If you’ve never camped near Rockville, MD, you’re in for a treat. The state’s natural beauty abounds here, and the city boasts easy access to the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. A few must-know facts:
- Rockville is a wonderful community with a quaint town square, cultural and art events, and a seasonal ice rink.
- It is also packed with parks, lakes, rivers, and nature centers just waiting to be explored.
- Rockville is a great place for nature lovers to escape to the natural world, because it is surrounded by woods and campgrounds to the west.
Ready to find your next outdoor overnight adventure? We’ve got some tips to help you get started camping near Rockville, MD, including the right gear to pack, tricks for finding the best camping spots, and making sure you have a safe camping trip.
Where to Go Camping Near Rockville
There are plenty of options for camping near Rockville, MD. These are five of the best for overnight camping and a fun weekend getaway of hiking, swimming, boating, and more.
1. Greenbelt Park
Greenbelt Park offers an affordable oasis for peaceful camping and beautiful surroundings. As part of the National Park Service, Greenbelt offers 174 campsites, three picnic areas, and nine miles of scenic trails. Campsites are rustic tent camping sites, with no water hook ups, sewer, or electric. Amenities for campers at Greenbelt Park include:
- Cell phone reception
- Trash and recycling collection
- Potable water
- Dump station
- 24-hour staff on-site
Reservations for camping at Greenbelt Park must be made through the campground’s online reservation system. Pets are allowed, but must be leashed at all times. Many campers choose Greenbelt to take advantage of the campground’s proximity to Washington D.C. to enjoy everything that our nation’s Capital has to offer.
2. Ramblin’ Pines Family Campground & RV Park
Ramblin’ Pines Campground combines the best of both worlds: It’s a safe, family-oriented campground that also gets you in touch with nature. It offers 200 RV campsites — 190 of them with full hookups — as well as games like horseshoes, community events, and swimming. This campground near Rockville also has cabins available for rent, for those who are looking for a slightly more stationary or established camping environment.
3. Patapsco Valley State Park
The Patapsco Valley State Park is a camping spot that stretches along the beautiful Patapsco River. It provides scenic waterfront camping sites as well as tons of recreational activities like hiking, canoeing, fishing, mountain biking, and horseback riding. There are also more than 200 miles of trails to enjoy.
4. Greenville Farm Family Campground
Greenville Farm Campground offers campsites on a 200-acre working farm. Campers can roam freely and relax with the animals. Greenville has 125 overnight camping spaces, showers, restrooms, laundry, and an on-site pool. It is open to both tent campers and folding RV campers, but no full RVs are allowed.
5. Washington Monument State Park
Camp under a rugged stone tower erected in honor of our first President in 1827. Washington Monument State Park features wooded mountainside camping, picnic pavilions, playgrounds, and hiking on a portion of the Appalachian Trail. The park is popular with bird watchers who gather for an annual count of migrating hawks and eagles, as well as hundreds of other species.
Bring the Right Camping Gear
Now that you know where to go, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared for an overnight camping trip with the right gear and supplies. Here is a packing list for the best basic camping gear for your overnight trip.
Camp essentials
- Tent, including poles, lines, and stakes
- Tarp for under the tent (to keep it dry)
- Flashlight
- Camp lantern
- Mallet or hammer
- Sleeping bags
- Sleeping pads or blow up mattresses
- Pillows
- Folding chairs and table
- Pocket knife
- First aid Kit
Clothing for camping
- Long pants
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Wool socks
- Hiking boots
- Lightweight hat
- Water shoes
- Swimsuit
- Sunglasses
- Waterproof jacket
Food and cooking supplies
- Camping stove
- Fuel for camping stove
- Cookware (pot, skillet)
- Utensils for eating and cooking
- Water jug
- Cutting board
- Dish soap and sponge
- Plastic bin or bucket for rinsing
- Food for meals
- Prepackaged snacks
- Drinks
- S’mores ingredients!
Personal items to bring on a camping trip
- Toilet paper
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Bug spray
- Hand sanitizer
- Painkillers
- Prescription medication
- Toiletry kit including toothpaste, soap, toothbrush, comb, etc.
- Camera
- Board games/cards
There are many sporting goods stores that offer a wide selection of camping gear perfect for your camping trip. Speak with a professional at such stores to make sure you’re purchasing what you need to stay safe, warm, and dry on your next overnight, outdoor trip.
7 Tips for a Safe Camping Trip
To ensure everyone has a great time on your overnight camping trip — and gets home safely — it’s important to follow basic camping safety rules. Here are 7 tips for safe camping experiences.
- Keep a sharp eye on the weather.
Check the Rockville, MD forecast carefully before your trip. Weather can change quickly, so be aware of storms moving in or expected temperature drops before heading out. - Store food safely.
Food lying around and not properly sealed attracts wild animals to your camp. Be proactive and pack your food in plastic, watertight containers. Also, be sure food is properly stored in a cooler, and don’t mix cooked and raw food to avoid contamination.
- Practice fire safety.
Campfires should be well away from any tents, tarps, canopies, trees, and shrubs. There should always be a designated fire pit surrounded by stones to keep the fire contained. Keep a water bucket near the fire for emergencies, and put the fire out before you go to bed and before you leave the campsite. - Choose the right shelter.
Analyze the physical needs of everyone participating and choose whether a tent, cabin, or RV will be most appropriate. - Don’t forget about allergies.
If anyone in your party has any type of allergy, be sure to bring the proper medications or Epipen to deal with any incidents. - Stay hydrated.
Make sure you are drinking water regularly throughout the day. - Be mindful of wildlife.
Avoid feeding wild animals or TOUCHING unfamiliar plants, and be sure to wash and sanitize your hands if you do come in contact with wildlife.
Rockville, MD has so many ways to get out and enjoy the outdoors safely, plus take in the gorgeous scenery, wonderful camping amenities, and spend time in nature. Ensuring you’re well prepared for your trip will give everyone a chance to enjoy the magic of being out in such a beautiful area.
If you’re planning a move to Rockville, MD, or are in the market for a new home, contact Nomadic Real Estate today to speak with an expert. Our friendly professionals are ready to answer all your questions about living in this spectacular area and help you find the perfect home for you and your family.
Alternatively, if you are looking for a place to rent, check out our DC rentals.