Camping around Olney, Maryland offers a seasonal camping window primarily from April through October. The region sits at approximately 500 feet above sea level in the Piedmont Plateau, with a mix of forested areas and rolling hills. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-90°F, while spring and fall can bring significant temperature swings between day and night.
What to do
Hiking trails with water features: At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, campers can access numerous trails with river views. "The trails we have been on are all pretty moderate to hard but offer beautiful waterfalls and river views. This definitely is a park that takes a while to explore all of it," notes Angel G.
Local biking adventures: The region offers cycling options for all skill levels. "We really loved road biking to the nearby H Mart to have fun shopping and browsing their unique selection," shares Travyl Couple from their Patapsco Valley experience.
Urban exploration: Use campgrounds as a base for city visits. "Getting to DC: There's normally a walking path from the campground to the metro station that takes you into DC (the green line takes you to the National Mall), but as of Oct 2023 the bridge is out due to a storm," explains Laura M. at Greenbelt Park Campground.
Nature play spaces: Look for campgrounds with specialized children's areas. "This is a small gem of a state park campground... 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," writes Sean M. about camping at Patapsco Valley State Park.
What campers like
Wildlife encounters: Many campsites offer surprising wildlife viewing opportunities. "While cooking dinner noticed a family of deer grazing close by, a great way to settle in for the evening," writes Crystal C. about her stay at Greenbelt Park.
Buffer from urban noise: Despite proximity to cities, many campgrounds maintain a natural feel. "Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," writes Becky about Greenbelt Park Campground.
Accessibility to metro areas: Campers appreciate the balance of outdoor space with urban proximity. "This is an urban oasis... 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. It's also just nice to experience that 'getaway' feeling without being too far from home," adds Becky.
Wooded seclusion: Little Bennett Campground offers heavily wooded sites that provide natural separation. "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup," notes Ray & Terri F.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Many campgrounds close during winter months. "Little Bennett Regional Park which operates from April 1 to October 30," has a limited season like many area campgrounds.
Camping pad surfaces: Sites vary in construction materials that affect tent setup. "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," advises Sean M. about Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area.
Weather impacts: Rain can significantly affect certain campgrounds. "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," reports Alexandra T. about Patapsco Valley.
Travel restrictions: Some campgrounds have vehicle height 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.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation amenities: Choose campgrounds with built-in activities for children. "Cherry Hill Park has so much to offer... Playground, Mini Golf, Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Basketball court, Snack bar on site, Nightly hayride," describes Beth R.
Nature education opportunities: Several campgrounds offer ranger programs and natural exploration areas. "There are monthly programs at the campfire circle that I sometimes attend even when not camping here," shares Becky about Greenbelt Park.
Swimming options: In summer months, water features become important. "We found a small river and swimming hole at the bottom of the hill off to the side opposite the cabins/park," notes Alexandra T. about her Patapsco Valley stay.
Site selection strategy: Choose specific loops and sites for family needs. "Loop A is for organized groups/youth/scouts, Loop B is for tents and RVs under 30 ft, Loop C is for tents, and Loop D is for tents and RVs under 35 ft," explains Laura M. about Greenbelt Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. "Site#D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back," reports Napunani about Little Bennett Campground.
Technology limitations: Cell service and Wi-Fi vary significantly across campgrounds. "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. There is no WiFi," notes Ray & Terri F.
Utility hookup variability: Water, electric, and sewer connections differ by campground and loop. "No hookups at any of the sites. There's a dump station and drinking water fill in loop C. 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," shares Laura M.
Registration procedures: Arrival processes can differ at each campground. "Entrance gate required entry code. Instructed by staff via gate phone to proceed to campsite as check-in at camp store is at dead end with insufficient turning space for pickup towing 28ft bumper pull," explains Napunani.
