c
cara S.
Scout
ScoutPatapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Hilton area
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.
Best Campgrounds near Reisterstown, MD
The Patapsco Valley State Park system anchors camping options near Reisterstown, Maryland, with locations such as the Hollofield Area and Hilton Area campgrounds offering varied accommodations within 20 miles of the city. Several established campgrounds provide a mix of tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals throughout the region. Camping areas like Cherry Hill Park and Ramblin' Pines feature full-service amenities including electric, water, and sewer hookups for RVs, while state park campgrounds maintain a more rustic atmosphere with primarily tent sites and limited hookups. The camping landscape extends from developed facilities near Baltimore's suburbs to more secluded options in surrounding counties, with most sites within a 30-minute drive of Reisterstown.
Seasonal considerations affect campground availability in the region, with many state park facilities operating from April through October. Private campgrounds like Ramblin' Pines remain open year-round. A camper at Hollofield Area noted, "The campground is pleasant, but the sites are situated quite close to one another. The camping area is away from the main parts of the park through gates, so you won't be bothered by non-camp traffic." Most campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when facilities reach capacity. Bath facilities vary in quality and age across campgrounds, with some visitors noting older but clean facilities at state parks. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area due to proximity to Baltimore, though some valleys may have limited coverage.
Campers consistently highlight the surprising sense of seclusion despite proximity to urban areas. Several visitors mention the contrast between feeling immersed in woodland settings while being minutes from highways and amenities. The region's campgrounds provide access to extensive trail systems, particularly in Patapsco Valley State Park where hiking paths connect directly to many campsites. Reviewers frequently note the convenience for Baltimore-area visitors seeking quick weekend escapes without long travel times. "Being just barely off the beaten path, I wasn't expecting all too much," reported one visitor to Hollofield Area, "I was surprised at the quiet, understated beauty of the forestry around the perfectly level campsite." Noise from nearby roads and air traffic appears in some reviews, though many campers find the woodland settings effectively buffer urban sounds.
Best Camping Sites Near Reisterstown, Maryland (126)
1. Hollofield Area Campground
18 ReviewsWindsor Mill, MD11 milesWebsite+1 (410) 461-5005$19 - $27 / night
"It has 8 recreation areas and we stayed at the Hollofield Area in April- one of our first experiences in a Maryland State Park. Beautiful park with 70 miles of hiking/biking /multi use trails."
"This campground is pleasant, but the sites are situated quite close to one another."
2. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
20 ReviewsCatonsville, MD13 milesWebsite+1 (410) 461-5005$20 - $51 / night
"Camp site(Tent camping)
The camp site is what it is, just a camp site :) It's one of the bigger state parks surrounded by forest in MD.""Another negative was after the storm for the next few days we heard trees falling nearby."
3. Ramblin' Pines
17 ReviewsWoodbine, MD13 milesWebsite+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 ❤️"
4. Codorus State Park Campground
40 ReviewsPorters Sideling, PA22 milesWebsite+1 (717) 637-2816$24 - $247 / night
"This campground isn't too far from our home in Maryland, so if they have room and we want to go spur of the moment, this one is a good choice. "
"The trails from Campground are ok for a short walk, not much of a lake view but mostly shaded trail. The pool is conveniently located maybe even walking distance for some. "
5. Merry Meadows Recreation Farm
19 ReviewsFreeland, MD17 milesWebsite+1 (410) 329-6636"It was a VERY dark walk to get to the bathhouse for showers. And the fire pit had no grill, so we ended up having to use the stoves of some RV camping friends for meals."
"Large campground with some good trails. Will definitely return!"
6. Cherry Hill Park
42 ReviewsBeltsville, MD31 milesWebsite+1 (301) 937-7116$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."
7. Little Bennett Campground
23 ReviewsClarksburg, MD30 milesWebsite+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"
8. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
32 ReviewsGreenbelt, MD33 milesWebsite+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"
9. Artillery Ridge Campground
26 ReviewsGettysburg, PA32 milesWebsite+1 (717) 334-1288"This park is a perfect location if you want to explore Gettysburg National Historical Site as you can literally walk across the street and be in the park or venture½ mile up the road and you come to the"
"Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded."
10. Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground
57 ReviewsWellsville, PA41 milesWebsite+1 (717) 292-4112$24 - $89 / night
"We have a small camper and there are some great sites on the lake side to park it where you can get AMAZING sunset views. "
"Songle car parking spot on the road then a short walk down a hill onto the site. two tent areas and plenty of prime hammock trees. there’s a small deer trail that runs between all of the sites on the water"
Recent Camping Photos near Reisterstown, MD
410 Photos of 126 Reisterstown Campgrounds
Richard B.
Hollofield Area Campground
Jennifer S.
Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Michelle L.
Ramblin' Pines
Brit A.
Starry Pond
Sharon L.
Merry Meadows Recreation Farm
Leslie
Spring-Fed Stream, Creek and Pond
Benjamin A.
Codorus State Park Campground
James W.
The Garden
Angie G.
Washington DC / Capitol KOA
Ch. A.
Little Bennett Campground
Lisa T.
Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina
Evelyn T.
Cherry Hill Park
Recent Reviews near Reisterstown, MD
1028 Reviews of 126 Reisterstown Campgrounds
MBOLScoutSusquehanna State Park Campground
Great time with kids
Nice campground had my 6 and 7 year old. The site was pretty private and had bathrooms close. I would definitely go again.
- FFredrick K.
TravelerMarble Quarry Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Great place to get some peace and quiet
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
Adam and Suzanne B.
GuideGreenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Beautiful setting
It is NOT closed for 2026! Spent the weekend here as it is only an hour from home. There are 4 large camping loops. Only loop C- cedar has electric. None of the loops have water hookups but all have spigots to fill your rig. There are also 3 fill stations at check in (which we missed). The campground is on a hill and the loop roads are narrow, hilly, and winding. We had no trouble with our 23 ft TT and saw some bigger rigs. There are some tight angles to get into a few sites. But, once you are in, the sites are spacious and mostly private. It is wooded without feeling overgrown. Loop D has some sites that are good buddy campsites. There are many hiking trails and a lovely lake. The only bad thing are the dated bathhouses. Mostly clean but there are only 2 showers for each fenced for each loop and they were yucky enough that we showered at our rig. It was busy but pretty quiet. It’s close to I-70
- VVaught M.Scout
Brunswick Family Campground
Lovely campground on the C&O. Beware the trains!
This is a lovely campground that I recommend and would stay again. We have been twice: once as a family and once with a Scout troop. The RV sites are fairly large and clean. The tent-only sites are smaller and have a metal fire ring with a grate (nice!). The RV sites have mostly brick rings without grates. The bathrooms are fairly small (two showers on the female and one on the male) which might be an issue on busy weekends. The only real water entrance is the boat ramp, but you can climb down a cliff in other places. A, D, and E are sunnier. B and C and Nottingham are mostly wooded with mature trees. We used the site as a base for a bike trip along the C&O to go to Harper’s Ferry (14mi round trip along a gravel path). The staff were friendly and there is a small camp store.
But the trains! THE TRAINS!!! Every review will mention them for a reason. The site is adjacent to a rail yard that runs all day. Not just a passing train, but clanging car and engine changes. It’s LOUD. I slept with earplugs, but could still hear the noise. The yard really starts going around 5am and goes all day. It slows down after 8/9pm, but never stops entirely. The trains are the only reason for the removed star and it’s not the campground’s fault. But almost all of the real complaints are about the noise. If you want an extra quiet campground with only birds and running water, this is not the place for you. But if you don’t mind the loud bangs and low rumbles, this place is fine!
The entrance is beyond the train yard and about a mile down a widened part of the C&O. It is possible to be trapped inside or outside if a train is stopped at the crossing (30min for us, once).
In short, it’s a great campground if you bring ear plugs!
Nani C.TravelerOwens Creek Campground — Catoctin Mountain Park
Nice and Simple Spot!
Booked this site about a week before just as a spontaneous one night trip towards the end of fall. Was greeted with a nicely stocked firewood hut on the way in, unfortunately most of the wood wasn't dry due to rain the day before and the wood being out from under the hut awning, but we made do with the stacks of dead wood along the outside of the site. Our site had the main area with the picnic table and fire pit and then a large level tent pad a couple of steps below it. I believe we went the last weekend of the season so it wasn't too populated, despite this being a smaller campsite. We did have neighbors on each side of us and across from us, and the sites are a reasonable distance apart. The trees were thinned out by the time we went so there wasn't much privacy, but I can imagine that when they're grown in it adds much more privacy, at least from nextdoor neighbors. Everyone there was considerate and friendly, even the camp host. The bathrooms were clean, functional, and a short walk away from the site. Would recommend if you want a quick getaway without frill.
Etzer D.GuideGifford Pinchot State Park Campground
Excellent
We had a beautiful spot at a stones throw from the beach area. The water was great and clean and a good temperature at this time of year. Our camping site was huge. We had some people come over and hang out with us and they did not feel cramped. The kids had a fantastic time and definitely wanna come back.
- aamanda A.Scout
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
Great Campsite!
The campground is well maintained. The facilities were clean, and the other campers were friendly. There was plenty of firewood (fallen tree limbs and branches on the ground to use. Overall we had a great time!
Erin M.GuideCaledonia State Park Campground
Excellent well maintained state park
Clean bathrooms, full hookups with paved spots, firewood and ice for sale based on an honor system - so nice.
1 bar ATT 2 bar T-Mobile 50-100mbps with Starlink with obstructions
Guide to Reisterstown
Camping options near Reisterstown, Maryland include terrain that rises from 500 to over 700 feet in elevation throughout the area's rolling hills. Most campgrounds sit within the Piedmont region where deciduous forests provide shade during humid summer months when temperatures regularly reach the high 80s. Facilities typically open for the main season between mid-April and late October when overnight temperatures remain above 50°F, though several private campgrounds operate year-round.
What to do
Horseback battlefield tours: At Artillery Ridge Campground in Gettysburg, campers can access guided horseback tours through historic Civil War sites directly from the campground. "You can take guided tours of the battlefield on horseback. Nice catch and release pond in campground," shares Zack in a 2021 review.
Disc golf courses: The lake areas at Codorus State Park Campground feature two separate 18-hole disc golf courses. "There are a lot of trails available for hiking, biking, or riding horses," notes Catherine H., who warns visitors to watch for poison ivy in some areas.
Hiking trails from campsites: Numerous campgrounds offer direct trail access from camping areas. "We enjoyed hiking the trails directly from our campsite that led us down to the Patapsco River. There is a lot of history associated with the River and the area," explains a visitor to Hollofield Area. Many trails follow waterways or connect multiple recreation areas within the larger parks.
What campers like
Natural playgrounds: Families appreciate the creative play spaces at Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area. "There is a massive playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park," writes Angel G., adding that "It's the perfect little getaway from the city for camping, fishing and hiking."
Swimming options: Most state parks maintain dedicated swimming areas during summer months. "There is a pool located at the park, there is no extra cost to use the pool if you are at the campground," notes Catherine H. about Codorus State Park. Some parks offer both pool and lake swimming, though a few prohibit swimming in their lakes.
Full amenity range: Private campgrounds like Cherry Hill Park offer extensive on-site features. "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," lists Beth R., making these locations suitable for longer stays.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Many state park campgrounds fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. "You can only check in between 2 and 4! This might be off season though," notes Sean M. about Ramblin' Pines, highlighting the importance of confirming check-in procedures beforehand.
Site privacy varies: Campground layouts differ significantly in spacing and privacy. "Sites were well-maintained, including lavatories. Plenty of tree cover. NOTE: park service forbade tying lines or straps to the trees at the time of our visit (Autumn 2024), so if you favor hammock camping or deploying tarps/ridgelines, plan accordingly," advises Timothy C. about Greenbelt Campground.
Traffic noise levels: Despite wooded settings, some campgrounds experience noise from nearby highways. "Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," explains a Greenbelt Campground reviewer. Sites deeper within camping loops generally offer better sound buffering from roads.
Payment policies: Some campgrounds maintain cash-only policies or require deposits. Several reviewers note these restrictions, with one camper at Merry Meadows explaining, "One of the complaints was they work on cash. Yeah, I knows it's not popular because most of us live in a plastic dominated world. I read it in advance and I just made sure we had some with us."
Tips for camping with families
Sensory trails: Little Bennett Campground offers specialized trails designed for children. "Nice grounds and tent pad. Ample camp site size," notes Stephen K., though he adds they're "Just right next to a neighborhood."
Plan for weather contingencies: The region experiences rapid weather changes in spring and summer. "When I went to leave on Sunday, as I was driving up an incline my trailer became unhitched from my tow vehicle. The whole hitch came off and the trailer was dragging by the chains! The owners husband kindly helped me get it jacked up," shares a camper who experienced strong storms at Merry Meadows.
Consider mini cabins: Several parks offer cabin options ideal for families new to camping. "The best part of this campground are the 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,'" explains Sean M. about Patapsco Valley's Hilton Area.
Tips from RVers
Approach directions matter: Some campgrounds have height restrictions on approach roads. "ALSO- APPROACH THIS PARK ONLY FROM THE WEST IF YOUR VEHICLE IS OVER 11 FEET HIGH. (There is a 11' bridge coming east bound into this park)," warns a Travyl Couple about Hollofield Area Campground.
Urban access options: When visiting Washington DC, several campgrounds provide direct transportation. "No need to drive anywhere, the tour buses pick you up at the park!" explains Jason E. about Cherry Hill Park, which also offers "On-site bus shuttle" service to public transportation connections.
Site selection for privacy: Many RVers recommend requesting specific site numbers. "We were at site 430. It was a perfect spot tucked away from the others and a short walk to the restrooms," reports Andrea S. about her experience at Hollofield Area, noting the importance of site selection for privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Reisterstown, MD?
Which is the most popular campground near Reisterstown, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Reisterstown, MD is Hollofield Area Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 18 reviews.
What parks are near Reisterstown, MD?
What parks are near Reisterstown, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Reisterstown, MD that allow camping, notably Greenbelt Park and Rock Creek Park.
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