Best Campgrounds near Reisterstown, MD

The Patapsco Valley State Park system anchors camping options near Reisterstown, Maryland, with locations such as the Hollofield Area and Hilton Area campgrounds offering varied accommodations within 20 miles of the city. Several established campgrounds provide a mix of tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals throughout the region. Camping areas like Cherry Hill Park and Ramblin' Pines feature full-service amenities including electric, water, and sewer hookups for RVs, while state park campgrounds maintain a more rustic atmosphere with primarily tent sites and limited hookups. The camping landscape extends from developed facilities near Baltimore's suburbs to more secluded options in surrounding counties, with most sites within a 30-minute drive of Reisterstown.

Seasonal considerations affect campground availability in the region, with many state park facilities operating from April through October. Private campgrounds like Ramblin' Pines remain open year-round. A camper at Hollofield Area noted, "The 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." Most campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when facilities reach capacity. Bath facilities vary in quality and age across campgrounds, with some visitors noting older but clean facilities at state parks. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area due to proximity to Baltimore, though some valleys may have limited coverage.

Campers consistently highlight the surprising sense of seclusion despite proximity to urban areas. Several visitors mention the contrast between feeling immersed in woodland settings while being minutes from highways and amenities. The region's campgrounds provide access to extensive trail systems, particularly in Patapsco Valley State Park where hiking paths connect directly to many campsites. Reviewers frequently note the convenience for Baltimore-area visitors seeking quick weekend escapes without long travel times. "Being just barely off the beaten path, I wasn't expecting all too much," reported one visitor to Hollofield Area, "I was surprised at the quiet, understated beauty of the forestry around the perfectly level campsite." Noise from nearby roads and air traffic appears in some reviews, though many campers find the woodland settings effectively buffer urban sounds.

Best Camping Sites Near Reisterstown, Maryland (122)

    1. Hollofield Area Campground

    19 Reviews
    Windsor Mill, MD
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 461-5005

    $19 - $27 / night

    "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."

    2. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area

    19 Reviews
    Catonsville, MD
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 461-5005

    $20 - $51 / night

    "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."

    3. Ramblin' Pines

    17 Reviews
    Woodbine, MD
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 795-5161

    $30 - $70 / night

    "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 ❤️"

    4. Codorus State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Porters Sideling, PA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 637-2816

    $20 - $195 / night

    "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.  "

    5. Merry Meadows Recreation Farm

    19 Reviews
    Freeland, MD
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 329-6636

    "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

    42 Reviews
    Beltsville, MD
    31 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."

    7. Little Bennett Campground

    23 Reviews
    Clarksburg, MD
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 528-3430

    "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"

    8. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    33 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"

    9. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Wellsville, PA
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 292-4112

    $20 - $89 / night

    "We have a small camper and there are some great sites on the lake side to park it where you can get AMAZING sunset views.  "

    "Songle car parking spot on the road then a short walk down a hill onto the site. two tent areas and plenty of prime hammock trees. there’s a small deer trail that runs between all of the sites on the water"

    10. Artillery Ridge Campground

    24 Reviews
    Gettysburg, PA
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 334-1288

    "This park is a perfect location if you want to explore Gettysburg National Historical Site as you can literally walk across the street and be in the park or venture½ mile up the road and you come to the"

    "Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded."

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Recent Reviews near Reisterstown, MD

1016 Reviews of 122 Reisterstown Campgrounds


  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Great non-electric site, no dumstation

    This site is at the very top of the loop so it has a great cozy vibe and is spaced well away from other sites. The only downside is that the bathhouse is a walk downhill and then a walk back uphill. Surprised there’s no place for someone to park next to the bathhouse - only trails to it- so if you have accessibility needs, consider choosing a site that’s lower in the loop. The site is level and was raked by the hosts before we got there. Really clean and quiet except for some road noise. Showers are SO nice compared to other campsite. Hot water is hot, no push buttons, and there is a shower wand in both stalls. No dump station though!! Dump before you get here. Also if you work remote and depend on service, it’s spotty. Very wooded so Starlink can’t help much. OH- Don’t bother visiting the winery down the road. Ew. Just don’t.

  • 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!

  • Marcandpatti B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Gettysburg Campground

    Good spot for Gettysburg, a bit spendy.

    We stayed here mid-week in September so it was very quiet. There was a bit of road noise as our site was close to the entrance. Host was super friendly. They have a bunch of things going on with groups that stay here; next group is quilters with vintage trailers, sorry to miss that. All of the utilities worked just fine. Sites re a bit close to each other, not a lot of foliage between sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Great location and friendly staff

    We have a motorhome with no additional vehicle and two dogs, and this site couldn’t have been more perfect for us. A dog park, walking distance to most everything we wanted to see. The national park is mostly dog friendly. My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site. The staff was super friendly and welcoming.

  • p
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Rv stay

    Site and bathrooms clean. Activities provided free each day. Food trucks in park. Close to museum and battleground sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Round Top Campground

    Better than OK

    Stayed for 2 days while passing through from FL to NH. Off-season so not crowded. Pool was clean and quite good sized, had it to ourselves due to season. Did laundry while here, ample laundry room. On-site extras include food-truck restaurant and small country goods vendor during our stay. Office staff did ok. Sites have reasonable spacing with gravel pads, mostly level. Trees between sites with sloping hills , not just a big open field. It’s a corporate site so automated web-based reservation system was finicky so we had to verify reservation went through. Tried to book 2 nights but system only set us up for 1. Phone call to help line easily resolved the issue. Quiet and no spotlights on all night.

  • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    Peace and quiet !

    Great spot! We had site 114 . It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground. Bathrooms were in good shape. Sites were of ample size and well spaced.

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

    Elk Neck State Park Campground

    More than correct stay for a pass through or short period

    Check in at the store (without reservation), went very smooth. Only the north east loop was open because it was calm. All spots are full hook up, all fine. There was a small play area for the kids and the restrooms/ shower where clean. No complaints.

  • eThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Round Top Campground

    I camped and worked here.

    I’m a shamanic energy healer and health enthusiast exploring a new life and hunting for healthy. While this campground has some nice features. This certainly is not a health conscious facility. Lots of smoking, drinking and unhealthy food. There was also evidence of mice in the main store and definitely issues with the water.


Guide to Reisterstown

Camping options near Reisterstown, Maryland include terrain that rises from 500 to over 700 feet in elevation throughout the area's rolling hills. Most campgrounds sit within the Piedmont region where deciduous forests provide shade during humid summer months when temperatures regularly reach the high 80s. Facilities typically open for the main season between mid-April and late October when overnight temperatures remain above 50°F, though several private campgrounds operate year-round.

What to do

Horseback battlefield tours: At Artillery Ridge Campground in Gettysburg, campers can access guided horseback tours through historic Civil War sites directly from the campground. "You can take guided tours of the battlefield on horseback. Nice catch and release pond in campground," shares Zack in a 2021 review.

Disc golf courses: The lake areas at Codorus State Park Campground feature two separate 18-hole disc golf courses. "There are a lot of trails available for hiking, biking, or riding horses," notes Catherine H., who warns visitors to watch for poison ivy in some areas.

Hiking trails from campsites: Numerous campgrounds offer direct trail access from camping areas. "We enjoyed hiking the trails directly from our campsite that led us down to the Patapsco River. There is a lot of history associated with the River and the area," explains a visitor to Hollofield Area. Many trails follow waterways or connect multiple recreation areas within the larger parks.

What campers like

Natural playgrounds: Families appreciate the creative play spaces at Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area. "There is a massive playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park," writes Angel G., adding that "It's the perfect little getaway from the city for camping, fishing and hiking."

Swimming options: Most state parks maintain dedicated swimming areas during summer months. "There is a pool located at the park, there is no extra cost to use the pool if you are at the campground," notes Catherine H. about Codorus State Park. Some parks offer both pool and lake swimming, though a few prohibit swimming in their lakes.

Full amenity range: Private campgrounds like Cherry Hill Park offer extensive on-site features. "50 amp hook-up, water, sewer, playground, mini golf, swimming pool, hot tub, basketball court, snack bar on site, nightly hayride, gated, on-site camp store," lists Beth R., making these locations suitable for longer stays.

What you should know

Reservation timing: Many state park campgrounds fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. "You can only check in between 2 and 4! This might be off season though," notes Sean M. about Ramblin' Pines, highlighting the importance of confirming check-in procedures beforehand.

Site privacy varies: Campground layouts differ significantly in spacing and privacy. "Sites were well-maintained, including lavatories. Plenty of tree cover. NOTE: park service forbade tying lines or straps to the trees at the time of our visit (Autumn 2024), so if you favor hammock camping or deploying tarps/ridgelines, plan accordingly," advises Timothy C. about Greenbelt Campground.

Traffic noise levels: Despite wooded settings, some campgrounds experience noise from nearby highways. "Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," explains a Greenbelt Campground reviewer. Sites deeper within camping loops generally offer better sound buffering from roads.

Payment policies: Some campgrounds maintain cash-only policies or require deposits. Several reviewers note these restrictions, with one camper at Merry Meadows explaining, "One of the complaints was they work on cash. Yeah, I knows it's not popular because most of us live in a plastic dominated world. I read it in advance and I just made sure we had some with us."

Tips for camping with families

Sensory trails: Little Bennett Campground offers specialized trails designed for children. "Nice grounds and tent pad. Ample camp site size," notes Stephen K., though he adds they're "Just right next to a neighborhood."

Plan for weather contingencies: The region experiences rapid weather changes in spring and summer. "When I went to leave on Sunday, as I was driving up an incline my trailer became unhitched from my tow vehicle. The whole hitch came off and the trailer was dragging by the chains! The owners husband kindly helped me get it jacked up," shares a camper who experienced strong storms at Merry Meadows.

Consider mini cabins: Several parks offer cabin options ideal for families new to camping. "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,'" explains Sean M. about Patapsco Valley's Hilton Area.

Tips from RVers

Approach directions matter: Some campgrounds have height restrictions on approach roads. "ALSO- 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)," warns a Travyl Couple about Hollofield Area Campground.

Urban access options: When visiting Washington DC, several campgrounds provide direct transportation. "No need to drive anywhere, the tour buses pick you up at the park!" explains Jason E. about Cherry Hill Park, which also offers "On-site bus shuttle" service to public transportation connections.

Site selection for privacy: Many RVers recommend requesting specific site numbers. "We were at site 430. It was a perfect spot tucked away from the others and a short walk to the restrooms," reports Andrea S. about her experience at Hollofield Area, noting the importance of site selection for privacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Reisterstown, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Reisterstown, MD is Hollofield Area Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 19 reviews.

What parks are near Reisterstown, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Reisterstown, MD that allow camping, notably Greenbelt Park and Rock Creek Park.