Camping around Rockville, Maryland offers unique options within 25 miles of the Washington DC metropolitan area. The region sits at elevations between 300-500 feet, with a humid continental climate featuring hot summers and moderate winters. The area features extensive trail networks connecting campgrounds to historical sites, with camping conditions varying seasonally from crowded summer weekends to quieter off-season experiences.
What to do
Hiking on historic trails: Access the C&O Canal directly from Brunswick Family Campground, connecting you to miles of trails. "The C&O canal towpath cuts right through to allow for some great walks. Close to Harpers Ferry and tubing, close to the Monocacy River (great for kayaking!)" notes a visitor who stayed in one of their cabins.
Water activities: Experience riverside camping at Harpers Ferry Campground with direct water access. A camper shares, "Our campsite was right along the water (all spots are along the water). We love walking and having a nice walk right from our campsite is a big bonus." Another adds, "You can go swimming right from your campsite!"
Historical exploration: Visit Civil War sites near Bull Run Regional Park, which maintains trails connecting to significant battlefields. As one visitor notes, "Lots of history nearby so check out the old battle fields and buildings that housed troops during civil war. Very cool stuff."
What campers like
Year-round camping options: Ramblin' Pines stays open all seasons, unlike some seasonal operations. "Open all year," confirms one visitor, while another mentions, "We really like it. It has a pool, jump pillow, mini golf, fishing pond, barnyard with goats, and multiple playgrounds."
Privacy between sites: Campgrounds like Little Bennett Campground offer well-separated sites. "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup," shares one RVer. Another camper adds, "Lots of vegetation between sites providing privacy from neighbors."
Transportation access: Urban camping with metro connections can be found near Rockville. "On-site bus shuttle," mentions one Cherry Hill Park visitor, while another camper reports, "Great night sky viewing as no lights whatsoever in camping loops except for toilet/shower buildings."
What you should know
Train noise: Some campgrounds have nearby train tracks. At Harpers Ferry Campground, "The trains that come through here almost hourly range from quick commuter MARC or Amtrak trains to long freight trains. The proximity to the tracks means that if the sound doesn't wake you up, the rumbling ground will."
Reservation requirements: Most popular sites require advance booking, especially for yurt camping near Rockville, Maryland. "Reserved 137 days prior to arriving," notes one Little Bennett camper who secured their spot well in advance.
Seasonal facilities: Some campgrounds have limited operating hours. "Little Bennett operates seasonally from April through October," while a Brunswick Family Campground visitor notes, "This video shows the Shenandoah River and the campground," highlighting the seasonal beauty of the water access.
Tips for camping with families
Look for activity centers: Washington DC Capitol KOA offers numerous family-friendly amenities. "We stopped at the DC KOA as a base to visit the Capitol. This is not a site for nature lovers but is perfect for kids. We had a site near the pool, outdoor chess set, jumping pillow and gaga ball pit. Our kids (9, 10 and 14) all had fun and made friends."
Choose nature programs: Several parks offer educational activities. "The campground 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," shares a parent from Pohick Bay.
Consider yurt options: For families new to camping, yurt camping in Rockville Maryland area provides comfort with outdoor access. "We stayed in a cabin for 2 nights and had a great time. The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish," reports a grandparent who visited with family.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Ask about leveling challenges. "Site#D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back," reports an RVer at Little Bennett, while another notes, "Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site(#199) had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air."
Utility connections: Check for full hookup availability. "D Loop is for RVs, A, B, C&E are tents only. 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," mentions an experienced RVer documenting connectivity options.
Seasonal discounts: Look for off-peak pricing. "We got a discount for staying 2 nights so it was only $29 a night," shares a camper who visited Harpers Ferry Campground during mid-week, showing how timing affects costs for both tent and RV campers.
