Camping near Big Pool, Maryland offers convenient access to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park and the Potomac River. Located in Washington County at approximately 416 feet elevation, this area features rolling hills and rich forest land with moderate summer temperatures typically ranging from 65-85°F. Fall camping conditions bring cooler nights and vibrant foliage, creating ideal conditions for yurt camping and other accommodation options.
What to do
Hiking along the Potomac: Harpers Ferry Campground provides direct access to scenic river trails. "Nice river front sites, and pool in the campground. Close to historic Harpers Ferry and lots of great hiking," notes one visitor about Harpers Ferry Campground.
Paddle sports on Lake Habeeb: Rocky Gap State Park offers excellent water activities. "A lot to do here! Clean, well run camp store. Nice beach area with volley ball nets. Lots of paddle boards and canoes for rent. The 5 mile hike around Lake Habeeb is enjoyable," reports a camper at Rocky Gap State Park Campground.
Trail biking: The C&O Canal towpath offers 150+ miles of flat terrain for cyclists. "Great drive-in campground along the C&O Towpath Trail where you can actually drive in, instead of just hiking or cycling. It would make a great shuttle point, or RV base camp for the weekend if you plan to ride the C&O Trail," explains a visitor to Fifteen Mile Campground.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Cowans Gap State Park features well-spaced campsites. "Our first time at Cowans Gap and we loved it. 5 nights, 6 days with no cell or wifi to stress us out. Biking, Hiking, sitting around a campfire, very nice," shares one camper at Cowans Gap State Park Campground.
Year-round availability: Some campgrounds operate beyond standard seasons. "The tent sites are paved so you can't hammer stakes into the ground. It was windy so we had to get the gear into tent so we wouldn't get blown away," notes a visitor at Cunningham Falls State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Several parks offer nature observation opportunities. "There is a little viewing area/dock with information on the bald eagles and osprey that live there," mentions a camper who stayed at Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA.
What you should know
Train noise impacts: Some campgrounds experience regular train disturbances. "A friend and I chose this campground because of its right-on-the-river sites. The river views were amazing, but face the other way and you're looking at a 15 or so foot CSX rail line berm. The trains that come through here almost hourly range from quick commuter MARC or Amtrak trains to long freight trains," cautions a visitor to Harpers Ferry Campground.
Seasonal facility limitations: Pool and water features often have restricted hours. "My daughter was excited about the little water park. Because it was early June, I emailed prior to booking to make sure that the water park would be open during the week and was assured that it would be. When we got there, it was not open," reports a camper at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park.
Limited supplies: Remote locations may lack amenities. "The only complaint we had, and it's a pretty big one, is that there's NO CAMP STORE. No place to buy bags of ice, extra batteries, lighters, or any other supplies that people usually need when camping. And this campground is in the middle of nowhere," advises a visitor about Cunningham Falls State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Off-season visits for fewer crowds: October and April offer quieter camping with seasonal activities. "Beautiful in the fall. Absolutely amazing fall color on the lake and great drives surrounding. Bathrooms are clean and hot showers," shares a camper at Cowans Gap State Park.
Halloween camping events: Several parks offer special fall programming. "We have stayed in the camping cabins here multiple times. We love the animals and activities for the kids. Fall is the best at this campground with the trick or treating and haunted house," notes a visitor to Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA.
Yurt camping for families: Yurts provide comfortable shelter for Big Pool area camping. "This is one of our favorite campground that we visit often. We love that the campground has their own beach so it's not over crowded with the public. Near the beach there is a nice playground near shade for parents to watch," shares a Rocky Gap State Park camper.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. "We ran out of blocks trying to level on this site and were still off a bit. If we were staying more than a night we may have asked for a different site," advises an RV camper at Ridge Rider Campground.
Navigation difficulties: Narrow campground roads can be problematic. "All roads were very narrow and winding. We did fine with the pup, but can't imagine trying to navigate a large motorhome through there," cautions a visitor to Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA.
Spacing concerns: RV sites vary widely in privacy. "The RV sites and tent sites are separated by a drive down the road. The RV side has all the cool stuff; store, pavilion, basketball courts, playground, etc. The sites are pretty decent amount of space too," notes a camper at Little Orleans Campground.
