Spring RV Camping at Patapsco Valley State Park: Hiking, Wildflowers & Easy Getaways from Gambrills
Published on Jul 09, 2026There is something special about the first camping trip of the season. It’s late spring, and school is just let out - the kids are ready, you’re ready, even the RV is ready to shake the winter season off. For Gambrills residents, there’s no better place to break into the camping season than at Patapsco Valley State Park, Maryland’s first state park.
Just a short half-hour drive away, this beautiful state park has everything you could want from a camping trip: access to the beautiful Patapsco River, where you can fish and swim, and tons of hiking trails to explore. It’s the perfect spot for families with kids, couples, and solo travelers looking for a refreshing time away without a long road trip.
At Leo’s Vacation Center, we’ve sent quite a few customers there over the years to enjoy their new or used RVs, and they always come back raving about what a great time they had. Here’s what you should expect if you’re thinking of planning your own trip to Patapsco.
Patapsco in the Spring
Springtime looks really good when you are in the Patapsco Valley. The trees fill out with vibrant green leaves, and the forest floor is covered in Virginia bluebells, trillium, and other wildflowers. The river starts to warm up, and the fish are ripe for the catching. This early in the season, the campgrounds aren’t too crowded, and the weather isn’t stifling hot, so you can actually enjoy being outside.
RV Camping in Patapsco Valley State Park
If you’re RV camping, you’ll be staying at the Hollofield Area, where all of their RV campsites are. This park offers 26 sites that are suitable for RVs and trailers, and while they don’t offer full hookups, some of their sites do come with 30-amp electric hookups. They have their own bathroom and an RV dump station that campers can use. All campsites have their own fire pit and picnic table for the family to use. Even with an RV, there’s nothing quite like roasting marshmallows over an open fire.
The campsite is pet-friendly, so you can bring your bestest good boy or girl camping with you - just be sure to keep them on a leash at all times!
Don’t Miss Out on the Hiking Trails
Within the Patapsco Valley State Park, there are over 200 miles of trails, including hiker-only and multi-use trails for horseback riding and mountain biking. It’s one of the most popular spots for hiking because of the variety of terrain, stunning views, and waterfalls. People also love to visit the various historical sites along the way. You are able to bring your dogs on a lot of the trails, but they must be on a leash.
According to AllTrails, some of the best trails in the Valley include:
With the diverse terrain and multiple stream crossings, be sure to pack good hiking shoes, preferably waterproof, a spring jacket, and bug spray! And don’t forget to take lots of pictures!
The Right RV Makes Camping Even Better
When you have enough sleeping space for everyone, a private bathroom area, an indoor kitchen, and a comfortable seating area, it makes for a much more comfortable and enjoyable camping experience. Having the right RV for your family is essential.
Hollofield Area can accommodate RVs and trailers that are up to 40 feet in length. A lot of our customers find that travel trailers, Class B motorhomes (camper vans), pop-up campers, or teardrop trailers make the perfect fit for this campsite. They’re easy to maneuver and have decent gas mileage. If you have a model that you want to upgrade or are thinking of getting your first RV, we’d love to help you out at Leo’s Vacation Center. We can help you tour through different models and find something that fits your camping style.
Ready for Your Spring RV Camping Trip?
Springtime at Patapsco Valley State Park is something to behold. You won’t find beautiful scenic trails or colorful wildflowers like this anywhere else - all just 30 minutes outside of town. If you haven’t gone spring RV camping at Patapsco, what are you waiting for!
