail exploration: Patapsco Valley State Park has multiple trail systems with varying difficulty levels. "This is a small gem of a state park campground, one of only two is the massive Patapsco Valley State Park. It's a bit odd getting here through a suburban neighborhood, but the Hilton area is great. There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes," notes a camper at Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area.
Kayaking: The Patapsco River provides waterway access for paddlers. According to a visitor, "Roland Lake in Baltimore County is a great place to kayak on the Patapsco River. Tons of wildlife, facilities, and amenities for you and your family. The park was clean and it had knowledgable staff."
Fossil hunting: Some waterfront areas offer unique fossil hunting opportunities. A camper notes about a nearby location: "Our favorite thing to do is to fossil hunt for sharks teeth. In the spring it can get pretty crowded, so we prefer to visit in late spring while school is still in session."
Multiple entrances: The park system's layout provides diverse experiences. A camper explains, "Patapsco Valley offers 6 different entrances. Each one provides several different trail heads and experiences. The trails we have been on are all pretty moderate to hard but offer beautiful waterfalls and river views."
Urban accessibility: The convenience of camping near urban areas is valued by visitors of Marsden Tract Group Campsite, where one camper mentions: "Purchasers the camp site is beautiful secluded quiet wonderful if you're looking for that extreme outdoors a no civilization it's a good hike to get to the campsite there's no parking nearby no water no bathrooms or electricity but all in all it's beautiful."
Group camping options: Several parks offer designated group camping areas. At The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring, a visitor notes: "Very convenient for before or after your time in the largest aerial challenge course in North America. Groups only- no individual campsites."
Weather considerations: Camping sites can experience drainage issues during storms. A visitor to Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area shares: "One negative was that 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."
Seasonal crowding: Some waterfront areas become extremely busy during summer months. A camper warns: "This park is extremely crowded and very dirty during the summer season."
Timing restrictions: Some parks have strict check-in policies. One visitor mentions: "This was also the first time we have ever had to wait till exactly 3pm to check in. So if you arrive early expect to wait until 3."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature extensive play areas. A visitor to Lacy Oasis Campground notes: "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 activities: Educational opportunities abound at many parks. "It seem like this area is, possibly unintentionally, geared toward children. There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center," shares one camper.
Accessibility considerations: Not all trails accommodate strollers. A visitor cautions: "Be aware that neither the hiking trails or playground are stroller friendly."
Site preparation: Tent platforms at some parks require adaptation. A camper explains: "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."
Limited services: Most tent camping areas near Savage have minimal RV amenities. The Military Park United States Naval Academy/Annapolis Naval Station Annapolis FamCamp offers an exception with a visitor noting: "Military campground. Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap."
Firewood regulations: Local rules prohibit bringing outside wood. A camper points out: "Remember: no alcohol or firewood can be brought into the park. Firewood can only be purchased on site due to harmful insects. But the money goes toward the parks volunteer program."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Savage, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Savage, MD is Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area with a 4.1-star rating from 20 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 22 tent camping locations near Savage, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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