MsTrailBlazer 🏔.
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RangerCodorus State Park Campground
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I love this place. The tent sites are super, rustic but superior. Showers are a walk. Tent Sites are very private huge and I love that.
Camping near Simpsonville, MD
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Campgrounds near Simpsonville, Maryland range from full-service RV parks to more primitive tent camping areas within a 30-mile radius. Cherry Hill Park in College Park and Patapsco Valley State Park offer diverse accommodation options including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins. The Washington DC/Capitol KOA in Millersville provides glamping and yurt options alongside traditional camping, while Greenbelt Park Campground offers a more rustic experience with tent and RV sites but limited hookups.
Access to campgrounds varies seasonally, with most facilities fully operational from April through October. Several campgrounds like Patapsco Valley State Park's Hilton and Hollofield Areas specifically note a season from "April 1 to October 30." Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when facilities reach capacity. "This is a fairly nice, bare bones NPS campground. If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it," noted one camper about Greenbelt Park. Weather conditions can impact camping experiences, with summer humidity and occasional thunderstorms common in the region. Many campgrounds provide water access, though swimming is prohibited in some areas like the Potomac River.
Developed campgrounds in the area typically include amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restrooms. The region's proximity to Washington DC makes it popular for visitors seeking outdoor experiences while remaining close to urban attractions. Campers frequently mention the convenience of public transportation access from certain campgrounds. "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," reported a visitor to Cedarville State Forest. Mixed-use campgrounds accommodating both tent and RV camping dominate the area, with varying levels of privacy between sites. Trail access is commonly available directly from campgrounds, with Patapsco Valley State Park offering over 70 miles of multi-use trails. Wildlife sightings, particularly birds and small mammals, enhance the camping experience despite the relatively developed nature of the region.
Best Campgrounds near Simpsonville (106)
1. 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 Availability2. 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 Availability3. 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 Availability4. 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 Availability5. Ramblin' Pines
"We stay at Ramblin Pines because it is close to family and a good proximity to visiting Baltimore and Frederick."
"We love this home away from home ❤️"
from $30 - $70 / night
Check Availability6. 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."
7. Little Bennett Campground
"Quiet woods in Maryland about 30 or 40 miles north of DC. Tenting, and RV spots partial to full service. Just of hiway 270. pricey ($66/night) for a state park, but nice."
"PROS Very nice small Montgomery County Park
No reservation fee to make on-line reservations
Reserved 137 days prior to arriving
Entrance gate required entry code Instructed by staff via gate phone"
8. Camp Meade RV Park
9. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring
from $150 - $200 / night
Check Availability10. Lake Fairfax Campground
"We set up our tent in the far side of the campground close to the lake ( site 27). It is slightly slant but still comfortable in the tent. Bathrooms are close by and kept clean."
"For tent camping I would suggests sites 30,33 or 35 these are tucked along the tree line. The bathroom facilities were the cleanest I have seen in a campground."
from $30 - $70 / night
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Drive Time
- 15 min from Baltimore, MD
- 32 min from Washington, DC
- 1 hr from York, PA
- 1 hr 8 min from Gettysburg, PA
Recent Camping Photos near Simpsonville, MD
362 Photos of 106 Simpsonville Campgrounds
Jennifer S.
Hollofield Area Campground
Jennifer S.
Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Evelyn T.
Cherry Hill Park
Michelle L.
Ramblin' Pines
Nick C.
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
Angie G.
Washington DC / Capitol KOA
Manager P.
Pinetree Associates
James W.
The Garden
Shari G.
Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Ch. A.
Little Bennett Campground
Chrystal P.
Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Emerson K.
Marsden Tract Group Campsite — George Washington Memorial Parkway
Recent Reviews near Simpsonville, MD
940 Reviews of 106 Simpsonville Campgrounds
- MMaybe I.
GuideCodorus State Park Campground
Excellent campground!
The sites offer plenty of space and privacy, making it easy to relax and enjoy nature. The campground is conveniently located near the lake, with beautiful views and easy access to the water. There is also a nice swimming pool, which is a great bonus. We enjoyed kayaking on the lake and spending time outdoors. Overall, it's a wonderful place to unwind, relax, and enjoy a peaceful getaway. We would definitely come back!
Matt S.
LegendBay Shore Campground
What stands out about this campground? The view!
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!
For me, this is a 4-star campground because of the view and nice staff, but not 5-stars because of the sloped site packed in with the neighbors and no sewer connection.
THINGS I LIKED:
— Great view from our site of the Chesapeake Bay— especially for sunset each evening
— Friendly staff
— Nearby Rock Hall, Chestertown, and Eastern Neck Island Wildlife Refuge
— They offered a promo to pay for 6 nights, and the 7th was free
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
— Our site(Site B) had an amazing view of Chesapeake Bay, but the slope made it difficult to get even close to level— even with my front jacks fully extended. I had to buy additional leveling blocks from the camp store(at twice the price of Amazon) just so we didn’t feel like walking uphill to walk around our motorhome. I admit, I am spoiled but really appreciate the campgrounds that level their sites. I think it could be done in a few hours with a rented front loader at a couple nights’ cost.
— Our site(Site B) was tight. The neighbor’s awning was just inches from our motorhome. I understand the need for any business to maximize revenue, but this was unpleasantly close.
— There are no sewer hookups at the sites. They do have a couple of dump stations for your way out and provide a pump-out service once per week at$40 a pop. They were nice enough to pump me out a second time since I stayed 7 nights. Again, I know I’m spoiled, but a sewer connection is a necessity when you’re staying 8 days.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
Sure thing, but we’d stay at a different site.
Phillip H.GuideHarpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA
Harper’s Ferry KOA
The sites are close together. The park was not full Mother’s Day weekend. It is a very nice park. The bathhouses were clean. The amenities were good although we didn’t utilize them. The national historic site was very close and we walked over day 1 rode our bikes day 2. The C&O canal is accessible but you must walk your bike across the lower town bridge and carry it down the stairs. This section of the trail was very good and we completed 38 miles.
- ccara S.
ScoutPatapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Hilton area
Thought the campsites were extremely close together. There were A LOT of kids and no quiet hours. Good for families. Not good for a camping camping experience.
MBOLScoutSusquehanna State Park Campground
Great time with kids
Nice campground had my 6 and 7 year old. The site was pretty private and had bathrooms close. I would definitely go again.
- FFredrick K.
TravelerMarble Quarry Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Great place to get some peace and quiet
If youre looking for fun and people, go to the south campground. But if youre looking for true quiet and have a tent, check out the dispersed campsites. Good shower and bathroom setup that i bet would fare well in a tornado, its got that solid storm shelter feel. Next to a quiet airport, plenty of free firewood to gather
- DDebbie W.Scout
Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA
Not as advertised on website. Loose dogs. Sites not as advertised.
Less amenities than advertised. We usually camp in more rustic locations and planned this trip simply for the fun of the amenities. Their website claims that the pool is seasonal but doesn't list anything else as seasonal. There was supposed to be mini golf, a giant bounce pillow, indoor basketball, an arcade with air hockey and a pool table. Mini golf was fine. The bounce pillow was deflated and full of water. The arcade/pool table/air hockey building was locked and the maintenance guy(who locks it up) was outside smoking before leaving early for the day. The employee at the camp store said it was supposed to be open until the store closed but that he probably just closed it early.
The rules state that dogs need to be on a leash at all times and, in the two hours we actually stayed, we saw four that weren't. One was staying near us and started chasing us when we rode our bikes by. One was wandering about 4 campsites down from it's owner. We mentioned it to the person at the camp store before we were chased and she just shrugged it off.
The map is incorrect. It lists site numbers that don't exist and doesn't list some sites that supposedly do. We spent a fifteen minutes trying to find a non-existent site before going back to the camp office and getting assigned a new site. They acted like it was a new thing caused by maintenance but we just looked and saw a review from ten months ago saying the map was messed up then.
The description of the site we paid for was non electric tent with a sand tent pad. The site we got was on a hill(no actual flat spot) overgrown with weeds, no tent pad, a slanted picnic table, and no actual parking spot. You had to drive over a drainage ditch and park on the hill. If our car didn't have high clearance we wouldn't have made it. There was also a hole in the middle of the site. And the map showed that number site on the corner where another unmarked site was. Our originally assigned site was supposedly in the same group of sites, so it would've been similar. Also don't believe the claim that they're"large sites." Most of them are crammed together. There are a few that look decent sized and flat, but they want you to pay an extra$30 to pick your own site.
We didn't even look in the bathrooms.
We left after two hours. Definitely a waste of$60+ dollars.
Next time we'll go over to the Brunswick Family campground. Their owners are lovely people who care about their customers.
Adam and Suzanne B.GuideGreenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Beautiful setting
It is NOT closed for 2026! Spent the weekend here as it is only an hour from home. There are 4 large camping loops. Only loop C- cedar has electric. None of the loops have water hookups but all have spigots to fill your rig. There are also 3 fill stations at check in (which we missed). The campground is on a hill and the loop roads are narrow, hilly, and winding. We had no trouble with our 23 ft TT and saw some bigger rigs. There are some tight angles to get into a few sites. But, once you are in, the sites are spacious and mostly private. It is wooded without feeling overgrown. Loop D has some sites that are good buddy campsites. There are many hiking trails and a lovely lake. The only bad thing are the dated bathhouses. Mostly clean but there are only 2 showers for each fenced for each loop and they were yucky enough that we showered at our rig. It was busy but pretty quiet. It’s close to I-70
Guide to Simpsonville
Campgrounds near Simpsonville, Maryland offer a mix of state parks and private facilities within a 35-mile radius. Most campgrounds in this region sit at elevations between 200-400 feet, creating moderate hiking conditions suitable for various skill levels. The region experiences high humidity during summer months with temperatures regularly reaching 85-95°F from June through August, while spring and fall camping seasons provide more comfortable 60-75°F temperatures.
What to do
Trail exploration at Patapsco Valley State Park: Access over 70 miles of varied terrain trails directly from the Hilton Area campground. "The hike I did was not very long but was well worth it. The trail was well marked but there was some confusion at one point on where we were suppose to go. Luckily I had an app that kept me on trail. There are some pretty cool Bridges, old houses, and a water fall," noted one visitor to Patapsco Valley State Park.
Urban exploration with public transportation: Stay at Greenbelt Park Campground and utilize nearby metro stations for DC access. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground... Oh, and bonus, the American Discovery Trail (ADT) passes through the park," shared a camper at Greenbelt Park Campground.
Water activities at regional parks: Several campgrounds provide water-based recreation opportunities during summer months. At Lake Fairfax Campground, one visitor commented, "A lot to do: mountain bike trails (horses and walking, too); wooded hikes with water along the trails (great for dogs in the summer heat), skateboard park, BMX park, Water Park near the campground, fishing, & canoeing)."
What campers like
Wooded seclusion near urban areas: Many campgrounds offer surprising privacy despite proximity to cities. "We stayed at site D72 for 4 days. The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup," explained a visitor at Little Bennett Campground.
Transit convenience to DC attractions: Campers appreciate the ability to reach major attractions without driving. A Cherry Hill Park visitor shared, "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. Our uber rides ranged from 20-45$ for a family of 5."
Seasonal flexibility: Some campgrounds maintain year-round operations. At Ramblin' Pines, campers can access facilities throughout winter months when most other area campgrounds close. "My brother lives about ten minutes from this campground. He failed to make a reservation so we ended up on a primitive site w no electric or water. Which actually worked out quite well in the end we made it work for us."
What you should know
Reservation requirements vary seasonally: During peak season (May-September), weekend reservations should be made 2-3 months in advance for popular campgrounds. "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," reported a visitor to Cedarville State Forest.
Weather impact on camping experience: Summer thunderstorms can create drainage issues at some campgrounds. "One negative was that when it rains it really flushes through the grounds. 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," noted a camper at Patapsco Valley State Park.
Site privacy considerations: Campground layouts differ significantly in terms of site spacing. "The inner circle has electric but no water or sewer. The outer circle is primitive. There is a dump station. There is a decent bathhouse but it does get buggy," observed a visitor at Hollofield Area Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature multiple play areas for different age groups. "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," explained one family camper.
Swimming options: Water features vary significantly between campgrounds. At Washington DC/Capitol KOA, "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc). If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy."
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer nature programming specifically for children. "This is a small gem of a state park campground, one of only two is the massive Patapsco Valley State Park. It's a bit odd getting here through a suburban neighborhood, but the Hilton area is great. It 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."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full hookups can be limited in the region, requiring planning. "Driveways are all very narrow. Most have too much tree cover for solar or starlink, but some sites are more open and you might be able to make it work. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Cost is $20/night, must reserve on recreation.gov."
Navigational challenges: Several campgrounds have tricky entrance routes. "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.)" warns an experienced RVer about accessing Patapsco Valley State Park.
Alternative accommodations: Some of the best places to camp near Simpsonville, Maryland offer cabin options for those without RVs. "The best part of this campground are the neat mini cabins. Small one room cabins that have electricity and heat. They are a nice touch for those that want to camp, but not completely 'rough it.'"
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Simpsonville, MD?
Which is the most popular campground near Simpsonville, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Simpsonville, MD is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 42 reviews.
What parks are near Simpsonville, MD?
What parks are near Simpsonville, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Simpsonville, MD that allow camping, notably Greenbelt Park and Rock Creek Park.
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