The landscape around Glen Burnie features gently rolling terrain at approximately 100 feet above sea level, with humid subtropical climate conditions bringing hot summers and mild winters. Camping options extend beyond premium glamping into more traditional tent and RV experiences, with several campgrounds operating seasonally from March through November due to the region's weather patterns.
What to do
Hiking trails through wooded areas: Susquehanna State Park Campground offers multiple trail experiences, from easy walks to more challenging terrain. "We went for a lovely 3 mile evening hike on the trail just down the hill behind the campsite. Scared a bunch of deer and checked out the giant old growth trees, hiked over a bridge and stream which was full of fish I could see!" shares Anne L. about her experience at the Susquehanna State Park Campground.
Lake activities: Lake recreation options provide alternatives to the typical yurt camping near Glen Burnie. At Codorus State Park, visitors can enjoy water-based recreation. "You can bring your own boat (gas allowed) or rent one from their marina. There is no swimming allowed in the lake but there is a pool located at the park, there is no extra cost to use the pool if you are at the campground," explains Catherine H. about Codorus State Park Campground.
Disc golf: For outdoor recreation beyond camping, Pohick Bay Regional Park has sporting options. "I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," suggests Rachel L., who considers Pohick Bay "a hidden gem in the area" despite being just a few miles outside DC.
What campers like
Kid-friendly amenities: Families appreciate the variety of entertainment options at Ramblin' Pines. Michelle L. describes it as a "hidden gem" where "the kids loved the bounce pillow. They had mini golf but that is in need of some love just a little clean up." Sean M. highlights that Merry Meadows Recreation Farm has "a pool, jump pillow, mini golf, fishing pond, barnyard with goats, and multiple playgrounds. I really like all the trees."
Privacy between sites: Many campers value the space and separation at Merry Meadows Recreation Farm. "The resort is spacious, scattered throughout the woods. The RV sites are comfortable with all the amenities," notes Wendy W. Similarly, at Susquehanna State Park, Jennifer S. observed "there are some great sites that are a little more isolated and give a feel of being alone in the woods that I would love to claim in the future."
Transportation options: Proximity to Washington DC makes Pohick Bay Campground appealing for urban exploration. Josh J. mentions: "Stayed here for 2w while visiting friends in Alexandria. Took me 25-30m to get there so you are far away from bustle of city but not so far that going in to enjoy breakfast or the sights is a feat."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Seasonal storms can affect camping experiences. At Merry Meadows, one camper reported: "Original reservation was Fri-Sun, but they were calling for 60 mph wind gusts Friday, and no one was in my spot so I went in a day ahead. Good thing, because the wind was crazy! Power outage at a lot of the campground Friday night due to a tree down on the power lines."
Site variations: Camp sites vary significantly in quality across locations. At Tuckahoe State Park Campground, Buck P. warns: "The web site does not say site 21 is extremely small. We have a 25' camper, and it barely fit, length and with were an issue. The firepit was about 3-4 feet from our door. No camp fires as it was not safe."
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. Adam and Suzanne B. note that Tuckahoe State Park is "wooded and only has electric hookups available. The sites are well spaced. The bathhouse is dated but was clean enough to use. There isn't much to do in the park but it was an ok jumping off point to visit St. Michaels."
Tips for camping with families
Plan for diverse weather: Prepare for both heat and sudden storms when yurt camping in Glen Burnie and surrounding areas. At Little Bennett Campground, one camper mentions: "Great night sky viewing as no lights what so ever in camping loops except for toilet/shower buildings."
Choose kid-friendly loops: Select camping loops based on proximity to playgrounds. Jennifer S. explains at Susquehanna: "The playground was fantastic, though, it was not shaded. It is also in the middle of the Acorn and Beechnut loop. This is great if you want to be away from the playground, as you can book one of the sites further off and not have kids running about."
Look for bike-friendly campgrounds: Some campgrounds offer better biking opportunities for children. Jennifer S. adds: "The camp road was minimally hilly and would be safe and easy for little kids to ride their bikes, unlike some of the campgrounds that have pretty decent hills."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: When camping with bigger RVs, site selection is crucial. At Ramblin' Pines, Buck P. advises: "I watched people with 25+ footers struggle to back into the sites." Similarly, at Tuckahoe State Park, he warns: "If you go to Tuckahoe don't reserve site 21 unless you're tent camping!"
Check hookup options: Campgrounds vary widely in their hookup offerings. Ray & Terri F. note about Little Bennett Campground: "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup. D Loop is for RVs, A, B, C&E are tents only. AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster(1 bar), 8 MB/s with it(2 bars)."
Seasonal considerations: Winter RV camping requires additional planning. Josh J. shares about Pohick Bay: "Nice and quiet here during winter more so during week than weekends," noting it took him "25-30m" to get to Alexandria, making it convenient yet removed from urban congestion.
