Rent an RV so that you can explore Bethesda, Maryland and the surrounding area at your own pace. Rentals average about $170 a night, and you can choose from a Class A, B, or C vehicle. If you need a toy hauler, pop-up camper, or trailer, those are also available for rent, with prices averaging about $60.
Washington, D.C., is only about 20 minutes from Bethesda. In the historic capital of the United States, there are dozens of things to see and do. Visitors can spend several days touring the Smithsonian museums, visiting the Lincoln Memorial, or sightseeing in the capital itself. Washington, D.C. is also a great place to start a road trip, and good options for destinations include Duluth, the Ozark National Forest, and Buffalo.
Baltimore, one of Maryland’s largest cities, is about 45 minutes from Bethesda. Visitors to Baltimore can spend a few days exploring Fort McHenry, the National Aquarium, or the Maryland Zoo. Baltimore also boasts several art museums, including the Baltimore Museum of Art, the American Visionary Art Museum, and the Walters Art Museum. If you want to start a road trip in Baltimore, Fort Myers and Chincoteague are popular destinations.
Located about 20 minutes from Bethesda, Gaithersburg is one of Maryland’s most charming cities. Visitors can spend a day or two exploring the nearby Seneca Creek State Park or taking in the Gaithersburg Community Museum. There are also plenty of parks and playgrounds as well as a water park. A road trip from Gaithersburg to Annapolis is also a popular option.
Bethesda, Maryland is not quite a town or a city but is, instead, unincorporated and considered to be a census-designated place. The area is just north of Washington, D.C., and it has a population of about 68,000 people.
Bethesda was originally home to the Nacotchtank and Piscataway tribes. Henry Fleet, a fur trader, was one of the first people to secure property rights in the area, and more settlers arrived in the area during the late 1690s. Most people who ventured to the area settled down to grow tobacco, and tobacco farming bolstered the economy of Bethesda for many years. For decades, Bethesda stayed relatively small, and it wasn’t until 1890, when a streetcar line was established, that Bethesda’s population began to expand.
Today, Bethesda is a popular suburb of Washington, D.C. Bethesda is the home of the National Institutes of Health campus and the headquarters for both Marriott hotels and Lockheed Martin. Famous people from the Bethesda area include journalist Wolf Blitzer, author Laura Hillenbrand, swimmer Katie Ledecky, and baseball player Justin Maxwell.
Bethesda experiences mild summers. The weather during the summer can range from humid to rainy, and it’s important to note that Bethesda sees a bit more rain than the national average. Winters in Bethesda can be very cold, and the area sees a fair amount of snowfall. For these reasons, many visitors enjoy Bethesda the most during the late spring, summer, and early fall. Bethesda and the surrounding area are also well-known for their beautiful fall foliage colors.
Washington, D.C. – This historic area is only about 20 minutes from Bethesda and offers plenty to see and do.
Rockville, Maryland – A beautiful city, located about 15 minutes from Bethesda, that offers a charming, laid-back atmosphere.
Gaithersburg, Maryland – This quaint city offers easy access to many outdoor activities.
Shenandoah National Park is about an hour and 20 minutes from Bethesda. This park, located in Virginia, is known for its stunning scenery. The park is 300 square miles, and visitors can hike, bike, horseback ride, rock climb, fish, boat, or swim. Shenandoah is beautiful at any time of the year, but visitors may want to come during the fall to view the spectacular foliage.
Located about four and a half hours from Bethesda, New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia offers stunning views and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife. The park is 70,000 acres, and there are dozens of options for hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, swimming, and fishing.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio is about five hours and 20 minutes from Bethesda. This gorgeous national park has plenty of things to see and do. The park encompasses 100 miles of river, 100 waterfalls, a scenic railroad, and more than 125 miles of hiking trails.
Patapsco Valley State Park is just under 40 minutes from Bethesda. This beautiful park offers scenic views of the local landscapes, including waterfalls and forests. Visitors can hike, bike, canoe, or horseback ride in the park, and swimming and fishing are also popular activities.
About an hour’s drive from Bethesda, Smallwood State Park offers gorgeous views, camping, wildlife viewing, photography opportunities, and plenty of recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and hiking. The plantation house in the park has also been restored so that visitors can tour through it.
Gambrill State Park is about 45 minutes from Bethesda. This 1,200-acre park offers plenty of hiking or mountain biking trails. Visitors can spot wildlife, take pictures, or simply enjoy the gorgeous scenery. Visit in the fall to see the best foliage colors.
Maryland is home to many historic landmarks and monuments. Antietam National Battlefield, the site of the famous Civil War battle, is only about an hour and 10 minutes from Bethesda. The Fort McHenry National Monument also opens up the area’s history to visitors. The Clara Barton House, which celebrates the woman who founded the Red Cross, is also only about 10 minutes from Bethesda.
There are many options for camping in and around Bethesda. The Hagerstown/Antietam Battlefield KOA is located right near the Antietam battlefield and several other historic sites, and the campground offers full hookups, showers, and a pool. Ramblin' Pines is centrally located near Washington, D.C., but it’s quiet and secluded. The campground offers 200 RV sites with full hooks, and there are showers, a pool, a hot tub, and mini-golf. The Bar Harbor RV Park and Marina offers stunning waterfront campsites and also has showers and a laundromat.
Dump stations are areas where you can dump wastewater, clean out your tanks, and refill with clean water. The area around Bethesda has several dump station options. Cherry Hill Park, only about 20 minutes from Bethesda, is open all year and offers dump station use for $15. Registered guests can use the facilities for free. Patapsco Valley State Park has dump facilities and the facilities are free to use. Camp Meade in Fort Meade, about half an hour outside of Bethesda, is open six days a week and offers dump station facilities for a small fee.
Summers in Bethesda are mild, but the winters can be harsh, so it’s a good idea to look into RV storage. Golden Ring Mini Storage in Rosedale offers monthly rental leases with no admin fee and no security deposit. Prime Storage in Baltimore excels at security and gives renters the ability to choose their own access code. Self Storage Plus in Baltimore offers a range of spaces, and the center is gated and has security cameras.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Bethesda, MD, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Bethesda?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Bethesda from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Bethesda?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.