Camping near Sandy Spring, Maryland offers multiple options for RV travelers seeking full hookup sites and varied outdoor recreation. The region contains a mix of military, privately-owned, and public campgrounds with differing amenity levels and accessibility. RV sites typically range from basic water/electric connections to premium full-hookup spots with paved pads, with several parks maintaining year-round operations for extended season camping.
What to do
Hiking at national parks: Prince William Forest RV Campground provides access to Prince William Forest National Park trails. "Prince William Forest which is a fantastic National Parks forest," notes one visitor, mentioning the natural surroundings despite the campground's layout.
Fishing opportunities: At Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina, waterfront sites allow direct fishing access. "Catch them and steam them in my camper (a MD thing :-) Only bait at the camp store or with 25 miles is night crawlers. Bring your own if your a fishing person," advises a reviewer who enjoys crabbing at the park.
Historical exploration: Harpers Ferry Campground serves as a base for visiting nearby historical sites. "From there you can grab a bite, visit the history of Harper's Ferry or continue exploring more hiking trails," explains a camper who appreciates the 1.5-mile trail connecting the campground to the historic town.
What campers like
Waterfront camping: Many campers appreciate the riverside locations at multiple RV parks. At Bar Harbor RV Park, "Beautiful water front sites and good location right off 95. We are here visiting family for the holidays and it's serving us well," reports one visitor who found the waterfront sites particularly appealing.
Proximity to Washington DC: Cherry Hill Park ranks highly for its accessibility to the capital. "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," explains a reviewer who used multiple transportation options to explore the city.
Clean facilities: Bull Run Regional Park receives consistent praise for maintenance. "I'll go again just for the showers... Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had," shares one tent camper who stayed despite rainy conditions.
What you should know
Military campground restrictions: Some RV sites near Sandy Spring require military credentials. At Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp, "This campground is abord Fort Belvoir, an US Army base in Northern, VA. It is very clean and there are many amenities close by," explains a reviewer who appreciates the security of staying on a military installation.
Train noise considerations: Proximity to railway lines affects some campgrounds. "The proximity to the tracks means that if the sound doesn't wake you up, the rumbling ground will. Every hour through the night," warns a Harpers Ferry Campground visitor regarding the CSX rail line adjacent to the riverside sites.
Variable Wi-Fi quality: Internet connectivity fluctuates between parks. At Drummer Boy Camping Resort, "There is Wi-Fi throughout the campground but you have to pay for it so we opted just to use our mobile data and Hotspot on our Verizon phone (which worked well and was 5G)," reports a camper who found cellular service more reliable than the paid campground option.
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Drummer Boy Camping Resort offers numerous family amenities. "The campground offers free mini golf, a pool and a splash pad pool area," notes a visitor who stayed during Memorial Day weekend, though mentioned the abundance of golf carts created some noise.
Playground access: Consider campground layout when traveling with children. At Bull Run Regional Park, one reviewer observed "Only draw back is that there's only one playground that's awkwardly located," which required planning for families with young children.
Seasonal activities: Look for campgrounds with scheduled events. "They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides. Great family friendly campground," shares a Bull Run cabin guest who enjoyed the organized activities during their visit.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing and privacy: RV sites vary significantly in terms of separation between neighbors. "Lots are really staggered/set back from each other so feels like you have more space. Average lot size in general, but the set back feels like you have more space," reports a Prince William Forest RV Campground reviewer who appreciated the site layout despite the relatively standard dimensions.
Leveling challenges: Many rv campsites near Sandy Spring require preparation for uneven terrain. "My site was pretty level, but I could see that some others were not so much, so you might want to ask about that," advises a Bull Run camper who noticed variability between sites within the same campground.
Sewer connection placement: Check utility hookup locations before selecting specific rv sites. At Round Top Campground, a reviewer noted "Septic dump was about 20 feet away and we had to use a extension to get to it," highlighting the importance of having extension hoses available when making reservations.
