David B.
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ScoutCamp Meade RV Park
Camp Meade
Simple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
Camping near Severna Park, MD
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Camping near Severna Park ranges from RV parks with full hookups and cabin rentals to tent campsites along the Chesapeake Bay, all within easy reach of Washington DC, Annapolis, and Baltimore. Washington DC/Capitol KOA in Millersville provides tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals, making it a popular family-friendly option. Other nearby options include Pine Tree Associates Nudist Club, which offers a unique camping experience with tent and RV sites, and Camp Meade RV Park, which caters primarily to military personnel and their families. Most developed campgrounds in the region feature electric hookups, water access, and restroom facilities.
The camping season in this region typically runs from March through October, with some campgrounds like Washington DC/Capitol KOA operating from March 1st to November 30th, while others such as Camp Meade RV Park remain open year-round. Summer months bring higher temperatures and increased humidity, making spring and fall more comfortable for tent camping. Most campgrounds require reservations, particularly during peak summer weekends and holidays. Sites at Sandy Point State Park, located along the Chesapeake Bay, fill quickly during summer months. As one visitor noted, "The line to get in can be a mile long" on busy weekends, while another mentioned "August is the worst month to visit if you like the water. Jellyfish take over with a vengeance!"
Campers consistently rate the Washington DC/Capitol KOA highly for its amenities geared toward families. The campground features a pool, jumping pillow, playground, and outdoor games that appeal particularly to children. Several reviews mention its convenient location for exploring the region's attractions. One camper described it as "centrally located between Annapolis, Baltimore, and DC," making it an ideal base for sightseeing. For those seeking a more nature-oriented experience, Patapsco Valley State Park campgrounds provide access to hiking trails and more natural settings. While most sites offer basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, terrain varies considerably between campgrounds, with some featuring uneven, sandy sites. Water access remains a significant draw, with Sandy Point State Park providing popular beach access along the Chesapeake Bay.
Best Campgrounds near Severna Park (73)
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. 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."
from $999 / night
Check Availability3. 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"
from $20 / night
Check Availability4. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
"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."
from $20 - $51 / night
Check Availability5. Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping
6. Hollofield Area Campground
"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."
from $19 - $27 / night
Check Availability7. 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."
from $30 - $55 / night
Check Availability8. Camp Meade RV Park
9. 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."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability10. 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. "
from $42 - $82 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 18 min from Baltimore, MD
- 40 min from Washington, DC
- 1 hr 16 min from Dover, DE
- 1 hr 21 min from Lexington Park, MD
Recent Camping Photos near Severna Park, MD
183 Photos of 73 Severna Park Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Washington DC / Capitol KOAA
Pinetree Associates
Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Hollofield Area CampgroundK
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt ParkM
Adventure Bound Washington DC
Cherry Hill ParkE
Lacy Oasis Campground
Louise F. Cosca Regional Park
Ramblin' PinesM
Bar Harbor RV Park & MarinaL
Cedarville State Forest
Recent Reviews near Severna Park, MD
567 Reviews of 73 Severna Park Campgrounds
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.
TravelerCampsites 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.
Kat E.ScoutBurke Lake Park Campground
Amenities good
The park is very well maintained, and the campsites have clean fire pits and cooking grills. The restrooms are clean, spacious, and well maintained, and my campsite was large enough to comfortably fit a 6-person tent and a canopy.
However, there were a few concerns during our stay. Despite the campground’s quiet hours policy starting at 10:00 PM, many campers continued to make noise well past that time. I did not notice any campground staff or maintenance personnel making rounds to enforce the quiet hours.
I also felt concerned about security. One of my neighboring campers, who was visiting from South Carolina, told me that his generator had been stolen during the night. He reported the theft to the police, and an official report was filed. Incidents like this made me feel unsafe while camping.
I recommend increasing staff or security patrols, especially during the evening and overnight hours, to enforce quiet hours and improve the safety and security of campers and their belongings. With better enforcement and security, Burke Lake Campground would provide an even better camping experience.
- TTrevorTraveler
Bay Shore Campground
Fred’s bay shore
One of our favorite places. Very well kept. No bathhouse so bring your own. A lot of shady sites. Great views of Chesapeake bay. Flat roads in the area for cycling.
Guide to Severna Park
Camping options near Severna Park, Maryland extend beyond standard developed sites to include military campgrounds and specialized accommodations. The region sits at low elevations along the Chesapeake Bay watershed, with most camping areas under 300 feet above sea level. The climate creates distinct camping conditions throughout the year, with September and October offering milder temperatures in the 70s and lower humidity compared to summer months.
What to Do
Explore DC attractions: Cherry Hill Park in College Park provides excellent access to Washington DC. "The best park in the DC area! Very nice grounds, clean, and amenities galore! Plan and reserve your DC tours right at the campground. No need to drive anywhere, the tour buses pick you up at the park," notes Jason E. The park offers a concierge service for arranging city tours.
Urban hiking trails: Greenbelt Park Campground offers access to wooded trails while staying close to metropolitan areas. "The American Discovery Trail (ADT) passes through the park," mentions Becky, highlighting how campers can connect to longer trails. The park maintains multiple hiking loops suitable for various skill levels.
Swimming options: During warmer months, Sandy Point State Park provides beach access despite limited camping. "Great day at the beach," reports Tom F., though another visitor cautions, "The water is warm though, but the sand is brown and rough."
What Campers Like
Quiet wooded sites: The secluded atmosphere at Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area appeals to many campers. "Phenomenal, clean sites in a beautiful wooded area. It is all it's cracked up to be!" writes Jonathan B. Sites include fire pits and cooking crates with picnic tables.
Pool and recreation areas: Washington DC / Capitol KOA features numerous recreational amenities. "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc)," reports Elise M. The facilities remain well-maintained throughout the camping season.
Natural wildlife viewing: Campers at several parks enjoy wildlife encounters. At Hollofield Area Campground, one camper noted seeing deer and numerous bird species in the early mornings. The wooded settings throughout the region support diverse wildlife viewing opportunities.
What You Should Know
Seasonal crowds: Summer attendance drastically affects the camping experience at many parks. "This park is extremely crowded and very dirty during the summer season," reports Christina E. about Sandy Point State Park. Weekday visits typically offer a quieter experience than weekends.
Noise considerations: Urban proximity means some campgrounds experience traffic noise. One Greenbelt Park camper mentioned, "Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground." Airport noise affects some sites at Hollofield Area Campground.
Campground policies: Hollofield Area Campground and other Maryland state parks prohibit bringing alcohol into the parks. Timothy C. notes an important rule at Greenbelt Park: "Park service forbade tying lines or straps to the trees at the time of our visit, so if you favor hammock camping or deploying tarps/ridgelines, plan accordingly."
Tips for Camping with Families
Look for dedicated play spaces: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds and kid-friendly amenities. "There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park," writes Angel G. about Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area. The sensory trail provides accessible outdoor experiences for children of all abilities.
Consider cabin options: For families new to camping, cabin rentals offer comfort with outdoor access. "We tent camped at Pine Tree Associates. They are a nudist club with a very nice camp ground," notes brian R. Cabins at various campgrounds typically require earlier reservations than tent sites.
Visit during shoulder seasons: Spring and fall visits avoid both summer crowds and insects. "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," advises Tony P. regarding Sandy Point State Park.
Tips from RVers
Level site selection: Many campgrounds feature sites with varying terrain. "Camp site wasn't level at all. I was actually kind of worried that it would slide into the woods," warns Guerrmo about Washington DC/Capitol KOA. Requesting specific sites when booking can address this issue.
RV size restrictions: State parks often have stricter size limitations than private campgrounds. Hollofield Area Campground accepts RVs in their electric loop, but warns: "APPROACH THIS PARK ONLY FROM THE WEST IF YOUR VEHICLE IS OVER 11 FEET HIGH. (There is a 11' bridge coming east bound into this park.)"
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping spots near Severna Park, Maryland?
Where are the best camping spots near Severna Park, Maryland?
Several excellent camping options surround Severna Park. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area offers beautiful riverside camping with 70+ miles of hiking and biking trails. For those seeking amenities, Cherry Hill Park provides clean facilities with convenient access to Washington DC via nearby Metro. Other notable options include Greenbelt Park Campground (bare-bones but affordable NPS camping), Cedarville State Forest (peaceful wooded sites with some electric hookups), and Tuckahoe State Park (featuring varied camping styles including tent and RV sites). Most sites are within a 30-60 minute drive from Severna Park, making them perfect for weekend getaways.
Are there RV rental options in Severna Park for camping trips?
Are there RV rental options in Severna Park for camping trips?
While Severna Park itself has limited RV rental options, several nearby campgrounds cater to RVers with various amenities. Washington DC / Capitol KOA near Millersville is big-rig-friendly and may offer rental information. Louise F. Cosca Regional Park has five sites with electric hookups and all 25 sites feature water connections. For rentals, check with local RV dealers in the greater Annapolis area or online platforms that connect RV owners with renters. Most campgrounds in the area require reservations for RV sites, especially during peak season.
Which campgrounds near Severna Park are currently open for visitors?
Which campgrounds near Severna Park are currently open for visitors?
Most campgrounds in the Severna Park area operate year-round or have extended seasons. Hollofield Area Campground in Patapsco Valley State Park remains open and offers beautiful wooded sites along the river. Fairfax County Burke Lake Park is operational with amenities including fishing, boat rentals, and a 5-mile paved walking path. Additionally, Greenbelt Park Campground (NPS site), Button Farm (private camping), and Swains Lock Hiker-biker sites typically stay open through regular camping seasons. Always check official websites or call ahead for current operating status, especially during winter months or after severe weather events.
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