Camping near Severna Park, Maryland offers diverse terrain, spanning from waterfront locations along the Chesapeake Bay to woodland settings with trails. The region typically experiences humid summers with temperatures in the 80s, while fall brings milder conditions and colorful foliage. Tent sites and cabin accommodations in this region can be booked up to six months in advance at most locations.
What to do
Fishing access points: Martinak State Park Campground provides river access for anglers looking to catch freshwater species. One camper noted, "It's a great place to catch some good action fish. I've always had some success whenever I've been here."
Trail systems: Susquehanna State Park Campground features multiple hiking trails with wildlife viewing opportunities. A visitor shared, "Took a nice 3 mile evening hike on the trail just down the hill behind the campsite. Scared a bunch of deer and checked out the giant old growth trees, hiked over a bridge and stream which was full of fish."
Water recreation: The Tuckahoe State Park area offers kayaking opportunities with rental equipment available. A reviewer mentioned, "Canoe/kayak launch between sites 46 and 48. The walk to Tuckahoe Creek from the parking area is very short, and the creek leads to Tuckahoe Lake with more of the creek on the other side of the lake."
Disc golf course: Multiple parks in the area feature disc golf courses, including Pohick Bay Campground where one visitor recommended "taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course."
What campers like
Secluded sites: Cherry Hill Park offers sites with landscape elements for privacy. A camper observed, "The landscaping, trees and site placement does help the esthetics. Look at the park map and try to get a site at the end of a row. The sites are pretty close together but on the ends at least you only have a neighbor on one side."
Clean facilities: The Washington DC/Capitol KOA bathhouses and amenities receive positive reviews for cleanliness. According to one guest, "The sites are well maintained. The bathroom/showers are the cleanest I've ever seen, especially since we stayed in the hottest time of the year."
Night sky viewing: Tuckahoe State Park provides good stargazing conditions due to minimal light pollution. A camper pointed out, "Great night sky viewing as no lights what so ever in camping loops except for toilet/shower buildings."
Honor system conveniences: Susquehanna State Park Campground offers after-hours access to necessities. As one reviewer appreciated, "They also sell ice and firewood at the campstore AND there is an honor system with it available to you after the campstore hours."
What you should know
Site conditions vary: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain that may require preparation. A visitor to Susquehanna State Park noted, "I docked a star because I'd say about half—maybe more—don't have pads. We will absolutely be coming back... but we will bring our bikes and book a site with a tent pad!"
Seasonal availability: Most parks in the area have limited operating seasons. Tuckahoe State Park Campground is open "March 25 to November 27," while Susquehanna State Park operates from "March 31 to October 29."
Access restrictions: Some campgrounds have security measures in place. A Cherry Hill Park visitor mentioned, "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."
Reservation timing: For glamping in Severna Park, Maryland, booking well in advance is essential. A Cherry Hill camper advised, "Reserved 137 days prior to arriving" to secure their preferred site.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Ramblin' Pines offers multiple play areas throughout their property. One family noted, "The camground offers a lot for the money. 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."
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer learning activities for children. At Pohick Bay, one visitor shared, "They informed us that they had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend, they had an outdoor movie scheduled for Friday night, a campfire story time scheduled for Saturday night and crafts scheduled for Sunday morning."
Bathroom proximity: When glamping in Severna Park area with small children, consider site location. A Susquehanna visitor advised, "For kids, the playground was fantastic, though, it was not shaded. This is great if you want to be away from the playground, as you can book one of the sites further off and not have kids running about."
Biking conditions: Some campgrounds offer better terrain for young cyclists. A reviewer observed, "The camp road was minimally hilly and would be safe and easy for little kids to ride their bikes, unlike some of the campgrounds that have pretty decent hills."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Little Bennett Campground accommodates larger vehicles but verify specific sites. A camper advised, "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."
Connectivity considerations: Cell service and internet access vary widely between locations. A Little Bennett visitor reported, "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."
Turning radius challenges: Some campgrounds have limited maneuvering space for larger rigs. One Cherry Hill Park visitor cautioned, "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."
Utility access: When choosing sites for luxury glamping near Severna Park, check for full hookups. A Tuckahoe visitor warned, "Sites do not have sewer but does have dump. The sites are laid out in a circle with the bathhouse in the center."
