Best Campgrounds near Glenn Dale, MD
Glenn Dale, Maryland provides camping access within a short drive of Washington, DC, with several established campgrounds offering varied accommodation options. Cherry Hill Park in College Park features full hookup sites for RVs along with tent camping areas, cabins, and glamping options. Greenbelt Park Campground, operated by the National Park Service, offers more basic camping facilities with tent and RV sites but limited hookups. Both locations provide strategic bases for exploring the DC metropolitan area while maintaining access to outdoor recreation.
Many campgrounds near Glenn Dale require reservations, particularly during peak summer months when sites fill quickly. Patapsco Valley State Park, located northwest of Glenn Dale, features multiple camping areas with varied terrain and access to hiking trails along the Patapsco River. Cedarville State Forest, south of Glenn Dale, provides a more secluded camping experience but visitors should be prepared for seasonal considerations including mosquitoes and occasional standing water after rainfall. Electric sites are available at several campgrounds, though hookup options vary significantly between locations. A review noted, "Greenbelt is a fairly nice, bare bones NPS campground. If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."
Campers report varying experiences at developed campgrounds throughout the region. Those seeking convenient access to DC appreciate Cherry Hill Park and Greenbelt Campground, both located within 30 minutes of the city with public transportation options nearby. Sites at Patapsco Valley State Park provide more natural surroundings with trail access directly from campsites, though the terrain can be challenging. Several campgrounds feature bathhouses with showers and basic amenities, though cleanliness and maintenance conditions vary. Noise from nearby highways, air traffic, and urban areas affects many camping areas in the region. A visitor to Cedarville State Forest mentioned, "The site was mostly clean, had a few pieces of small trash scattered around when we arrived. The sites were decently spaced out from one another, it didn't feel like we were right on top of the people across and next to us."