Maryland's glamping options near Catonsville extend beyond the more developed resorts. Most locations sit between 300-600 feet in elevation with warmer nights in summer and mild spring conditions. Campsites throughout the region experience average summer temperatures around 85°F during day and 65°F at night, with periodic rainfall creating lush surroundings.
What to do
Water recreation opportunities: Little Bennett Campground offers 20 miles of hiking trails open for biking and horseback riding. The campground maintains a diverse terrain with streams and wooded areas. According to a camper, "We took a lovely 3 mile evening hike on the trail just down the hill behind the campsite. Scared a bunch of deer (ok they scared me!!) and checked out the giant old growth trees, hiked over a bridge and stream which was full of fish I could see!"
Fishing access: Tuckahoe State Park Campground features multiple fishing areas and boat launches between sites 46 and 48. A visitor noted, "The canoe/kayak launch between sites 46 and 48. The walk to Tuckahoe Creek from the parking area is very short, and the creek leads to Tuckahoe Lake (no gasoline motors) with more of the creek on the other side of the lake."
Outdoor games: Washington DC/Capitol KOA maintains recreational facilities for all ages including a gaga ball pit and giant chess. One camper shared, "The layout is nice and the sites are well maintained. 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."
What campers like
Full-service amenities: Cherry Hill Park provides extensive utility hookups and clean facilities. A recent guest reported, "50 amp hook-up, Water, Sewer, Playground, Mini Golf, Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Basketball court, Snack bar on site, Nightly hayride, Gated, On-site camp store, On-site bus shuttle."
Natural wooded settings: Ramblin' Pines offers large sites with mature trees providing privacy. A visitor mentioned, "Nice large sites with friendly staff. Lots of free activities for children and it's close to home." The campground maintains a natural feel despite being developed.
Transportation convenience: Pohick Bay Campground sits just 30-40 minutes from Washington DC. According to one reviewer, "Stayed here for 2w while visiting friends in Alexandria. Took me 25-30m to get there so you are far away from bustle of city but not so far that going in to enjoy breakfast or the sights is a feat."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds have varied site quality. At Tuckahoe State Park, a visitor warned, "We booked site 21, blind. The web site does not say site 21 is extremely small. We have a 25' camper, and it barely fit, length and with were an issue. The firepit was about 3-4 feet from our door. No camp fires as it was not safe."
Reservation timing: Most upscale glamping sites require booking 2-6 months in advance, especially during peak season from May to October. Holiday weekends often sell out earliest.
Weather preparation: During summer storms, some campgrounds experience infrastructure challenges. As one camper at Tuckahoe noted, "We lost power during a rain storm. The farm roads around the park are very bumpy."
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Merry Meadows Recreation Farm organizes seasonal events for holidays. One visitor shared, "We stayed here this past Easter and they had plenty of activities for kids and adults. Easter egg hunts for kids, adult scavenger hunts for alcohol. Wonderful experience for the whole family."
Bathroom proximity: When glamping with small children, select sites near facilities. At Little Bennett, a camper noted, "We loved that our site had a path directly to the bathhouse. This meant there wasn't any foot traffic from people wanting to shower or use the restrooms. Easy access to the utility sink for dishes, too!"
Playground access: For families with young children, certain campgrounds offer better options. A Washington DC/Capitol KOA visitor advised, "This is not a site for nature lovers but is perfect for kids. 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."
Tips from RVers
Level site selection: Susquehanna State Park Campground offers variable site conditions. A camper explained, "Site #D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back. Site #D69 gravel parking pad."
Hook-up locations: Many glamping sites for RVs around Catonsville have well-positioned utility connections. At Cherry Hill Park, the sites include strategically placed hookups that accommodate larger vehicles with full connections.
Cell service reality: Reception varies significantly across campgrounds. At Tuckahoe State Park, visitors report limited connectivity while Susquehanna campers noted, "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. OTA TV was descent using an external omni antenna."
