Glamping locations near Edgewater, Maryland offer tent, RV, and cabin accommodations within 39 miles of the city. The region features over a dozen campgrounds with amenities ranging from basic to deluxe, most operating seasonally from spring through fall. Several parks maintain direct water access to the Chesapeake Bay watershed, with campground elevation ranging from near sea level to 300 feet, providing both waterfront and wooded camping experiences.
What to do
Disc golf at multiple locations: Pohick Bay Regional Park maintains an 18-hole disc golf course that draws players of all skill levels. According to a visitor, "I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," making it an excellent activity for campers looking for outdoor recreation beyond hiking and swimming.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Tuckahoe State Park Campground provides fishing opportunities in well-maintained ponds and streams. One camper notes, "There is a little fishing pond there, which my husband and daughter enjoyed. We hiked back to the campground from here, which was a nice easy-to-moderate trail."
Water recreation on multiple waterways: Martinak State Park Campground offers direct river access for kayaking and canoeing. A visitor mentions, "Beautiful waterfront great for kayaking and water sports. No real hiking trails. Overall small quiet campground." Some parks rent equipment, while others require you bring your own.
Wildlife observation and photography: The region attracts birdwatchers, particularly eagle spotters. One reviewer of Susquehanna State Park noted it "primarily draws Eagle watchers and photographers," making it ideal for nature photography enthusiasts seeking wildlife encounters.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the secluded feel of sites despite proximity to urban areas. A Susquehanna State Park visitor commented, "Site was very shaded, and probably the most secluded feel of anywhere we've camped. Camping pad was nice and level, although the driveway was slightly sloped."
Clean, modern facilities: Cherry Hill Park receives consistent praise for its well-maintained amenities. One visitor shared, "You get what you pay for. This campground has so much to offer. We loved it," noting specific amenities including "50 amp hook-up, water, sewer, playground, mini golf, swimming pool, hot tub, basketball court, snack bar on site, nightly hayride, gated, on-site camp store, on-site bus shuttle."
Convenient access to Washington DC: Several glamping sites near Edgewater provide easy transit options to nearby cities. A Cherry Hill Park visitor noted, "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."
Affordable camping within reach of expensive areas: Louise F. Cosca Regional Park offers budget-friendly options close to DC. A reviewer pointed out, "This is a quiet campground and it's cheap for maryland residents and about $20 for non-resident."
What you should know
Site leveling varies significantly: Be prepared with leveling blocks at many campgrounds. One camper at Pohick Bay Regional Park observed, "Sites are spacious and decently level (depends on the site I'm sure)," while another at Washington DC / Capitol KOA noted, "Camp site wasn't level at all. I was actually kind of worried that it would slide into the woods."
Reservation requirements vary by season: Most glamping options near Edgewater require advance booking during peak summer months. A visitor to Tuckahoe State Park advised, "I wish it had more to offer. One note is if you're here for the annual Easter egg hunt GET There Early and make reservations, the campsites fill quickly."
Seasonal availability affects amenities: Washington DC / Capitol KOA has inconsistent shuttle service to attractions. A camper reported disappointment: "Close to DC but they didn't let us know ahead of time that the shuttle wasn't working. That was super disappointing."
Water conditions change throughout the season: Rivers and creeks may have variable flow rates. A Tuckahoe State Park visitor mentioned, "There are also plenty of areas to stop along the road in the campground, with access to the creek for wading. The water felt great, but the bottom was rather pebbly."
Tips for camping with families
Age restrictions at pools: Some glamping locations limit pool access based on potty training status. A Washington DC / Capitol KOA visitor cautioned, "I didn't like that non potty trained kids are not allowed to swim in their pool. Luckily we only have a 9 month old currently that isn't potty trained so she didn't care if she was in the pool or not."
Evening activities for children: Pohick Bay Campground offers structured nighttime events. A visitor recounted, "They informed us that they had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend, they had an outdoor movie scheduled for Friday night, a campfire story time scheduled for Saturday night and crafts scheduled for Sunday morning."
Kid-friendly trails: Multiple parks feature accessible hiking options. One visitor to Martinak State Park described, "We had a great time with our 3 little ones. They have lots of easily walked trails. Bath houses are kept clean. They have quite a few playgrounds throughout the park, which was a major plus for us."
Proximity to bathrooms: For families with young children, selecting sites near facilities matters. A parent at Susquehanna State Park noted, "We loved that our site had a path directly to the bathhouse. This meant there wasn't any foot traffic from people wanting to shower or use the restrooms."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: Pull-through sites often sacrifice seclusion. A camper at Washington DC / Capitol KOA observed, "If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy."
Premium sites include extras: Higher-priced spots often include additional amenities. A Cherry Hill visitor detailed their premium experience: "The site was perfectly level with a fire ring, grill, picnic table and table with three chairs. I wish there was a little bit more room in between the campers for privacy but it did not hurt our stay."
Electric site availability varies: Some parks have limited electric hookups. A visitor to Louise F. Cosca Regional Park noted, "This campground is about 25 sites. Only 5 sites have electric (2, 5, 18, 24, 25) but all 25 sites have water hookup."