The unofficial camping season starts in June and continues through mid-September. Camping can be a great way to get off the grid for a couple of days to surround yourself with fresh air and nature. If you’re looking to avoid pesky bugs and enjoy some creature comforts - like a toilet - glamping may be more your speed.
Glamping, or glamorous camping, provides a few more amenities and sometimes even resort-style services for visitors who can’t quite get comfortable sleeping in the dirt. Many national parks in the DMV area allow visitors to pay a small fee to set up a tent or RV, but if you’re looking to go glamping in the DMV area, here are 5 spots to consider:
If you’re looking for a stress-free, family-friendly outdoor getaway then Sandy River Outdoor Adventures in Rice, Virginia is perfect for you. The expansive resort offers pet-friendly log cabins and luxury glamping tipis. The resort also features an adventure park, pool, and distillery to keep the whole family entertained. The scenic destination is about a 3-hour drive from D.C. The glamping tipis are air-conditioned with full bathrooms and fully stocked kitchenettes. There are several different options to accommodate 4-6 guests and each tipi is equipped with wifi and Netflix. A minimum 2-night stay is required with prices ranging from $390 to $417.
Savage River Lodge in Frostburg, Maryland is surrounded by 700 acres of forest. The destination features 8 yurts, each of which has a private deck, sitting room, king-size bed, and private bathroom. The yurts are made with a double-layered, insulated canvas and outer cover with a central skylight. Each yurt also features a breakfast nook with a beverage bar. Muffins are delivered to the yurts each morning. The Savage River Lodge is about a 3-hour drive from D.C. and rates start at $295 per night.
For an adults-only, couples adventure, consider staying in a private treehouse at the Primland Luxury Blue Ridge Mountain Resort in Meadows of Dan, Virginia. The treehouses are built in an old oak tree on a scenic ridge, offering aerial views of Roaring Creek Gorge all the way to North Carolina’s Pilot Mountain. Each treehouse features a private deck, king bed, and ensuite bathroom with a bathtub. The resort is about a 5.5-hour drive from D.C. and rates start at $1,360 per night.
Cherry Hill Park in College Park, Maryland is the closest campground to D.C. The park is a 30-minute drive from the city and is even accessible by Metro bus. The site includes glamping pods and yurts, as well as a wide range of amenities like two pools, a hot tub and sauna, 18-hole mini golf, a pickleball court, and fishing ponds. Each glamping pod is equipped with AC, wifi, a fire ring, a charcoal grill, and a nearby picnic table. The pods include access to a shared wash station and a nearby bathhouse. The pods can sleep a family of 4 and rates start at $365 for the minimum 2-night stay. The glamping yurts sleep 6 people and include AC, wifi, cable TV, a microwave and mini fridge, and a dining area. The yurts also include access to a nearby bathhouse and wash station. Rates start at $426 for a minimum of 2 nights. The glamping pods and yurts at Cherry Hill Park are only open between March 15 and November 15.
Firefly Ridge Luxury Retreat in Great Cacapon, West Virginia is only a 2-hour drive from D.C. and it provides the perfect escape from the city with opportunities to ride horses, go fishing, rejuvenate in a salt cave, or just immerse yourself in nature. The campsite features several tents built on wooden platforms. Each tent includes a power station and electric water kettle as well as dinnerware and cookware. The private campsite surrounding the tent includes a picnic table, lounging chairs, a firepit with a swingover cooking grate, and a grill. A bathhouse with private showers and toilets is located near the campsites. Rates start at $200 per night.
There are plenty of other camping and glamping sites around near the DMV area. Share your favorite camping spot in the comment section below!