Cosca Park Campground: Your Affordable & Wooded Retreat in Clinton, MD

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Cosca Park Campground Introduce

Hello, Maryland explorers and budget-conscious adventurers! Are you searching for an accessible and affordable camping spot right here in our vibrant state, a place that offers the tranquility of nature without breaking the bank? If you're looking for a convenient overnight stay or a simple base camp for exploring the surrounding area, Cosca Park Campground, located at 11050 Thrift Rd, Clinton, MD 20735, USA, might be just what you need. Tucked away within the larger Cosca Regional Park, this campground offers a quiet, wooded setting that provides a refreshing escape from the daily grind.

Cosca Park Campground is known for its no-frills, back-to-basics approach to camping, focusing on providing essential amenities at a highly affordable price. It's a particularly suitable option for those with camper vans, Class B RVs, small Class C RVs, and tent campers who appreciate a more rustic experience amidst nature. While it may not offer all the bells and whistles of larger resort campgrounds, its charm lies in its simplicity, its peaceful environment, and its incredible value. For Maryland locals, especially those in Prince George's County and the wider D.C. metropolitan area, Cosca Park Campground presents a unique opportunity for an economical staycation, a convenient stopover, or a quiet retreat to enjoy the outdoors close to home.

Location and Accessibility

Cosca Park Campground is situated at 11050 Thrift Rd, Clinton, MD 20735, USA, placing it within the expansive Louise F. Cosca Regional Park in Prince George's County. For Maryland residents, its location offers a distinct advantage: accessibility. While it provides a peaceful, wooded setting, it remains conveniently close to major roadways and the amenities of Clinton, MD. This means less time traveling and more time enjoying your camping experience.

It's important to note that the campground is often described as being separate from the main park entrance, sometimes requiring a bit of extra navigation to find the designated "Family Campground" sign. However, once you arrive, you'll find yourself immersed in a quiet, forested loop. Despite its tranquil atmosphere, the campground's proximity to urban centers like Washington D.C. makes it a surprisingly viable option for those looking to combine a nature escape with city sightseeing. You can enjoy the affordability and peace of the campground, then take a relatively short drive to access public transportation (like the Branch Ave. Metro station) for a day of exploring the nation's capital. This blend of accessibility and quiet seclusion makes Cosca Park Campground a practical choice for locals seeking a convenient and budget-friendly outdoor experience in Southern Maryland.

Services Offered

Cosca Park Campground provides basic yet functional services to cater to its campers, particularly those with smaller vehicles and tent setups:

Campsites with Water Hookups: All 25 campsites at Cosca Park Campground are equipped with water hookups, a significant convenience for both RVs and tent campers.
Limited Electric Hookups: Five specific sites (numbers 2, 5, 18, 24, and 25) offer electric hookups (30/20 amp). It's advised to check site details carefully as electrical stability can vary.
Picnic Tables: Each campsite includes a picnic table, providing a convenient surface for dining, cooking, or general use.
Fire Rings: Every site is furnished with a fire ring, though campers should always check current fire restrictions or prohibitions due to weather conditions.
Bathhouse with Restrooms and Showers: A bathhouse is available with restrooms and showers. While some reviews mention that the showers may have curtains instead of locking doors and only one stall per side, they are generally noted as being clean and well-maintained by park rangers daily.
Sanitary Dump Station: A dump station is available on the way in or out of the campground. While some past reviews have noted issues with its condition, it is present for waste disposal.
Online Reservations Only: Reservations must be made online through the Prince George's County Parks & Recreation Parks Direct system. There is no on-site office for in-person payments or check-ins.
Pet-Friendly Policy: Pets are permitted at the campground but must be kept on a leash.
Max Stay Limit: There is a maximum stay limit of two weeks, ideal for extended local getaways.

Features / Highlights

Cosca Park Campground, while simple, offers several appealing features and highlights that enhance the camping experience, particularly for its target audience:

Peaceful, Wooded Setting: The campground is described as "nicely wooded" and "quiet," with deep woods on one side of the loop road, offering a serene environment for relaxation and nature immersion.
Affordable Rates: One of its most significant advantages is its low cost, often cited as one of the least expensive campgrounds in the area, providing excellent value for Maryland residents.
Suitable for Smaller RVs and Tent Camping: While not ideal for large Class A RVs due to narrow roads and site leveling challenges, it is well-suited for camper vans, Class B/small Class C RVs, and tent campers.
Proximity to Cosca Regional Park Amenities: Campers have access to the wider Cosca Regional Park, which features Cosca Lake (popular for fishing, with a snack bar and boat rentals available seasonally), playgrounds, an archery range, tennis courts, and a skate park.
Trails for Hiking and Biking: The park offers a network of trails for outdoor activities, including paved and unpaved options for hiking and mountain biking, providing opportunities for active recreation.
Close to Washington D.C.: For those looking to explore the nation's capital, the campground serves as an incredibly affordable base, with a relatively short drive to Metro stations for easy access into D.C.
Picnic Table and Fire Ring at Each Site: These essential camping amenities are present at every site, allowing for traditional outdoor cooking and gatherings.
Park Police Patrols: Reviewers mention that park police patrol the campground, contributing to a sense of safety and security.
Shaded Sites: Many sites are shaded by trees, providing natural cooling and comfort during warmer months.

Contact Information

Ready to plan your affordable camping trip to Cosca Park Campground?

Address: 11050 Thrift Rd, Clinton, MD 20735, USA

Phone for Prince George's County Parks & Recreation (General Info): (301) 699-2400 (for reservations, typically done online)

General Park Information: (301) 868-1397

Online Reservations: Reservations must be made through the PARKS DIRECT website (pgparks.com/parks_trails/cosca-regional-park or help.pgparksdirect.com for reservation assistance).

Conclusion: Why This Place is Suitable for Locals

For Maryland residents, particularly those in Prince George's County and the greater D.C. metropolitan area, Cosca Park Campground offers a compelling solution for an accessible and budget-friendly outdoor escape. Its primary advantage is its exceptional affordability, making it one of the most cost-effective camping options in the region. This allows locals to enjoy a change of scenery and connect with nature without a significant financial commitment, perfect for frequent weekend trips or spontaneous overnights.

The campground's quiet, wooded setting provides a genuine sense of seclusion and tranquility, a welcome respite from urban life. While it's known to be best suited for smaller RVs, camper vans, and tent campers, these options cater to a significant portion of the local camping community. The availability of water hookups at all sites and limited electric hookups adds a layer of convenience, bridging the gap between primitive and full-service camping. Furthermore, the presence of essential amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and a clean bathhouse, even with their noted quirks, ensures a comfortable and functional stay.

Beyond the campground itself, being part of Cosca Regional Park grants campers access to a variety of recreational opportunities, including a lake for fishing and boating (seasonal), playgrounds, and a network of trails for hiking and biking. This makes it a great base for active families or individuals. Its proximity to Washington D.C. also opens up possibilities for combining a peaceful nature retreat with cultural and historical exploration, all without long-distance travel. For Marylanders seeking a simple, quiet, and highly affordable camping experience close to home, Cosca Park Campground stands out as a practical and appealing choice, allowing them to enjoy the outdoors and local attractions with ease.

Cosca Park Campground Location

Cosca Park Campground

Maryland Prince George's County Clinton Thrift Road

11050 Thrift Rd, Clinton, MD 20735, USA

Cosca Park Campground Reviews

While this might be a great campground for a camper van, Class B or small Class C, it is not so much for a Class A.Site 18, roadside crescent paved pull-through. 30/20 amp, water, no sewer. The site was barely big enough for our 36' Class A, and badly out of level. I moved the coach a number of times repositioning trying to find the least unlevel positioning. The best I could manage was 2.0 degrees right low and 1.0 degree front low.I hooked up the water hose, but the anti-siphon valve on the faucet leaked enthusiastically.I hooked up the electrical, which required the use of our twenty-five foot 0-gauge 50-amp extension cord due to the location of the pedestal which is toward the front of the site and off to the side. Unfortunately, the park electrical was not stable and the Emergency Power Off feature of the Watchdog surge guard activated a number of times due to low voltage at the pedestal.On the way in, we stopped at the dump station to unhook the Escape which turned out to be a blessing because even though that location was not ideal for unhooking, any other place in the campground would have been worse. While I was at the dump station, I took a look at the dump site. It is absolutely the nastiest dump site I have ever seen. Rather than being the standard 4" sewer pipe into which I place the sewer hose elbow adapter, this has a square metal cover that is about 12" on each side, when you lift the cover, there is just a pool of raw sewage.The site does have a picnic table and a fire ring, though at the moment, fires are prohibited. It didn't matter, as we wouldn't be spending any time outside as there is an unpleasant odor.Cellular coverage (both Verizon and AT&T) is marginal.The trees on the sides and above the campground loop road are not adequately trimmed to allow clearance for a large RV.The site is nicely wooded. The campground road is on one side of the coach, and there are deep woods on the other side. It is nice and quiet.The one other positive thing I will say is that it is the least expensive (other than free BLM) campground we have stayed at in the last year.So, for all practical purposes, at least for us, this amounts to almost a dry camping campground. Needless to say, should we find ourselves in this area again, we will pick another place to stay.
Jun 07, 2025 · David Sanders
While this might be a great campground for a camper van, Class B or small Class C, it is not so much for a Class A.Site 18, roadside crescent paved pull-through. 30/20 amp, water, no sewer. The site was barely big enough for our 36' Class A, and badly out of level. I moved the coach a number of times repositioning trying to find the least unlevel positioning. The best I could manage was 2.0 degrees right low and 1.0 degree front low.I hooked up the water hose, but the anti-siphon valve on the faucet leaked enthusiastically.I hooked up the electrical, which required the use of our twenty-five foot 0-gauge 50-amp extension cord due to the location of the pedestal which is toward the front of the site and off to the side. Unfortunately, the park electrical was not stable and the Emergency Power Off feature of the Watchdog surge guard activated a number of times due to low voltage at the pedestal.On the way in, we stopped at the dump station to unhook the Escape which turned out to be a blessing because even though that location was not ideal for unhooking, any other place in the campground would have been worse. While I was at the dump station, I took a look at the dump site. It is absolutely the nastiest dump site I have ever seen. Rather than being the standard 4" sewer pipe into which I place the sewer hose elbow adapter, this has a square metal cover that is about 12" on each side, when you lift the cover, there is just a pool of raw sewage.The site does have a picnic table and a fire ring, though at the moment, fires are prohibited. It didn't matter, as we wouldn't be spending any time outside as there is an unpleasant odor.Cellular coverage (both Verizon and AT&T) is marginal.The trees on the sides and above the campground loop road are not adequately trimmed to allow clearance for a large RV.The site is nicely wooded. The campground road is on one side of the coach, and there are deep woods on the other side. It is nice and quiet.The one other positive thing I will say is that it is the least expensive (other than free BLM) campground we have stayed at in the last year.So, for all practical purposes, at least for us, this amounts to almost a dry camping campground. Needless to say, should we find ourselves in this area again, we will pick another place to stay.
Jun 07, 2025 · David Sanders
Great quiet campground. The electric worked, the bathrooms were clean, and there was a nice clear trail to a lake about a mile away.
Mar 13, 2025 · Anjali Phukan Chatelle
Great quiet campground. The electric worked, the bathrooms were clean, and there was a nice clear trail to a lake about a mile away.
Mar 13, 2025 · Anjali Phukan Chatelle