Glamping near Olney, Maryland encompasses multiple campgrounds within a 40-mile radius of the city. The region features rolling Piedmont topography with elevations ranging from 300-800 feet and mixed hardwood forests. Summer temperatures typically average 85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer mild 65-75°F daytime temperatures and cooler nights.
What to do
Water activities at Pohick Bay: The campground offers excellent boating options on the Potomac River with kayak, canoe, and motorboat rentals. "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats" mentions a reviewer at Pohick Bay Campground, who also notes the park's "nice quiet clean" environment just "30-40m from DC."
Fishing opportunities: Little Bennett Campground provides stocked fishing ponds surrounded by wooded sites. A visitor explained, "There is a very nice network of trails, most if not all were leashed dog friendly," highlighting the campground's natural setting with "quiet, spacious and heavily wooded sites."
Historical explorations: Camp near significant Civil War sites and use your accommodations as a base for exploring. At Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA, one camper noted, "The best part about this site is the location. We could walk or easily drive to Harper's Ferry NP visitor center, from where we could take a bus into downtown."
What campers like
Premium camping amenities: Many glamping sites offer resort-style facilities that enhance the outdoor experience. At Washington DC / Capitol KOA, a camper appreciated that "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."
Natural surroundings: The region offers peaceful settings despite proximity to urban areas. At Bull Run Regional Park, a visitor reported, "State run park with many amenities. Park has golf frisbe course, decent water park for kids, hiking trails, small creek/river you can explore, playgrounds."
Convenience to attractions: Codorus State Park Campground offers paved sites and clean facilities for easy access to regional attractions. "Paved sites, modern, clean bathrooms" writes one camper, while another mentions, "There is a wide variety of sites so finding one that you like should not be difficult, there are some in wide-open park-like settings, and some that are treed."
What you should know
Site selection strategies: Choose carefully at some campgrounds to avoid crowding. At Ramblin' Pines, a visitor warned that sites can be "the most crowded uncomfortable campsites I have ever seen," though many others had positive experiences with "nice large sites with friendly staff."
Weather considerations: The region experiences occasional heavy rain in spring and summer, which can affect campsite conditions. A Little Bennett camper mentioned "site#D69 gravel parking pad" which helps with drainage, while noting "trees falling on Park power lines caused power outage for hours."
Reservation timing: Book well in advance for premium sites, especially during peak season. One Little Bennett camper noted they "Reserved 137 days prior to arriving" and still had some challenges with site allocation.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Look for sites with dedicated children's areas and scheduled events. At Bull Run Regional Park, a reviewer noted, "This campground was full of stuff to do and we didn't even get to do a lot of it. They had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt."
Safety features: Many glamping sites include secure entrances and patrol staff. A camper at Cherry Hill Park appreciated that the park was "Gated" and had "Nightly hayride" options, which created a secure environment for families.
Educational opportunities: Combine glamping with learning experiences about local history and nature. A Harpers Ferry KOA visitor mentioned "great hiking, sight-seeing, and cute little shops" nearby, making it ideal for educational family outings.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some sites require significant work to achieve proper leveling. At Harpers Ferry KOA, one RVer warned, "Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air."
Hookup variations: Verify specific hookup details when booking. A Little Bennett camper detailed their experience with "50A service, water and sewer hookup" and noted that "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."
Navigation considerations: RV size matters when selecting campsites as some areas have tight turns. One Bull Run visitor mentioned that while the "sites and clean and spacious," the roads in some areas are "very narrow and winding" requiring careful navigation with larger rigs.
