Finding a place to handle your RV tanks near a major metropolitan area can often feel like an impossible task. The closer you get to a city like Washington, D.C., the more the open spaces disappear, replaced by endless suburbs and congested highways. That’s what makes Little Bennett Campground in Clarksburg, Maryland, such a surprising and valuable find. Tucked away inside a massive 3,700-acre regional park, it offers Mid-Atlantic travelers a beautiful, forested sanctuary to take care of RV business before, or after, braving the infamous DC Beltway.
Clarksburg is a prime example of the modern American suburb. It’s grown rapidly, transforming from a quiet farm town into a bustling community known for its premium outlet shopping and its convenient location. It sits strategically between the historic city of Frederick and the political heart of the nation in D.C. This makes it an ideal home base for an RV trip that combines city sightseeing with a dose of nature. You can spend one day exploring the Smithsonian museums and the next hiking the 25 miles of trails that wind through Little Bennett Regional Park itself. It’s a location that truly offers the best of both worlds.
Because this dump station is located inside a public park and campground, the experience is worlds away from a truck stop or a gas station. This is a destination in itself. The dump station is thoughtfully located near the campground exit, a smart design choice that prevents a parade of departing RVs from clogging up the main campground loops. If you’re a registered guest, you simply take care of your tanks on your way out. For those just stopping in for the day, you’ll need to coordinate with the park office.
Now, let’s talk about the price, because it’s the most important factor for day-users. While registered campers get to dump for free, the fee for just stopping in can be on the steeper side, reportedly as high as thirty-five dollars. It's absolutely essential to call the ranger office ahead of time to confirm the current day-use dump fee and their policy. While that price tag might cause some initial sticker shock, you have to consider the context. Free and cheap dump stations are incredibly scarce inside the DC Beltway. When you factor in the quality of the facility and the pristine setting, many RVers, myself included, find the cost to be a worthwhile splurge for the convenience and peace of mind.
The facility itself is top-notch. You’ll find dual back-to-back dump ports, which helps to keep things moving even on a busy checkout morning. More importantly, they have both potable and non-potable water spigots, clearly marked to avoid any confusion. This means you can do a thorough, sanitary rinse of your equipment with the non-potable water and then fill your fresh water tank with clean, safe drinking water before you head off to your next stop, whether that’s the beaches of the Eastern Shore or the mountains of Shenandoah. The entire station is clean, well-maintained, and staffed by park rangers during the peak season from March to November.
Being in a regional park means you’re surrounded by amenities. After the chore is done, you can take your dog for a walk on miles of shaded, leafy trails. If you’ve been on the road for a while, the clean restrooms and coin-operated laundry machines are a welcome sight. And if you decide to stay, the 91 wooded campsites are fantastic, offering electric and full hookups with 15, 30, and 50-amp service to keep your air conditioning running during those humid Maryland summers.
There are a few practicalities to keep in mind. The park gates close after dark, so you can’t just roll in at any hour. Make sure you confirm the arrival window with the ranger office. If you’re planning an overnight stay, especially on a weekend during the beautiful fall foliage season, you’ll want to make a reservation online well in advance, as the sites are very popular. Also, like any public campground, gate codes can change, so arriving during staffed hours or calling ahead for after-hours instructions is always a smart move. Naturally, you'll want to have all your own dumping supplies on hand: gloves, a good sewer hose, a support to ensure proper drainage, and sanitizer.
The bottom line is that Little Bennett Campground offers a premium dumping experience. It’s not the cheapest option if you’re just passing through, but it provides incredible value. You’re paying for a serene, natural setting, high-quality facilities, and a stress-free environment that is a rare find so close to a major city. You can combine the necessary task of emptying your tanks with a day of outlet shopping, a beautiful hike to see historic log cabins within the park, or simply a quiet afternoon under a canopy of Maryland oaks. If you’re an RVer who prioritizes a clean, peaceful, and full-service stop, calling ahead to confirm the cost and making a plan to visit Little Bennett is one of the smartest moves you can make when traveling through the Capital region.
23705 Frederick Rd, Clarksburg, MD 20871
(301) 528-3430
Cost: Price not available
Category: Park
Has Water
montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/little-bennett-regional-park/little-bennett-camping