Cabins near Severna Park, Maryland offer camping accommodations with varying levels of comfort across several state parks and private campgrounds. Located in Anne Arundel County with access to both the Chesapeake Bay and Severn River, this region features wooded terrain with mixed hardwood forests and elevations averaging 39 feet above sea level. Most cabin locations maintain moderate humidity during summer camping months with temperatures typically ranging from 75-90°F.
What to do
Kayaking on the Patapsco River: Access the waterways near Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, where one visitor noted, "Roland Lake in Baltimore County is a great place to kayak on the Patapsco River. Tons of wildlife, facilities, and amenities for you and your family."
Explore historic sites: The Hilton area of Patapsco Valley features historic buildings including a working grist mill. As one camper observed, "Patapsco Valley offers 6 different entrances. Each one provides several different trail heads and experiences...the trails we have been on are all pretty moderate to hard but offer beautiful waterfalls and river views."
Visit Turkey Point Lighthouse: Near Elk Neck State Park Campground, you can hike to this scenic spot. "Definitely drive to, and then hike to the light house (open most weekends) the light house and the view are definitely worth it," recommends one visitor.
Disc golf and archery: Tuckahoe State Park Campground offers multiple outdoor activities beyond standard camping. A visitor mentioned, "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 with more of the creek on the other side."
What campers like
Proximity to DC for day trips: Cherry Hill Park serves as a convenient base for exploring Washington DC. A camper explained, "Great for a DC visit. This was a great stop to take the kids to visit the city. Easy access and well laid out sites. They have a bus stop for metro service to the city, but we took the 20 minute drive."
Nature trails for children: Several parks feature kid-friendly nature experiences. At Patapsco Valley, "There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park. The nature center was closed when we visited, but the kids still enjoyed the sensory trail and playground."
Secluded campsites: Many reviewers appreciate the privacy at cabin locations. One camper at Washington DC / Capitol KOA noted, "If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy. We enjoyed our stay. We would come again."
Year-round availability: Some locations maintain cabin operations throughout winter months. A visitor to Ramblin' Pines stated simply, "open all year" and another noted it was "clean," making it a reliable option during off-season periods.
What you should know
Tent pad quality varies: At several parks, tent pads may be rocky or uneven. One camper at Susquehanna State Park Campground reported, "Our specific site was supposed to have a tent pad but there wasn't a spot cleared for our tent and we had to move the heavy picnic table so we weren't putting up our tent on top of the fire ring."
Firewood regulations: Most Maryland parks prohibit bringing outside firewood due to pest concerns. A camper noted, "No alcohol or firewood can be brought into the park. Firewood can only be purchased on site due to harmful insects. But the money goes toward the parks volunteer program."
Reservation timing: Popular cabin locations fill quickly, especially during peak months. At Ramblin' Pines, one visitor mentioned, "The keycard entry system is pretty inconvenient though ($40 cash only deposit!) and the hours are inconvenient as well. You can only check in between 2 and 4!"
Bathroom maintenance: Quality and cleanliness of facilities vary across locations. A Tuckahoe State Park visitor shared, "The bathhouse is very clean," while at Susquehanna, another noted, "Bathhouse is clean but ran out of toilet paper often; they supposedly clean 3 times a day since COVID but we didn't see that happening on a regular schedule."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Select sites near play areas for convenience with children. At Ramblin' Pines, "This is our local campground and our second time here and we really like it. It has a pool, jump pillow, mini golf, fishing pond, barnyard with goats, and multiple playgrounds."
Nature programs: Several parks offer educational activities for children. One visitor to Patapsco Valley described, "The Hilton entrance of Patapsco Valley Park is perfect for keeping the kids entertained. There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park."
Swimming access: Pool availability varies by season and location. At Cherry Hill Park, a camper listed amenities including "Playground, Mini Golf, Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Basketball court, Snack bar on site, Nightly hayride," making it well-suited for families with varied interests.
Safety considerations: Some parks have terrain challenges for younger children. A Susquehanna visitor observed, "Hiking poles would have been good for the trails when we had a kid in a pack on our back," highlighting the importance of proper equipment.
Tips from RVers
Hookup options: Full-service hookups can be found at specific loops. An Elk Neck State Park camper reported, "Finished the season at this state park in MD with full hook up (20, 30, and 50 amp, water and sewer) and the water was still on in November. Bathhouses were open with hot water."
Site leveling challenges: Pay attention to site descriptions when booking. "The actual pads are fairly level but some of the driveways to them are very sloped. Long rigs will have issues in a few of the sites," noted one visitor to Elk Neck about the full hookup loop.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds have more traffic noise than others. At Adventure Bound Washington DC, a camper mentioned, "Nearby road was very busy with a lot of traffic noise especially early in the morning," which could affect light sleepers in cabins without good insulation.
