Baltimore area campgrounds offer a variety of overnight accommodations across Maryland's varied terrain, with elevations ranging from near sea level to 300 feet in the surrounding areas. The region experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers reaching 90°F and winters dropping below freezing, affecting campground accessibility and comfort. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, with limited sites available year-round.
What to do
Hiking trails with river views: At Susquehanna State Park Campground, campers can access trails that lead directly to the Susquehanna River. One visitor noted, "I went for a lovely 3 mile evening hike on the trail just down the hill behind the campsite. Scared a bunch of deer and checked out the giant old growth trees, hiked over a bridge and stream which was full of fish I could see!"
Battlefield tours by horseback: The historic Artillery Ridge Campground in nearby Gettysburg allows visitors to explore Civil War history from a unique perspective. According to one camper, "You can take guided tours of the battlefield on horseback. Nice catch and release pond in campground."
Family fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer fishing ponds for all skill levels. At Merry Meadows Recreation Farm, "The creek was really nice. Sites were good size and ours had a patio. Had a fair amount of amenities for kids."
What campers like
Secluded woodland sites: Many Baltimore area yurt and cabin camping locations offer private sites surrounded by trees. At Little Bennett Campground, campers appreciate that "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup."
Clean facilities: Across multiple campgrounds, visitors frequently mention well-maintained bathhouses. One Tuckahoe State Park camper reported, "The bathhouse is very clean. If you stay on the tent side there is a kayak launch. The sites are laid out in a circle with the bathhouse in the center."
Proximity to urban attractions: Baltimore yurt camping and cabin stays offer unique access to both natural settings and city amenities. According to a visitor at Cherry Hill Park, "Great stop to take the kids to visit the city. Easy access and well laid out sites. They have a bus stop for metro service to the city, but we took the 20 minute drive."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Many Baltimore area campgrounds have limited availability during winter months. One visitor at Codorus State Park Campground noted seasonal features: "You can bring your own boat (gas allowed) or rent one from their marina. There is no swimming allowed in the lake but there is a pool located at the park."
Reservation requirements: Popular sites fill quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. A Merry Meadows Recreation Farm camper advised, "The layout is nice and our site had a patio. The pool area seemed like the place to be."
Site variations: Campgrounds often have dramatically different site types within the same property. At Ramblin' Pines, a visitor noted the contrasts: "My brother lives about ten minutes from this campground. He failed to make a reservation so we ended up on a primitive site w no electric or water. Which actually worked out quite well."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with designated play areas. A visitor to Washington DC / Capitol KOA shared, "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc). If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy."
Educational opportunities: Many Baltimore area yurt and cabin camping locations offer learning experiences. At Artillery Ridge Campground, one family reported, "We camped at Artillery Ridge Campground, which served as an artillery storage/staging area for the Union during the battle. Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded."
Weather preparation: The Baltimore region experiences frequent summer thunderstorms. A camper at Tuckahoe State Park advised, "It also rained pretty hard one day, and since we couldn't put the mat in front of the door, there was water & mud right when you stepped out."
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: RV campers should carefully research site dimensions. A visitor to Tuckahoe State Park warned, "We booked site 21, blind. The web site does not say site 21 is extremely small. We have a 25' camper, and it barely fit, length and width were an issue. The firepit was about 3-4 feet from our door."
Leveling challenges: Many Baltimore area sites require significant adjustment. At Ramblin' Pines, one RVer noted, "Site#D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back."
Utility reliability: Power outages occur during storms at some locations. A Little Bennett Campground visitor reported, "Trees falling on Park power lines caused power outage for hours. No toilet/shower facility in FHU loop so had to hike to facilities in Loops B & E."
