RV Parks In Brandywine, Maryland
38.6968° N, 76.8478° W
Quick Overview
Brandywine is a spread-out crossroads community in southern Prince George's County, Maryland, sitting where US-301 meets MD-5 about 20 to 25 miles south of Washington DC. For RVers it works as a quiet, affordable base on the edge of the DC metro, with a genuine state forest campground in town and full-hookup private parks a short drive away. If you want capital-area access without parking a rig in city traffic, this is a smart place to point the coach.
The public anchor is Cedarville State Forest, a 27-site loop run by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources with 30-amp electric on the inner loop, a central bathhouse, and a dump station and water-fill at the entrance. It is scenic and cheap, but the camp road is narrow and posts a 35-foot RV limit, so it favors smaller rigs. For full hookups and big-rig room you head out a bit: Duncan's Family Campground in Lothian, roughly 15 miles east, has around 353 sites with 50-amp full hookups, pull-throughs, a pool, and year-round operation, while Cherry Hill Park near College Park, about 25 miles north, is the closest resort-style park to the DC line.
Brandywine rewards RVers who want history and nature over nightlife. Cedarville State Forest has trails and a fishing pond at your door, Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary protects 1,670 acres of Patuxent River marsh nearby, and the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum, Piscataway Park, and Rosaryville State Park are all within a short drive. The town itself is a real commercial strip, so supermarkets, fuel, propane, and basic repair are easy along US-301. Spring and fall are the sweet spots here, with mild green weather and thinner crowds, while summer runs hot and humid with mosquitoes off the marshes, and winter is quiet with Cedarville closed and only the year-round private parks open. Roll in on US-301 or down MD-5 from the Beltway, pick the park that fits your rig and hookup needs, and use Brandywine as an easy, low-key launch pad for the capital region and southern Maryland.
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Gear for Your Trip to Brandywine
All Dump Stations Near Brandywine
| Station Name | Distance | Rating | Category | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gillespies Mobile Court | 3.9 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Louise F. Cosca Regional Park | 4.4 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Famcamp | 6.4 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Maryland National Capital Park | 7.9 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Melwood Mobile Home Park | 8.3 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Patuxent River Park - Pavilion And Camp Ground | 8.3 mi | 4.7 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Milltown Landing Campsite | 9.5 mi | 4.7 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Adventure Bound Camping Resorts - Washington Dc | 11.7 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Rio Vista Mobile Home Park | 11.9 mi | 3.9 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Penn-daw Terrace Trailer Park | 13.7 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
Gillespies Mobile Court
3.9 miLouise F. Cosca Regional Park
4.4 miFamcamp
6.4 miMaryland National Capital Park
7.9 miMelwood Mobile Home Park
8.3 miPatuxent River Park - Pavilion And Camp Ground
8.3 miMilltown Landing Campsite
9.5 miAdventure Bound Camping Resorts - Washington Dc
11.7 miRio Vista Mobile Home Park
11.9 miPenn-daw Terrace Trailer Park
13.7 miTraveling to Brandywine by RV
Brandywine sits at the crossroads of US-301 (the Robert Crain Highway) and MD-5 (Branch Avenue), with MD-381 feeding in from the south. These are wide divided highways built for truck and commuter traffic, with no notable low bridges or weight limits, so a 40-foot rig tows in comfortably. Most RVers arrive on US-301 from the Bay Bridge and Eastern Shore side or come down MD-5 from the Capital Beltway. I-495 is roughly 15 miles north and ties into I-95, so the interstate network is an easy reach.
Note that the camp road inside Cedarville State Forest is narrow with a 35-foot RV length limit, so big rigs should base at Duncan's Family Campground or Cherry Hill Park instead. Around town, big commercial lots along US-301 make daytime maneuvering easy. Fill diesel or gas at the truck-friendly stations on US-301 and MD-5, and top off propane and groceries here since this strip is the last big one before the quieter countryside to the south. For state-forest reservations, book through the Maryland DNR system online or by phone.
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Before You Go: RV Trip Essentials
Dump stations are only one piece of the trip puzzle. Before you set out for your trip to Brandywine, Maryland, it's worth taking thirty minutes to check that the basics are in place — the four areas below are where unprepared RVers most often get stung.
Check your RV insurance coverage
A standard auto policy rarely covers a Class A, Class C, or travel trailer the way a dedicated RV insurance policy does. If you're financing a motorhome, lenders typically require comprehensive and collision; full-timers should additionally price in vacation liability and personal belongings coverage. Rates vary widely by state and travel pattern — compare quotes from multiple RV-focused carriers before each season.
Know your roadside assistance options
RV-specific roadside plans tow motorhomes and trailers that regular AAA coverage won't touch — flat beds, mobile mechanics, tire service for duallies, and even emergency lockouts at remote campgrounds. Good plans cover your spouse and trailer even if you're driving a separate vehicle, and some include trip interruption reimbursement if a breakdown costs you a reservation.
Decide about an extended warranty early
Original manufacturer warranties on new RVs typically run 12–24 months — shorter than most buyers realize. An extended service contract (essentially a mechanical breakdown policy) covers the appliances, slides, levelling systems, and drivetrain components that can run $3,000–$10,000 to replace. The time to price one is before the factory coverage expires, not after something breaks.
Set up a travel rewards card for fuel and fees
A no-annual-fee travel or gas rewards card pays for itself on a single month of RV travel. Expect to spend $400–$800 per week combined on fuel, campgrounds, and propane — 3–5% cash back on gas alone covers the next oil change. For bigger trips, a sign-up bonus can offset campground fees for the whole season.
RVingLife is supported by advertising. Third-party ads on this page may include insurance quotes, roadside plans, warranty coverage, or financial products relevant to the topics above. We don't endorse any specific provider — compare multiple offers before you commit. Privacy policy.
Dump Station Costs in Brandywine
Brandywine covers a wide price range, so your rig and hookup needs drive the budget. Cedarville State Forest is the value pick: state-forest electric sites price well below the private parks once you add the reservation fee through parkreservations.maryland.gov, and you still get a dump station, water-fill, and hot showers. The trade-off is electric-only sites and a 35-foot limit.
For full hookups, expect to pay more. Duncan's Family Campground in Lothian quotes roughly $45 a night for standard full hookups and around $50 for 50-amp full-hookup sites, with cheaper water-and-electric back-in and pull-through options and discounted weekly and monthly rates for longer stays. Cherry Hill Park near College Park sits at the top of the range as a full-amenity resort close to DC. Across all of them, midweek and shoulder-season nights run noticeably cheaper than summer weekends, so shifting your dates a few days can save real money near the capital.
Contact station for pricing details.
Prices may vary. Always confirm with the station before visiting.
What RVers Are Saying About Brandywine
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Best Time to Visit Brandywine by RV
Winter
Nov - Feb
28F - 45F
Crowds: Low
Cedarville State Forest is closed for the season, so year-round private parks like Duncan's Family Campground carry the winter. Expect damp cold, the odd snow, and quiet sites, so confirm the park is open and plan to run your own heat.
Spring
Mar - May
44F - 66F
Crowds: Medium
Cedarville reopens in April and the forest greens up fast. Weekdays and early-season weekends are wide open and cheap; book ahead once you hit the Memorial Day two-night minimum weekends.
Summer
Jun - Aug
68F - 88F
Crowds: High
Hot, humid, and busy. Cedarville's 27 sites and holiday minimums fill early, so reserve well ahead; the private parks with pools and 50-amp full hookups are the comfortable heat-and-humidity pick.
Fall
Sep - Oct
46F - 68F
Crowds: Medium
The area's sweet spot. September and October bring settled, cooler weather and thinning crowds. Cedarville runs through October, then closes, so book the last forest weekends before the season ends.
Explore the Brandywine Area
A few things we'd tell a friend heading to Brandywine. First, Cedarville State Forest only has 27 sites and a 35-foot length limit, so measure your rig and book early for any summer or holiday weekend, when two- and three-night minimums kick in. If you run a big coach or want true full hookups with sewer, skip the forest and base at Duncan's Family Campground in Lothian, then day-trip back into Brandywine and the parks nearby.
Second, if Washington DC is the real target, Cherry Hill Park near College Park is the easiest launch pad, with resort amenities and a tour shuttle so you never drive the rig into the city. Third, treat US-301 as your resupply strip: fuel, propane, and full-size supermarkets are all here, and they thin out fast once you head into the southern Maryland countryside. Finally, plan around the seasons. Summer is hot, humid, and buggy near the Patuxent marshes, so bring good AC and screens, while spring and fall give you the mildest weather and the easiest site availability of the year.
National Parks Nearby
Frequently Asked Questions About Dump Stations in Brandywine
What are the best RV parks and campgrounds in Brandywine, MD?
The standout public option right in Brandywine is Cedarville State Forest, a quiet 27-site loop with 30-amp electric sites, a dump station, and miles of forest trails at your door. For full hookups and big-rig room you head a short drive out: Duncan's Family Campground in Lothian, about 15 miles east, has roughly 353 sites with 50-amp full hookups, a pool, and year-round operation, and Cherry Hill Park near College Park, about 25 miles north, is the closest resort-style park to Washington DC. Between them you can match almost any rig size and stay length in the area.
Do RV parks near Brandywine have full hookups with water, electric, and sewer?
It depends on where you stay. Cedarville State Forest offers only 30-amp electric on its inner loop with no water or sewer at the site, though there is a dump station and water-fill at the campground entrance. For true full hookups including sewer, you want the private parks: Duncan's Family Campground in Lothian has 50-amp full-hookup sites plus water-and-electric pull-throughs, and Cherry Hill Park near College Park runs full-hookup, big-rig pull-throughs with 50-amp service. Plan to dump and fill fresh water at Cedarville rather than expecting hookups at every site.
How much does RV camping cost around Brandywine?
Brandywine spans a wide price range. Cedarville State Forest is the budget pick, with electric state-forest sites priced well below private parks once you add the reservation fee through parkreservations.maryland.gov. Private full-hookup parks run higher: Duncan's Family Campground in Lothian quotes roughly $45 for standard full hookups and around $50 for 50-amp full-hookup sites, with cheaper water-and-electric back-in and pull-through options and discounted weekly and monthly rates. Cherry Hill Park sits at the top of the range as a full-amenity resort near DC. Midweek and shoulder-season stays are noticeably cheaper than summer weekends.
How far ahead should I reserve a campsite in Brandywine?
For Cedarville State Forest, reserve as early as you can for summer and any holiday weekend, because the loop holds just 27 sites and enforces a two-night minimum from Memorial Day through Labor Day plus a three-night minimum on holidays. You can book online at parkreservations.maryland.gov 24 hours a day or call 1-888-432-2267 on weekdays. The private parks like Duncan's Family Campground carry more inventory and are easier to grab on shorter notice, but their full-hookup and 50-amp sites still fill on peak summer weekends near DC, so a week or two ahead is wise in season.
When is the best time of year to go RV camping in Brandywine?
Spring and fall are the sweet spots. April through June brings mild, green weather as Cedarville State Forest reopens for the season, and September into October delivers crisp, settled days with thinning crowds before the forest campground closes at the end of October. Summer is peak season but hot and humid with real mosquito pressure near the Patuxent marshes, so the private parks with pools and 50-amp full hookups are the comfortable choice then. Winter is quiet and damp; Cedarville is closed, so you rely on year-round private parks and your own heat.
Can big rigs and 40-foot RVs camp near Brandywine?
Yes, but choose the right park. Cedarville State Forest posts a 35-foot RV length limit and has a narrow, tree-lined camp road, so it is not the place for a 40-foot coach or a long fifth-wheel combo. For big rigs, head to Duncan's Family Campground in Lothian, which handles everything from big rigs to tents with 50-amp full-hookup and pull-through sites, or Cherry Hill Park near College Park, which is built around large pull-throughs and resort access. Both give you room to maneuver and level, so save Cedarville for rigs comfortably under the limit.
Are there free or first-come camping options near Brandywine?
Not really, and it is better to know that up front. Brandywine sits in developed Mid-Atlantic suburb-and-farmland country with no dispersed public-land boondocking nearby, so there is no legitimate free RV camping in the area. Retail-lot overnighting along US-301 is possible only with individual store-manager permission and is never guaranteed. Cedarville State Forest is reservation-based rather than first-come, though you can sometimes find a last-minute opening midweek in the shoulder seasons. For any real stay, plan on Cedarville or one of the private full-hookup parks rather than counting on free options.
Is there public RV camping in Brandywine?
Yes. Cedarville State Forest is the public campground right in Brandywine, run by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. It is a single 27-site loop set in thousands of forested acres, with 30-amp electric on the inner loop, a central bathhouse with hot showers, water spigots throughout, and a dump station and water-fill at the entrance. Sites include a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and lantern post. The campground is open April through October and takes reservations online at parkreservations.maryland.gov. It is quieter and more scenic than the highway-side private parks, though you trade full hookups for the forest setting.
What highways lead into Brandywine for an RV?
Brandywine sits at the crossroads of US-301, the Robert Crain Highway, and MD-5, known as Branch Avenue, with MD-381 feeding in as well. These are wide divided highways built for truck and commuter traffic, so there are no notable low bridges or weight limits and a big rig rolls in comfortably. Most RVers arrive on US-301 from the Bay Bridge and Eastern Shore direction or come down MD-5 from the Capital Beltway. I-495, the Beltway, is roughly 15 miles north and ties into I-95, so Brandywine is an easy reach from the wider interstate network.
What is there to do near Brandywine while camping?
More than you would expect for a crossroads town. Cedarville State Forest itself has hiking and mountain-bike trails, a fishing pond, and the headwaters of the Zekiah Swamp. Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary, about 12 miles northeast on the Patuxent River, has a free family visitor center and wintering Canada geese. History buffs can tour the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum to the south, where the doctor treated John Wilkes Booth after the Lincoln assassination. Piscataway Park sits on the Potomac across from Mount Vernon, and Rosaryville State Park offers riding and biking trails a short drive north.
Can I visit Washington DC while camping in Brandywine?
Absolutely, and it is a common reason RVers base here. Brandywine sits roughly 20 to 25 miles south of Washington DC, close enough for day trips into the capital without paying downtown prices or fighting city traffic in your rig. The smart move is to leave the RV parked at your campground and drive the tow vehicle or catch transit toward the city. Cherry Hill Park near College Park is the closest full-service park to the DC line and even runs a tour shuttle, while Duncan's Family Campground and Cedarville give you a quieter base a bit farther out with an easy highway run up MD-5 or US-301.
Does Cedarville State Forest have a dump station and hookups for my RV?
Cedarville State Forest has a dump station and a water-fill point located together at the campground entrance, so you can empty tanks and top off fresh water during your stay. At the sites themselves, the inner loop offers 30-amp electric only, with no individual water or sewer hookups. That means you camp on electric and your own fresh-water tank, then use the entrance facilities as needed. If full hookups at the site are a must, book Duncan's Family Campground or Cherry Hill Park instead, and treat Cedarville as the scenic, budget-friendly forest option with electric and a convenient dump station.
Is Brandywine a good base for RV trips in southern Maryland?
It is a solid one. Brandywine sits at the US-301 and MD-5 crossroads on the edge of Prince George's and Charles counties, which puts the DC suburbs, the Patuxent and Potomac rivers, and the quieter southern Maryland countryside all within easy reach. You have Cedarville State Forest right in town, big-rig full hookups a short drive away at Duncan's Family Campground, and a resort option near DC at Cherry Hill Park. Add full-size supermarkets, fuel, and propane along US-301 and a spread of parks and historic sites nearby, and it works well as a multi-day base rather than a one-night stop.
What are the best RV parks and campgrounds in Brandywine, MD?
The standout public option right in Brandywine is Cedarville State Forest, a quiet 27-site loop with 30-amp electric sites, a dump station, and miles of forest trails at your door. For full hookups and big-rig room you head a short drive out: Duncan's Family Campground in Lothian, about 15 miles east, has roughly 353 sites with 50-amp full hookups, a pool, and year-round operation, and Cherry Hill Park near College Park, about 25 miles north, is the closest resort-style park to Washington DC. Between them you can match almost any rig size and stay length in the area.
Do RV parks near Brandywine have full hookups with water, electric, and sewer?
It depends on where you stay. Cedarville State Forest offers only 30-amp electric on its inner loop with no water or sewer at the site, though there is a dump station and water-fill at the campground entrance. For true full hookups including sewer, you want the private parks: Duncan's Family Campground in Lothian has 50-amp full-hookup sites plus water-and-electric pull-throughs, and Cherry Hill Park near College Park runs full-hookup, big-rig pull-throughs with 50-amp service. Plan to dump and fill fresh water at Cedarville rather than expecting hookups at every site.
How much does RV camping cost around Brandywine?
Brandywine spans a wide price range. Cedarville State Forest is the budget pick, with electric state-forest sites priced well below private parks once you add the reservation fee through parkreservations.maryland.gov. Private full-hookup parks run higher: Duncan's Family Campground in Lothian quotes roughly $45 for standard full hookups and around $50 for 50-amp full-hookup sites, with cheaper water-and-electric back-in and pull-through options and discounted weekly and monthly rates. Cherry Hill Park sits at the top of the range as a full-amenity resort near DC. Midweek and shoulder-season stays are noticeably cheaper than summer weekends.
How far ahead should I reserve a campsite in Brandywine?
For Cedarville State Forest, reserve as early as you can for summer and any holiday weekend, because the loop holds just 27 sites and enforces a two-night minimum from Memorial Day through Labor Day plus a three-night minimum on holidays. You can book online at parkreservations.maryland.gov 24 hours a day or call 1-888-432-2267 on weekdays. The private parks like Duncan's Family Campground carry more inventory and are easier to grab on shorter notice, but their full-hookup and 50-amp sites still fill on peak summer weekends near DC, so a week or two ahead is wise in season.
When is the best time of year to go RV camping in Brandywine?
Spring and fall are the sweet spots. April through June brings mild, green weather as Cedarville State Forest reopens for the season, and September into October delivers crisp, settled days with thinning crowds before the forest campground closes at the end of October. Summer is peak season but hot and humid with real mosquito pressure near the Patuxent marshes, so the private parks with pools and 50-amp full hookups are the comfortable choice then. Winter is quiet and damp; Cedarville is closed, so you rely on year-round private parks and your own heat.
Can big rigs and 40-foot RVs camp near Brandywine?
Yes, but choose the right park. Cedarville State Forest posts a 35-foot RV length limit and has a narrow, tree-lined camp road, so it is not the place for a 40-foot coach or a long fifth-wheel combo. For big rigs, head to Duncan's Family Campground in Lothian, which handles everything from big rigs to tents with 50-amp full-hookup and pull-through sites, or Cherry Hill Park near College Park, which is built around large pull-throughs and resort access. Both give you room to maneuver and level, so save Cedarville for rigs comfortably under the limit.
Are there free or first-come camping options near Brandywine?
Not really, and it is better to know that up front. Brandywine sits in developed Mid-Atlantic suburb-and-farmland country with no dispersed public-land boondocking nearby, so there is no legitimate free RV camping in the area. Retail-lot overnighting along US-301 is possible only with individual store-manager permission and is never guaranteed. Cedarville State Forest is reservation-based rather than first-come, though you can sometimes find a last-minute opening midweek in the shoulder seasons. For any real stay, plan on Cedarville or one of the private full-hookup parks rather than counting on free options.
Is there public RV camping in Brandywine?
Yes. Cedarville State Forest is the public campground right in Brandywine, run by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. It is a single 27-site loop set in thousands of forested acres, with 30-amp electric on the inner loop, a central bathhouse with hot showers, water spigots throughout, and a dump station and water-fill at the entrance. Sites include a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and lantern post. The campground is open April through October and takes reservations online at parkreservations.maryland.gov. It is quieter and more scenic than the highway-side private parks, though you trade full hookups for the forest setting.
What highways lead into Brandywine for an RV?
Brandywine sits at the crossroads of US-301, the Robert Crain Highway, and MD-5, known as Branch Avenue, with MD-381 feeding in as well. These are wide divided highways built for truck and commuter traffic, so there are no notable low bridges or weight limits and a big rig rolls in comfortably. Most RVers arrive on US-301 from the Bay Bridge and Eastern Shore direction or come down MD-5 from the Capital Beltway. I-495, the Beltway, is roughly 15 miles north and ties into I-95, so Brandywine is an easy reach from the wider interstate network.
What is there to do near Brandywine while camping?
More than you would expect for a crossroads town. Cedarville State Forest itself has hiking and mountain-bike trails, a fishing pond, and the headwaters of the Zekiah Swamp. Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary, about 12 miles northeast on the Patuxent River, has a free family visitor center and wintering Canada geese. History buffs can tour the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum to the south, where the doctor treated John Wilkes Booth after the Lincoln assassination. Piscataway Park sits on the Potomac across from Mount Vernon, and Rosaryville State Park offers riding and biking trails a short drive north.
Can I visit Washington DC while camping in Brandywine?
Absolutely, and it is a common reason RVers base here. Brandywine sits roughly 20 to 25 miles south of Washington DC, close enough for day trips into the capital without paying downtown prices or fighting city traffic in your rig. The smart move is to leave the RV parked at your campground and drive the tow vehicle or catch transit toward the city. Cherry Hill Park near College Park is the closest full-service park to the DC line and even runs a tour shuttle, while Duncan's Family Campground and Cedarville give you a quieter base a bit farther out with an easy highway run up MD-5 or US-301.
Does Cedarville State Forest have a dump station and hookups for my RV?
Cedarville State Forest has a dump station and a water-fill point located together at the campground entrance, so you can empty tanks and top off fresh water during your stay. At the sites themselves, the inner loop offers 30-amp electric only, with no individual water or sewer hookups. That means you camp on electric and your own fresh-water tank, then use the entrance facilities as needed. If full hookups at the site are a must, book Duncan's Family Campground or Cherry Hill Park instead, and treat Cedarville as the scenic, budget-friendly forest option with electric and a convenient dump station.
Is Brandywine a good base for RV trips in southern Maryland?
It is a solid one. Brandywine sits at the US-301 and MD-5 crossroads on the edge of Prince George's and Charles counties, which puts the DC suburbs, the Patuxent and Potomac rivers, and the quieter southern Maryland countryside all within easy reach. You have Cedarville State Forest right in town, big-rig full hookups a short drive away at Duncan's Family Campground, and a resort option near DC at Cherry Hill Park. Add full-size supermarkets, fuel, and propane along US-301 and a spread of parks and historic sites nearby, and it works well as a multi-day base rather than a one-night stop.
Are there free dump stations in Brandywine?
Yes — there are free RV waste disposal options available near Brandywine.
All Dump Stations Near Brandywine (134)
RV ParkGillespies Mobile Court
RV ParkLouise F. Cosca Regional Park
RV ParkFamcamp
RV ParkMelwood Mobile Home Park
RV ParkMaryland National Capital Park
RV ParkPatuxent River Park - Pavilion And Camp Ground
RV ParkMilltown Landing Campsite
RV Park





