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Best Campgrounds near Lothian, MD

624 Reviews

Campgrounds near Lothian, Maryland include both public and private options within a 20-mile radius of the Chesapeake Bay region. Adventure Bound Washington DC in Lothian provides tent, RV, and cabin camping with full hookup sites, while nearby options include Cherry Hill Park in College Park offering premium glamping yurts. Cedarville State Forest provides more natural settings with primitive tent sites and limited RV camping. The unique Pine Tree Associates Nudist Club campground offers an unconventional camping experience with tent, RV and cabin options approximately 15 miles northeast of Lothian.

Many campgrounds in this area are open year-round, though some forest service locations like Cedarville State Forest operate seasonally from April through October. According to one visitor, "This place is a good place to stay... it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest Metro station." Accessibility varies significantly between locations, with private campgrounds typically offering better maintained roads and facilities. Sites at Adventure Bound Washington DC and Washington DC/Capitol KOA tend to feature gravel pads with full hookups, while forest campgrounds provide more natural settings with limited amenities. Summer months bring higher humidity and temperatures, making spring and fall ideal for tent camping.

Waterfront camping represents a highlight of the region, with Breezy Point Beach Campground offering direct Chesapeake Bay access. As one camper noted, "The sites are close together. No worse than a typical KOA though. There is additional space behind each site leading onto the beach that houses a table and fire ring." Several developed campgrounds in the area cater primarily to working professionals and long-term stays rather than recreational camping. Reviews consistently mention the convenient location for exploring Washington DC, Annapolis and Baltimore attractions. Campers seeking solitude should consider Lacy Oasis Campground, which offers just six primitive sites in a more secluded setting. Most camping areas provide basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables and access to toilet facilities, though shower availability varies significantly by location.

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Best Camping Sites Near Lothian, Maryland (86)

    1. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 344-3948

    $20 / night

    "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"

    2. Adventure Bound Washington DC

    9 Reviews
    Upper Marlboro, MD
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (443) 607-8609

    "We had a fantastic time our 1st time at #AdventureBoundCampingResort in Lothian, Maryland."

    "This place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest"

    3. Cherry Hill Park

    42 Reviews
    Beltsville, MD
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 937-7116

    $282 - $999 / night

    "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."

    4. Cedarville State Forest

    17 Reviews
    Brandywine, MD
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 888-1410

    $30 / night

    "We picked up the camping registration outside the office at the entrance, no need to speak with anyone. Then we just drove down to our campsite in the family camping loop."

    "Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC."

    5. Washington DC / Capitol KOA

    15 Reviews
    Millersville, MD
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 923-2771

    "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."

    6. Lacy Oasis Campground

    2 Reviews
    Chesapeake Beach, MD
    10 miles
    +1 (202) 270-5189

    $90 - $190 / 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."

    7. Pine Tree Associates Nudist Club

    2 Reviews
    Crownsville, MD
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 841-6033

    $30 - $55 / night

    "My wife and I were trying to find an RV location near the Annapolis city dock for a boat show and found Pine Tree Associates."

    "Camping fees include access to a large outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a hot tub. There is room for tenting and campers."

    8. Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping

    8 Reviews
    Gibson Island, MD
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    9. Breezy Point Beach

    5 Reviews
    Chesapeake Beach, MD
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 535-0259

    $60 - $70 / night

    "There is additional space behind each site leading onto the beach that houses a table and fire ring. It feels like each site has loads of room out to the beach."

    10. Military Park United States Naval Academy/Annapolis Naval Station Annapolis FamCamp

    1 Review
    Annapolis, MD
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 293-9200

    "Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap"

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Recent Camping Photos near Lothian, MD

230 Photos of 86 Lothian Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Lothian, MD

624 Reviews of 86 Lothian Campgrounds

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Pax River Hog Point Campgrounds — Naval Airstation (Nas) Patuxent River

    Left Early, Won’t Be Back

    When we saw a review of this campground on Rec.gov complaining about the amount of bugs we thought they were being ridiculous, they were not. In addition to an insane amount of bugs making the experience here uniquely miserable — it is not quiet or peaceful. A (clearly quite drunk) group nearby was singing at the top of their lungs until at least 11pm when we made the decision to bail seeing as we weren’t going to be getting any sleep between being eaten alive and serenaded.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Adventure Bound Washington DC

    Nice

    This place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest Metro station. It's crowded but folks are quiet & respectful!

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Aquia Pines Campground

    Good stopover near the highway but hidden between the trees

    We where forced land-inwards because of tropical storm Erin (potential hurricane hitting the Outer Banks). So we decided to visit Washington DC and had a stopover here. It was conveniently located. Terrain is not flat but our spot was well levelled. There is a big dog (and an older gentleman) in the office to welcome you. Full hook up was oké and our spot was nicly secluded between the trees.

  • Erin W.
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Lake Fairfax Campground

    Nice for a quick weekend

    This campground is nice for a quick weekend and does have pretty trails next to the campground. The sites are largely in more of a meadow and not many are very wooded. Our site, 41, was level and nicely spaced from other sites but many tent sites were not level at all. Many tents were on a full slant. There is a waterpark that is an extra cost which is fun for kids. Bathrooms are well maintained and huge.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Cherry Hill Park

    Can’t beat it

    Proximity to DC and surrounding areas can’t be beat. Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle. It takes about a half hour to get downtown to the monuments. Our uber rides ranged from 20-45$ for a family of 5. So $4-9 per person. We rode in all 4 days this way. Personalized, comfortable. Door to door. We saw tons of stuff. No one can say they saw everything. We took the train from Union station to Penn station. Saw the nationals, the orioles. So fun. The park itself has more than most. Mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry, a store and office open early!! And late!!! Wow! Just can’t be beat. Great sites. So many other things in the park. Splash pad, paved roads for scootering. Just awesome!

  • Caleb S.
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area

    Tabolt island state park

    We had a nice stay overlooking the marsh. The small crabs were skittering around the campsite and birds perched in the marsh. The beach was nice and clean.

  • Adam and Suzanne B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2025

    Tuckahoe State Park Campground

    meh

    The campground is wooded and only has electric hookups available.  The sites are well spaced. The bathhouse is dated and was clean enough to use. There isn't much to do in the park but it was an ok jumping off point to visit St. Michaels. Good dump station and potable water fill.  Spigots throughout the campground.

  • L
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    Nice Little Campground

    Decent little campground! It was quiet aside from occasional air traffic noise, and while there wasn't much spacing between some camp sites everyone was respectful. My spot was a little difficult to find because the online park map was incorrect, and the spot was basically an extended shoulder of the road. Checking in was a breeze, though!

Guide to Lothian

Camping near Lothian, Maryland, offers a mix of outdoor fun and easy access to the city. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet retreat, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Explore the C&O Canal: The Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite is right along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Campers love the scenic views and the chance to hike or bike along the towpath. One reviewer said, "If I lived in Washington DC, this is where I would ride my bike to every weekend."
  • Visit Historic Sites: The Smallwood State Park Campground is close to historical landmarks. A visitor mentioned, "There are nice trails, water sports available, and historic landmarks."
  • Fishing and Boating: At Smallwood State Park, you can enjoy fishing and boating. One camper shared, "There was a nice fishing pier and the Generals Trail which my son loved."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the bathrooms and showers. A reviewer at Pohick Bay Campground noted, "The bathrooms were cleaner than any other campground we have stayed in."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campers mention the helpfulness of the staff. One visitor at the Washington DC / Capitol KOA said, "The staff was very friendly, the grounds were clean and well maintained."
  • Community Feel: Campers enjoy the sense of community at places like Cherry Hill Park. A reviewer remarked, "There is a generally good sense of community, which is lucky because of how close together the sites are."

What you should know

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads or activities. A camper at Pohick Bay Campground mentioned, "This place is so noisy with these helicopters that fly 24/7."
  • Site Proximity: Many campgrounds have sites that are close together. A visitor at Hollofield Area Campground noted, "The sites are situated quite close to one another."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Greenbelt Park Campground, have fewer amenities. A reviewer said, "There is not a ton to do within the park itself."

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities for kids. At Cherry Hill Park, one parent mentioned, "There is also plenty to do for the kids, like Tractor Ride through the Campground."
  • Plan for Noise: If your family is sensitive to noise, consider campgrounds that are further from busy roads. A camper at Patapsco Valley State Park said, "You’d think it would be noisy with all the traffic through-ways surrounding it. But, was quiet with just a hint of traffic noise."
  • Bring Bikes: Many campgrounds have bike trails. A visitor at Pohick Bay Campground suggested, "Bring bikes. Long bike trail along road."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Cherry Hill Park mentioned, "We visited Cherry Hill Park Campground in a Class A Motorhome and while it was tight, we fit no problem."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Campgrounds like Adventure Bound Washington DC offer full hookups, which many RVers appreciate. One camper noted, "Full hookups at most sites."
  • Avoid Late Arrivals: Arriving after dark can be tricky. A visitor at Adventure Bound Washington DC warned, "Do not try and come in after dark. Very tight and very dark."

Camping near Lothian, Maryland, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking a cozy spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Lothian, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lothian, MD is Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park with a 4.1-star rating from 32 reviews.

What parks are near Lothian, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Lothian, MD that allow camping, notably Greenbelt Park and Fort Dupont Park.

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