Best Campgrounds near North Potomac, MD

North Potomac, Maryland provides access to several established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius, accommodating a range of camping preferences from tent sites to full-hookup RV spaces and cabin rentals. Little Bennett Campground in Clarksburg offers tent, RV, and cabin options with electric hookups and water availability just 15 miles northwest of North Potomac. Cherry Hill Park in College Park provides comprehensive amenities including full hookups for RVs alongside tent sites and cabin accommodations. Most campgrounds in the area maintain well-defined sites with picnic tables and fire rings, though primitive camping options are limited in this predominantly suburban region.

The camping season for many sites extends from spring through fall, with several facilities closing during winter months. One camper shared that "Catoctin is one of the most peaceful campgrounds I've been to, and a lot less crowded than Cunningham Falls State Park which is right across from Catoctin." Most campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer weekends when facilities can reach capacity. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region due to proximity to major metropolitan areas. Access roads to campgrounds are typically well-maintained and suitable for passenger vehicles. Greenbelt Park Campground, located near College Park, represents one of the closest federal camping options to Washington DC, making it popular for those visiting the capital while seeking outdoor accommodation.

Campers frequently mention the convenient access to urban amenities while still experiencing natural settings as a distinctive feature of camping in this region. Several visitors noted the ability to combine camping with day trips to historic and cultural sites. "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 review about Greenbelt Park. Mixed-use campgrounds in the area often feature recreational amenities like playgrounds, fishing areas, and hiking trails. Most public campgrounds enforce quiet hours and have restrictions on alcohol consumption. The proximity to metropolitan areas means light pollution affects stargazing quality, but the convenience of nearby services is frequently highlighted as a significant advantage by reviewers seeking weekend getaways without extensive travel time.

Best Camping Sites Near North Potomac, Maryland (114)

    1. Cherry Hill Park

    42 Reviews
    Beltsville, MD
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 937-7116

    $282 - $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. Lake Fairfax Campground

    25 Reviews
    Reston, VA
    11 miles
    Website
    +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."

    3. Little Bennett Campground

    23 Reviews
    Clarksburg, MD
    11 miles
    Website
    +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"

    4. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    20 miles
    Website
    +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"

    5. Bull Run Regional Park

    42 Reviews
    Iron Gate, VA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 631-0550

    $43 - $100 / night

    "History buffs will like to explore the park surrounding the campground. Fun little water park within walking distance of all campsites that was great for kids."

    "We booked site 136 due to proximity of the playground (traveling with a 5 & 10 yr old). The site was great except the weird parking stops on every site but the pull throughs."

    6. Ramblin' Pines

    17 Reviews
    Woodbine, MD
    21 miles
    Website
    +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. Camping by the Creek in Woods

    2 Reviews
    Great Falls, MD
    5 miles
    +1 (240) 595-5000

    $45 - $55 / night

    "Awesome site tucked away in mature woods. Quiet. Easy paved access. Near C&O Canal, biking, hiking across street in Block House Park. Lovely attentive host."

    8. Button Farm

    1 Review
    Poolesville, MD
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (240) 579-5112

    $30 / night

    "You are able to drive right up to the camp area and we kept our car right next to our tent. There are nearby chickens, geese and pigs. "

    10. Pohick Bay Campground

    39 Reviews
    Lorton, VA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 339-6104

    $37 - $170 / night

    "We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids."

    "We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."

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Recent Reviews near North Potomac, MD

902 Reviews of 114 North Potomac Campgrounds


  • Marcandpatti B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Gettysburg Campground

    Good spot for Gettysburg, a bit spendy.

    We stayed here mid-week in September so it was very quiet. There was a bit of road noise as our site was close to the entrance. Host was super friendly. They have a bunch of things going on with groups that stay here; next group is quilters with vintage trailers, sorry to miss that. All of the utilities worked just fine. Sites re a bit close to each other, not a lot of foliage between sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Great location and friendly staff

    We have a motorhome with no additional vehicle and two dogs, and this site couldn’t have been more perfect for us. A dog park, walking distance to most everything we wanted to see. The national park is mostly dog friendly. My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site. The staff was super friendly and welcoming.

  • p
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Rv stay

    Site and bathrooms clean. Activities provided free each day. Food trucks in park. Close to museum and battleground sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Round Top Campground

    Better than OK

    Stayed for 2 days while passing through from FL to NH. Off-season so not crowded. Pool was clean and quite good sized, had it to ourselves due to season. Did laundry while here, ample laundry room. On-site extras include food-truck restaurant and small country goods vendor during our stay. Office staff did ok. Sites have reasonable spacing with gravel pads, mostly level. Trees between sites with sloping hills , not just a big open field. It’s a corporate site so automated web-based reservation system was finicky so we had to verify reservation went through. Tried to book 2 nights but system only set us up for 1. Phone call to help line easily resolved the issue. Quiet and no spotlights on all night.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders

    Awesome views on the Potomac

    Very cool spot. Amazing sites right on the Potomac. There is a Ale House above the office that delivers for free to your site (2.5 miles away), just tip the driver

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Aquia Pines Campground

    Good stopover near the highway but hidden between the trees

    We where forced land-inwards because of tropical storm Erin (potential hurricane hitting the Outer Banks). So we decided to visit Washington DC and had a stopover here. It was conveniently located. Terrain is not flat but our spot was well levelled. There is a big dog (and an older gentleman) in the office to welcome you. Full hook up was oké and our spot was nicly secluded between the trees.

  • eThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Round Top Campground

    I camped and worked here.

    I’m a shamanic energy healer and health enthusiast exploring a new life and hunting for healthy. While this campground has some nice features. This certainly is not a health conscious facility. Lots of smoking, drinking and unhealthy food. There was also evidence of mice in the main store and definitely issues with the water.

  • Erin W.
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Lake Fairfax Campground

    Nice for a quick weekend

    This campground is nice for a quick weekend and does have pretty trails next to the campground. The sites are largely in more of a meadow and not many are very wooded. Our site, 41, was level and nicely spaced from other sites but many tent sites were not level at all. Many tents were on a full slant. There is a waterpark that is an extra cost which is fun for kids. Bathrooms are well maintained and huge.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Cherry Hill Park

    Can’t beat it

    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. So $4-9 per person. We rode in all 4 days this way. Personalized, comfortable. Door to door. We saw tons of stuff. No one can say they saw everything. We took the train from Union station to Penn station. Saw the nationals, the orioles. So fun. The park itself has more than most. Mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry, a store and office open early!! And late!!! Wow! Just can’t be beat. Great sites. So many other things in the park. Splash pad, paved roads for scootering. Just awesome!


Guide to North Potomac

Camping near North Potomac, Maryland, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene state parks to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Mathews Arm Campground. “The bathrooms and showers are very clean,” one reviewer remarked.
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy sites at Codorus State Park Campground. “Spacious, beautiful, clean, quiet,” said a satisfied camper.
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Families love the playgrounds and activities at Bull Run Regional Park. “The site was clean and well kept, bathhouse was close to the tent site,” shared a parent.

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds, like Pohick Bay Campground, can be noisy. “This place is so noisy with these helicopters that fly 24/7,” one camper complained.
  • Site Proximity: At Cherry Hill Park, sites can be close together. “There is a generally good sense of community, which is lucky because of how close together the sites are,” noted a visitor.
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Mathews Arm Campground, lack certain amenities. “There is no electricity or hookups at Matthew’s Arm,” a reviewer pointed out.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the Right Campground: Look for family-friendly spots like Greenbrier State Park Campground. “The kids loved the man-made beach and park,” a parent shared.
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. “Nice trails to take to waterfalls right by the campground,” suggested a camper at Mathews Arm Campground.
  • Check for Amenities: Ensure the campground has facilities like playgrounds and clean bathrooms. “The bathhouses & sites are always clean,” said a happy camper at Greenbrier State Park Campground.

Tips from RVers:

  • Site Selection: Choose sites wisely at Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA. “The sites were so unlevel that I was not able to get the RV leveled the entire weekend,” one RVer noted.
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Expect busy weekends at popular spots like Cherry Hill Park. “Definitely crowds up on the weekends but the amenities are endless!” shared a visitor.
  • Check for Hookups: Make sure your chosen campground has the necessary hookups. “There is no electricity or hookups at Matthew’s Arm,” a reviewer warned.

Camping near North Potomac, Maryland, provides a mix of adventure and relaxation, making it a great choice for families and outdoor lovers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near North Potomac, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near North Potomac, MD is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 42 reviews.

What parks are near North Potomac, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near North Potomac, MD that allow camping, notably Rock Creek Park and National Mall & Memorial Parks.