Camping options within 40 miles of Bel Air, Maryland span across Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The area receives about 42 inches of rainfall annually with most campgrounds operating from March through October when temperatures average 55-85°F. Nearby waterways including the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay create varied camping environments from wooded sites to waterfront locations.
What to do
Hiking diverse trails: Elk Neck State Park Campground offers multiple skill levels of hiking paths. "We enjoyed hiking the Beaver Marsh Trail. From our campsite we had to drive to a trail head but there were a few sights that had direct access. Also the lighthouse trail is a must," reports one camper who particularly appreciated the Turkey Point Lighthouse access.
Fishing from your site: Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina provides waterfront sites with immediate fishing access. "Waterfront sites very nice. Beautiful water front sites and good location right off 95. Cute little dock, fishing from your campsite if waterfront and an area to put in small boats or kayaks," notes a visitor who appreciated the convenient water activities.
Water activities: Muddy Run Rec Park offers a lake with boat rentals and fishing. "The large lake is great for a day of kayaking and fishing with supplies readily available for rent at the boat dock store. If you are looking for some hiking there is a hiking trail that will take you around the parameter of the large 144 acre park with plenty of wildlife."
Creek exploration: Pequea Creek Campground provides access to shallow water perfect for families. "We visited the playgrounds, hiked the trails and explored the creek area. Boat ramp near by, we had site 54 which was nice and private." The creek offers wading opportunities and small boat launches.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Tucquan Park Family Campground offers spacious, wooded sites. "The primitive sites are back in the woods which kept us nice and cool on hot July nights. The location also kept us fairly bug free," explains a camper who found the forest setting beneficial for comfort.
Waterfront camping: Visitors to Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina appreciate the direct water access. "Full hook ups and sites were a little close, but nice. There seemed to be a lot of long term/permanent residents, but most sites along the waterfront remained open." The waterfront sites provide unobstructed views and fishing access.
Concrete pads at sites: Lums Pond State Park Campground offers level, paved sites. "Beautiful park setting with fantastic site—spacious, level, good-working hookups, and paved," notes one camper who found the concrete pads particularly beneficial during wet weather. Many sites accommodate larger RVs with ease.
Fresh-stocked camp stores: Elk Neck State Park Campground maintains a well-supplied store. "Bathhouses were open with hot water. Nice clean bathhouses. Sites were level, spacious, spaced apart, with packed gravel surface. Back in and pull through sites available." The camp store offers essential supplies and firewood.
What you should know
Water hookup distances: Muddy Run Rec Park has somewhat inconvenient water access points. "Bring 50 ft of hose for water hook up and an extension cord with a converter. The water hook ups are randomly placed, ours was 2 sites away." Planning for these extended connections prevents frustration upon arrival.
Bathroom maintenance: During peak times, facilities can be strained. "Bathhouse is located at top of steep hill and bathrooms were not very clean. So if you don't have a camper to use, you might not like the bath house situation," explains one Pequea Creek visitor who found the facilities challenging.
Seasonal closures: Facilities often operate with reduced services in shoulder seasons. "In February, about 1/4 of the sites were occupied. It was very quiet. The sites are large and well spaced. Many are in full sun," reports a winter visitor to Lums Pond State Park who found off-season camping quieter but with fewer amenities.
Site drainage: Some campgrounds have drainage issues during rain. "Sites in the 20's are tiny and hanging off a cliff," notes a Muddy Run visitor, while another mentions, "We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Merry Meadows Recreation Farm features extensive play areas. "They have a full-time spot in the chipmunk area. This campground has lots to offer they have upgraded any of the activities such as miniature golf and the pool area looks great," explains a repeat visitor who found the recreation options excellent for children.
Kid-friendly water features: Pequea Creek Campground offers gentle water access. "We welcomed grandkids' visit for splashing and floating in Pequea Creek. (Nearby site 24 had steps down the 'levee'; affording easier access to the creek)," notes a visitor who appreciated the safe water entry points.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Elk Neck State Park provides nature encounters. "We saw bald eagles and great blue heron," shares one camper. The park's diverse habitats create opportunities for wildlife spotting throughout the day, especially near water features.
Rainy day alternatives: Patapsco Valley State Park offers indoor options. "This is a small gem of a state park campground. It seem like this area is, possibly unintentionally, geared toward children. There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center," making it ideal when weather disrupts outdoor plans.
Tips from RVers
Site length limitations: RV campers at dog friendly campgrounds near Bel Air should verify site dimensions. "In the full hook up loop pay close attention to the lengths specified. The actual pads are fairly level but some of the driveways to them are very sloped. Long rigs will have issues in a few of the sites," cautions an Elk Neck State Park visitor.
Electric hookup types: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville provides reliable power options. "We stayed in C1 during the hottest week in the summer. The site was covered and it was cool around 4:30pm when the sun went behind the trees," notes a visitor who appreciated having adequate power during peak summer heat.
Cell service variations: Coverage can be spotty at pet-friendly campgrounds around Bel Air. "No cell signal in the campground so the family is forced to disconnect," explains an Elk Neck visitor who found this either a benefit or limitation depending on needs.
Winter water availability: For year-round RV camping, check seasonal services. "Finished the season at this state park in MD with full hook up (20, 30, and 50 amp, water and sewer) and the water was still on in November," shares an Elk Neck camper, noting that not all parks maintain water service in cold months.
