4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Tent campers near Olney, Maryland have access to several primitive camping options within a 30-mile radius, from riverside tent campsites along the Potomac to backcountry sites requiring a short hike. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area offers tent sites with fire rings and picnic tables, while The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring provides basic tent camping just minutes from Olney. Marsden Tract Group Campsite along the Potomac River offers walk-in tent camping with riverside views.
Most tent sites in the region feature crushed stone or natural ground surfaces with varying degrees of levelness. Patapsco Valley sites have crushed stone pads that some campers find uncomfortable for tent setup, requiring extra padding and alternative staking methods. Walk-in sites at Antietam Creek Campground require parking on the road and carrying gear approximately 75 feet to riverside tent locations. Seasonal access varies, with many campgrounds operating from April through October. Vault toilets or pit latrines are standard at most locations, though cleanliness can vary significantly. Water access ranges from treated pumps to no potable water, requiring campers to bring their own or filter from nearby sources.
The C&O Canal towpath provides numerous hiker-biker campsites with riverside tent locations. These primitive tent sites offer fire rings, picnic tables, and basic amenities while providing direct access to miles of hiking and cycling trails. Tent campers particularly appreciate the secluded nature of Sky Meadows State Park's backcountry sites, which require a one-mile hike from the parking area. According to one visitor, "The hills are fantastic for helping each site feel like a little private oasis. Even if the campground is full, most of the sites would still feel shaded and private because of how they're dispersed throughout the hills." Campers should note that train noise affects some riverside locations, particularly at Antietam Creek where the Amtrak line runs nearby.
"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
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
"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
"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,"
"All sites are walk-in only, which means you park on the street, cross the bridge over the C&O and towpath, and then down a little hill to your site."
"Small campground with a pit toilet right on the Potomac river picnic table and fire ring with a few nice trees throughout the camp area. Easy to get to and not far from the towns."
Available this weekend
from $20 / 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
GuideGreat campsite. Fire pit, picnic table, swimming pool ( not open), miniature golf course, laundromat, bathrooms, showers, dump station, gathering areas for groups, playground, and even a horse area and stalls for horses. Dog friendly. Staff was very helpful and curious.
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.
GuideWhere we were camping had blown up their dump station. Artillery Ridge helped us out. $10. to dump. If we come to camp in Gettysburg, it will be hear.
GuideYou just can't beat a pennsylvania park. This one is not an exception. Nice clean restroom, plenty of room. Now, what cost a star. Yes, it rained like hell. When we broke camp and go dump. The dump station was overflowing with sewer. Go to the guard shack to tell them, and find another site. None there. Can I go to an unused full hookup to dump? No! I would have to pay for the site. Two hours later, we found a place to dump for $10.
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.
ScoutThis is are first camping adventure in are new travel trailer. Camp ground is quiet and well maintained. Bath rooms and shower facilities are fantastic.
GuidePrimitive feel with full hookups. I have a 22' trailer, and it fits fine. I hope you like trains. Plenty of them go by.
Tent campers near Olney, Maryland can access primitive campsites within several state and national parks throughout central Maryland. The region sits at the transition between the Piedmont Plateau and Coastal Plain, with elevations ranging from 300-500 feet above sea level. Summer camping typically experiences high humidity with temperatures averaging 85-90°F during July and August, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with occasional rainfall.
Hiking and nature exploration: Patapsco Valley State Park offers extensive trail networks with varying difficulty levels. According to one visitor, "This park has a wide range of activities for kids. The hike I did was not very long but was well worth it. 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."
Kayaking opportunities: Patapsco Valley State Park provides access to waterways suitable for paddling. A camper notes, "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. The park was clean and it had knowledgable staff."
Aerial adventures: For families seeking more structured activities, The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring features "the largest aerial challenge course in North America" according to one reviewer. The park offers camping options convenient for "before or after your time in the aerial challenge course."
River proximity: Camping along the Potomac River at Antietam Creek Campground provides direct water access. One camper shared, "Small campground with a pit toilet right on the Potomac river picnic table and fire ring with a few nice trees throughout the camp area. Easy to get to and not far from the towns."
Kid-friendly amenities: The Hilton area of Patapsco Valley offers excellent facilities for families. A reviewer mentioned, "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."
Simplicity and value: Marsden Tract Group Campsite offers basic accommodations at reasonable prices. A camper stated, "Super simple and the best price... easy to find and very clean."
Site limitations: At Antietam Creek Campground, vehicle access is restricted. A camper explains, "You have to park on the road and walk about 75 feet to your site. Not much traffic on that road and a trail with many cyclists and runners. It's great being on the water."
Bathroom facilities: Cleanliness of facilities varies significantly between parks. At Antietam Creek, one visitor noted, "When we got there, they were okay, but by the 3rd night they were really gross. We were at the site next to them and could smell them. Not pleasant."
Privacy considerations: Many campgrounds in the region have open layouts. One camper at Antietam Creek Campground observed, "All the sites are very open and run along the multi-use trail. People are constantly walking, running, and biking by. It is nice if you're a social camper."
Weather impacts: Drainage can be an issue during heavy rains. A camper at Patapsco Valley noted, "One negative was that 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."
Playground access: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area features excellent play areas. A visitor shared, "This is a small gem of a state park campground, one of only two is the massive Patapsco Valley State Park. It seem like this area is, possibly unintentionally, geared toward children. There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center."
Safety considerations: Some trails require proper equipment when carrying children. One Patapsco visitor noted, "Hiking poles would have been good for the trails when we had a kid in a pack on our back."
Nature programs: Leesylvania State Park offers family-friendly areas. A visitor mentioned, "My son and I really enjoy spending time here! This park is ALWAYS full of family's having picnics and enjoying time together! There's playground and a beach area for kids and family to all enjoy."
Limited hookup options: Most tent camping areas near Olney have minimal RV facilities. At Patapsco Valley, cabins offer an alternative to traditional RVs: "The best part of this campground are the neat mini cabins. Small one room cabins that have electricity and heat. They are a nice touch for those that want to camp, but not completely 'rough it.'"
Seasonal restrictions: Many campgrounds in the area operate only during warmer months. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area has a limited camping season from April through October, with strict check-in policies: "This was also the first time we have ever had to wait till exactly 3pm to check in. So if you arrive early expect to wait until 3."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Olney, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Olney, 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 Olney, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 33 tent camping locations near Olney, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
