RV Rental Glen Echo, MD

Pick up your RV rental in Glen Echo and drive west to the Carderock Recreation Area, which forms part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Follow Section C of the Billy Goat Trail through the woodlands that hug the Potomac River or just relax in one of the picnic shelters. The park is renowned as the closest significant climbing area to Washington, D.C., with more than 100 established climbs for all experience levels.

You can stretch your legs on one of the walking trails that wind through Turkey Run Park, which hugs the south bank of the Potomac River in neighboring Virginia. It also marks the start of the 25-mile-long George Washington Memorial Parkway, a scenic drive that journeys through important places in the life of the former president. The first section was completed in 1932 to commemorate the bicentennial of George Washington's birth, passing the city of Washington, D.C. which he founded, and the Great Falls of the Potomac where he demonstrated his skills as an engineer.

Glen Echo is also within easy access of the Little Falls Stream Valley Park, which encompasses 160 acres of woodlands around the Dalecarlia Reservoir. There are numerous hiking and mountain biking trails to explore, including the Capital Crescent Trail and the Little Falls Trail. If you’re traveling with kids, you can let them run loose in the play area or enjoy a picnic in one of the scenic open spaces.

Book a camper rental in Glen Echo and pull into one of the full hookup RV sites at Cherry Hill Park, a family-friendly (and pet-friendly) campground in College Park. It features two outdoor pools and a hot tub, as well as a splash park, children’s playground, and mini-golf course that will keep young guests entertained.

Or, head across the border into Virginia to stay at the Fort Belvoir Travel Camp. It features both pull-through and back-in sites with direct sewer and water connections on site and either 20, 30, or 50 amp service. There’s an on-site laundry facility, a playground, and a volleyball court, as well as two ADA-accessible fishing piers.

You can also head to the Walmart in Brightwood where you may be able to set up for a night or two with the manager’s permission.

Park your RV rental near Glen Echo and explore the Clara Barton National Historic Site, which encompasses the 19th-century home of the American Red Cross founder. It was the first national historic site dedicated to the accomplishments of a woman, with 11 of the rooms restored to their period glory. Gain insight into her life and the role she played in the Red Cross during a guided tour, with the interior design inspired by a Mississippi River steamboat.

Get your cultural fix at Glen Echo Park, which began its existence as a National Chautauqua Assembly in 1891 before being transformed into a popular amusement park. Today, it hosts a variety of classes, workshops, and shows in the visual and performing arts, as well as festivals and family-friendly events throughout the year. Join a guided tour to learn about its Art Deco architecture and admire the antique Dentzel carousel or coincide your visit with one of the regular social dances that take place inside the historic Spanish Ballroom and the Bumper Car Pavilion.

Glen Echo makes a good base for exploring the sights of Washington, D.C., with the National Mall around 30 minutes’ drive to the southeast. Spend a day (or two) visiting the world-renowned Smithsonian Museums and pay a visit to the iconic Lincoln Memorial or stop by the White House where the President of the United States resides. Browse the outstanding collection of works on display at the National Gallery of Art, pay your respects at the National World War II Memorial, and enjoy a stroll around the Tidal Basin.

Glen Echo is home to a small supermarket where you can pick up basic supplies, and there are a couple of eateries for dining out, as well as a gas station if you need to fill up your Glen Echo motorhome rental. Or, you can make the 10-minute drive into Bethesda where there’s a more extensive variety of supermarkets and restaurants.

Whether you’re visiting Montgomery County for its riverside trails or historical driving route, book an RV in Glen Echo and start exploring.