4 campgrounds with availability next weekend
State parks and public lands surrounding Churchton, Maryland provide several tent camping options within an hour's drive. Lacy Oasis Campground offers six tent sites with basic amenities in a peaceful setting, while Calvert Cliffs State Park provides youth group tent camping from March through October. Matoaka Beach Cottages features tent camping spots with views of the Chesapeake Bay and beach access. For tent campers seeking waterfront experiences, several hiker-biker campsites along the C&O Canal offer primitive tent-only camping with Potomac River views.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature crushed stone or dirt tent pads with minimal grading. Campers should check site conditions before setting up, as some areas experience drainage issues during rain. A camper at Patapsco Valley State Park noted that "when it rains it really flushes through the grounds," making lower sites difficult for tent setup. Basic amenities typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to toilets. Walk-in tent sites at locations like Swains Lock require a short hike from parking areas. Most primitive tent camping areas operate seasonally, with many closing between late October and March.
Tent-only camping experiences vary significantly across the region. At Matoaka Beach, one visitor reported getting "a perfect camp spot with a view of the sunrise and access to the private beach." The walk-in tent sites at Swains Lock along the C&O Canal provide a backcountry tent camping feel despite being relatively accessible, with one camper describing them as "flat and dispersed with most located adjacent to the river." For family tent camping, Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area offers non-electric tent sites with access to hiking trails and playgrounds. According to reviews, fall camping provides particularly scenic experiences with fewer crowds and colorful foliage. Most primitive tent sites require campers to pack out their trash, and early arrival is recommended for first-come, first-served locations.
"Whether you are an adult or a child, this place will have a positive effect on you. The owners are involved and designed this space with the visitors pleasure in mind."
from $90 - $190 / night
"There are two main beaches and there are picnic tables all over the park. There’s a popular boat launch amd small marina/bait store.
Get there early on weekends and holidays.""There are wonderful views of the water and swimming at the beach, pavilions for social gatherings, showers and bathrooms that are kept pretty very clean, and room for backpacking, hiking, picnicking,"
"Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap"
"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."
from $12 - $45 / night
from $55 - $95 / night
"Private campground with cabins and tent sites. Tent sites are first come, first service so call ahead to ensure the space is available."
"They have a few tent camping spots as well as cabins. Just call ahead. I just showed up and got a perfect camp spot with a view of the sunrise and access to the private beach."
"We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm and it was very wet even after the rain died down."
"There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center. There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes. The campground is on the smaller side."
from $20 - $51 / night
"Nice and quiet, no hookups, but nice surroundings!"
"It is a very nice walk about 2 miles to the beach where you can hunt for fossils. The beach has gotten smaller over the years however the trail has gotten much better."
"Good for a day use, parking is full most of the time but have a lot of space to park you may have to walk but you will find one spot..."
"Close to me so theres nothing new"
from $15 - $18 / night
from $150 - $200 / night
TravelerClose 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.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
GuideSpent 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.
ScoutIt was a well maintained campsite. Clean bathrooms and great hikes to fossil beach.
GuideIf 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.
TravelerBased 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.
GuideWhat 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.
ScoutThe 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.
TravelerOne 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.
Tent camping options near Churchton, Maryland, lie along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay where elevation ranges from 0-80 feet above sea level. The region experiences humid summers with temperatures frequently reaching 85-90°F between June and August, while spring and fall bring milder conditions. Most campgrounds in this area feature level, grass tent sites rather than the crushed stone pads common elsewhere in Maryland.
Fossil hunting on beaches: At Calvert Cliffs State Park Youth Group Camping, visitors can search for prehistoric shark teeth and other fossils along the shoreline. "Such an amazing experience and brings right into the eyes of child with both adult and children searching for shark teeth. Not only is searching for shark teeth a blast, but, the views are beautiful," reports Sarah F.
Waterfront activities: Fishing and crabbing opportunities abound at waterfront sites. "The pier was perfect to fish or crab off of and the beach had great views of the sunrise," notes Ally S. about Endeavor Point. Visitors should check local regulations for licensing requirements before fishing or crabbing.
Nature trails and playgrounds: Family-friendly hiking options with varied terrain suit different ability levels. "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," explains Angel G.
Waterfront camping sites: The best tent camping near Churchton, Maryland often includes options with direct water views. At Matoaka Beach Cottages, "we tent camped at Matoka Cabins and it was a beautiful Peaceful camping trip! Out spot was very private and you could see the bay and hear the waves," according to Courtney K.
Peaceful settings: Many campers value the quiet atmosphere at smaller campgrounds. "If you are a nature lover, a person who loves peace, serenity, and, tranquility, or just need some respite, Lacy Oasis is the place to be," writes Terrance D. The smaller sites typically offer more seclusion than larger state parks.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Marshland and waterfront camping provides unique nature observation. At Endeavor Point, "The small crabs were skittering around the campsite and birds perched in the marsh," notes Caleb S., highlighting the natural environment campers can expect.
Site terrain and conditions: Many campsites in the region feature level grass areas rather than designated pads. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, "The crushed stone at the sites isn't comfortable for tents, and they won't let you pitch it on the ground, so bring extra pads and alternative ways to secure the tent to the ground," advises Sean M.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance bookings, especially during summer months. "We spent part of Labor Day weekend here, and there was almost nobody else there. The second night, one other pair of campers showed up," reports Allison W. about Endeavor Point, suggesting shoulder seasons may offer better availability.
Weather considerations: Summer humidity and insects can affect camping comfort. Fall camping typically offers more pleasant conditions with fewer bugs. "August is the worst month to visit if you like the water. Jellyfish take over with a vengeance!" warns Angel G. about Sandy Point State Park.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "[Patapsco Valley State Park] seem like this area is, possibly unintentionally, geared toward children. There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center," explains Sean M. about family amenities.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers and educational trails enhance family camping experiences. "The park staff are very friendly, and are very informative on the many fossils you may find on your visit," shares Anthony S. about Calvert Cliffs State Park.
Water safety considerations: Beaches along the Chesapeake Bay typically have gentle waves but may lack lifeguards. Parents should monitor children near water at all times. "The trail now is very well marked, clean, and there are facilities down by the beach to use," notes Anthony S. about facilities at Calvert Cliffs.
Limited hookup availability: Most tent camping sites near Churchton offer minimal or no RV hookups. At Military Park United States Naval Academy/Annapolis Naval Station Annapolis FamCamp, "Military campground. Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap," reports Ginny L.
Size restrictions: Larger RVs may find limited options in this region. Most campgrounds accommodate smaller trailers or camper vans but lack facilities for large rigs. Small campgrounds like Lacy Oasis Campground have only six total sites available.
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads or entrances. "Getting in to the park was a little difficult. We missed the entrance and had to turn around," shares Gayle B. about navigation challenges that RVers might face even more acutely than tent campers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Churchton, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Churchton, MD is Lacy Oasis Campground with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 23 tent camping locations near Churchton, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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