c
cara S.
Scout
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.
Best Campgrounds near Laurel, MD
The area surrounding Laurel, Maryland provides multiple developed campground options ranging from urban-proximate RV parks to more natural settings within state parks. Cherry Hill Park in nearby College Park offers full-hookup RV sites, cabins, and tent camping with amenities including swimming pools, showers, and picnic tables. Camp Meade RV Park in Laurel and Greenbelt Park Campground provide alternatives with varying levels of facilities. Most campgrounds in this region accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several also offering cabin rentals and glamping options.
Camping facilities near Laurel remain accessible year-round, though some state parks like Patapsco Valley operate seasonally from April through October. Most developed sites require reservations, particularly during summer months when proximity to Washington DC makes these campgrounds popular bases for tourists. "Cherry Hill Park was easy to find and get to basically right off I-95. This was our first time RVing into the WA DC area and we were concerned about traffic getting to the campground," noted one visitor. Road access to campgrounds is generally well-maintained with paved roads leading to most facilities. Noise from nearby highways affects some campgrounds, particularly those closest to I-95 and major roadways.
The camping experience in this region balances suburban convenience with outdoor recreation. Many campgrounds feature wooded settings despite their proximity to urban areas. Patapsco Valley State Park and Hollofield Area Campground provide more natural surroundings with hiking trails and river access. Visitors frequently mention clean facilities as a highlight of camping in this area. According to reviews, Cherry Hill Park maintains "pristine" bathrooms and well-kept grounds. Several campgrounds provide transportation connections to Washington DC, making them practical bases for capitol tourism. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring offers a more primitive tent camping experience with just five sites available. Campers seeking quiet natural settings should choose sites farther from major roadways, as traffic noise is mentioned in multiple reviews of campgrounds throughout the region.
Best Camping Sites Near Laurel, Maryland (90)
1. Cherry Hill Park
42 ReviewsBeltsville, MD6 milesWebsite+1 (301) 937-7116$999 / night
"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."
2. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
32 ReviewsGreenbelt, MD8 milesWebsite+1 (301) 344-3948$20 / night
"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"
3. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
20 ReviewsCatonsville, MD14 milesWebsite+1 (410) 461-5005$20 - $51 / night
"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."
4. Washington DC / Capitol KOA
16 ReviewsMillersville, MD12 milesWebsite+1 (410) 923-2771"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."
5. Hollofield Area Campground
18 ReviewsWindsor Mill, MD14 milesWebsite+1 (410) 461-5005$19 - $27 / night
"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."
6. Ramblin' Pines
17 ReviewsWoodbine, MD20 milesWebsite+1 (410) 795-5161$30 - $70 / night
"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 ❤️"
7. Camp Meade RV Park
2 ReviewsOdenton, MD7 milesWebsite+1 (888) 722-42378. Little Bennett Campground
23 ReviewsClarksburg, MD25 milesWebsite+1 (301) 528-3430"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"
9. Lake Fairfax Campground
25 ReviewsReston, VA26 milesWebsite+1 (703) 471-5414$30 - $70 / night
"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."
10. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring
1 ReviewSandy Spring, MD9 milesWebsite+1 (240) 389-4386$150 - $200 / night
Recent Camping Photos near Laurel, MD
225 Photos of 90 Laurel Campgrounds
Kristy R.
Cherry Hill Park
amanda A.
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
Angie G.
Washington DC / Capitol KOA
Jennifer S.
Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Richard B.
Hollofield Area Campground
Manager P.
Pinetree Associates
Michelle L.
Ramblin' Pines
Chrystal P.
Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Emerson K.
Marsden Tract Group Campsite — George Washington Memorial Parkway
Alan H.
Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Kristy R.
Adventure Bound Washington DC
Tye S.
Louise F. Cosca Regional Park
Recent Reviews near Laurel, MD
644 Reviews of 90 Laurel Campgrounds
- 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
John M.
GuideMatoaka Beach Cottages
Fantastic location with winderful hosts
Private campground with cabins and tent sites. Tent sites are first come, first service so call ahead to ensure the space is available. The host family was very nice and easy to work with and talk to. Fire pits were at tent sites and past the office was beach access into Chesapeake Bay. There are trash bins and porta potty’s on sight that are all maintained and kept clean. Beautiful sights and plenty to do in the area with DC being roughly an 40-60 minutes away.
Beth B.
LegendPrince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park
Nice clean Campground
Stayed here for a week while working nearby. Easy to get to and set up. Office was closed when we arrived but arrival paperwork was posted outside office door. Even with busy road nearby, park was quiet and felt private. Sites were level and paved making setup easy. Sites had 1/2 site extra paved for vehicle with extra parking nearby. There was no litter in park, we observed a staff member daily making the rounds to keep everything clean. There was walking access into the park on wide private roads without traffic. With park access you are able to walk into national forest park from RV camp. National Forest visitor center close by, 1 exit away going south I95. Amenities in RV park included swimming pool, chess board with extra large pieces, playground and clean bath house. Firewood and ice on site.
- CCaitlin R.Scout
Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park
Great Campground
Our family loved this campground. It was entirely wooded with plenty of shade, sites were close but separated enough to feel like you were in your own site. Our kids and others rode their bikes around the loop all weekend long. Bathrooms could have been a little cleaner and all the entrances except one were closed, but that’s what happens when you cut budgets for public lands.
- VVaught M.Scout
Brunswick Family Campground
Lovely campground on the C&O. Beware the trains!
This is a lovely campground that I recommend and would stay again. We have been twice: once as a family and once with a Scout troop. The RV sites are fairly large and clean. The tent-only sites are smaller and have a metal fire ring with a grate (nice!). The RV sites have mostly brick rings without grates. The bathrooms are fairly small (two showers on the female and one on the male) which might be an issue on busy weekends. The only real water entrance is the boat ramp, but you can climb down a cliff in other places. A, D, and E are sunnier. B and C and Nottingham are mostly wooded with mature trees. We used the site as a base for a bike trip along the C&O to go to Harper’s Ferry (14mi round trip along a gravel path). The staff were friendly and there is a small camp store.
But the trains! THE TRAINS!!! Every review will mention them for a reason. The site is adjacent to a rail yard that runs all day. Not just a passing train, but clanging car and engine changes. It’s LOUD. I slept with earplugs, but could still hear the noise. The yard really starts going around 5am and goes all day. It slows down after 8/9pm, but never stops entirely. The trains are the only reason for the removed star and it’s not the campground’s fault. But almost all of the real complaints are about the noise. If you want an extra quiet campground with only birds and running water, this is not the place for you. But if you don’t mind the loud bangs and low rumbles, this place is fine!
The entrance is beyond the train yard and about a mile down a widened part of the C&O. It is possible to be trapped inside or outside if a train is stopped at the crossing (30min for us, once).
In short, it’s a great campground if you bring ear plugs!
Ashley T.TravelerGoose Bay Marina
Jeepers Creepers meets Catalina Wine Mixer
When we first arrived it was late (we are either late or not coming as always!) the cut down tobacco fields and long dark woods surrounded the entrance into this campground and marina… to be honest I was scared and cried and my husband thought I was ridiculous and reminded me I will love it tomorrow… welp he knows me! All the boat storage and walking around it so fun looking at all the boat names… they are remodeling the bathhouses now they look nice so far on the inside. Everyone is working really hard a staying busy tending to the boats or landscaping or docks… Vicki is super friendly she works practically everyday… but hopefully one day she will trust someone enough to delegate her duties to…
Thiru Moorthy G.ScoutBull Run Regional Park
⭐ 1-Star Review – Shockingly Rude, Misleading, and Embarrassing Experience
I am writing this review because what happened to me at Bull Run Regional Park Campground was not just inconvenient—it was humiliating, unprofessional, and completely avoidable.
I camp in my Tesla. I have already stayed at this exact campground before with no issue. Their online reservation system allowed me to book again—no warnings, no restrictions, nothing to indicate a problem. So I drove all the way from North Carolina to Virginia trusting that everything was fine.
When I arrived to check in, the office staff was literally handing me the paperwork. Out of nowhere, a ranger barged in and bluntly told me: “You cannot camp in a Tesla. You need a separate rig.”
His tone was rude, dismissive, and made me feel like I was doing something dirty or cheap. There was zero respect, zero empathy—just instant judgment. I felt like I was being treated as if I was trying to sneak in or break rules, even though they allowed the booking and accepted my reservation.
If they have such a rule, why wasn’t I notified during booking? Why was I allowed to stay the first time? Why let me drive for hours only to embarrass me at the check-in counter?
The office employee even tried to defend me, but he couldn’t convince the ranger. Instead, they told me I could not stay and promised an immediate refund.
After a long drive, being spoken to like that was extremely disappointing. I’ve camped all over North Carolina and never been treated with such disrespect. Camping in a Tesla is clean, quiet, zero-emission, and safe, yet I was made to feel like I didn’t belong.
To make matters worse, it has now been seven days and not a single dollar of the refund has appeared. When I called, the office representative didn’t even ask for my reservation details and seemed completely clueless. She first said she couldn’t do anything, then suddenly changed her story and said she would “leave a note.” When I asked to speak with someone who could actually help, she put me on hold and suddenly claimed the manager had “just refunded” me and that I would see the money in two business days.
After everything that happened, it felt like another layer of indifference and incompetence.
This entire experience—from the rude ranger to the unprofessional refund handling—left me feeling disrespected and upset. For a campground that charges over $75 a night after fees and taxes, the treatment I received was unacceptable.
Guests deserve honesty, clear communication, and basic respect.
- aamanda A.Scout
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
Great Campsite!
The campground is well maintained. The facilities were clean, and the other campers were friendly. There was plenty of firewood (fallen tree limbs and branches on the ground to use. Overall we had a great time!
Guide to Laurel
Camping options near Laurel, Maryland are positioned within the Patuxent River watershed at elevations ranging from 150 to 300 feet above sea level. The region typically experiences humid subtropical weather with four distinct seasons, allowing for year-round camping with spring and fall offering the most moderate temperatures. Most campgrounds remain accessible despite winter closures at select state parks, with the proximity to both Baltimore and Washington DC creating higher demand during summer tourist season.
What to do
Trail exploration: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area offers extensive hiking opportunities with varying difficulty levels. "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," notes a visitor. The park contains multiple trail systems suitable for day hikes directly from campsites.
Urban tourism and monument visits: Campers frequently use these campgrounds as bases for exploring Washington DC. "We took the METRO if you are going into the District. There are two stations very close to camp (Greenbelt and University Park). Rides vary depending on how far you are going but on average I spent about $10 per day on METRO versus $20-$40 on parking in the district," explains a camper at Greenbelt Park Campground. The train ride from Greenbelt station to the national mall takes approximately 30 minutes.
Water recreation: Several campgrounds provide access to swimming and water activities during warmer months. "The lake is beautiful!" remarks one visitor to Lake Fairfax Campground, which features both a lake and water park with additional admission fees. For river-based recreation, campers can access the Patapsco River via Forest Glen Trail at Patapsco Valley State Park.
What campers like
Urban escape settings: Despite proximity to metropolitan areas, many campgrounds maintain natural surroundings. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," notes a camper at Greenbelt Park Campground. Several visitors mention the contrast between suburban locations and forest settings as a highlight.
Transportation options: The ability to access public transit from campgrounds ranks high among visitor priorities. One camper at Washington DC Capitol KOA reported, "Proximity to DC and surrounding areas can't be beat. Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle. It takes about a half hour to get downtown to the monuments. Our uber rides ranged from 20-45$ for a family of 5."
Campsite privacy: The spacing between sites varies significantly between campgrounds in the area. At Little Bennett Campground, a visitor noted, "Lots of vegetation between sites providing privacy from neighbors," while another mentioned "very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup." Many campgrounds feature wooded settings that create natural separation despite relatively close site placement.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the region require advance booking, particularly during peak season. "You can pay for the metro with an app or get a card, either way it costs you $2 to buy the card, and then $2 each way on the train. Everyone over age 5 needs their own card, no sharing one card," explains a visitor to Greenbelt Park Campground.
Noise considerations: Due to urban proximity, some campgrounds experience transportation noise. "Decent little campground! It was quiet aside from occasional air traffic noise," mentions one camper at Greenbelt Park. Sites farther from main roads typically offer the quietest camping experience.
Seasonal variations: Availability and amenities change throughout the year. "Being just barely off the beaten path, I wasn't expecting all too much from the one night stay over planned heading from New Jersey to Shenandoah in Virginia. I was surprised at the quiet, understated beauty of the forestry around the perfectly level campsite," notes a visitor to Hollofield Area Campground, which operates seasonally from April through October.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, "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," reports one family. The campground's facilities specifically cater to children with nature-focused activities.
Camp activities: Various organized programs exist for younger campers. "The park was nice and level, but a bit small, with a short driveway. Nice playground for the kids. Some nice scenic areas - great for pictures. Lots of picnic areas," comments a visitor to Patapsco Valley State Park. Many campgrounds offer weekend programming during summer months.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers and interpretive trails provide learning experiences. "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," notes a camper, highlighting the value for families seeking educational content alongside recreation.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: RV campers should research site specifications before booking. At Washington DC / Capitol KOA, a visitor advises, "If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy." Site privacy varies significantly between campgrounds and even within the same facility.
Hookup considerations: Electric, water, and sewer connections vary by campground. "Site#D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back. Site#D69 gravel parking pad," reports an RVer at Little Bennett Campground, noting the importance of bringing leveling equipment.
Navigational challenges: Some campgrounds have access limitations. One camper at Hollofield Area Campground cautions, "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.)" This type of specific information can prevent significant problems for larger rigs attempting to access camping areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does camping cost at sites near Laurel?
How much does camping cost at sites near Laurel?
Camping costs near Laurel vary by amenities and location. At Fairfax County Burke Lake Park, you'll find affordable camping with access to numerous recreational amenities including a lake for fishing, boat rentals, a paved 5-mile path, playground, carousel, and kiddy train. For a more rustic experience, Brunswick Family Campground offers reasonably priced riverside sites with welcoming staff. The campground is situated between railroad tracks and the river, creating a unique atmosphere that feels away from the city while still being accessible from the DC metro area.
Where are the best camping sites near Laurel?
Where are the best camping sites near Laurel?
Several excellent camping options surround Laurel. Greenbelt Park Campground offers a convenient natural escape with wooded sites, though you may hear occasional urban sounds from nearby areas. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area provides beautiful riverside camping with extensive trail networks spanning 32 miles along the Patapsco River. For those seeking family-friendly options, Cedarville State Forest features clean campsites in a peaceful forest setting. Military personnel should consider Camp Meade RV Park for its convenient location and multiple access options.
What amenities do campgrounds near Laurel offer?
What amenities do campgrounds near Laurel offer?
Cherry Hill Park stands out with extensive amenities including clean facilities, a pool, and staff who provide comprehensive orientations to Washington DC attractions, tours, and transportation. The park is conveniently located about 6 miles from the Metrorail near University of Maryland. For something more basic but well-maintained, Louise F. Cosca Regional Park offers 25 sites with water hookups at every site and electrical connections at 5 specific sites (2, 5, 18, 24, 25). The park features regular patrols by Park Police for safety and security.
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