The Washington Monument can be seen from every hole on the East Potomac Golf Course.
Exploring the nation’s capital is a bucket list experience for many Americans and foreign visitors alike. If you’re visiting Washington, D.C. in an RV, consider Cherry Hill Park in College Park, MD, which is the closest RV park to the nation’s capital.
The White House, for example, is less than 20 miles away. Cherry Hill Park offers 400 sites, which include RV and tent sites. Thirty-five of the RV sites are pull-throughs.
What’s more, the RV park is officially named Cherry Hill Park, A Monumental Experience and visitors get the idea that D.C. monuments and other attractions are nearby. Getting RVers to those attractions is one of the main offerings at Cherry Hill.
Transit service is readily available for RVers at the Cherry Hill campground.
“We have buses that pick up campers here in the campground at our depot,” says park owner, Mike Guerevich. “The bus takes them to the Metro Rail, but if guests have a car, they can drive to the College Park Metro Station.”
Also available at the park are smartrip cards (metro tickets) plus lots of information to help people get around.
“We have subway maps, bus schedules, and directions to get from Cherry Hill to D.C.,” says Guerevich. “The important thing for people to know is that almost everything is free. The National Mall with all the monuments and memorials, the Smithsonian Museums, and even the zoo are free.”
While relaxing in the park, enjoy a little mini-golf, the splash park, two swimming pools, the hot tub, or sauna. You can also take in a meal at the Star Café, which is open for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Washington, D.C. Golfing and More
Golfing is another bonus when staying at Cherry Hill Park. There are approximately 50 courses less than 20 miles from the park. One of the closest is Cross Creek Golf Club in Beltsville, MD., which is about four miles away.
The University of Maryland Golf Course in College Park.
In addition, this course is 6,243 yards and its 18-hole championship layout features the Little Paint Branch Creek that meanders through the course. There are also several elevation changes, and unique rock outcroppings on several holes.
Additionally, there is The University of Maryland Golf Course in College Park, designed by George W. Cobb and opened in 1958. Renovated in 2008 by Bill Love, this is a popular course and worth a visit. Measuring 7,015 yards from the tips, this 18-hole course was named a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International in 2003. With roughly 150 acres of rolling terrain, it’s home to multiple species of birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.
Another quality course less than five miles from Cherry Hill Park is Gunpowder Golf Course in Laurel, MD. The course follows the natural topography of the land in the Scottish tradition. Following rolling hills, and bordered by trees on every hole, the course is a challenge for golfers of all skill levels. Designed and built by Robert “Bob” Milligan, and operated by the Milligan family, Gunpowder Golf Course opened in 1956 and is the oldest golf course in Prince George’s County. The 18-hole, Par 70 course is 6,061 yards and features narrow fairways and small undulating greens. The beautiful natural setting is a magnate for wildlife, which is plentiful throughout the course.
One of the closest courses from the RV park is Cross Creek Golf Club in Beltsville, MD, which is about four miles away.
You may also want to checkout the scenic East Potomac Park Golf Course. The 36-hole course is on a man-made island on the Potomac River and several monuments are visible from the course, including the Washington Monument. The patriotic theme of East Potomac are in the course names. These include The Red, White, and Blue. The Red and White tracks are each nine holes, with the Blue Course being an 18 holer. Measuring 6,599 yards, the par 72 Blue Course is more than 100 years old and many describe it as a links-style course.
Further options include the par 27, nine-hole Red Course, which is your basic beginners’ golf course that measures just 1,142 yards. It’s also great for practicing your short game as holes range between 100 to 200 yards. The nine-hole par 33 White Course is a family course as it attracts many family outings on weekends. Measuring 2,420 yards, the White Course doubles as an 18-hole Footgolf Course all year. In addition to the three golf courses, the East Potomac Golf Course complex features a 100-stall driving range, miniature golf, a practice area, and The Potomac Grille.
As you can see, there are endless opportunities while exploring Washington, D.C.
Rick Stedman is an avid golfer, RVer, and writer who lives in Olympia, Washington. Rick writes a weekly golf blog, “The 19th Hole,” which posts every Saturday on rvlife.com. Email rick at rstedman@gmail.com.
Leave a Reply