Best Campgrounds near Sandy Spring, MD

Sandy Spring, Maryland provides camping options within proximity to Washington, D.C., with several established campgrounds in the surrounding area. Cherry Hill Park in College Park stands as a full-service campground offering tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping accommodations. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring offers group camping facilities with primitive tent sites. Other nearby options include Greenbelt Park Campground and Little Bennett Campground in Clarksburg, which operates seasonally from April through October and features cabin accommodations alongside traditional camping.

Most campgrounds in the region require reservations, particularly during the peak summer season when Washington, D.C. tourism increases. "Cherry Hill Park was easy to find and get to basically right off I-95. This was our first time RVing into the WA DC area and we were concerned about traffic," noted one visitor, highlighting transportation considerations. Road access to most campgrounds is straightforward with paved roads suitable for all vehicles. The camping season generally runs from spring through fall, with several facilities like Cherry Hill Park remaining open year-round. Weather considerations include humid summers and occasional thunderstorms, while fall brings more moderate temperatures ideal for camping.

Campers frequently mention the convenience of staying near Washington, D.C. while enjoying outdoor accommodations. Several campgrounds feature amenities like swimming pools, recreation areas, and hookups for RVs. According to a visitor, "This campground is by far one of the best I have ever stayed at. The price is a little steep, but with all the amenities you get, it is well worth it." Highway noise affects some campgrounds closer to major roads, particularly Cherry Hill Park and Greenbelt. More secluded experiences can be found at Little Bennett Campground, which offers a more naturalistic setting with forested surroundings. Travelers seeking both urban exploration and camping experiences find the Sandy Spring area provides a strategic location with various comfort levels available, from primitive tent sites to full-service RV parks with extensive amenities.

Best Camping Sites Near Sandy Spring, Maryland (109)

    1. Cherry Hill Park

    42 Reviews
    Beltsville, MD
    10 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. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    14 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"

    3. Little Bennett Campground

    23 Reviews
    Clarksburg, MD
    16 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"

    4. Ramblin' Pines

    17 Reviews
    Woodbine, MD
    14 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 ❤️"

    5. Hollofield Area Campground

    19 Reviews
    Windsor Mill, MD
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 461-5005

    $19 - $27 / night

    "It has 8 recreation areas and we stayed at the Hollofield Area in April- one of our first experiences in a Maryland State Park. Beautiful park with 70 miles of hiking/biking /multi use trails."

    "This campground is pleasant, but the sites are situated quite close to one another."

    6. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area

    19 Reviews
    Catonsville, MD
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 461-5005

    $20 - $51 / night

    "Camp site(Tent camping)
    The camp site is what it is, just a camp site :)  It's one of the bigger state parks surrounded by forest in MD."

    "Another negative was after the storm for the next few days we heard trees falling nearby."

    7. Lake Fairfax Campground

    25 Reviews
    Reston, VA
    20 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."

    8. Washington DC / Capitol KOA

    16 Reviews
    Millersville, MD
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 923-2771

    "They have a nice dog area for the dog to be able to run around and exercise which a lot of places we have been do not have a place for the dog to really exercise."

    "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. The staff is exceptionally friendly and helpful."

    9. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring

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

    $150 - $200 / night

    10. The Garden

    2 Reviews
    Damascus, MD
    16 miles
    +1 (240) 654-7056

    $15 - $55 / night

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Recent Reviews near Sandy Spring, MD

933 Reviews of 109 Sandy Spring Campgrounds


  • Amanda S.
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Washington DC / Capitol KOA

    Got bed bugs? They do.

    Stayed in cabin 202 for a Fri- Sun and on our last morning we found a bed bug on our clothing. While they gave a refund it does not come close to cover the time and energy of remediating all of our clothing, sheets, and blankets. We also had to throw out items that could not be cleaned properly and now have to replace them(pillows, shoes, etc). My husband has 23 bites over the course of 2 nights. They burn and itch very badly. I truly hope this was a hiccup for them and they go through correct methods of having the cabin treated properly. 

    UPDATE: A recount of the bites- my husband has 31 bites so far. The remediation of all of our items is exhausting. All the blankets, clothing, suit cases, all the other items we used in the cabin needs to be cleaned. We had to throw out our shoes because they shrunk in the dryer. Spent$$$ replacing shoes for a family for 4. Pillows are not cheap to replace either. I bought a new corset at the renfest this weekend that I'm hoping doesn't get ruined when it goes through the dryer. That too was expensive. So if you're looking to have to spend a bunch of extra money to replace items you didn't want to replace in the first place- I recommend staying here.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Great non-electric site, no dumstation

    This site is at the very top of the loop so it has a great cozy vibe and is spaced well away from other sites. The only downside is that the bathhouse is a walk downhill and then a walk back uphill. Surprised there’s no place for someone to park next to the bathhouse - only trails to it- so if you have accessibility needs, consider choosing a site that’s lower in the loop. The site is level and was raked by the hosts before we got there. Really clean and quiet except for some road noise. Showers are SO nice compared to other campsite. Hot water is hot, no push buttons, and there is a shower wand in both stalls. No dump station though!! Dump before you get here. Also if you work remote and depend on service, it’s spotty. Very wooded so Starlink can’t help much. OH- Don’t bother visiting the winery down the road. Ew. Just don’t.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Adventure Bound Washington DC

    Nice

    This place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest Metro station. It's crowded but folks are quiet & respectful!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Watermelon Park Campground

    Beautiful setting!

    This camping ground is for RVs only. It's right on the Shenandoah River so it's a quiet peaceful setting. However it's a long way from any town, has terrible wifi, (the mobile data was slightly better) & doesn't hav a laundry room. The road in is very narrow so our moterhome had a little difficulty getting in, but we made it! There is only a dumping station. This is just info, not a bad review :) they have showers & firewood & the staff is very friendly & helpful! Tubing on the river was closed for the season but that wud have been a great pass time!

  • Marcandpatti B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Gettysburg Campground

    Good spot for Gettysburg, a bit spendy.

    We stayed here mid-week in September so it was very quiet. There was a bit of road noise as our site was close to the entrance. Host was super friendly. They have a bunch of things going on with groups that stay here; next group is quilters with vintage trailers, sorry to miss that. All of the utilities worked just fine. Sites re a bit close to each other, not a lot of foliage between sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Great location and friendly staff

    We have a motorhome with no additional vehicle and two dogs, and this site couldn’t have been more perfect for us. A dog park, walking distance to most everything we wanted to see. The national park is mostly dog friendly. My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site. The staff was super friendly and welcoming.

  • 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.


Guide to Sandy Spring

Camping near Sandy Spring, Maryland, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and easy access to the city. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore Washington, D.C.: Many campers use the nearby campgrounds as a base to visit the nation's capital. At Cherry Hill Park, one reviewer noted, "We stayed a week at Cherry Hill and it had everything we needed for visiting DC. Staff very helpful and really explained the Metro system very well." This makes it easy to enjoy the museums and monuments without the hassle of city parking.
  • Enjoy water activities: If you're into water fun, Pohick Bay Campground offers discounted entry to a water park. One visitor mentioned, "The sites had a lot of shade... campers get a discount at the water park which was a very reasonable 5 dollars per person."
  • Hiking and nature walks: For those who love the outdoors, Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area has great trails. A camper shared, "There are many great trails to explore... the state park is in a great location for a quick trip for groceries and restaurants."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Lake Fairfax Campground stated, "Great bathrooms all singles w showers. Lots of fun things to do. Pretty peaceful despite being crowded."
  • Community feel: Many campgrounds foster a sense of community. At Bull Run Regional Park, one camper noted, "There is a generally good sense of community, which is lucky because of how close together the sites are."
  • Proximity to attractions: Campers love that they can easily access local attractions. A visitor at Greenbelt Park Campground mentioned, "This must be a great getaway for locals... you’re never far away from one."

What you should know:

  • Noise levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby highways or airports. A camper at Cedarville State Forest said, "Planes do occasionally fly over the area so consider bringing earplugs if you are a sensitive sleeper."
  • Site spacing: Campsites can be close together, which might not suit everyone. One review for Hollofield Area Campground noted, "The sites are situated quite close to one another."
  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A visitor at Little Bennett Campground mentioned, "Only 1 bathhouse per loop... you might be in for quite a hike to go to the bathroom."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. At Ramblin' Pines, one reviewer said, "It has a pool, jump pillow, mini golf, fishing pond, barnyard with goats, and multiple playgrounds."
  • Plan for bathroom trips: Some campgrounds have limited restroom facilities. A camper at Greenbelt Park Campground noted, "Bathrooms are fine and you're never far away from one."
  • Bring outdoor games: Keeping kids entertained is key. A visitor at Cherry Hill Park mentioned, "There is also plenty to do for the kids, like Tractor Ride through the Campground."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review for Bull Run Regional Park mentioned, "We visited Cherry Hill Park Campground in a Class A Motorhome and while it was tight, we fit no problem."
  • Look for full hookups: If you need them, check for sites with full hookups. A camper at Lake Fairfax Campground said, "Campground has mostly level gravel lots with fire rings, picnic tables."
  • Be aware of road access: Some campgrounds have narrow roads. A visitor at Pohick Bay Campground advised, "Careful low bridge on Route 1 exit ramp little warning when taking ramp off I95."

Camping near Sandy Spring, Maryland, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RV enthusiast seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Sandy Spring, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Sandy Spring, MD is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 42 reviews.

What parks are near Sandy Spring, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Sandy Spring, MD that allow camping, notably Rock Creek Park and Greenbelt Park.