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Camping near Owings Mills, MD
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Patapsco Valley State Park encompasses several camping areas near Owings Mills, Maryland, providing a mix of wooded sites within a short drive of Baltimore. The park's Hollofield Area and Hilton Area campgrounds offer tent sites, RV spots with electric hookups, and cabin accommodations, all situated in forested settings despite their proximity to urban areas. Ramblin' Pines in Woodbine and Merry Meadows Recreation Farm in Freeland expand the camping options with full-service RV sites, glamping accommodations, and cabin rentals. Most campgrounds in this region maintain a natural atmosphere while being conveniently located near highways and suburban areas.
Seasonal operations affect availability at many locations, with Patapsco Valley State Park's campgrounds typically open from April 1 to October 30. The Hollofield Area features two camping loops—an inner loop with electric sites and an outer loop with non-electric, more private tent sites. As one reviewer noted, "This campground is pleasant, but the sites are situated quite close to one another. The camping area is away from the main parts of the park through gates, so you won't be bothered by non-camp traffic." Many sites require advance reservations, especially on summer weekends when the campgrounds fill quickly. Campers should be aware that alcohol is prohibited in state park campgrounds, and outside firewood cannot be brought in due to conservation concerns.
Campers consistently mention the surprising seclusion of sites despite their proximity to urban areas. "You feel like you are truly secluded in the woods. The camp sites are pretty close together, but they are impeccably clean," wrote one visitor about Hollofield Area. The camping experience is enhanced by access to extensive trail networks, with many sites offering direct trail access to the Patapsco River. Facilities typically include clean bathhouses, fire rings with cooking grates, and picnic tables. While the bathroom facilities at some campgrounds are described as outdated, they are generally well-maintained. Several reviews highlight the convenience of these campgrounds for Baltimore visitors seeking a budget-conscious alternative to city accommodations while still enjoying natural surroundings.
Best Campgrounds near Owings Mills (118)
1. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
"Camp site(Tent camping)
The camp site is what it is, just a camp site :) It's one of the bigger state parks surrounded by forest in MD.""Another negative was after the storm for the next few days we heard trees falling nearby."
from $20 - $51 / night
Check Availability2. Hollofield Area Campground
"It has 8 recreation areas and we stayed at the Hollofield Area in April- one of our first experiences in a Maryland State Park. Beautiful park with 70 miles of hiking/biking /multi use trails."
"This campground is pleasant, but the sites are situated quite close to one another."
from $19 - $27 / night
Check Availability3. Ramblin' Pines
"We stay at Ramblin Pines because it is close to family and a good proximity to visiting Baltimore and Frederick."
"We love this home away from home ❤️"
from $30 - $70 / night
Check Availability4. Codorus State Park Campground
"This campground isn't too far from our home in Maryland, so if they have room and we want to go spur of the moment, this one is a good choice. "
"The trails from Campground are ok for a short walk, not much of a lake view but mostly shaded trail. The pool is conveniently located maybe even walking distance for some. "
from $24 - $247 / night
Check Availability5. Merry Meadows Recreation Farm
"It was a VERY dark walk to get to the bathhouse for showers. And the fire pit had no grill, so we ended up having to use the stoves of some RV camping friends for meals."
"Large campground with some good trails. Will definitely return!"
6. Cherry Hill Park
"Metrorail is about 6 miles from campground, near University of Maryland."
"Great camping amenities, soft cushioned sites, with power and water close by. DO NOT GET BASIC TENT SITES AS THEY ARE NEXT TO HIGHWAYS AND VERY NOISY!!! Premium tent sites would be a better choice."
from $999 / night
Check Availability7. Redemption Springs
"We stayed at Redemption Springs to get relatively close to Baltimore without bringing our 30ft travel trailer into the city."
from $49 / night
Check Availability8. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
"If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."
"The campsite is superb with walking trails, wildlife and the occasional overflying US Presidential Helicopter. Easily accessible from close by freeways, and charmingly peaceful"
from $20 / night
Check Availability9. Washington DC / Capitol KOA
"They have a nice dog area for the dog to be able to run around and exercise which a lot of places we have been do not have a place for the dog to really exercise."
"The location worked for my trip but not sure it’s that convenient to DC."
10. Little Bennett Campground
"Quiet woods in Maryland about 30 or 40 miles north of DC. Tenting, and RV spots partial to full service. Just of hiway 270. pricey ($66/night) for a state park, but nice."
"PROS Very nice small Montgomery County Park
No reservation fee to make on-line reservations
Reserved 137 days prior to arriving
Entrance gate required entry code Instructed by staff via gate phone"
Drive Time
- 16 min from Baltimore, MD
- 48 min from York, PA
- 48 min from Gettysburg, PA
- 51 min from Washington, DC
Recent Camping Photos near Owings Mills, MD
385 Photos of 118 Owings Mills Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Recent Reviews near Owings Mills, MD
989 Reviews of 118 Owings Mills Campgrounds
Michael H.
GuideLake Fairfax Campground
Decent campground in the middle of a urban area
Spent two nights while we saw the Avett Brothers play at Wolf Trap. Nice flat site with power. Campground was quiet and clean. The only negative is communication and signage. It took us a couple wrong turns to find our site and when we came back, after the concert around 11, the entrance gate was closed and we had to sneak in through the exit gate. Asked the next day and they said that is what campers do to access the park after 11pm.
- TTyler D.Guide
Gambrill State Park Campground
Great Camp Spot
This is a great camping spot. The sites aren’t too close together and the hosts are very friendly. The only reason I gave it four stars is because we are near a highway so you can hear cars throughout the night. But the crickets make up for it by being as loud as possible. With the fees, it cost $25 for a non-electric site and with access to showers after a long trek I was happy to pay.
Thomas B.
RangerRedemption Springs
Pleasant Stay and Hosts
We stayed at Redemption Springs to get relatively close to Baltimore without bringing our 30ft travel trailer into the city. Seth and the other gentlemen I spoke with were all extremely accommodating. Enjoyed learning about their approach to restorative farming and purchasing a variety of treats at the farm store. Beef, pork, chicken, seasonings, baked goods, and more. We booked on Hipcamp and recommend following his driving instructions. Our rig fit fine by tuhe main barn and they kept an eye on us going in and out to make sure we didn't have issues making any of the turns. Lots of farm life!
- Thomas B.Ranger
Little Bennett Campground
Great Potential?
We stayed at Little Bennett starting on Labor Day Monday and left before the weekend, so it is hard to say how this looks when the campground is full of life. They had quite a few activities for families and a pavilion capable of concerts and such, but there was minimal activity during our stay. My biggest complaint is that the gate code changed and we didn't get any notice--so after a long day and a dinner out near Baltimore (nearly an hour away), I had to call the police to get back to my camper. Otherwise, the campsite was relatively spacious and quiet. The bugs were a little rough. Lots of whitetail running around.
- JasonGuide
Annapolis MWR Academy RV/Campground
Great spot for Retirees/Active
If you want to be near Annapolis, right on the Severn River...this is it. About 15 RV spots nestled in the woods...with full hook ups. A couple of primitive spots as well. Just a quick 5 min walk to the river...right across from the Academy. NEX, gas within 10 min walk, and 15 min drive to downtown Annapolis. Staff is always great here, and the park is clean....for a park on the woods.
- SSean D.
TravelerCampsites at Watkins Regional Park
Excellent choice for a Washington visit or local getaway
Based on my stay 3 nights and what I read of Greenbelt Park (the other closeby to Washington campground) I would say this has to be much better and I will stay here again on a future visit. Campground sits inside of a much larger park with great trails, amenities and well maintained. Campground is quiet, lots of trees, forest and yet each space is very large with good spacing and privacy to adjacent sites. High tree canopy at your site so lots of room to spread out. Sites themselves are a little rustic - a mix of grass, gravel and dirt, but not muddy (it rained a good bit prior to my stay) - but in good condition. Shower/toilet block is clean and good hot water and good water pressure. Most sites are flat or near flat and the ones that aren't need minimal levelling blocks. Campground apparently is never full and there was only 1 other when I was there - really hard to believe. There is a neighborhood road up by the sites near the shower block but it is low speed and lightly travelled and I had no disturbance from it. Nice surrounding neighborhood. No signs of vagrants. Park police patrolled multiple times per day and report very little non-camper entry to ther facilities. I felt very safe.Easy access to Eashington - bus stop outside the campground to metro or just drive to the metro (free parking weekend, $6 midweek) and then train (about 8 per hour) into the sites - an hour or less total to get there. For more local people, this seems like a good escape "to the woods" without travelling forever.
- JJennifer H.Scout
Colonels creekside campground
Quite and Peaceful
We absolutely loved it. The camp spaces were a nice and spread out lot not congested actually it was really nobody here which I can’t believe because the place is absolutely beautiful. There is a little bit of noise from route 30 during the day, but you don’t hear really anything at night Plus there is a really great bar/restaurant about 100 yards away. Called Yionnis and their food is actually delicious.
Glenn W.TravelerThousand Trails Gettysburg Farm
Great Campground and Farm
This campground is a great place to bring kids. The spots are a little tight but we were able to get our 46’ toy hauler in the spot with very little effort. Because the sites are back-in, we can’t use our rear patio but that is ok. The pool is very nice and the farm atmosphere makes it very fun for kids.
Guide to Owings Mills
Camping near Owings Mills, Maryland offers a mix of forested sites and full-service campgrounds within a 30-40 mile radius of Baltimore. The region sits in the Piedmont Plateau with elevations between 300-800 feet, creating varied terrain for campers. Winter temperatures typically range from 25-45°F, while summer months average 70-90°F with moderate humidity compared to coastal areas.
What to do
Fishing and boating access: At Ramblin' Pines in Woodbine, campers can enjoy on-site fishing. "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," reports Michelle L. The campground provides multiple water-based activities without leaving the property.
Hiking trails: Many campgrounds connect directly to trail systems. At Hollofield Area Campground, Diana S. notes: "Took a fairly easy hike down to the river and even went for a swim. Loved it so much, I stopped on the way back home again!" These trails range from easy riverside paths to more challenging wooded routes.
DC sightseeing: Campgrounds serve as budget bases for Washington DC trips. "This is our local campground and our second time here and we really like it. It has a pool, jump pillow, mini golf, fishing pond, barnyard with goats, and multiple playgrounds," says Sean M. about Little Bennett Campground, highlighting activities available when not exploring the capital.
What campers like
Secluded sites despite urban proximity: Many campers appreciate finding wooded privacy near metropolitan areas. "You feel like you are truly secluded in the woods," wrote Ricky R. about Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, highlighting the contrast between the urban setting and natural camping experience.
Clean facilities: Patapsco Valley campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. "Bathroom is clean and camp hosts are very friendly. Campsites are fairly close together but not right on top of each other," notes Michelle H. The bathhouses, while sometimes described as basic, receive consistent praise for cleanliness.
Diverse accommodation options: Several parks offer alternatives to traditional tent camping. Sean M. reports about Hilton Area: "The best part of this campground are the neat mini cabins. Small one room cabins that have electricity and heat. They are a nice touch for those that want to camp, but not completely 'rough it.'" These options extend camping seasons and attract different user groups.
What you should know
Seasonal operations and restrictions: Most state parks in the region operate camping from April through October. Rebecca C. advises: "The campground and park fill up on the weekends but are nearly empty during the week. There are several hiking trails in this part of the park or you can drive to other parts for additional hiking."
Varied site spacing: Campsite proximity differs between loops and campgrounds. Jennifer V. at Hollofield Area explains: "This campground is set up as two loops; an inner loop with electric sites, and a more spread-out outer loop with non-electric, tent-only sites. The inner loop was completely full, and the sites were just too closely spaced for my preferences."
Site surfaces and tent placement: Some campgrounds have specific requirements for tent setup. At Merry Meadows Recreation Farm, campers find a mix of "wooded sites, open sites, tent sites. All great!" according to Amy R. However, at Hollofield Area, crushed stone sites can make tent staking challenging.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Families benefit from dedicated children's areas. At Washington DC / Capitol KOA, Elise M. reports: "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, but the pull through spots offer no privacy."
Nature programs: Some parks offer educational activities. Angel G. notes about Patapsco Valley: "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." These programs provide structured outdoor learning.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas. "There is a 'natural' playground in the loop, and then if you drive down further to the park entrance, there is a large playground for the kids," shares Jennifer S. about her experience at Hollofield Area, showing the different play options available.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Experienced RVers recommend researching specific sites. At Codorus State Park Campground, one camper advises: "There are some in wide-open park-like settings, and some that are treed. For the most part we didn't notice any that really seem to be right on top of each other."
Hookup considerations: Water and electric availability varies widely between campgrounds and specific loops. Ray & Terri F. detail: "We stayed at site D72 for 4 days. The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup. D Loop is for RVs, A, B, C& E are tents only."
Access limitations: Some parks have restrictions that affect larger rigs. At Patapsco Valley State Park, one reviewer cautions: "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.)" This critical information prevents potentially dangerous situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Owings Mills, MD?
Which is the most popular campground near Owings Mills, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Owings Mills, MD is Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area with a 4.1-star rating from 20 reviews.
What parks are near Owings Mills, MD?
What parks are near Owings Mills, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Owings Mills, MD that allow camping, notably Greenbelt Park and Rock Creek Park.
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