Camping at Patapsco Valley State Park

Patapsco Valley State Park has two family campgrounds. Hollofield, on Route 40 in Ellicott City, has 73 campsites, some with electric hookups. Hilton, in Catonsville, has 12 tent-only sites and six camper cabins. Base rates are $18.50 for a campsite, $24.50 with electric and $50.50 for a cabin, before reservation fees. Book through the Maryland Park Service at parkreservations.maryland.gov or 1-888-432-2267. Youth groups can camp at Hilton and McKeldin with a youth group pass.

Hollofield Campground

The larger campground is in the Hollofield Area at 8020 Baltimore National Pike, near the park headquarters. DNR describes it as a little piece of wilderness in suburban Baltimore: you may hear Route 40 traffic or see a neighborhood through the trees.

• 73 campsites, some with electric hookups
• Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring
• All equipment must stay on the camping pad and driveway
• Campers taller than 11 feet 1 inch must use the Route 40 East entrance
• Volunteer camp hosts stay on site for a month or more
• Dogs are allowed in the campground on a leash

Hilton Campground and Cabins

The smaller campground is in the Hilton Area at 1101 Hilton Avenue, Catonsville, the same area as the tire playground and nature center.

• 12 tent-only campsites with no electricity
• Six camper cabins: one room with a full-size bed and a set of bunk beds, baseboard heat, electric outlets and an overhead light. No air conditioning.
• Four youth group campsites (tents only), using the restroom near Shelter 201

DNR's pages disagree on dogs in the Hilton campground (the park page says no, the Hilton page says yes), so call 410-461-5005 before you book with a dog.

Youth Group Camping

Youth groups camp at Hilton (four sites) and McKeldin. A Maryland Park Service youth group pass is required to reserve and must be shown at check-in; with it, youth group sites have no base charge. Groups arriving after sunset must call park headquarters at 410-461-5005 the day before, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., because the park gates lock at sunset.

Rates

DNR's base rates for Patapsco (before transaction and other fees):

• Campsite: $18.50
• Campsite with electric: $24.50
• Mini-cabin: $50.50
• Youth group site: $0 with the youth group pass

Seniors 62 and older with the Golden Age Pass get half-price camping (campsites and mini-cabins) for one site, Sunday through Thursday, excluding holidays.

Reservations

Reserve online at parkreservations.maryland.gov or call 1-888-432-2267. Read the campground rules on DNR's Hollofield and Hilton pages before you go.

Operation: Campout

For military members and families new to camping, Patapsco's Operation: Campout program lends gear free of charge, including a tent, chairs, a stove and a lantern. Call the park office to reserve and mention the program.

Campground Rules Worth Knowing

• Quiet hours in Maryland state park campgrounds run from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and excessive barking is not allowed.
• DNR says the park gates lock at sunset, which is why late-arriving youth groups must call ahead.
• Pets must be licensed, vaccinated (including rabies) and leashed, and kept out of park buildings and playgrounds (Dogs).