2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Several tent camping options dot the landscape surrounding Temple Hills, Maryland, with established campgrounds and primitive sites within easy driving distance. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area offers tent-specific campsites with crushed stone pads and electric options, while Marsden Tract Group Campsite provides a more secluded tent camping experience along the Potomac River. Campsites at Watkins Regional Park also offers dedicated tent sites within a short drive of Temple Hills, providing access to regional park amenities.
Tent sites throughout the region vary considerably in surface type and amenities. Most campgrounds include picnic tables and fire rings, though fire regulations vary seasonally. At Patapsco Valley, tent pads are often crushed stone, which one reviewer noted "isn't comfortable for tents," recommending campers "bring extra pads and alternative ways to secure the tent to the ground." Many campgrounds enforce regulations against pitching tents directly on the ground. Bathhouses are available at larger established campgrounds like Patapsco Valley, while more primitive sites offer vault toilets or portable facilities. Water access ranges from treated well pumps to full hookups depending on the campground.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park offers several hiker-biker tent camping sites along the towpath, providing river views and primitive camping experiences. A visitor commented that Swains Lock campsite has "a limited pair of trees to suspend my hammock from" but offers "delightful views of the sun setting over the Potomac." Many tent-only sites in the region provide unique experiences not available to RV campers, including riverside locations and forested settings. Seasonal considerations affect tent camping experiences, with spring bringing potentially wet conditions at lower-elevation sites like those at the bottom of Patapsco Valley's camping loop. For tent campers seeking backcountry experiences, Chopawamsic Backcountry in Prince William Forest Park offers primitive tent sites accessible by a 2.5-mile hiking trail, though campers must carry in their water and no campfires are permitted.
"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
"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
"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
"Purchasers the camp site is beautiful secluded quiet wonderful if you're looking for that extreme outdoors a no civilization it's a good hike to get to the campsite there's no parking nearby no water"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $40 / night
"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
from $55 - $95 / night
from $150 - $200 / 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,"
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.
ScoutWe stayed in site #133 with our 34'10" travel trailer/toy hauler. Overall, we really like the site. It's spacious, fairly level, heavily wooded, and feels surprisingly private. There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation. We had a nice large area for our chairs, fire pit, picnic table, and dogs. The biggest thing to know about #133 is the approach. We were instructed to pass the site, go around the loop, and then make a left turn into it. With our nearly 35' trailer, that would have required an extremely tight, almost 90-degree turn between the trees, and we did not feel we could safely make it. There is actually visible damage on one of the trees at the entrance, so it appears others may have had difficulty with the turn as well. Instead, we approached from the opposite direction and positioned the camper with our doors facing the main campsite area. That put the water and electric hookups on the opposite side, but our hoses and cord were long enough to run underneath the camper and reach without a problem. Once we figured that out, the site worked very well for us. I initially thought we probably wouldn't choose #133 again because of the awkward setup, but after spending the weekend here, I would. Now that we know how to approach and position our trailer, it really is a nice site. If you're bringing a longer travel trailer, just be prepared to do a little maneuvering and make sure your water hose and electrical cord have enough length if you decide to orient your camper the way we did.
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.
RangerWe stayed at Little Bennett starting on Labor Day Monday and left before the weekend, so it is hard to say how this looks when the campground is full of life. They had quite a few activities for families and a pavilion capable of concerts and such, but there was minimal activity during our stay. My biggest complaint is that the gate code changed and we didn't get any notice--so after a long day and a dinner out near Baltimore (nearly an hour away), I had to call the police to get back to my camper. Otherwise, the campsite was relatively spacious and quiet. The bugs were a little rough. Lots of whitetail running around.
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.
TravelerGood spot to get away and pitch a tent. Never anyone else there too! Make sure to get a daily ($4) or annual (~$22 I forget) Access Permit on Virginia DWR, as well as special WMA camping license (free)
Tent camping options near Temple Hills, Maryland offer a diverse mix of experiences within a short drive of this suburban community. Located in Prince George's County at an elevation of approximately 280 feet, the area provides access to both riverfront camping and woodland experiences. Most tent camping sites open from April through October, with summer humidity and temperatures averaging in the mid-80s creating conditions that campers should prepare for.
Swimming and beach access: Leesylvania State Park Campground provides a beach area for cooling off during hot summer days. One visitor notes, "This park is ALWAYS full of family's having picnics and enjoying time together! There's playground and a beach area for kids and family to all enjoy."
Water sports on the Potomac: At Leesylvania State Park, boating and kayaking access make it a popular water recreation spot. A camper points out it has "good access for kayak, boat, jet skis" and is "directly on Potomac River."
Holiday light displays: Winter camping might be limited, but Sandy Point State Park stays active year-round. A reviewer highlights, "Lights on the Bay is a great Christmas light drive thru that's over a mile long. Great host for the polar bear plunge."
Fossil hunting: The Chesapeake Bay area offers unique activities beyond typical camping recreation. At Sandy Point State Park, a family tradition includes looking for prehistoric remains: "Our favorite thing to do is to fossil hunt for sharks teeth. In the summer it can get pretty crowded, so we prefer to visit in late spring while school is still in session."
Secluded riverside camping: Marsden Tract Group Campsite provides a more isolated camping experience with riverside access. A camper describes it as "beautiful secluded quiet wonderful if you're looking for that extreme outdoors a no civilization."
Fishing and crabbing opportunities: Endeavor Point offers direct water access for fishing enthusiasts. A visitor reports, "the pier was perfect to fish or crab off of and the beach had great views of the sunrise."
Nature centers and educational facilities: Several parks in the region maintain nature centers for family learning. One reviewer at Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area mentions, "There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park."
Fall and spring camping seasons: The region's humid summers make shoulder seasons preferable for many campers. A visitor to Sandy Point advises, "The best times to go are winter, spring, and fall" to avoid crowds and uncomfortable conditions.
Campground entrances can be challenging: Several parks have entrances that can be difficult to locate. One camper at Patapsco Valley State Park noted, "Getting in to the park was a little difficult. We missed the entrance and had to turn around... Friends who were camping with us had the same problem."
Summer jellyfish presence: Water conditions change seasonally in the Chesapeake Bay region. A Sandy Point visitor warns, "August is the worst month to visit if you like the water. Jellyfish take over with a vengeance!"
Varying ground conditions: Tent sites at different campgrounds offer variable surfaces. At The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring, sites are primarily designed for groups rather than individuals, with a reviewer noting they offer "no individual campsites."
Weather impacts: Rain can significantly affect camping conditions. A Patapsco Valley visitor shared, "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."
Playground access: For the best tent camping near Temple Hills with children, Lacy Oasis Campground provides engaging outdoor activities. A visitor observed the impact on young campers: "My agency took about 25 children there last week and they did not want to leave, neither did I."
Sensory trails for kids: Specialized trails designed for children make some parks stand out for family camping. At Patapsco Valley, one camper explains the area "is, possibly unintentionally, geared toward children. There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center."
Trail difficulty considerations: When hiking with children, choose appropriate trails. A reviewer at Patapsco Valley notes, "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."
Non-stroller friendly areas: Parents with very young children should plan accordingly. A camper points out that at Patapsco Valley, "neither the hiking trails or playground are stroller friendly."
Mini cabins for transition campers: For those not ready for full tent camping, Lichtman Camp 1 offers alternatives to traditional RVs. Patapsco Valley also features "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.'"
Arrival timing considerations: Campgrounds in the Temple Hills region often have strict check-in policies. One camper noted this was "the first time we have ever had to wait till exactly 3pm to check in. So if you arrive early expect to wait until 3."
Parking limitations at popular sites: Several parks have capacity restrictions during peak periods. At Sandy Point, a visitor warns, "Get there early on weekends and holidays. The line to get in can be a mile long!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Temple Hills, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Temple Hills, MD is Campsites at Watkins Regional Park with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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TheDyrt.com has all 25 tent camping locations near Temple Hills, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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