Camping options near Elkton, Maryland range from basic to full-service campgrounds within the gently rolling Piedmont region. The area sits at elevations between 25-400 feet and experiences hot, humid summers with mild springs and falls. Most campgrounds remain open April through October, with limited winter camping available at select locations.
What to do
Water activities on various ponds: At Lums Pond State Park Campground, the 200-acre pond offers electric-only boating options. "We spent Saturday afternoon fishing but not catching anything at Scott's Run. It's a beautiful location and it was still a fun way to spend the day with the kids away from the site," notes a visitor to Susquehanna State Park Campground.
Hiking trail networks: Woodland trails provide access to natural areas year-round. A Susquehanna State Park visitor writes, "We hiked over a bridge and stream which was full of fish I could see! Turned around after I got to the Susquehanna itself. The river was running pretty high and fast, pretty cool to see."
Outdoor adventures for all ages: Beyond standard camping activities, specialized adventure options exist. At Tucquan Park, "They offer a small paddle boat to take any time you want on their little lake on site," according to a camper. Another family at Susquehanna mentioned, "We spent Saturday afternoon fishing but not catching anything at Scott's Run."
What campers like
Spacious, well-designed sites: Many campgrounds offer ample space between campsites. A French Creek visitor noted, "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other. Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers. Nice area to wash dishes." This layout provides more privacy than typically found at resort-style campgrounds.
Clean facilities: French Creek State Park Campground maintains well-kept shower buildings and bathrooms. "Bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," reported one camper. Another stated, "Bathrooms were just okay. Muddy floors - don't know how often floors are cleaned."
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds offer special events during peak season. At Tucquan Park Family Campground, "They had a lot of events that people participated in like candy bar and regular bingo, corn hole and horse shoe tournaments and a dj." A visitor mentioned, "Clean bathhouses! Fun activities planned through the season."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Coverage varies widely across campgrounds in the region. At Susquehanna State Park, service is generally reliable, but other locations may have dead zones. The primitive camping area at Tucquan Park Family Campground has "0 cell/GPS service on the entire premises (my carrier is AT&T)."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "Book early because it fills up fast!" advises a Lums Pond visitor. For premium sites or holiday weekends, reservations should be made 2-6 months in advance.
Site conditions vary: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain. A Susquehanna visitor reported, "It was kind of hard to find a level and rock-free spot large enough for our tent, but we managed!" At French Creek, a camper noted, "Many of the sites were very rocky and left little option for a larger than normal sized tent."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature family-friendly play areas. Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA includes "a playground and the bouncy thing that I've seen in some parks," according to one visitor. Another noted, "This campground was so well maintained. There was so much to do there a pool, lake, horseshoes, cornhole, playground, big pillow and even more."
Budget-friendly activities: Many campgrounds include free recreation options. Tucquan Park visitors appreciate that "The people who run it are super helpful and the store is well stocked with anything you need. They have plenty of events and the pool is nice and clean to cool off on those hot camping days."
Camp store supplies: Most locations offer basic supplies, though quality varies. One visitor to Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA mentioned, "The little office store has everything you forgot to pack." Tucquan Park's store received similar praise: "The store is well stocked with anything you need."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: For larger RVs, site selection matters. At Lancaster-New Holland KOA, "We stayed in site#106 which was level, covered in clean gravel, had a paver patio with table and chairs, and a nice fire ring with more chairs." At Philadelphia West Chester KOA, one RVer cautioned about certain sites: "I did have major trouble backing in because the road is too narrow for a 45' motorhome to back in on a nearly 90-degree angle."
Hookup placement: The location of utilities can affect setup. At Woodlands Camping Resort, a visitor noted, "Only 4 50 amp spots, luckily we secured one. No sewer hookup, but there is a dump station in the seasonal/permanent section."
Weather considerations: Many sites lack sufficient drainage during heavy rain. A Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA visitor reported that during a severe thunderstorm, "The bag was in the rain and I was surprised that everything inside was dry! The rain just rolled right off!" Sites at lower elevations tend to experience more flooding issues after sustained rainfall.
