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Greenbelt Park Campground provides a forested retreat just minutes from Washington DC, offering primitive tent and RV camping options without hookups. This National Park Service campground features four separate loops with sites for tents and RVs under 35 feet, though no electrical connections are available. Several other developed campgrounds in the region, including Cherry Hill Park and Washington DC Capitol KOA, provide more amenities for those seeking full hookups, cabin rentals, and glamping accommodations.
Reservations are required at most campgrounds in the area, with prices ranging from $20 per night at public facilities to significantly higher rates at private campgrounds with amenities. Access to camping areas remains straightforward with paved roads leading to most established sites. "The campground is superb with walking trails, wildlife and the occasional overflying US Presidential Helicopter. Easily accessible from close by freeways, and charmingly peaceful," noted one visitor about Greenbelt Park. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, with several closing during winter months, though some like Pohick Bay Campground remain open year-round. Weather conditions are generally mild, but summer humidity can make tent camping uncomfortable without proper ventilation.
Proximity to Washington DC represents the primary advantage for these mixed-use campgrounds, with several reviewers highlighting the convenience for urban exploration. The Metro system provides direct access from Greenbelt to downtown attractions, eliminating parking concerns when visiting the capital. Campers report hearing occasional traffic and aircraft noise, but the forest setting creates a surprising buffer from urban sounds. According to one camper, "This is a fantastic campground for the price! The picnic table was made out of metal and strong plastic instead of wood which was really nice and easy to clean. The place is beautiful and full of wildlife!" Hiking trails throughout Greenbelt Park offer natural recreation opportunities, though reviews consistently mention preparing for ticks and other insects, particularly during warmer months. Many developed campgrounds in the area provide shower facilities, though their cleanliness and maintenance receive mixed reviews.
"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"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 have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids."
"We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."
from $37 - $170 / night
Check Availability"We set up our tent in the far side of the campground close to the lake ( site 27). It is slightly slant but still comfortable in the tent. Bathrooms are close by and kept clean."
"For tent camping I would suggests sites 30,33 or 35 these are tucked along the tree line. The bathroom facilities were the cleanest I have seen in a campground."
from $30 - $70 / 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."
"We picked up the camping registration outside the office at the entrance, no need to speak with anyone. Then we just drove down to our campsite in the family camping loop."
"Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"We had a fantastic time our 1st time at #AdventureBoundCampingResort in Lothian, Maryland."
"This place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest"
"History buffs will like to explore the park surrounding the campground. Fun little water park within walking distance of all campsites that was great for kids."
"We booked site 136 due to proximity of the playground (traveling with a 5 & 10 yr old). The site was great except the weird parking stops on every site but the pull throughs."
from $39 - $100 / night
Check Availability"We stayed Burke lake campground for one night last week. It was very peaceful place. The whole camp ground was very clean and well kept."
"This was my second time going Burke Lake and it was just as enjoyable as the first."
"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
ScoutThe staff is certainly at the office not competent. Someone ran over my house when we were away and damaged it. The WiFi didn’t work any of the day but upon assistance request no one was willing to help. It couldn’t be worse. We have no other words except never a KOA location again.
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.
GuideWhat a gem! We found this place as an alternative to staying in DC during 4th of July festivities. Nice spacious sites, cabins were super clean and smelled great! Did I mention they were air conditioned during the hotest week of the summer!
Bathrooms and showers were spotless.
Many things to see and do there. Historic property, big lake (no swimming), boating, fishing, hiking. There is an Art Center with juried displays for sale.
ScoutThe park is very well maintained, and the campsites have clean fire pits and cooking grills. The restrooms are clean, spacious, and well maintained, and my campsite was large enough to comfortably fit a 6-person tent and a canopy.
However, there were a few concerns during our stay. Despite the campground’s quiet hours policy starting at 10:00 PM, many campers continued to make noise well past that time. I did not notice any campground staff or maintenance personnel making rounds to enforce the quiet hours.
I also felt concerned about security. One of my neighboring campers, who was visiting from South Carolina, told me that his generator had been stolen during the night. He reported the theft to the police, and an official report was filed. Incidents like this made me feel unsafe while camping.
I recommend increasing staff or security patrols, especially during the evening and overnight hours, to enforce quiet hours and improve the safety and security of campers and their belongings. With better enforcement and security, Burke Lake Campground would provide an even better camping experience.
TravelerOne of our favorite places. Very well kept. No bathhouse so bring your own. A lot of shady sites. Great views of Chesapeake bay. Flat roads in the area for cycling.
TravelerFor $90 per night the WiFi should work better. Didn’t connect at all. Had to use the antenna pointed East to get local Baltimore news.
ScoutThis camp ground is like a resort with 2 pools mini golf splash pad and many other amenities
GuideThis park is top notch. The grounds are immaculate. The staff is friendly and helpful. They have a lovely gift shop. We were in the 400 sites and it was nice and shady. Though you are close to highways I don’t recall hearing and noise. I love that they have shuttles to DC., walking trails and a large dog park. This is my all time favorite park so far and I need to go back.
Camping sites near Mount Rainier, Maryland offer convenient access to Washington DC while providing woodland retreats within 30 minutes of urban attractions. The region maintains moderate temperatures with summer highs averaging 85-90°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 20°F. Several campgrounds near Mount Rainier operate year-round despite seasonal closures at some facilities.
Disc golf at local parks: Pohick Bay Regional Park features an 18-hole disc golf course that provides recreational options beyond standard camping activities. According to one camper, "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."
Water recreation options: Cherry Hill Park offers multiple water activities on-site with amenities not found at more primitive campgrounds. "You get what you pay for. This campground has so much to offer. We loved it. Pros: Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Snack bar on site, Nightly hayride," notes camper Beth R.
Nature trails exploration: Several campgrounds maintain walking paths through woodland areas. At Lake Fairfax Campground, "A lot to do: mountain bike trails (horses and walking, too); wooded hikes with water along the trails (great for dogs in the summer heat), skateboard park, BMX park, Water Park near the campground, fishing, & canoeing). Best quality: totally in the woods so summer sun doesn't affect you."
Historical sites access: The region's camping options provide bases for exploring Civil War battlefields and monuments. "Located close to George Mason University, host to many high school cross country meets, this park has a beautiful lake with a 5-mile gravel walking/biking trail around the lake's perimeter," reports a visitor to Burke Lake Park.
Urban proximity with natural setting: Greenbelt Park Campground offers wooded campsites despite its metropolitan location. One camper notes, "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground. Living nearby but storing my popup camper elsewhere, I often park my camper here for a few days while I pack it for a trip."
Efficient transportation options: Camping near Mount Rainier provides strategic access to Washington DC attractions via public transportation. A camper at Greenbelt Park explains, "The other 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."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Despite urban settings, many campgrounds support local wildlife. A Bull Run Regional Park visitor reported, "The camp host came by and welcomed me before I was fully set up for the evening and was great!!! After staying here for a week I was so pleased by the quiet nature of the campground, the overall feeling of the outdoor space (every morning birds and squirrels)."
Clean facilities: Bull Run Regional Park receives consistent praise for maintenance standards. "We tent camped there with 2 other families memorial day weekend. It rained the entire time but we still had a blast. The best review I can give us of the bathrooms. They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had," one camper enthused.
Site reservations required: Most campgrounds in the area require advance booking through recreation.gov or property-specific reservation systems. At Cedarville State Forest, "You can purchase wood while checking in and the Rangers don't mind if you take a bit extra. Just bring your own starters and kindling (or a small hatchet/saw)."
Insect preparation: Ticks and mosquitoes present significant challenges, especially during warmer months. A camper at Cedarville warned, "It's close to a Naval base, and therefore you constantly hear airplanes, and helicopters at all times. Other than the daily bathroom cleaning, this campground lacks maintenance on sites and walkways. They are both overgrown."
Traffic and aircraft noise: Being near metropolitan areas means occasional noise disruption. One camper noted, "Planes do occasionally fly over the area so consider bringing earplugs if you are a sensitive sleeper. The noise wasn't really noticeable when I went on a Saturday (the neighboring campsite's dogs were louder)."
Mixed-use demographics: Several campgrounds house long-term residents alongside recreational campers. A visitor to Adventure Bound Washington DC observed, "Mainly longterm construction workers and families," while another mentioned, "Location wise, it's great to see things in area. Both Washington DC and many area's along the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, Chesapeake Beach, Solomon's Etc."
Water features for children: Washington DC Capitol KOA provides multiple child-friendly amenities. One family reported, "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc). If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy."
Structured activities: Several campgrounds schedule regular events for children. "We had a great time here over a long weekend in August. They informed us that they had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend, they had an outdoor movie scheduled for Friday night, a campfire story time scheduled for Saturday night and crafts scheduled for Sunday morning," noted a family at Pohick Bay.
Playgrounds and activity options: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "This is definitely a family campground. So my activities for kids and places to run around. Pirate's Cove waterpark is definitely a highlight in summer. Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats," reported an Anne K. about Pohick Bay Regional Park.
Educational opportunities: Natural areas provide learning experiences for children. "The park is nice, but if youre looking for fishing don't go here, but you can in fact kayak down the creek," noted a visitor to Bull Run, highlighting activity options for families with varied interests.
Site levelness varies: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring preparation. At Louise F. Cosca Regional Park, "We are at site 18, one of the ones with power. Check out your site before booking, some sites are steep but spacious. Close to town but far enough to enjoy yourself. Bathrooms are clean and have decent showers."
Limited hookups available: Most public campgrounds offer partial hookups only. A Greenbelt Park visitor noted, "There's a dump station and drinking water fill in loop C (sorry tenters who wanted to avoid RVs). The water fill was a little annoying in that there's a handle you have to hold down the whole time, but we used a rock to prop the handle down."
Size restrictions apply: Some campgrounds cannot accommodate larger rigs. As one RVer at Cedarville State Forest observed, "The small loop here accommodates both tent and RVs, which is fine but some of these damn things are so huge, I have trouble believing they could wedge themselves here."
Access road conditions: Roads to campgrounds may present challenges. An RVer warned, "Not big rig friendly but there are pull through sites but the roads are very narrow and there is only 1 way in and 1 way out (same entrance)."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Mount Rainier, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mount Rainier, MD is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 44 reviews.
What parks are near Mount Rainier, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Mount Rainier, MD that allow camping, notably Greenbelt Park and Rock Creek Park.
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