Camping near Odenton, Maryland offers access to both natural settings and urban amenities within a 30-mile radius. The region features mostly deciduous forest terrain with elevations ranging from 50 to 300 feet above sea level, creating moderate hiking conditions. Most campgrounds remain open from March through November, with limited winter availability due to the area's seasonal temperature fluctuations that average 25-45°F in winter and 75-90°F in summer.
What to do
Hiking trails at Greenbelt Park: Explore over 9 miles of trails through hardwood forest just 25 minutes from Odenton. "There are lots of campsites so finding one last minute shouldn't be a problem. The mosquitoes were biting but could have been worse. You can barely hear the traffic from the road outside the park," notes Miranda M. from Greenbelt Park Campground.
Swimming and beach time: Sandy Point State Park offers Chesapeake Bay swimming opportunities about 35 minutes from Odenton. "My family and I have been coming to Sandy Point my entire life. It is a great little spot on the Chesapeake river. Our favorite thing to do is to fossil hunt for sharks teeth. In late spring while school is still in session it's less crowded," shares Angel G.
Fishing and crabbing: Ramblin' Pines provides a stocked fishing pond 30 minutes from Odenton. "There's a pond for fishing, a pool for swimming and a little general store for all your needs, the kids loved the bounce pillow," according to Michelle L. The site requires no special fishing permit for guests.
What campers like
DC-area access with nature: Campers appreciate having forest settings within reach of urban attractions. "This is an urban oasis. Plenty of space between camp site clusters. The park itself is safe, quiet, permitting some nice treks through the woods... The other great thing is that you can spend entire days at the always-free Smithsonian museums and still fall asleep in the woods," explains a visitor at Greenbelt Park.
Site privacy levels: Hollofield Area Campground offers varying degrees of seclusion. "Nice wooded sites set far apart from each other in two concentric circles. The inner circle has electric but no water or sewer. The outer circle is primitive. There is a dump station," notes Rebecca C. The outer loop's tent-only sites provide more privacy than the electric sites.
Recreation variety: Washington DC / Capitol KOA provides multiple on-site entertainment options. "We stopped at the DC KOA as a base to visit the Capitol. 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," explains Liz F.
What you should know
Seasonal jellyfish concerns: When planning Chesapeake Bay swimming, note that jellyfish populations peak in August. "August is the worst month to visit if you like the water. Jellyfish take over with a vengeance!" warns Angel G. about Sandy Point State Park.
Bridge access limitations: Some parks have infrastructure issues affecting transit to public transportation. At Greenbelt Park, "There's normally a walking path from the campground to the metro station that takes you into DC, but as of Oct 2023 the bridge is out due to a storm, and by the looks of it it's been out a while," reports Laura M. Alternative transit options include driving to the Greenbelt station about 5 miles away.
Limited shower facilities: Many campgrounds have minimal shower facilities relative to capacity. "There's only one large shower per bath house, and you only have a curtain (no door and no lock). Sites vary in levelness, some are fairly level and some are on a mini hill," explains Laura M. about Greenbelt Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Cherry Hill Park offers extensive child-oriented facilities. "They have a nice looking pool area, but it was too cold. The shop was cute and staff nice. Sites were pretty level. Be weary of decent highway noise, but easily drowned out with the AC," notes Joe R. The park also includes mini golf, a splash pad, and paved roads for scootering.
Natural playground options: Patapsco Valley State Park features nature-based play areas. "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," explains Angel G. The sensory trail provides educational opportunities for children to engage with nature through touch, smell, and sight.
Site selection for families: Sites with tree cover offer better comfort in summer heat. "We were at site 430. It was a perfect spot tucked away from the others and a short walk to the restrooms. You can purchase firewood from the camp hosts nearby as well," shares Andrea S. about Hollofield Area Campground.
Tips from RVers
Arrival timing: Many campgrounds have specific check-in windows. "The keycard entry system is pretty inconvenient though ($40 cash only deposit!) and the hours are are inconvenient as well. You can only check in between 2 and 4!" notes Sean M. about Ramblin' Pines. Call ahead to confirm current check-in procedures.
Height restrictions: Some park entrances have low clearance limitations. "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 Travyl Couple about Hollofield Area Campground.
Utility connections: Most campgrounds offer limited hookup options. "There is only 20/30amp electricity and NO water or sewer- although there was a dump and a place to fill your water tank. No washer or dryers," explains Travyl Couple about Hollofield Area. Plan to arrive with full water tanks and empty waste tanks.
