Camping options near Rockville, Maryland sit within the Piedmont Plateau region, characterized by rolling hills and mixed hardwood forests at elevations ranging from 300-800 feet. During summer months, temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide milder conditions with daytime temperatures in the 60-70°F range. The region's campgrounds vary in terrain from riverfront locations to more wooded settings with moderate privacy between sites.
What to do
Waterfront activities: Several campgrounds provide water access, with Brunswick Family Campground offering direct Potomac River access. "The river is beautifully clean clear and cool," notes one camper, who adds that the "campground is adjacent to a very large, very busy train yard." The river access includes a boat loading ramp and dock for fishing.
Hiking trails: Multiple campgrounds feature hiking paths, with Harpers Ferry Campground providing access to the C&O Canal towpath. "The hike that leads to the lookout about harpers ferry was fantastic," reports one visitor who explains that "while some points are pretty steep don't let this deter you from completing it. The trail is well maintained, marked, and exciting."
Mountain biking: For cyclists, Lake Fairfax Campground offers dedicated mountain biking trails. One visitor notes, "A lot to do: mountain bike trails (horses and walking, too); wooded hikes with water along the trails (great for dogs in the summer heat), skateboard park, BMX park, Water Park near the campground, fishing, & canoeing)."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention bathroom cleanliness at several campgrounds. At Prince William Forest RV Campground, a visitor appreciated that "the showers are clean/hot and the playground is in very good condition." Another camper mentioned it's "a small facility that is well maintained. The staff is amazing."
Access to monuments: The strategic location of many RV parks near Rockville makes them ideal for Washington DC sightseeing. As one camper at Cherry Hill Park 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. Our uber rides ranged from $20-45 for a family of 5."
Historical sites: The region's rich history draws many campers. At Brunswick Family Campground, one visitor mentioned being "close to Harpers Ferry and tubing" and "close to the Monocacy River (great for kayaking!)." Another highlighted that "downtown was a short bike ride away" from their campsite.
What you should know
Military-only options: Several RV parks near Rockville have restricted access. At Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp, "You need military credentials" to stay, according to one reviewer who found it "handy to the DC Metro Transit system." Another military-only option is Camp Meade RV Park in Laurel.
Noise considerations: Train tracks run near multiple campgrounds in the region. At Brunswick Family Campground, "the Brunswick train station and depot is just a few hundred feet away and you can hear trains at all times of the night." Highway noise affects others, with one camper at Prince William Forest RV Campground noting it's "on a major road not far from the freeway."
Seasonal operations: While some RV parks near Rockville operate year-round, others have limited seasons. Harpers Ferry Campground operates from "April 1 to October 31," and Lake Fairfax Campground runs from "March 22 to September 7," making advance planning essential for off-season visits.
Tips for camping with families
Water features: Families appreciate water-based recreation options during hot summer months. At Bull Run Regional Park, one family reported, "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."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Lake Fairfax, facilities include "a water park, paddle boats, playgrounds, trails, skate park, sports fields," though one visitor noted "there's only one playground that's awkwardly located."
Organized activities: Some campgrounds offer structured events. At Bull Run Regional Park, "They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides." Cherry Hill Park provides "nightly hayride," "mini golf," and "playground" options according to visitor reports.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many RV parks near Rockville have terrain challenges. At Lake Fairfax Campground, "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." At Fort Belvoir, a camper noted "some sites are a little unlevel, front to rear, but definitely manageable."
Hookup variations: Electric service varies between campgrounds. Lake Fairfax provides "electric hookups" and "fifty-amp hookups" but no water hookups at individual sites. Bull Run Regional Park offers more complete services with "electric hookups, fifty-amp hookups, thirty-amp hookups" plus water and sewer connections.
Road conditions: Access roads receive mixed reviews throughout the region. At Round Top Campground, one camper mentioned, "It's a corporate site so automated web-based reservation system was finicky so we had to verify reservation went through." Brunswick Family Campground received criticism that "the road into the campground was badly in need of repair."
