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Karen G.
Scout
ScoutElk Neck State Park Campground
Clean bathrooms and hot showers, great hiking and beautiful sites.
Camping near Mayo, MD
7 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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The Mayo, Maryland area contains a mix of established campgrounds and resort-style accommodations for visitors seeking waterfront recreation and access to major cities. Nearby options include Washington DC/Capitol KOA in Millersville offering cabin camping, tent sites, and RV hookups, along with Pine Tree Associates which provides a more unique experience as a nudist club with cabin rentals. Several properties in the region cater to different camping styles, from traditional tent camping at Sandy Point State Park to glamping options at Lacy Oasis Campground. Most sites are positioned to allow convenient access to Annapolis, Baltimore, and Washington DC.
Most campgrounds in the Mayo vicinity remain open from spring through fall, with limited year-round options. "Extremely over crowded in the summer. The park closes daily very early as it hits capacity. The best times to go are winter, spring, and fall," noted one Sandy Point visitor about seasonal variations. Adventure Bound Washington DC in Lothian provides full hookups and year-round access but experiences heavy traffic from long-term residents. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer months when waterfront locations fill quickly. Proximity to major cities means weekend congestion is common, with several reviewers mentioning early arrival is essential to secure entry at popular spots like Sandy Point State Park.
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the Mayo area, with Chesapeake Bay views and water recreation opportunities at several locations. Cherry Hill Park and Capitol KOA receive favorable reviews for family-friendly amenities like swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities. A camper at Adventure Bound Washington DC mentioned, "Location wise, it's great to see things in area. Both Washington DC and many areas along the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, Chesapeake Beach, Solomon's Etc." Privacy varies considerably between campgrounds, with some sites offering little separation between neighbors. Visitors frequently note the trade-off between convenient urban access and true wilderness experience, as most campgrounds maintain developed facilities rather than primitive camping. Bathhouse cleanliness and site maintenance receive mixed reviews, with several long-term resident campgrounds showing signs of wear according to visitor feedback.
Best Campgrounds near Mayo (79)
1. Washington DC / Capitol KOA
"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."
"The location worked for my trip but not sure it’s that convenient to DC."
2. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
"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"
109 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 / night
3. Cherry Hill Park
"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."
Check AvailabilityAvailable this weekend
from $999 / night
4. Adventure Bound Washington DC
"We had a fantastic time our 1st time at #AdventureBoundCampingResort in Lothian, Maryland."
"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"
5. Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping
6. Pine Tree Associates Nudist Club
"My wife and I were trying to find an RV location near the Annapolis city dock for a boat show and found Pine Tree Associates."
"Camping fees include access to a large outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a hot tub. There is room for tenting and campers."
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $55 / night
7. Annapolis MWR Academy RV/Campground
"If you want to be near Annapolis, right on the Severn River...this is it. About 15 RV spots nestled in the woods...with full hook ups. A couple of primitive spots as well."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $40 / night
8. Military Park United States Naval Academy/Annapolis Naval Station Annapolis FamCamp
"Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap"
9. Cedarville State Forest
"We picked up the camping registration outside the office at the entrance, no need to speak with anyone. Then we just drove down to our campsite in the family camping loop."
"Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC."
Check Availabilityfrom $30 / night
10. Bay Shore Campground
"We spent a week at Bay Shore Campground to explore Rock Hall, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. What stands out about this campground? The view! "
"We spent one morning walking the various trails at the Eastern Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, which is only 7 minutes away. Campground also close to the restaurants in Rock Hall for seafood. "
Check Availabilityfrom $42 - $82 / night
Drive Time
- 36 min from Baltimore, MD
- 39 min from Washington, DC
- 1 hr 10 min from Lexington Park, MD
- 1 hr 26 min from Dover, DE
Recent Camping Photos near Mayo, MD
160 Photos of 79 Mayo Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Pinetree Associates
Adventure Bound Washington DC
Washington DC / Capitol KOAA
Lacy Oasis Campground
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt ParkB
Louise F. Cosca Regional Park
Cedarville State Forest
Cherry Hill Park
Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Endeavor Point
Matoaka Beach Cottages
Hollofield Area CampgroundK
Recent Reviews near Mayo, MD
549 Reviews of 79 Mayo Campgrounds
Senona C.
TravelerGreenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
Close 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.
David B.ScoutCamp Meade RV Park
Camp Meade
Simple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
Michael H.
GuideLake Fairfax Campground
Decent campground in the middle of a urban area
Spent 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.
Thomas B.
RangerRedemption Springs
Pleasant Stay and Hosts
We stayed at Redemption Springs to get relatively close to Baltimore without bringing our 30ft travel trailer into the city. Seth and the other gentlemen I spoke with were all extremely accommodating. Enjoyed learning about their approach to restorative farming and purchasing a variety of treats at the farm store. Beef, pork, chicken, seasonings, baked goods, and more. We booked on Hipcamp and recommend following his driving instructions. Our rig fit fine by tuhe main barn and they kept an eye on us going in and out to make sure we didn't have issues making any of the turns. Lots of farm life!
- Thomas B.Ranger
Little Bennett Campground
Great Potential?
We stayed at Little Bennett starting on Labor Day Monday and left before the weekend, so it is hard to say how this looks when the campground is full of life. They had quite a few activities for families and a pavilion capable of concerts and such, but there was minimal activity during our stay. My biggest complaint is that the gate code changed and we didn't get any notice--so after a long day and a dinner out near Baltimore (nearly an hour away), I had to call the police to get back to my camper. Otherwise, the campsite was relatively spacious and quiet. The bugs were a little rough. Lots of whitetail running around.
- JasonGuide
Annapolis MWR Academy RV/Campground
Great spot for Retirees/Active
If you want to be near Annapolis, right on the Severn River...this is it. About 15 RV spots nestled in the woods...with full hook ups. A couple of primitive spots as well. Just a quick 5 min walk to the river...right across from the Academy. NEX, gas within 10 min walk, and 15 min drive to downtown Annapolis. Staff is always great here, and the park is clean....for a park on the woods.
- SSean D.Traveler
Campsites at Watkins Regional Park
Excellent choice for a Washington visit or local getaway
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. Campground sits inside of a much larger park with great trails, amenities and well maintained. Campground is quiet, lots of trees, forest and yet each space is very large with good spacing and privacy to adjacent sites. High tree canopy at your site so lots of room to spread out. Sites themselves are a little rustic - a mix of grass, gravel and dirt, but not muddy (it rained a good bit prior to my stay) - but in good condition. Shower/toilet block is clean and good hot water and good water pressure. Most sites are flat or near flat and the ones that aren't need minimal levelling blocks. Campground apparently is never full and there was only 1 other when I was there - really hard to believe. There is a neighborhood road up by the sites near the shower block but it is low speed and lightly travelled and I had no disturbance from it. Nice surrounding neighborhood. No signs of vagrants. Park police patrolled multiple times per day and report very little non-camper entry to ther facilities. I felt very safe.Easy access to Eashington - bus stop outside the campground to metro or just drive to the metro (free parking weekend, $6 midweek) and then train (about 8 per hour) into the sites - an hour or less total to get there. For more local people, this seems like a good escape "to the woods" without travelling forever.
- Judy W.Guide
Smallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023
Great Escape! Air conditioned cabins!
What a gem! We found this place as an alternative to staying in DC during 4th of July festivities. Nice spacious sites, cabins were super clean and smelled great! Did I mention they were air conditioned during the hotest week of the summer!
Bathrooms and showers were spotless.
Many things to see and do there. Historic property, big lake (no swimming), boating, fishing, hiking. There is an Art Center with juried displays for sale.
Guide to Mayo
Camping near Mayo, Maryland offers access to both Chesapeake Bay recreation and nearby metropolitan areas with camping options ranging from tent sites to cabin rentals. Located in Anne Arundel County with an average elevation of 36 feet, the region experiences humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Most campgrounds maintain wooded areas despite proximity to urban centers, creating pockets of natural settings within reach of city amenities.
What to do
Hiking trails: Greenbelt Park Campground provides access to 20 miles of trails where visitors can observe local wildlife. "Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," notes Becky, who adds "the American Discovery Trail (ADT) passes through the park."
Kayaking and canoeing: Tuckahoe State Park Campground offers water recreation options with a convenient launch point. "Canoe/kayak launch between sites 46 and 48. The walk to Tuckahoe Creek from the parking area is very short, and the creek leads to Tuckahoe Lake (no gasoline motors)," according to Mary S.
Fossil hunting: Sandy Point State Park provides opportunities for beachcombing and fossil collection. "Our favorite thing to do is to fossil hunt for sharks teeth. In the summer it can get pretty crowded, so we prefer to visit in late spring while school is still in session," shares Angel G.
What campers like
Proximity to cities: Cherry Hill Park receives praise for its location near Washington DC. One visitor noted, "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."
Natural settings close to urban areas: Greenbelt Park Campground offers a wooded retreat despite its metropolitan location. A camper describes it as "an urban oasis" where "traffic can be heard but not seen." Another review mentions, "There are a lot of people who use this space as a green space for walking and running."
Clean facilities: Cedarville State Forest maintains well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities. One reviewer mentioned, "Restrooms were clean, closed daily for cleaning between 1 pm - 3 pm," while another added, "Bathrooms are clean and showers are warm."
What you should know
Seasonal crowding: Sandy Point State Park experiences significant visitor traffic during peak months. A visitor noted, "This park is extremely crowded and very dirty during the summer season." Others recommend visiting in off-peak times, mentioning "The best times to go are winter, spring, and fall."
Site sizes vary significantly: Campgrounds in the region offer inconsistent space between sites. At Adventure Bound Washington DC, campers report that "sites are very close but adequate," while at Cherry Hill Park, one visitor observed, "If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy."
Special access restrictions: Some campgrounds have specific entry requirements or limitations. Pine Tree Associates operates as a nudist club with camping facilities. A visitor described it as having "a very nice camp ground" where "camping fees include access to a large outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a hot tub."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Washington DC/Capitol KOA provides extensive recreation options for children. "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc)," notes Elise M., while another camper adds, "This is not a site for nature lovers but is perfect for kids."
Off-season visits: Plan family trips during shoulder seasons to avoid crowds. At Sandy Point State Park, a visitor recommends, "My family and I have been coming to Sandy Point my entire life... In the summer it can get pretty crowded, so we prefer to visit in late spring while school is still in session."
Book activities at campgrounds: Cherry Hill Park offers organized entertainment for families. "Plan and reserve your DC tours right at the campground. No need to drive anywhere, the tour buses pick you up at the park!" explains Jason E.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When booking at Tuckahoe State Park, carefully check site dimensions. A camper warns, "The web site does not say site 21 is extremely small. We have a 25' camper, and it barely fit, length and width were an issue. The firepit was about 3-4 feet from our door."
Arrival timing: Lacy Oasis Campground provides a quieter alternative to busier parks but requires planning. "The rates are very economical for what is being provided on the space," notes Terrance D., emphasizing the value compared to more crowded options.
Utility connections: Most campgrounds offer limited hookups. At Cedarville State Forest, a camper observed, "30 amp electric. No issues there," but also mentioned water access protocols: "Which is next to one of the water spigots. The idea is to use it to fill up tanks. Ranger let us know not to stay hooked up to it."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Mayo, MD?
Which is the most popular campground near Mayo, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mayo, MD is Washington DC / Capitol KOA with a 3.9-star rating from 18 reviews.
What parks are near Mayo, MD?
What parks are near Mayo, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Mayo, MD that allow camping, notably Greenbelt Park and Fort Dupont Park.
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