RV Rentals Bethesda, Maryland

Popular RV Rentals Near Bethesda, Maryland for Any Budget

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. 

RVshare’s Top Vacation Destinations Near Bethesda, Maryland, No Matter the Duration

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.

Explore Bethesda, Maryland in an RVshare RV Rental

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.

Discover Nearby Towns and Cities

Washington, D.C. – This historic area is only about 20 minutes from Bethesda and offers plenty to see and do.

• 100+ restaurants
• 30+ gas stations
• 4+ nearby rest areas
• 15+ nearby campgrounds and RV parks
• 1 nearby national forest
• 1 nearby state park
• 15+ museums

Rockville, Maryland – A beautiful city, located about 15 minutes from Bethesda, that offers a charming, laid-back atmosphere.

• 20+ restaurants
• 15+ gas stations
• 3 nearby rest areas
• 15+ nearby campgrounds and RV parks
• 1 nearby national forest
• 4+ nearby state parks
• 7 nearby museums

Gaithersburg, Maryland – This quaint city offers easy access to many outdoor activities.

• 30+ restaurants
• 20+ gas stations
• 3 nearby rest areas
• 15+ nearby campgrounds and RV parks
• 1 nearby national forest
• 4+ nearby state parks
• 4 nearby museums

Best National Parks Near Bethesda, Maryland

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. 

Popular State Parks Near Bethesda, Maryland

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.

Must-See Monuments and Landmarks Near Bethesda, Maryland

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.

Upcoming Events Near Bethesda, Maryland

• Baltimore Mac and Cheese Festival – A must for food lovers, this festival takes place each May.
• Maryland State Fair - Offering fun, food, and games for the whole family, the Maryland State Fair takes place at the end of August and into September each year in Lutherville-Timonium. 
• Preakness Stakes - One of the most famous horse races in the world, this event takes place in Baltimore every May.
• M3 Rock Festival - This festival, which takes place in Columbia each July, celebrates 1980s metal music.
• Budds Creek National Motocross – Thrilling to watch, this sporting event takes place in Mechanicsville at the end of August.

Popular POI Activities Near Bethesda, Maryland

• Little Falls Stream Valley Park – This area offers beautiful views and gentle hiking paths.
• Cabin John Trailhead – This area offers trails for both hiking and biking, and there are many photography, landscape viewing, and wildlife spotting opportunities.
• Locust Grove Nature Center – This picturesque area features many different hiking trails. 
• Pine Lake – This lake, right outside of Bethesda, offers gorgeous views and good fishing opportunities. 

RVshare’s Top Picks for Nearby RV Parks and Campgrounds

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. 

Best RV Dump Stations Near Bethesda, Maryland

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.

Popular RV Storage Facilities Near Bethesda, Maryland

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.