3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Tent campsites near Riverdale Park, Maryland offer varied camping experiences within easy driving distance of the Washington DC metro area. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area provides dedicated tent camping opportunities with non-electric sites and is known for its family-friendly amenities. Other options include the Campsites at Watkins Regional Park, which offers walk-in tent camping with essential facilities including toilets, showers, and drinking water.
Most tent campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, particularly during peak season from April through October. Sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, with varying levels of access to drinking water. Patapsco Valley campsites are set on crushed stone surfaces that may require additional padding for comfortable tent setup. The Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Overnight Campsite offers a free primitive tent camping experience with first-come, first-served sites along the Potomac River. Some campsites experience significant water runoff during rainstorms, particularly those situated in low-lying areas.
The region's tent camping areas serve as convenient bases for outdoor recreation while remaining close to urban amenities. Trails accessible from many campsites connect to larger networks for day hiking and nature observation. Campsites at Patapsco Valley provide access to multiple hiking trails and playground facilities, making them particularly suitable for families with children. The Swains Lock area offers riverfront tent camping with minimal facilities but maximum natural immersion. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, "There are 5 overnight camp sites and 1 daily use location. It was delightful to see the sun set over the Potomac and rise the next morning over the opposite shore." Many sites fill quickly on summer weekends, with several campers recommending arrival on weekdays or during shoulder seasons for the best experience.
"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
"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
"Purchasers the camp site is beautiful secluded quiet wonderful if you're looking for that extreme outdoors a no civilization it's a good hike to get to the campsite there's no parking nearby no water"
Available this weekend
from $40 / 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,"
"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
"Good for a day use, parking is full most of the time but have a lot of space to park you may have to walk but you will find one spot..."
"Close to me so theres nothing new"
from $15 - $18 / night
"Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap"
from $55 - $95 / 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.
ScoutWe stayed in site #133 with our 34'10" travel trailer/toy hauler. Overall, we really like the site. It's spacious, fairly level, heavily wooded, and feels surprisingly private. There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation. We had a nice large area for our chairs, fire pit, picnic table, and dogs. The biggest thing to know about #133 is the approach. We were instructed to pass the site, go around the loop, and then make a left turn into it. With our nearly 35' trailer, that would have required an extremely tight, almost 90-degree turn between the trees, and we did not feel we could safely make it. There is actually visible damage on one of the trees at the entrance, so it appears others may have had difficulty with the turn as well. Instead, we approached from the opposite direction and positioned the camper with our doors facing the main campsite area. That put the water and electric hookups on the opposite side, but our hoses and cord were long enough to run underneath the camper and reach without a problem. Once we figured that out, the site worked very well for us. I initially thought we probably wouldn't choose #133 again because of the awkward setup, but after spending the weekend here, I would. Now that we know how to approach and position our trailer, it really is a nice site. If you're bringing a longer travel trailer, just be prepared to do a little maneuvering and make sure your water hose and electrical cord have enough length if you decide to orient your camper the way we did.
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.
GuideThis 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.
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.
GuideWhat a gem! We found this place as an alternative to staying in DC during 4th of July festivities. Nice spacious sites, cabins were super clean and smelled great! Did I mention they were air conditioned during the hotest week of the summer!
Bathrooms and showers were spotless.
Many things to see and do there. Historic property, big lake (no swimming), boating, fishing, hiking. There is an Art Center with juried displays for sale.
Tent camping near Riverdale Park, Maryland offers access to natural settings within 30 minutes of Washington DC. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F, while spring and fall provide milder conditions for comfortable camping. Most tent sites in this area are situated on relatively flat terrain with mixed deciduous forest providing partial shade during summer months.
Hiking diverse trails: The trail system at Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area connects to a variety of terrain suitable for different skill levels. "The trail was well marked but there was some confusion at one point on where we were suppose to go. Luckily I had an app that kept me on trail. There are some pretty cool Bridges, old houses, and a water fall," notes Anthony S.
Water activities: Kayaking opportunities exist within a short drive from most campgrounds. "Roland Lake in Baltimore County is a great place to kayak on the Patapsco River. Tons of wildlife, facilities, and amenities for you and your family," reports another visitor to Patapsco Valley.
Wildlife observation: Endeavor Point offers opportunities to observe Chesapeake Bay wildlife. "The pier was perfect to fish or crab off of and the beach had great views of the sunrise," according to Ally S. Morning hours typically yield the best wildlife sightings along the water's edge.
Convenient location: Tent camping sites near Riverdale Park provide quick access to both urban amenities and natural settings. "Very short drive in to Baltimore, around 30 minutes. Nice playground for the kids. Some nice scenic areas, great for pictures," reports Gayle B. about her stay at Patapsco Valley State Park.
Water access: Many campers appreciate the proximity to rivers and waterways. At Leesylvania State Park Campground, visitors enjoy direct river frontage. "This campground was so pretty. It is small, but the price and location near DC cannot be beat. It is directly on Potomac River," writes Anne K.
Family-friendly amenities: The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring offers unique recreational options. "Very convenient for before or after your time in the largest aerial challenge course in North America. Groups only, no individual campsites," explains Elizabeth R., highlighting the park's group-focused camping approach.
Weather considerations: Summer storms can significantly impact camping conditions. "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 and it was very wet even after the rain died down," warns Alexandra T. from Patapsco Valley State Park.
Reservation requirements: Most tent sites require advance booking, particularly during summer months. "This is a small gem of a state park campground, one of only two in the massive Patapsco Valley State Park. It's a bit odd getting here through a suburban neighborhood, but the Hilton area is great," explains Sean M.
Crowds vary by season: Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping experiences significant seasonal fluctuation. "Extremely over crowded in the summer. The park closes daily very early as it hits capacity. The best times to go are winter, spring, and fall," advises Tony P.
Playground access: Several camping areas feature dedicated play structures. "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 Angel G.
Educational opportunities: Nature programs enhance the camping experience for children. "Patapsco Valley offers 6 different entrances. Each one provides several different trail heads and experiences. For camping or just spending a day out on the trail with the kids we prefer the Hilton entrance," continues Angel G.
Site selection for families: Choose level sites away from water runoff areas. "After the storm for the next few days we heard trees falling nearby where we were hiking. The positives are there is a huge park for kids, it's not within walking distance for little kids but it's a very short drive by the entrance to the park," shares Alexandra T.
Limited RV options: Tent camping dominates the Riverdale Park area, with few dedicated RV sites. At Lacy Oasis Campground, visitors find a mix of accommodation types. "If you are a nature lover, a person who loves peace, serenity, and tranquility, or just need some respite, Lacy Oasis is the place to be," reports Terrance D., though noting the campground's smaller size limits large RV access.
Crushed stone surfaces: RV campers should note the terrain at certain sites. "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 and alternative ways to secure the tent to the ground," advises Sean M.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Riverdale Park, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Riverdale Park, 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 Riverdale Park, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 tent camping locations near Riverdale Park, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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