Best Campgrounds near Rockville, MD

Camping options near Rockville, Maryland range from full-service RV parks to primitive tent sites within a 30-mile radius of the city. Cherry Hill Park in College Park provides comprehensive amenities including electric hookups, water, sewer connections, and accommodations for tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping setups. Greenbelt Park Campground offers a more rustic experience with tent and RV sites but fewer hookups, situated just 15 miles from downtown Rockville. The region includes several state and county parks with varying levels of development, from basic facilities at Adventure Park at Sandy Spring to the more developed Little Bennett Campground in Clarksburg.

Many campgrounds in the Maryland-Virginia corridor require advance reservations, particularly during the peak summer season when sites fill quickly. "This is a fairly nice, bare bones NPS campground. If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it," noted one visitor about Greenbelt Park. Weather conditions remain relatively mild year-round, though summer humidity can be significant. Most established campgrounds in the area provide at least basic amenities like drinking water and toilets, while several offer showers and electric hookups. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region due to proximity to urban areas, though some campgrounds like Marsden Tract offer a more secluded experience with fewer amenities.

Campers frequently mention the convenience of camping near Washington DC while still enjoying outdoor recreation. Several campgrounds provide access to hiking trails, with Little Bennett featuring boat access and Patapsco Valley State Park offering extensive trail networks. A reviewer highlighted that Cherry Hill Park serves as an excellent base for exploring the capital: "A lady with the staff gives visitors a lengthy orientation to Washington, tours, restaurants, Metrorail, parking, museums, and monuments." Noise from nearby urban areas, including air traffic, is commonly noted in reviews of campgrounds closest to the city. The most highly-rated sites tend to be those with water features, such as Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite along the Potomac River, where campers appreciate the flat, dispersed sites adjacent to the water.

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Best Camping Sites Near Rockville, Maryland (107)

    1. Cherry Hill Park

    42 Reviews
    Beltsville, MD
    12 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."

    2. Lake Fairfax Campground

    25 Reviews
    Reston, VA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 471-5414

    $30 - $70 / night

    "We set up our tent in the far side of the campground close to the lake ( site 27). It is slightly slant but still comfortable in the tent. Bathrooms are close by and kept clean."

    "For tent camping I would suggests sites 30,33 or 35 these are tucked along the tree line. The bathroom facilities were the cleanest I have seen in a campground."

    3. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    16 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"

    4. Little Bennett Campground

    23 Reviews
    Clarksburg, MD
    13 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"

    5. Ramblin' Pines

    17 Reviews
    Woodbine, MD
    20 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 ❤️"

    6. Bull Run Regional Park

    42 Reviews
    Iron Gate, VA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 631-0550

    $39 - $100 / night

    "History buffs will like to explore the park surrounding the campground. Fun little water park within walking distance of all campsites that was great for kids."

    "We booked site 136 due to proximity of the playground (traveling with a 5 & 10 yr old). The site was great except the weird parking stops on every site but the pull throughs."

    7. Pohick Bay Campground

    39 Reviews
    Lorton, VA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 339-6104

    $37 - $170 / night

    "We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids."

    "We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."

    9. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring

    1 Review
    Sandy Spring, MD
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (240) 389-4386

    $150 - $200 / night

    10. Camping by the Creek in Woods

    2 Reviews
    Great Falls, MD
    8 miles
    +1 (240) 595-5000

    $45 - $55 / night

    "Awesome site tucked away in mature woods. Quiet. Easy paved access. Near C&O Canal, biking, hiking across street in Block House Park. Lovely attentive host."

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Recent Reviews near Rockville, MD

863 Reviews of 107 Rockville Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders

    Awesome views on the Potomac

    Very cool spot. Amazing sites right on the Potomac. There is a Ale House above the office that delivers for free to your site (2.5 miles away), just tip the driver

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Sharon L.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Merry Meadows Recreation Farm

    Great getaway close to home!

    We totally loved our camping trip here! I was a little apprehensive because I read so many disappointing reviews about pretty much everything. People didn’t like this or that, but most of it seemed as if they weren’t happy with rules! Neither of us found anything that was so terrible in the rules and truthfully, if more campgrounds had them and enforced them, it would be nice for all.

    We loved the peace and quiet, the restrooms were clean and tidy, the usable sites all looked nice. They had a tornado come through at the beginning of the season that messed some areas up, but they are working it. The pool area seemed like the place to be. We just went to rest though. Honestly, we liked the campground so much that we would consider parking our camper over the summer! There are occasional whiffs of McCormick spices in the air that is very soothing. Prices aren’t horrible. 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. The activities and store weren’t outrageous. Ready to go back!

  • 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.


Guide to Rockville

Camping near Rockville, MD, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and easy access to nature. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Greenbrier State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Great hiking to Annapolis Rocks or the Washington Monument right from the park, no need to drive!"
  • Swimming: Enjoy the swimming lake at Cherry Hill Park. A visitor noted, "The swimming pools were pretty crowded, but we were still happy with our site."
  • Fishing: Spend a day fishing at Owens Creek Campground. One camper shared, "We spent an entire day kayak fishing on the small lake and clear clean water."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Bull Run Regional Park. A review stated, "The bathhouses are ample and clean."
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors enjoy the helpful staff at Cherry Hill Park. One guest said, "Staff very helpful and really explained the Metro system very well."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers at Codorus State Park Campground love the spacious sites. A reviewer mentioned, "Spacious, beautiful, clean, quiet, easy, and lots to do and see."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds, like Pohick Bay Campground, can be noisy. One camper complained, "This place is absolutely the most horrific noisy place, like sleeping on the side of the highway."
  • Limited Amenities: At Owens Creek Campground, there are no electric hookups or showers. A visitor noted, "The sites are very clean but close to each other."
  • Booking Ahead: Popular spots like Greenbelt Park Campground can fill up quickly. One camper advised, "Reservations are required, and you can do that when you arrive."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Cherry Hill Park, which offers activities for kids. A reviewer mentioned, "There is also plenty to do for the kids, like Tractor Ride through the Campground."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. One family enjoyed kayaking and fishing at Owens Creek Campground, saying, "The kids loved the man-made beach and park."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for the kids. A visitor at Greenbrier State Park Campground mentioned, "The market is not free, so bring your own goodies."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: RVers at Bull Run Regional Park recommend checking site sizes before booking. One camper said, "The site was easy to pull into and hookup to."
  • Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some campgrounds, like Harpers Ferry KOA, have tight sites. A review noted, "The sites were so unlevel, close together, and the whole infrastructure in need of repair."
  • Use Public Transport: If you're visiting DC, consider using public transport from campgrounds like Cherry Hill Park. One visitor shared, "We didn't drive to DC at all - just used public transit."

Camping near Rockville, MD, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any lakeside camping options near Rockville?

Greenbrier State Park Campground offers excellent lakeside camping within driving distance of Rockville. The park features a small lake perfect for paddling and fishing, with camping spots nearby. Though temporarily closed for renovations, it's worth monitoring for reopening. Another option is Lake Fairfax Campground near Reston, which provides drive-in access with water and toilet facilities. For water views without a lake, Brunswick Family Campground sits along the Potomac River, offering mesmerizing water views while remaining relatively close to Rockville. Most lakeside options in the region are best visited from late spring through early fall when swimming and water activities are most enjoyable.

What are the best tent camping sites around Rockville?

Tent campers near Rockville should consider Owens Creek Campground in Catoctin Mountain Park. This peaceful campground offers private tent sites with creek access and full shade—perfect for summer camping when temperatures rise. Sites like #14 provide good privacy while remaining close to bathhouses. Another excellent option is Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite along the C&O Canal, which offers a more rustic experience while still being accessible with nearby parking for about 8 vehicles. For families, Cunningham Falls State Park Manor Area provides tent sites with playground access for children. Most tent sites in the region are best from April through October, with summer bringing higher demand requiring advance reservations.

What are the best campgrounds near Rockville, MD?

Rockville campers have several excellent options within easy driving distance. Greenbelt Park Campground offers a convenient escape with basic amenities just minutes from the city. This National Park Service campground provides a wooded setting despite being close to urban areas. For those willing to drive a bit further, Cherry Hill Park offers extensive amenities including clean facilities and excellent orientation services for visitors planning to explore DC. Other solid options include Cedarville State Forest for a more secluded experience and Prince William Forest for those willing to venture into Virginia. Most campgrounds in the area are open year-round, though facilities may be limited in winter months.