Campgrounds near Rockville, Maryland range from densely wooded urban escapes to more remote natural settings within a 30-minute drive. The region experiences four distinct seasons, with summer humidity reaching 80-90% and temperatures averaging 87°F in July and August. Winter camping is available at several locations, with nighttime lows typically around 25-30°F from December through February.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Lake Fairfax Campground offers multiple trail options for all skill levels. "Pretty trails next to the campground" are noted by camper Erin W., who mentions they're well-maintained but advises that "the sites are largely in more of a meadow and not many are very wooded."
Water activities: Pohick Bay Regional Park provides water-based recreation beyond just swimming. "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats" is available according to Anne K. Another camper adds there's "boat rental a short walk down the trail from the campgrounds."
Disc golf courses: Multiple campgrounds feature disc golf options. At Bull Run Regional Park, one visitor mentions the park "has golf frisbee course, decent water park for kids, hiking trails, small creek/river you can explore, playgrounds." Another camper at Pohick Bay highlights "plenty of things to do here to keep a family occupied" including their 18-hole disc golf course accessible via "another short trail walk away."
What campers like
Proximity to DC: Many campers value the easy access to Washington DC while still enjoying nature. At Cherry Hill Park, Jason E. explains it's "The best park in the DC area! Plan and reserve your DC tours right at the campground. No need to drive anywhere, the tour buses pick you up at the park!"
Spacious sites: Campers frequently mention appreciating room between sites. At Little Bennett Campground, one reviewer notes "the spaces are big" with "lots of nature trails," while another camper points out "sites were well maintained, and felt separated enough to have some privacy."
Bathroom facilities: Clean facilities make a big difference to campers. At Bull Run Regional Park, one visitor raved, "I'll go again just for the showers... They're worth staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak season. Greenbelt Park Campground is "NO CASH facility which means you CANNOT pay upon arrival so you will have to do so online," explains Crystal C., who advises "Reserve online - this is a NO CASH facility."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience periodic noise. At Greenbelt Park Campground, camper Lauren S. notes it was "quiet aside from occasional air traffic noise," while Bull Run visitors mention "a shooting range near by so can be kind of noisy."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Lake Fairfax Campground, Erin W. observed "many tent sites were not level at all. Many tents were on a full slant," and recommends requesting specific sites when booking.
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: Several campgrounds feature water recreation specifically designed for children. Lake Fairfax Campground offers "Water Park near the campground" which Corey B. says his family "enjoyed immensely. Ten of us in total with kids ranging from 18 months old to 13 years old. Everyone enjoyed the water park."
Activity schedules: Check for programmed events when booking. At Pohick Bay, Ben G. shares 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."
Playground locations: Strategic site selection near playgrounds helps with family camping. At Pohick Bay, one camper got "a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse," making it convenient for families with young children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for leveling: RV campers stress the importance of checking site grades. At Ramblin' Pines, visitors note that "the outer loop campsites are easily more level than the center loop. If leveling perfectly is a concern you may want to call ahead and ask before committing to the inner loop."
DC access options: RVers recommend various transportation options from campgrounds to DC. At Cherry Hill Park, Joe R. mentions "They have a bus stop for metro service to the city, but we took the 20 minute drive." Another camper notes "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."
Dog friendly considerations: Most campgrounds near Rockville welcome pets but have specific rules. At Little Bennett, dog owners appreciate the "nice network of trails, most if not all were leashed dog friendly." For larger RVs with pets, Ramblin' Pines offers "nice large sites with friendly staff" where dogs can be accommodated with proper containment within site boundaries.
