Glamping sites near North Potomac, Maryland often reach full capacity during summer weekends due to their proximity to both urban centers and natural areas. The region sits at elevations between 300-500 feet with humid subtropical climate patterns and average summer temperatures of 85-90°F. Most upscale camping options require reservations at least 3-6 weeks in advance, particularly for cabin accommodations.
What to do
Hiking with water views: Brunswick Family Campground provides direct access to the C&O Canal towpath for miles of scenic walking or biking. "C&O railroad runs pretty close it's not super loud just wanted to make you aware," notes one visitor who praised the river access. The campground sits directly on the Potomac with "great river views" according to campers.
Historical exploration: At Harpers Ferry Campground, visitors can walk directly to historic sites. "If you're facing the river then the trail is to the right of the campground with a sign reading that you have entered Harper's Ferry National Park. The trail is about 1.5 miles one way," a camper explains. The campground provides a convenient base for exploring Civil War battlefields.
Water recreation: Many campsites offer fishing directly from camp. One visitor at Harpers Ferry Campground noted, "The camp ground is part of river riders which offers lazy tubing, white water tubing, zip lining, and great kayaking down the river. There is also great fishing right from you campsite as well."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Little Bennett Campground receives consistent praise for spacious campsites. "Lots of vegetation between sites providing privacy from neighbors," reports one visitor. Another camper confirms the sense of seclusion: "This place is quiet, the spaces are big... tent camping have big areas."
Year-round options: Unlike many seasonal operations, some campgrounds maintain availability through winter months. Ramblin' Pines is noted for being "open all year" according to reviewers, making it a good option for off-season glamping near North Potomac when other parks have closed.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention bathroom quality in reviews. A visitor at Washington DC Capitol KOA reported, "The staff was very friendly, the grounds were clean and well maintained." Another noted it offers "Phenomenal, clean sites in a beautiful wooded area."
What you should know
Train proximity: Several campgrounds sit near active rail lines. At Harpers Ferry Campground, "You are directly next to train tracks" with trains that "come through here almost hourly range from quick commuter MARC or Amtrak trains to long freight trains."
Varying site levels: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Bull Run Regional Park, "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level." Similarly at Washington DC Capitol KOA, a camper complained, "Camp site wasn't level at all. I was actually kind of worried that it would slide into the woods."
Restricted check-in times: Some campgrounds maintain limited office hours. At Ramblin' Pines, a visitor noted, "The keycard entry system is pretty inconvenient though ($40 cash only deposit!) and the hours are inconvenient as well. You can only check in between 2 and 4!"
Tips for camping with families
Activity access: Pohick Bay Campground offers numerous family-friendly options. "The check in is a breeze and the staff is super nice and helpful. They gave us a great intro to the park as we were first timers. They informed us that they had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend," reported one visitor with young children.
Child-friendly amenities: Parents appreciate campgrounds with dedicated kids' areas. At Washington DC Capitol KOA, a visitor shared, "We had a site near the pool, outdoor chess set, jumping pillow and gaga ball pit. Our kids (9, 10 and 14) all had fun and made friends."
Water restrictions: Be aware of pool policies regarding young children. One parent at Washington DC Capitol KOA noted, "I didnt like that non potty trained kids are not allowed to swim in their pool. Luckily we only have a 9 month old currently that isn't potty trained."
Tips from RVers
Site selections: RVers recommend requesting specific areas. At Little Bennett Campground, "D Loop is for RVs, A, B, C& E are tents only. AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster(1 bar), 8 MB/s with it(2 bars). There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy."
Connection quality: Cell service varies widely between campgrounds. A Little Bennett visitor detailed, "No toilet/shower facility in FHU loop so had to hike to facilities in Loops B & E. No camp host. No ranger patrolling thru campsite. No WIFI. 1 bar Verizon."
Pull-through availability: Cherry Hill Park receives high marks for large RV accessibility. "50 amp hook-up, water, sewer," were listed as key pros by one reviewer, who also appreciated the "Gated, on-site camp store" and other amenities despite the "Gravel pad" and noting it was "Expensive."
