RV campgrounds near Severna Park, Maryland offer diverse terrain within short driving distance of major metropolitan areas. Situated 20-30 miles from both Baltimore and Washington DC, these campgrounds provide wooded settings despite their proximity to urban centers. Winter camping remains available at several facilities, though water systems may require special handling to prevent freezing during colder months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina provides waterfront camping with fishing directly from sites. "You can fish from the pier or right from your site," notes a visitor, while another mentions, "Catch them and steam them in my camper (a MD thing)."
Wildlife observation: Visit the Eastern Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, located 7 minutes from Bay Shore Campground. "We spent one morning walking the various trails at the Eastern Neck Wildlife Sanctuary," a reviewer shares. The sanctuary offers multiple walking paths for spotting local birds and animals.
Metropolitan exploration: Access Washington DC attractions using public transportation from Greenbelt Park Campground. "You can spend entire days at the always-free Smithsonian museums and still fall asleep in the woods," explains one camper. The green line metro station connects directly to the National Mall area.
What campers like
Waterfront views: Guests consistently mention the Chesapeake Bay views as a highlight. "The area reserved for RV campsites overlooks a bluff on the Chesapeake Bay...gorgeous," writes a visitor at Bay Shore Campground. Another adds, "If you enjoy beautiful sunsets, seeing bald eagles every day, having a nice breeze, not too buggy, well kept campground this is the place to go."
Proximity to attractions: Military Park Naval Academy FamCamp provides budget-friendly access to Annapolis. One camper summarizes it as "Cheap and close to Annapolis. Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap."
Family activities: Ramblin' Pines features extensive recreational options. "The place was nice, lots for kids to do, plenty of shaded spots! Nice pool," states one reviewer. Another mentions, "It has a pool, jump pillow, mini golf, fishing pond, barnyard with goats, and multiple playgrounds."
What you should know
Military base options: Multiple military campgrounds exist around Severna Park for those with appropriate credentials. Fort Belvoir Travel RV Camp requires "military credentials" but offers "nice views of river" with "eagle's nests" that campers find "interesting." Another mentions it provides a "secure location" with "solid WiFi."
Reservation requirements: Some parks have specific check-in windows and deposit systems. At Ramblin' Pines, "The keycard entry system is pretty inconvenient ($40 cash only deposit!) and the hours are inconvenient as well. You can only check in between 2 and 4!"
Seasonal closures: Hollofield Area Campground operates seasonally. "This campground is part of a super large park that runs 32 miles along the Patapsco River. It has 8 recreation areas," explains a camper. The park generally closes between October 30 and April 1.
Tips for camping with families
Natural playgrounds: Parks near Severna Park include various playground styles. Hollofield Area features "a 'natural' playground in the loop, and then if you drive down further to the park entrance, there is a large playground for the kids... large rocks and overturned trees. The kids loved it."
Urban camping option: Greenbelt Park serves families wanting easy access to Washington DC. "Decent little campground! It was quiet aside from occasional air traffic noise, and while there wasn't much spacing between some camp sites everyone was respectful."
Pool facilities: During summer months, pools provide cooling options. At Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina, "Bathroom was clean, pool was closed...not too many campers but it sure was a nice time. Would go back again for sure."
Tips from RVers
Bridge height restrictions: RV travelers should note specific route constraints when approaching certain parks. For Hollofield Area Campground, a reviewer 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.)"
Water hookup challenges: Water connections vary across rv campgrounds in Severna Park, Maryland. At Bar Harbor RV Park, "Water hookup access was on the ground. It was raining and the area was saturated with no where to drain."
Site selection strategy: Look for specific site numbers when making reservations. At Hollofield Area, "The inner loop was completely full, and the sites were just too closely spaced for my preferences. There were a few sites with a little extra room and privacy (419 and 420 caught my eye)."
