Ramblin' Pines
Weak WiFi
For $90 per night the WiFi should work better. Didn’t connect at all. Had to use the antenna pointed East to get local Baltimore news.
94 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Upper Marlboro, Maryland range from rustic tent sites to full-service RV parks with cabin options. Greenbelt Park Campground, located about 10 miles northwest of Upper Marlboro, provides tent and RV camping with amenities including drinking water, fire rings, and sanitary dump stations. Cherry Hill Park in College Park offers more extensive facilities with electric hookups, showers, and cabin accommodations. Cedarville State Forest, situated southwest of Upper Marlboro, features seasonal camping from April to October with both tent and RV sites available. The region includes several developed campgrounds operated by federal, state, and county agencies.
Camping in the Upper Marlboro area typically requires advance reservations, particularly during summer months when sites fill quickly. Most campgrounds maintain paved access roads suitable for standard vehicles, though some forest service roads may require higher clearance. Weather conditions remain mild through much of the camping season, with higher humidity during summer months. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, with stronger coverage at campgrounds closer to urban areas. Permit requirements and stay limits vary by location, with most state parks limiting stays to 14 consecutive days. A visitor noted that "Greenbelt campground is a fairly nice, bare bones NPS campground. Rangers come around regularly to check on things and every one we interacted with was extremely friendly."
Several campgrounds in the area feature proximity to water recreation opportunities. Patuxent River access points provide fishing and kayaking options near some camping areas. Campers report high satisfaction with sites that balance natural settings with convenient access to Washington DC attractions. Louise F. Cosca Regional Park receives positive reviews for its clean facilities and water hookups at each site. According to one review, "This campground is about 25 sites. Only 5 sites have electric but all 25 sites have water hookup." Noise levels vary significantly between campgrounds, with those closer to highways and urban areas experiencing more ambient sound. Wildlife sightings, particularly deer and various bird species, are commonly mentioned in reviews of the more wooded camping areas. Most developed campgrounds in the region maintain year-round or extended seasonal operations.
"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"
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $999 / night
Check Availability"We picked up the camping registration outside the office at the entrance, no need to speak with anyone. Then we just drove down to our campsite in the family camping loop."
"Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"We had a fantastic time our 1st time at #AdventureBoundCampingResort in Lothian, Maryland."
"This place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest"
"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."
"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."
from $37 - $170 / night
Check Availability"Site 24 and 25 are very close together but the other sites are at a distance however, 6 of the 25 sites are unleveled so tent camping is probably the only option."
"Close to town but far enough to enjoy yourself. Bathrooms are clean and have decent showers."
from $10 - $45 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availabilityfrom $18 - $30 / night
Check Availability"My wife and I were trying to find an RV location near the Annapolis city dock for a boat show and found Pine Tree Associates."
"Camping fees include access to a large outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a hot tub. There is room for tenting and campers."
from $30 - $55 / night
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For $90 per night the WiFi should work better. Didn’t connect at all. Had to use the antenna pointed East to get local Baltimore news.
This camp ground is like a resort with 2 pools mini golf splash pad and many other amenities
This park is top notch. The grounds are immaculate. The staff is friendly and helpful. They have a lovely gift shop. We were in the 400 sites and it was nice and shady. Though you are close to highways I don’t recall hearing and noise. I love that they have shuttles to DC., walking trails and a large dog park. This is my all time favorite park so far and I need to go back.
There are some good things about this Famcamp. It's like a diamond in the rough. If the military would spend some time and money on it, it could be a great campground. One of the greatest points about this campground is its location. You are so close to downtown D.C.! Every RV site (as far as I saw) was a level concrete pad. All sites, except for tent sites, have full electricity. Most sites have sewer and water. Sites 12-18 should be mainly used for the smaller travel trailers. I had an interesting time getting my 35' 5th wheel into the site. Even though I got my RV into the site, I don't have much room for my truck. My site has a picnic table, fire pit, and a grill. Everything is rusted beyond repair. My grill was filled with cigarette butts and my fire pit had trash in it. There is some shade. My site has two trees at the front of the pad on both sides of the RV. My bedroom stays nice and cold and I have a good view for my Starlink in the rear. The sites are close to each other, but there is some space. The good thing is that we are surrounded by the golf course. You don't get much noise from the base, because of the location, and because the FamCamp is surrounded by trees. You can hear the busy road outside the fence but I don't hear it much inside the RV. Every once in a while you'll hear an aircraft... but this is an air base, it's expected. We were told the community laundry was not working and to use the base laundry mat. Finally, one of the best parts about the campground, is the lady at outdoor rec that is in charge of the Famcamp. She is very nice and helpful. She will try to assist you with anything you need from directions to useful tips.
Nice campground, maintained very well and clean. Laundry room and Propane fill on site so that was nice. RV Site was fairly level and easy to get into. Some sites are a bit close together and not long enough to keep your tow vehicle hooked up. A bit inconvenient if you’re only there for 1 night.
This is a great little state park tucked away in the woods. Campsites are pretty spacious and have nice shade. The campground has two loops, each with a bathhouse located in the middle. Our site (Butterfly Loop #3) was long enough for our motorhome and tow car. The roads are paved, as was our camping pad. The only utility at our site was 30-amp electric. There are water spigots located throughout each loop and we were close enough to fill our water tank. For the most part, the park is big-rig friendly but we did brush against some trees on our way around the loop. Campsites do vary in length so make sure you include your length when booking. We reserved online and were instructed to just go to our site which was nice and convenient. They sell firewood onsite and have a self-pay station which we loved. There is a nice boat launch and the kayak launch has a platform to assist you getting in and out and there are plenty of places to fish from the bank. There is a nature center (which was not open during our stay), playground, picnic pavilions, amphitheater, The bathrooms could use some more attention. The shower curtains were pink meaning they have not been properly cleaned in a while. Needless to say, we did not shower there. The dump station was closed while we were there but we were told we could use the dump station at Tuckahoe State Park (about 10 miles away). We really enjoyed the short hiking trails and paved trail which allowed us to log about 3 miles without having to leave the park. The campground is a really relaxing place to be. We did drive (about 40 minutes south) to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, both of which we recommend. It is also worth a drive to St. Michaels to see the quaint seaside town and visit the maritime museum (plan on spending half a day at the museum). The only downside is that the park is not gated and open for day use so a lot of people just drive through the campground looking around.
We spent a week at Bay Shore Campground to explore Rock Hall, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. What stands out about this campground? The view!
For me, this is a 4-star campground because of the view and nice staff, but not 5-stars because of the sloped site packed in with the neighbors and no sewer connection.
THINGS I LIKED:
— Great view from our site of the Chesapeake Bay— especially for sunset each evening
— Friendly staff
— Nearby Rock Hall, Chestertown, and Eastern Neck Island Wildlife Refuge
— They offered a promo to pay for 6 nights, and the 7th was free
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
— Our site(Site B) had an amazing view of Chesapeake Bay, but the slope made it difficult to get even close to level— even with my front jacks fully extended. I had to buy additional leveling blocks from the camp store(at twice the price of Amazon) just so we didn’t feel like walking uphill to walk around our motorhome. I admit, I am spoiled but really appreciate the campgrounds that level their sites. I think it could be done in a few hours with a rented front loader at a couple nights’ cost.
— Our site(Site B) was tight. The neighbor’s awning was just inches from our motorhome. I understand the need for any business to maximize revenue, but this was unpleasantly close.
— There are no sewer hookups at the sites. They do have a couple of dump stations for your way out and provide a pump-out service once per week at$40 a pop. They were nice enough to pump me out a second time since I stayed 7 nights. Again, I know I’m spoiled, but a sewer connection is a necessity when you’re staying 8 days.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
Sure thing, but we’d stay at a different site.
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.
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
Camping sites near Upper Marlboro, Maryland sit in the Atlantic coastal plain with elevations around 250 feet above sea level. The area has higher humidity during summer months with temperatures averaging 85-90°F from June through August. The camping season typically runs April through October at most sites, though several campgrounds operate year-round with limited winter amenities.
Trail exploration: Cedarville State Forest offers multiple trail systems suitable for various skill levels. "There are decent trails to hike here too. There is a sacrifice of space here- I'd like to see it expand a bit, as the campground can fill quickly," notes Bill G. The brown trail provides an accessible walking option for families.
Metro access to DC monuments: Greenbelt Park Campground serves as a practical base for visiting Washington DC. "The other great thing about it that you can spend entire days at the always-free Smithsonian museums and still fall asleep in the woods. Can't beat the close proximity to DC," says one reviewer. The green line metro from nearby stations takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the National Mall.
Water recreation: Patuxent River access points near Pohick Bay Campground provide boating options. "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats," notes Anne K. The campground maintains boat rental facilities a short walk from camping areas during peak season.
Budget-friendly options: Louise F. Cosca Regional Park provides economical camping near urban areas. "This campground is about 25 sites. Only 5 sites have electric (2, 5, 18, 24, 25) but all 25 sites have water hookup," explains Tye S. Sites cost approximately $20 for non-residents, less for Maryland residents.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms rank high in camper satisfaction. "Clean place and very quiet," reports Erwin S. about Greenbelt Park. Another reviewer notes: "Sites were well-maintained, including lavatories. Plenty of tree cover."
Urban escape experience: Campers value the contrast between natural settings and proximity to metropolitan areas. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," reports Becky about Greenbelt. Many campers use sites as convenient bases for day trips to Washington DC, Baltimore, and Annapolis.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area require advance booking through Recreation.gov or park-specific systems. "Reserve online - this is a NO CASH facility which means you CANNOT pay upon arrival so you will have to do so online," advises Crystal C. about Greenbelt Park.
Campground rules vary significantly: Regulations differ between sites regarding alcohol, pets, and hanging items from trees. "No hanging things from trees. Even if you love a hammock you cannot hang them at this park on the trees," notes one Greenbelt Park reviewer.
Seasonal considerations: Cedarville State Forest operates only from April through October with specific pest concerns. "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers," advises Ben J. Mosquitos can be problematic during summer months, particularly after rainfall.
Water features: Cherry Hill Park offers extensive water recreation. "Pros: 50 amp hook-up, Water, Sewer, Playground, Mini Golf, Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Basketball court, Snack bar on site, Nightly hayride," notes Beth R. The splash pad provides an alternative to pool swimming for younger children.
Playground proximity: When booking sites, consider location relative to play areas. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious," explains Ben G. about Pohick Bay. Sites backing to recreational areas benefit from convenience but may experience more noise.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Schedule early morning or dusk walks for optimal wildlife sightings. "Every morning birds and squirrels," reports one camper. Deer sightings are common throughout the area, particularly at dawn and dusk in less developed camping areas.
Limited big rig access: Many campgrounds have tight turns and narrow roads. "Driveways are all very narrow. Most have too much tree cover for solar or starlink, but some sites are more open," notes Laura M. about Greenbelt Park.
Site selection considerations: Adventure Bound Washington DC offers varying site quality. "Sites vary in levelness, some are fairly level and some are on a mini hill," notes one reviewer. Calling ahead to request specific sites can improve your camping experience, especially for larger rigs.
Utility connections: "The water fill was a little annoying in that there's a handle you have to hold down the whole time, but we used a rock to prop the handle down," reports a Greenbelt Park visitor. Bringing connection adapters and stabilizing tools can help overcome common hookup challenges at older campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any RV parks or RV-friendly campgrounds in Upper Marlboro?
Cherry Hill Park is a highly-rated RV park near Upper Marlboro with excellent amenities, clean facilities, and staff that provide orientation to Washington DC attractions. The park is conveniently located about 6 miles from the Metrorail station near the University of Maryland. Prince William Forest RV Campground offers a snug setting with clean bathrooms and a pool, located less than an hour from DC. For military personnel, Andrews AFB Military FamCamp provides big-rig-friendly sites. Washington DC/Capitol KOA near Millersville is another option with full hookups and accommodations for larger RVs.
What camping options are available in Upper Marlboro, Maryland?
The Upper Marlboro area offers several diverse camping options. Cedarville State Forest is a nearby public campground with family camping loops and mostly clean sites featuring fire rings and picnic tables. Louise F. Cosca Regional Park provides 25 campsites with water hookups at all sites and electric at 5 specific sites (2, 5, 18, 24, 25). For more private experiences, Button Farm offers two well-maintained sites that can accommodate up to 12 campers each with clean fire pit areas. Additional options in the broader region include Greenbelt Park Campground for basic NPS camping and Andrews AFB Military FamCamp for those with military access.
What are the best outdoor activities near Upper Marlboro campgrounds?
The Upper Marlboro area offers excellent outdoor recreation opportunities. At Fairfax County Burke Lake Park, you can enjoy fishing, boat rentals, a 5-mile paved walking path around the lake, frisbee golf, and a regular golf course. There's also a fantastic playground, carousel, and kiddy train. Tuckahoe State Park Campground on Maryland's Eastern Shore provides opportunities for kayaking on the lake and is close to the Chesapeake Bay for water activities. The region also features hiking along the C&O Canal towpath from Swains Lock, exploring the extensive trails at Patapsco Valley State Park, and accessing Washington DC's monuments and museums via nearby Metro stations.
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