Cabins near Temple Hills, Maryland offer year-round camping options with varying levels of isolation and nature access. Located in the Chesapeake watershed region at elevations generally under 300 feet, the area experiences humid subtropical climate with distinct seasons. Winter cabin camping remains viable with temperatures typically staying above 20°F, though spring and fall provide the most comfortable camping conditions.
What to do
Disc golf at Bull Run: Bull Run Regional Park maintains an 18-hole disc golf course that provides entertainment for cabin campers. "The park has golf frisbe course, decent water park for kids, hiking trails, small creek/river you can explore, playgrounds," notes a Bull Run Regional Park visitor.
Waterfront activities: Pohick Bay Campground offers direct water access for boating enthusiasts. "Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff!" mentions one camper at Pohick Bay Campground, highlighting the wildlife viewing opportunities along the shoreline.
Historical explorations: Smallwood State Park Campground features General Smallwood's historic mansion and buildings. "There is a playground, bathhouse, and historical buildings that are accessible to campers," explains a visitor, making this area unique for history-focused cabin stays.
What campers like
Transportation convenience: Cherry Hill Park provides direct transit access to DC attractions. "They have a bus stop for metro service to the city, but we took the 20 minute drive," notes a camper at Cherry Hill Park, highlighting the transportation options beyond driving.
Private camping spaces: Little Bennett Campground offers secluded sites with natural buffers. "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup," reports a visitor at Little Bennett Campground, appreciating the privacy between cabins.
Camp store supplies: Washington DC Capitol KOA maintains well-stocked stores for forgotten items. "The shop was cute and staff nice. Sites were pretty level," mentions a camper, noting the convenience for cabin guests who need last-minute supplies.
What you should know
Seasonal facilities: Several campgrounds have limited seasonal operations affecting cabin availability. "We loved the fishing and woodsy setting. This is definitely one of the smaller, less popular MD State parks, and that shows in the lack of maintenance and updating of some facilities," notes a reviewer about Smallwood State Park.
Reservation requirements: Bull Run Regional Park enforces strict booking policies. "There are occupancy AND transaction fees that really add up if you're only there a few nights. But the real kicker is a 2-night minimum stay. Even mid-week," warns a camper.
Weather preparedness: Patapsco Valley State Park experiences significant drainage issues during rain. "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," shares a Patapsco Valley State Park visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature exceptional play facilities. "Pohick Bay is a hidden gem in the area. I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," suggests a regular visitor, highlighting family-friendly recreation options.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers provide learning experiences for children. "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 a family camper.
Activity scheduling: Adventure Bound Washington DC offers organized events for children. "While at the campsite, we met a great guy from East Tennessee, Steve, who was in the Air Force, and he was as nice as could be," notes a camper at Adventure Bound Washington DC, highlighting the social atmosphere.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many cabin and RV sites require leveling equipment. "Site#D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back," notes a camper at Little Bennett Campground.
Power reliability concerns: Occasional outages affect electrical service. "Trees falling on Park power lines caused power outage for hours," reports a Little Bennett visitor, suggesting backup power solutions for cabin campers reliant on electricity.
Arrival timing: Adventure Bound Washington DC has challenging navigation after dark. "Do not try and come in after dark. Very tight and very dark," warns a camper, recommending daytime arrivals for safer navigation and setup.
