Camping options near Idlewylde, Maryland extend beyond the primary sites at Patapsco Valley State Park. The region sits within Maryland's Piedmont region at elevations between 300-500 feet, creating varied terrain for campgrounds. Winter camping remains available at select locations when temperatures typically range from 25-40°F, with several campgrounds maintaining year-round operations despite seasonal closures at state parks.
What to do
Hiking trails with water access: At Washington DC / Capitol KOA, campers can combine hiking with recreational activities. "This is part of a super large park that runs 32 miles along the Patapsco River. It has 8 recreation areas and we stayed at the Hollofield Area in April- one of our first experiences in a Maryland State Park. Beautiful park with 70 miles of hiking/biking/multi use trails," notes one visitor to Hollofield Area Campground.
Water recreation options: Elk Neck State Park Campground provides multiple water-based activities. "In summer there is a beach on the North East River for swimming and the Turkey Point Lighthouse is nearby," mentions one camper. Another visitor adds, "There's a ton of camping at Elk Neck, including a loop with full hook ups. There's a camp store, boat ramp, swimming, fishing and lots of great hiking."
Historical exploration: Several campgrounds offer access to historical sites within day-trip distance. "The historic area in the park, with a working grist mill, mansion and other little buildings to view. Not really my thing, but was pretty neat," reports a Susquehanna State Park visitor. The region contains numerous preserved structures dating to the 18th century, accessible through short drives from most camping areas.
What campers like
Proximity to urban areas with natural feel: Many campers appreciate the balance between accessibility and nature. One Hollofield Area Campground visitor notes, "Being just barely off the beaten path, I wasn't expecting all too much from the one night stay over planned heading from New Jersey to Shenandoah in Virginia. I was surprised at the quiet, understated beauty of the forestry around the perfectly level campsite."
Well-maintained bathroom facilities: Clean facilities rank highly among camper priorities. "Bath house was immaculate; by far the cleanest I have ever seen in a campground. Must have been recently renovated," reports a visitor to Susquehanna State Park. Similarly, a camper at Codorus State Park mentioned, "Campground bath houses were very clean, nice hot showers with great showerhead that stayed on without pushing a button."
Diverse site options: Cherry Hill Park receives praise for accommodating various camping preferences. "There are some nice tenting sites under the trees and off by themselves for the true campers, and for the rest of us glampers there are hookups and lots to do," notes one visitor. Site variety extends to terrain, with level sites particularly valued for both tent and RV camping throughout the region.
What you should know
Seasonal operation limitations: Most state park campgrounds operate on limited schedules. "Just camped here for the first time. Stayed at site #3, it had a nice huge concrete pad and fire ring," notes a visitor to Susquehanna State Park Campground, which operates from March 31 to October 29. Year-round alternatives include Ramblin' Pines and Cherry Hill Park.
Reservation requirements: Advanced booking becomes essential during peak periods. One camper at Hollofield Area Campground observed, "The campground and park fill up on the weekends but are nearly empty during the week." This pattern repeats across regional campgrounds, with weekend availability particularly limited from May through September.
Weather impact on sites: Site conditions vary with weather, particularly affecting drainage. "When I went back just two hours later, it was replenished- so I don't know if that was a one-off thing or not," reported a visitor regarding bathroom supplies after heavy rain. Another camper noted, "One negative was that when it rains it really flushes through the grounds. We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Merry Meadows Recreation Farm offers substantial recreational facilities. "We loved the peace and quiet, the restrooms were clean and tidy, the usable sites all looked nice. The pool area seemed like the place to be," notes a recent visitor. Many families strategically select sites based on proximity to playgrounds while maintaining adequate distance for quiet evenings.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds provide designated swimming areas as alternatives to hiking. "There is no swimming allowed in the lake but there is a pool located at the park, there is no extra cost to use the pool if you are at the campground," explains a Codorus State Park visitor. Pool availability typically runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with some extending operations on weekends through mid-September.
Nature programs: Educational opportunities vary by location. One visitor to Washington DC / Capitol KOA mentioned, "We stayed here this past Easter and they had plenty of activities for kids and adults. Easter egg hunts for kids, adult scavenger hunts for alcohol. Wonderful experience for the whole family." Program schedules typically appear on campground bulletin boards with most activities occurring on weekends.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: RV campers emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate sites. At Bar Harbor RV Park, one visitor advised, "The daily waterfront sites are pricy but right on the water with great views. Some of the trailer sites are a tough back in but worth the trouble." Site selection proves especially important at older campgrounds where access can be challenging for larger units.
Seasonal utilities management: Winter campers should prepare for limited services. "Weekend was cold but the park was pretty full. This is close to us so it was an easy trip. Full hookup but we're told to turn off and unhook water the night it dropped below freezing," reported a visitor to Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina. Water systems typically remain operational until overnight temperatures consistently drop below 28°F.
Electric availability varies: While many campgrounds offer electric sites, amperage differs significantly. "There is only 20/30amp electricity and NO water or sewer- although there was a dump and a place to fill your water tank," notes a camper at Hollofield Area Campground. Most state park campgrounds feature 30-amp service, while private campgrounds like Ramblin' Pines often provide 50-amp connections for larger RVs.
