1 campground with availability this weekend
Tent camping near Pasadena, Maryland ranges from wooded tent campsites with bathhouses and trail access to shoreline group sites along the Chesapeake Bay. Notable locations include Patapsco Valley State Park's Hilton Area, which offers dedicated tent sites with fire rings and picnic tables, and Sandy Point State Park, which provides group camping primarily for organized youth groups on its shoreline setting.
The tent sites at Patapsco Valley State Park feature crushed stone pads that require campers to bring extra padding for comfort, as pitching directly on the ground is not permitted. Most tent sites include fire pits with grill grates and picnic tables, with centrally located bathhouses providing hot showers and toilets. According to one visitor, "Most of the sites we saw had a bit of a grade/slope to it and made setting up our tent a bit more challenging." The campground is set on rolling terrain with some sites positioned on slopes, requiring careful tent placement. Sites in the lower portion of the camping loop may experience drainage issues during heavy rain.
Tent campers at Patapsco Valley State Park benefit from extensive trail access directly from the campground. The heavily wooded setting provides natural screening between most sites, though the campground is relatively small. A review noted that "There is a decent drive - maybe a half mile or so - to the camp area. It has fairly steep rolling hills and would not be good for small children to bike or walk." The park includes playgrounds and a nature center, making it popular for families introducing children to tent camping. Sandy Point's tent camping areas are restricted to youth groups only, offering beach access and water views, though several reviewers mentioned that the day-use areas become extremely crowded during summer months. Both parks enforce seasonal closures, with Patapsco Valley operating from April through October.
"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 and it was very wet even after the rain died down."
"There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center. There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes. The campground is on the smaller side."
from $20 - $51 / night
"There are two main beaches and there are picnic tables all over the park. There’s a popular boat launch amd small marina/bait store.
Get there early on weekends and holidays.""There are wonderful views of the water and swimming at the beach, pavilions for social gatherings, showers and bathrooms that are kept pretty very clean, and room for backpacking, hiking, picnicking,"
"Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap"
from $6 / night
"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."
from $12 - $45 / night
from $150 - $200 / night
"Whether you are an adult or a child, this place will have a positive effect on you. The owners are involved and designed this space with the visitors pleasure in mind."
from $90 - $190 / night
"This is a good free state forest with maybe 10 (or less) designated tent-camping sites, and designated areas for deer hunting."
"Spent a weekend in BO1, spacious campsite, grill, picnic table, firepit, parking for 2-3 cars plus overflow parking. Firewood was easy to get and was plenty of it."
from $25 / night
"Potable water is available in several places on each loop. The bathhouses are rebuilt recently and are very nice. Some walk in tent sites."
"This is Organized Group Tenting Only."
Available this weekend
from $28 - $72 / night
TravelerClose to washington as we could get. Could also park our skoolie bus which was nice and had plenty of close by shower with bathrooms. Keep in mind only one shower per restroom house. We stayed at a pretty slow season so it wasn’t bad. Would recommend if visiting DC! They also have a dump station and water fill up.
GuideYou just can't beat a pennsylvania park. This one is not an exception. Nice clean restroom, plenty of room. Now, what cost a star. Yes, it rained like hell. When we broke camp and go dump. The dump station was overflowing with sewer. Go to the guard shack to tell them, and find another site. None there. Can I go to an unused full hookup to dump? No! I would have to pay for the site. Two hours later, we found a place to dump for $10.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
GuideSpent 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.
RangerWe 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.
GuideIf 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.
TravelerBased 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.
ScoutThe park is very well maintained, and the campsites have clean fire pits and cooking grills. The restrooms are clean, spacious, and well maintained, and my campsite was large enough to comfortably fit a 6-person tent and a canopy.
However, there were a few concerns during our stay. Despite the campground’s quiet hours policy starting at 10:00 PM, many campers continued to make noise well past that time. I did not notice any campground staff or maintenance personnel making rounds to enforce the quiet hours.
I also felt concerned about security. One of my neighboring campers, who was visiting from South Carolina, told me that his generator had been stolen during the night. He reported the theft to the police, and an official report was filed. Incidents like this made me feel unsafe while camping.
I recommend increasing staff or security patrols, especially during the evening and overnight hours, to enforce quiet hours and improve the safety and security of campers and their belongings. With better enforcement and security, Burke Lake Campground would provide an even better camping experience.
TravelerOne of our favorite places. Very well kept. No bathhouse so bring your own. A lot of shady sites. Great views of Chesapeake bay. Flat roads in the area for cycling.
Tent campsites near Pasadena, Maryland cluster around the western and eastern shores of the Chesapeake Bay, offering access to both woodland and waterfront settings. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from April through October due to Maryland's humid subtropical climate, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F. Rainfall occurs year-round with increased thunderstorm activity during summer months, requiring campers to prepare for potentially wet conditions.
Hiking extensive trail networks: Patapsco Valley State Park features numerous trail options for all skill levels. One visitor noted, "There are some pretty cool Bridges, old houses, and a water fall. I recommend this to any beginner hikers." The park spans six different entrance areas, each offering distinct experiences.
Water activities on the Chesapeake: Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping provides beach access for swimming and fossil hunting. "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," shares one regular visitor.
Nature observation: Blackbird State Forest Campground features multiple hiking trails with abundant wildlife. A camper mentioned, "There are plenty of hiking trails in the state forest, complete with mushrooms, and deer-hunting-stands." The forest setting creates opportunities for plant and animal identification.
Private, spacious sites: At Blackbird State Forest Campground, campers appreciate the layout. "The camp sites are spaced out a good amount so each site has good privacy. There are multiple port a potties here but some sites are a bit far from them," reports one visitor. Each site includes a fire pit, grill, and two tables.
Proximity to urban areas: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area offers camping close to Baltimore. A reviewer stated, "Very short drive in to Baltimore- around 30 minutes. Getting in to the park was a little difficult. We missed the entrance and had to turn around." This accessibility makes it practical for weekend getaways.
Family-friendly amenities: Many camping areas near Pasadena provide dedicated facilities for children. "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," notes one family camper.
Weather considerations: Tent sites can become problematic during rain. At Susquehannock State Park Campground, campers should prepare for varying conditions. "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," cautions a visitor.
Seasonal crowds: Summer brings heavy use to waterfront parks. "This park is extremely crowded and very dirty during the summer season," reports one Sandy Point visitor. Another adds, "The park closes daily very early as it hits capacity. The best times to go are winter, spring, and fall."
Reservation requirements: Many camping locations fill quickly during peak season. "You get a fire pit and cooking crate, and a picnic table. 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," advises a Patapsco Valley camper.
Select beginner-friendly sites: The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring offers group camping with amenities suited for first-time campers. "Very convenient for before or after your time in the largest aerial challenge course in North America. Groups only- no individual campsites," notes a visitor.
Pack extra padding: Hard surfaces at many sites require additional comfort measures. "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," recommends a Patapsco Valley camper.
Consider cabin options: Several parks offer cabins as tent alternatives. "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,'" suggests a Patapsco Valley reviewer.
Limited hookup options: Few full-service RV sites exist near Pasadena. "Two loops. One has a few sites with electric and some cabins. Potable water is available in several places on each loop," explains a camper at Susquehannock State Park.
Narrow access roads: Several campgrounds have challenging approaches. "There is a decent drive - maybe a half mile or so - to the camp area. It has fairly steep rolling hills," warns a Patapsco Valley visitor. Larger rigs may struggle with tight turns and low clearance.
Military option for eligible campers: Military personnel seeking RV camping can consider Annapolis FamCamp. "Military campground. Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap," reports a visitor to this limited-access facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Pasadena, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Pasadena, MD is Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area with a 4.1-star rating from 20 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Pasadena, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 tent camping locations near Pasadena, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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