Urban outdoor camping isn’t for everybody, however if your outdoor camping experiences take you to Washington D.C., you must take your recreational vehicle along, as one of the country’s finest camping sites supplies an ideal base camp for checking out the city. Cherry Hill Park, situated in College Park, Maryland, provides an impressive outdoor camping experience and simple access to the country’s capital.

While my household had a prolonged argument while selecting our summer season journey location, as soon as we chose Washington, D.C., we didn’t have a tough time picking a location to remain. Cherry Hill Park is a prominent outdoor camping location that visitors boast on everywhere. We aspired to camp at a park we had actually currently heard a lot about.

When outdoor camping, my household (that includes my hubby and 2 young person children) has 3 primary requirements: electrical energy, cell service and a safe, tidy environment. Beyond these, our preferred camping sites have actually run the range from rustic state parks to excessive resorts, as we quickly discover things to delight in about each. Our objective is continuously to discover methods change our expectations for the kind of park we are going to.

After a fast examine the Great Sam site, it was clear that Cherry Hill Park must quickly fulfill our preliminary requirements– and more with high Great Sam scores on all elements. However would it measure up to our expectations face to face?

Cherry Hill Park Camping Site Ambiance

Upon pulling into Cherry Hill Park, it was clear from the start that this park intends to impress. The check-in procedure was simple, the camping area shop was chock loaded with enjoyable things, and whatever was brilliant and tidy. If I needed to select one word for my impression, it would be “neat.”

Picture: Kerri Cox

Going much deeper into the park while heading to our area, we saw how huge the park is; nevertheless, regardless of its size, the websites are mainly well-spaced. Thanks to a mix of curves in the roadway, numerous trees, and vibrant landscaping, the websites felt relaxing and distinct, unlike the cookie-cutter, sterilized websites discovered at some big resorts.

Cherry Hill’s environment advised me of my youth, maturing in a 1970s rural neighborhood, where the kids played in each other’s lawns till the street lights flickered on at sunset. In the camping area, I identified kids swinging in the play areas, rushing through sprinklers at the splash pad, and cycling the loops with brother or sisters and friends, as grownups lazed campfires.

Even with D.C. a brief drive away, it is clear this is a camping area where households can hang out together. While the practical distance to the city and family-friendly environment are plusses, they can be disadvantages to some tourists. Cherry Hill Park lies simply off some significant highways, so you will discover some roadway sound. It is likewise a hectic park, with rather a great deal of traffic.

If you are looking for privacy and silence, this most likely isn’t the park for you. Nevertheless, my household hung out outdoors, collected around a campfire with buddies we had actually serendipitously run into at the park. We didn’t discover the sound or activity irritating for our tastes. The bustle was simply what we were anticipating at this family-friendly camping area.

Camping Sites at Cherry Hill Park

Cherry Hill Park provides a mix of recreational vehicle and camping tent websites, cabins, and glamping lodgings. RVers will discover complete connection websites, consisting of back-in and pull-through choices. Premium websites consist of a charcoal grill, a brick outdoor patio, additional table and chairs, and practical places in the park.

Picture: Kerri Cox

If area and personal privacy are essential to you, call ahead to see what websites are advised, as some are smaller sized and tighter than others. Some are likewise situated near hectic features, which can be a plus if you wish to stroll to them with your kids or a disadvantage if you choose less traffic. With a lot range in the camping area, it’s finest to talk with a park worker to discover the right area for you.

We went with a back-in premium website on the edge of the park, figuring this would be a quieter, semi-private area. We valued the coral daylilies flowering along our outdoor patio. Behind us, thick trees supplied a taste of nature, and we might quickly get on among the park’s tracks. Our campground was rather captivating.

Facilities & & Facilities

Cherry Hill Park is chock loaded with features. While numerous are products that can be discovered at resort-level camping sites throughout the country, what makes this park particularly distinct is how it deals with D.C. tourists in several methods.

Jefferson Memorial in spring. Picture: Getty Images

Cherry Hill Park intends to make it simple to get the most out of your D.C. check out. The camping area provides details sessions that offer pointers and techniques for browsing the city and its numerous tourist attractions. We chose to take the City into the city from the close-by College Park station.

Cherry Hill Park likewise runs its own reveal bus, which drops riders off near D.C. tourist attractions in the early morning and supplies return transport at night. Or, you can take among the camping area’s directed trips, with a range of sightseeing excursion provided seasonally.

Picture: Kerri Cox

While you may invest a great deal of time in D.C. while remaining at Cherry Hill Park, it’s suggested to likewise prepare some downtime in the park. Kids will value the different swimming pools, play areas, splash pad, recreation room, tractor trips, and mini golf course. Teenagers and grownups can delight in the physical fitness locations, strolling tracks, canine runs, golf cart leasings, and onsite coffee shop (which even provides online buying and campground shipment). Seriously, the list continues!

Picture: Kerri Cox

My household was not just pleased with the breadth of the features and activities, we were likewise impressed with the quality. Whatever is well-kept and attentively prepared. We likewise discovered the customer support to be first-class. This level of care and factor to consider is what makes Cherry Hill make those great evaluations that reached our ears long prior to we started investigating our itinerary.

The Bottom Line

Cherry Hill Park clearly deals with D.C. tourists, however this camping area is a location in its own right, particularly for households. This park is worthy of a check out, whether you are exploring the capital city or not.