Woodbine camping sites sit within Maryland's Piedmont region at elevations of 300-500 feet, creating a temperate setting for outdoor recreation. The area experiences moderate rainfall year-round, with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and winter lows near 30°F. Woodbine's location at the western edge of Howard County provides access to both mountain terrain and Chesapeake watershed environments.
What to do
Hiking trails at Patapsco Valley: Several loops of varying difficulty connect directly to campsites, leading to scenic river views. According to a visitor at Hollofield Area Campground, "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. You can even swim in this river."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple stocked ponds offer catch-and-release fishing within a 10-minute drive of most campsites. A visitor at Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park mentioned, "We love hiking to the falls, swimming in the lake, visiting Misty Meadow farm and creamery, and relaxing!"
Biking routes: Several campgrounds connect to paved bike paths suitable for casual riders. As one camper noted about Patapsco Valley, "We really loved road biking to the nearby H Mart to have fun shopping and browsing their unique selection."
Metro access to DC: From Greenbelt Park Campground, campers can reach Washington DC attractions via public transit. A recent visitor explained, "The METRO (only about 10 minutes with traffic)... Take the METRO if you are going into the District. There are two stations very close to camp (Greenbelt and University Park)."
What campers like
Natural surroundings despite urban proximity: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Woodbine balance woodland settings with accessibility to urban amenities. A visitor at Greenbelt Park Campground observed, "After staying here for a week I was so pleased by the quiet nature of the campground, the overall feeling of the outdoor space (every morning birds and squirrels) and the proximity to the METRO."
Private and spacious sites: Little Bennett Campground offers well-spaced sites with vegetation for privacy. A reviewer noted, "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."
Clean facilities: Bathhouses and common areas receive regular maintenance at most pet-accommodating campgrounds. A guest at Cherry Hill Park commented, "Everything was extremely clean and well maintained. We loved the brick patio with patio furniture."
Kid-friendly activities: Multiple playgrounds, splash pads, and open fields provide entertainment for children. A Cherry Hill Park visitor shared, "Great amenities... Playground, Mini Golf, Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Basketball court, Snack bar on site, Nightly hayride."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Some loops offer more privacy than others, especially for tent campers. A Patapsco Valley visitor advised, "If you're a tent camper and don't need electric, the sites on the outer loop were quite nice and private."
Seasonal considerations: October brings increased weekend visitor traffic due to fall foliage and festivals. A camper at Cunningham Falls noted, "Loved this campground for the scenery during leaf peeping season. Our site was level and well separated from others, though it was small."
Reservation requirements: Most Woodbine area pet friendly campgrounds require advance booking, especially during summer months. A Greenbelt Park visitor explained, "This is a NO CASH facility which means you CANNOT pay upon arrival so you will have to do so online."
Limited hook-ups: Many state park campgrounds offer electric but lack full water and sewer connections. A Little Bennett camper reported, "There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy. OTA TV was descent using an external omni antenna. There is no WiFi."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: While some rivers allow swimming, designated pool areas offer safer alternatives with lifeguards. A visitor to Codorus State Park Campground noted, "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."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature multiple playground areas for different age groups. A Patapsco Valley camper mentioned, "There is a 'natural' playground in the loop, and then if you drive down further to the park entrance, there is a large playground for the kids."
Nature programs: Rangers offer educational activities during peak season. As one Cunningham Falls visitor shared, "During peak season, there are nature programs going on."
Bathhouse proximity: When camping with small children, select sites closer to facilities. One Cunningham Falls visitor observed, "The electric 'A loop' is paved so it's great for bike riding. The bathhouse is just a short walk away."
Tips from RVers
Navigating narrow entrances: Some campgrounds have specific approach directions for larger rigs. A Patapsco Valley visitor cautioned, "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.)"
Parking limitations: Site dimensions vary considerably between campgrounds. A visitor at Little Bennett commented, "Sites are 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."
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds with electric hookups have on-site dump stations. According to one Cherry Hill Park review, the campground includes "50 amp hook-up, Water, Sewer" among its amenities.
Tree clearance for satellite: Heavily wooded sites often block satellite signals. A Little Bennett visitor noted, "There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy. OTA TV was descent using an external omni antenna."