Lynette B.
Scout
ScoutQuemahoning Family Recreation Area
Perfect
Perfect little campsite with voting access fishing rod says and very clean showers
Camping near Barton, MD
153 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Western Maryland's mountain region surrounding Barton contains several established campgrounds with varied accommodation types. Rocky Gap State Park Campground, located near Cumberland, offers tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts around a large lake with swimming areas. New Germany State Park provides year-round camping with both primitive tent sites and electric hookups in a forested mountain setting. Savage River State Forest features more secluded camping options with sites positioned along streams and rivers. Most campgrounds in the area maintain clean facilities with bathhouses, picnic tables, and fire rings.
Seasonal considerations affect camping experiences throughout the region, with many campgrounds operating on limited schedules during winter months. Deep Creek Lake State Park operates from April to December, while others like Savage River remain open year-round. "Western Maryland is bear country, but also deer, eagle, hawk, and plenty of fish," notes one camper about the wildlife visitors might encounter. Road conditions vary, with some forest service roads requiring careful navigation, especially after rainfall. Cell service is generally available near larger campgrounds but may be limited in more remote areas. Most sites require advance reservations during summer weekends and holidays, with some campgrounds filling months ahead for peak periods.
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews across multiple locations. Rocky Gap's lake access stands out as particularly family-friendly, with a designated swimming beach and boat rentals available. A visitor mentioned that "the best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds." Many campers appreciate the relative seclusion of sites at Savage River State Forest, where camping spots are "huge, rustic, and spaced very far apart from other sites." Noise from nearby highways occasionally affects some campgrounds, particularly at Rocky Gap where interstate sounds can be heard from certain loops. Bathhouse facilities are generally well-maintained, with several reviewers specifically noting clean showers and restrooms at Rocky Gap and New Germany State Park.
Best Campgrounds near Barton (153)
1. Savage River State Forest
"This was a beautiful state forest, with two state parks sort of bordering it (Big Run & New Germany). The roads were all paved which was nice."
"Very remote western Maryland Appalachia. Sites are right off park road, are huge, rustic, and spaced very far apart from other sites. River runs along the sites."
2. Middle Ridge Campground
"It is not near a main highway unless you call Route 50 through Romney a main highway. It is west of town up a curved mountain road. It is on the top area of "Middle Ridge" mountain. "
"Very positive experience."
3. New Germany State Park Campground
"New Germany State Park is a pleasant location with a small lake for swimming and kayaking, as well as numerous trails in the wooded mountains of western Maryland."
"New Germany State Park is situated in Garrett County Maryland. The park has a small lake, a few trails, and two camping loops."
from $18 - $117 / night
Check Availability4. Rocky Gap State Park Campground
"Rocky gap is one of my favorite parks to camp in Maryland! It is right along a great lake, where you can swim, fish, kayak or just lay about. The camp store is well stocked and the staff is friendly."
"The beach at the lake is not far away for any loop."
from $23 - $29 / night
Check Availability5. Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground
"Camp site(Tent camping) Camp site was pretty small and close to each other. The forest where the camp site was situated was beautiful."
"Lots of touristy things around the lake, then you drive by lots of vacation homes on the lakeshore and then you pull into the camp and you feel like you are miles away from all that stuff."
from $21 - $65 / night
Check Availability6. Big Run State Park Campground
"This is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds."
"You have to know what you're getting here - there ARE campsites with amenities, near water and bathrooms, but not all of them have the amenities. "
from $10 - $55 / night
Check Availability7. CUMBERLAND MD. CAMPGROUNDS. 1 & 2
"Me and a small group of friends stayed here for a weekend and we had a blast it was so peaceful we where right next to the river and had some great trails too hike on."
"Great stay at a well located spot. Beautiful and quiet. Don was very helpful with any request that we had. Would return again. Thanks Don."
from $35 / night
Check Availability8. Robert W. Craig - Jennings Randolph Lake
"General: Smallish (68 sites) campground near Jennings Randolph Lake, which is not directly accessible from the campground (you need to drive there)."
"Drinking water right next to the site (37) as well as a trail to a restroom - I think there's a shower on the other loop/section. 22 for a basic (non-electric) tent site."
from $22 - $60 / night
Check Availability9. Swallow Falls State Park Campground
"Thirdly, the campground was so close to the nature that we wanted to see. We went to see the falls and they were within walking distance from our campsite. Overall, it was an awesome place to camp."
"Camp ground was just a few minute drive away from the entrance to the trail. Trails were easy enough for kids. Camp site itself was nice and clean but felt a little too close to each other."
from $22 - $33 / night
Check Availability10. Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park
"Very close to two Frank Lloyd Wright properties– Kentuck Knob and the more widely known Falling Waters."
"Options to get there include the steep walking trail where bikes are allowed to be walked but not ridden, riding the 3.5 miles along the road, also very steep, or taking a shuttle from downtown Ohiopyle"
from $20 - $54 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 1 hr 6 min from Morgantown, WV
- 1 hr 17 min from Hagerstown, MD
- 1 hr 18 min from Johnstown, PA
- 1 hr 36 min from Winchester, VA
Recent Camping Photos near Barton, MD
405 Photos of 153 Barton Campgrounds
Aakansha J.
Big Run State Park Campground
Angela S.
Sleepy Hollow Campground
Jen V.
New Germany State Park Campground
Kayla H.
Savage River State Forest
Randy O.
Ottobre's Mercantile
Shari G.
Irons Mountain Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Lee Anne H.
Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground
Janice L.
Middle Ridge Campground
SAMEAN Y.
Great Escape Of Romney, West Virginia
Bumblebee R.
Bumble Bee RV Park & Campground
Michelle L.
CUMBERLAND MD. CAMPGROUNDS. 1 & 2
The Dyrt Tyler B.
Abrams Creek Campground and Retreat Center
Recent Reviews near Barton, MD
1004 Reviews of 153 Barton Campgrounds
Shelby H.
TravelerYough Lake Campground at Tub Run
Fantastic for Family
We love it here so much we almost never leave. There is a creek, playground and games for the kids year round. The lake is great for fishing, boating, swimming and more from March-August usually but even longer this year it seems. They are INCREDIBLY strict about 5mph and I LOVE THAT! My 8 year old can run around and be a kid at camp like I was without me being panicked. They even have events once a month. They are constantly adding and upgrading around the campground. Everything from walk to primitive sites to full hook ups and dry cabins.
Highly recommend for a long or short get away.
Cari E.
RangerKentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park
Pick the loop for you
I stayed at two sites at Ohiopyle and I’ll say it again—picking the loop that best fits your equipment is key to enjoying your camping experience here. Not all loops are created equal! My second, and heavy favorite, was my site on Ivy Road. The sites were had more privacy and most importantly, were far more level and easier to access. This loop/road is also more central to the rest of the campground, the dumpsters, and had access to much nicer (still a smidge dingy), larger bathrooms. The cell service here was also decent as this road is in a less hilly area within the campground.
While the park and town are excellent for exploring, I found that the highlight of my trip was Fallingwater—it’s a Frank Lloyd Wright house (personally, I think his best) that offers tours and I was shocked to find that it was less than 10 minutes away. If you need a break from hiking and the river, I cannot recommend it enough!
- Cari E.Ranger
Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park
Great, but…
My happiness with Ohiopyle SP started off rocky from the start due to two factors, which can also impact your stay:
-
No matter what Google Maps tells you, try to avoid taking Sugarloaf Rd into the park—it’s a very steep dirt road that is not at all direct, despite popping you out in the middle of town (which was widely surreal as I landed in the middle of some kind of festival), but most importantly there is no cell service which is frustrating when you’re unexpectedly routed down backroads as night approaches
-
which loop you stay in really matters, more so than many other parks I’ve stayed at. My first few nights were on Hickory road and many were small and wildly unleveled—I saw one individual give up trying to get his small RV backed in due to the site being a basin shape. So you truly need to do your research and find a site that fits your equipment. The bathroom in this leg was also small and dingy, to put it nicely, but serviceable. Personally, I would not stay in Hickory again.
That said, this is a beautiful park with phenomenal hiking and water adventures. The town (which is in the park) was also quaint and lovely, with a variety of food and shopping options.
-
Heather S.
GuideFriendship Village Campground & RV Park
Home Away From Home
I don’t know what it is about this place but whenever I’m here all my worries are gone! I can honestly say IM RELAXED!!! I’m relaxed- whether I’m riding the golf cart eating ice cream, playing in the arcades, walking around in the campground store, playing mini golf, fishing from our campsite, watching the doggy’s play in the dog park. I’m honestly happy here!!! My favorite sites are by the lake or river. The bathhouses were clean!! We don’t swim but the pools looked great!! I’m always sad to leave but super excited to come back!! I have a video review on my YouTube channel @UpOnTheRidge304 about this campground - feel free to check it out.
- EEmily M.Scout
Rocky Gap State Park Campground
Wonderful family campground
We had a delightful 2 night stay at Rocky Gap in the Dogwood loop. This campsite was beautiful, well maintained and clean, with great access from our area in Dogwood to both the trails and the beach. The campsite itself was a large pull-through, wooded site, that accommodated our big tent and glamping set up for a family of four. The beach was adorable, with a snack bar, playground, nature center and camp store, and I loved that it was only for the campground's use. We took the lake trail walk one day and got to see the campsites that are right across from the lake with amazing views! Minor complaints are that you can hear the roadway from the campsite (didn't really bother us, just noting it) and there's not a ton of privacy in the campground. Neither of these things detracted from our enjoyment of the park and campground though!
- CCasie T.Traveler
Brooklyn Heights Riverfront Campground
Peaceful and spacious
Stayed with friends at RV6. Non electric spot but huge with a nice fireplace and benches. No picnic table but great views of the river and the peaceful sounds of flowing water. Only toilet facility is an outside port-o-potty but they have spray, tp, hand sanitizer and seems well kept.
- PPam J.Traveler
Laurel Hill State Park Campground
Nice weekend getaway.
We had a great stay. Well manicured grounds. Lots of fallen trees from recent weather. Bathrooms could be cleaner. The camp hosts are awesome people. The area is quiet and peaceful. Lots of bike trails. Lake nice with swimming. Not crowded. Very family oriented. Playgrounds scattered around the campground in really good shape. We stayed at site 173. I loved it. Private. Had a little stream that ran behind it which would have been great for kids to play in. I loved the sound of running water. The fire pit and picnic table were in a little area above the stream surrounded by trees. It was so pretty and felt protected. They sell wood and awesome fire starters on site. Well priced. $5 for big bundle of split wood and $1 for each large fire starter. The Fire starters were so good, I bought extras to take with me. Definitely good quality. Not like the small ones you buy at the store. All in all, I loved it and will go back. I’ll take the grandkids next time. The lake, stream, biking, playground will keep them busy.
I have TMobile and had no cellphone service at my site. But could get service in other areas.
Site 225 looked like a great site. Up on a hill with a view, full hook up, playground close, and cell service. 
Benji H.ScoutSmoke Hole Canyon
Very remote and beautiful place
This campground is very basic. The area is very remote. Make sure you bring supplies. Going out to eat is at least a 30-minute drive. Floating the loop at Big Bend is one of the best things you can do without traveling away from the camping area. Seneca Rocks, Smoke Hole Caverns, and Seneca Caverns are all within an hour drive.
Guide to Barton
Situated in Maryland's Allegheny Mountain region at elevations between 1,400-2,900 feet, the Barton area offers a cooler escape from summer heat with temperatures typically 10-15 degrees below nearby lowland areas. Western Maryland's camping options range from primitive forest sites to lakeside campgrounds with modern amenities. The region experiences distinct seasons with colorful fall foliage in October and occasional snow closures from December through March.
What to do
Hiking through old-growth forests: At Swallow Falls State Park Campground, trails lead to Maryland's highest waterfall and through magnificent wooded areas. "The trails to the namesake falls are beautiful and very family-friendly, with lots of helpful signage. However, the parking lots and trailheads were PACKED on the weekend, so if you're a day tripper, get there early!" A camper notes the park has "a variety of smaller falls, 'local' swimming holes, great rock formations and places to fish on the river."
Cross-country skiing in winter months: New Germany State Park Campground transforms into a winter recreation destination when snow arrives. "Apparently, the park is very popular amongst cross-country skiers in the winter, especially since they have full-service cabins and a warming hut by the lake," a visitor reports. The trails are "open to cross country skiing in the winter months" with equipment rentals sometimes available at the park lodge.
Kayaking and fishing: Savage River State Forest provides excellent water access points. One camper explained, "There's multiple boat ramps, and from one end of the reservoir to the other on a kayak is about 2 hours." For less experienced paddlers, a different camper mentions "the small lake was perfect for swimming, and the hikes around the campground were beautiful."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Savage River State Forest receives consistent praise for site seclusion. "The sites are very spread out, and not very consistent in size/quality. We were able to nab site 112 and it was fantastic: lots of space, and privacy too," notes one camper. Another adds that sites are "huge, rustic, and spaced very far apart from other sites."
Clean, well-maintained facilities: The bathhouses at Rocky Gap State Park Campground receive positive reviews. "The bathhouses are always clean and well stocked. The camp sites are tucked into the woods with plenty of room for camping," writes a repeat visitor. Another camper mentions, "Bath house in our loop was old and small, but kept very clean."
Wooded, natural settings: Campers appreciate the forest environment that dominates campgrounds in the region. "The campground is clean and made us feel like we were in a forest not just a campground," writes one visitor. Another notes that "each site has a fire ring with grill grate, and a nice, large, composite picnic table" with sites "surrounded by beautiful forest."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many campsites have spotty or no connectivity. "Note that there is very little to no cell phone reception in the park, so combined with the lack of hookups, this is definitely an unplugged, 'connect with nature' type of camping experience," explains one visitor about New Germany State Park.
Bear safety is important: Middle Ridge Campground and surrounding areas require food storage awareness. "The campground had bear boxes at each site; we saw many deer but not a single bear, keeping our zero bear sightings record intact," reports a camper. Most established campgrounds provide bear-resistant containers or lockers.
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds require navigating steep mountain roads. "Road to access the campground was good with some tight turns up the hill the last couple of miles. The campground itself is gravel roads that were pretty tight gettin in and out of and fairly steep with trees on all sides," a visitor cautions. In winter months, some forest roads may require 4WD or become impassable.
Tips for camping with families
Enjoy kid-friendly water activities: Robert W. Craig - Jennings Randolph Lake offers designated swimming areas and fishing. "Make sure to bring bicycles for your kids to ride around the loop. There is also a pond that you can hike to for fishing. It is far enough that your children would not wonder there on their own," suggests one parent. Another mentions that "for kids they have a small jungle gym and critter center."
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Several area campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "The campground beach is fun. There is a 5 mile trail that goes all around the lake. Lots of lake to paddle," notes a visitor to Rocky Gap. Another family mentions "near the beach there is a nice playground near shade for parents to watch."
Choose sites near bathhouses: When camping with small children, proximity to facilities matters. A camper recommends sites that have "its own little direct pathway to the bath house. In fact, almost every site on the inside of the loop had its own little direct pathway to the bath house."
Tips from RVers
Limited full hookup options: Most campgrounds offer only electric sites or primitive camping. "There are only a couple sites with electricity in each of the two loops," explains a camper about Swallow Falls. For those needing full hookups, a visitor to Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park reports, "We have a wonderful, big electric and water site. Our camper doesn't have a bathroom so we need the bathhouse."
Size restrictions apply: Large rigs may have difficulty at several campgrounds. A camper warns about one site: "Made it in and out no issue taking it slow, but not sure I would try anything longer than about 36' fifth wheel or 34' travel trailer." Most loops have restrictions and roads with tight turns that limit access for bigger RVs.
Water pressure considerations: Water systems at some campgrounds may require supplementation. "Water pressure was just a bit weak and used our water tank and pump during our stay. Best we could get for water pressure out of the hose was 25-20 psi," notes an RVer, suggesting bringing a water pressure gauge and considering tank use instead of direct hookups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Barton, MD?
What camping is available near Barton, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, Barton, MD offers a wide range of camping options, with 153 campgrounds and RV parks near Barton, MD and 13 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Barton, MD?
Which is the most popular campground near Barton, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Barton, MD is Savage River State Forest with a 4.6-star rating from 18 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Barton, MD?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Barton, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 free dispersed camping spots near Barton, MD.
What parks are near Barton, MD?
What parks are near Barton, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Barton, MD that allow camping, notably Jennings Randolph Lake and Youghiogheny River Lake.
Keep Exploring