Boonsboro sits along the eastern edge of South Mountain at 558 feet elevation in western Maryland, offering campers access to the Appalachian Trail and Civil War historic sites. Winter temperatures can drop suddenly in this region with nighttime lows frequently dipping below freezing between November and March, requiring proper preparation for camping during these months.
What to do
Hiking access points: Greenbrier State Park Campground provides trail connections directly to the Appalachian Trail. "Hike from visitor center to AT is steep and rocky," notes Butch B., while another camper adds, "Could walk right out of the tent and meet up with the AT."
Water activities: Cunningham Falls State Park's William Houck Area features a 43-acre lake for swimming and fishing. "The beach area at the lake was fantastic! My kids loved it plenty of areas to grill and dogs are allowed," shares Casey L., though campers should note that "the hike back and forth from campsite to beach" is steep.
Battlefield exploration: Antietam Creek Campground serves as an excellent base for visiting nearby Civil War sites. "Especially if you want to camp but also do site seeing and/or paddling in the area," explains Andrew M. The location allows easy access to Antietam Battlefield, which is just a short drive away.
What campers like
Shaded campsites: Gambrill State Park Campground offers well-maintained wooded sites. "Sites offer almost no seclusion or oneness with nature. I believe we got the most secluded site (site 16, and thank you to the other reviewer for the heads up) but still very exposed to neighbors and roads," shares Chris F.
Clean facilities: Catoctin Mountain Park's Owens Creek Campground maintains high standards for its restrooms. "Great campground, clean bathrooms, friendly hosts. Beautiful Park!" reports Brittany M. The campground is situated "WAY back in woods" according to Roxy V., who has visited many times over 25 years.
Waterfront access: Many campers appreciate Harpers Ferry Campground's riverside location. "Amazing sites right on the Potomac. There is a Ale House above the office that delivers for free to your site (2.5 miles away), just tip the driver," mentions Eric J. The campground includes "great activities and amenities" for water enthusiasts.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Owens Creek Campground requires advance planning. "My wife and I decided one Saturday morning and came across Owens Creek online. They had reservations available and I jumped on the chance and reserved a spot," explains Matthew K., noting that sites are "spread out enough to give each site its privacy yet not separated too far."
Seasonal crowding: Greenbrier State Park Campground experiences heavy usage during summer months. "The lake area can be crowded on weekends, I tend to avoid," advises Butch B. Another visitor reports, "The beach by the lake is PACKED every weekend with day trippers - we avoided it since we are careful due to COVID."
Train noise: Harpers Ferry area campgrounds often experience railroad disruptions. "The trains that come through here almost hourly range from quick commuter MARC or Amtrak trains to long freight trains. The proximity to the tracks means that if the sound doesn't wake you up, the rumbling ground will. Every hour through the night," cautions Sherri C.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park provides multiple recreational opportunities. "Great campsite, with a small lake with beach the kids can swim at. Only thing is there is a steep hike back and forth from campsite to beach," advises Tom C., suggesting that families consider "driving to beach area after our first attempt to walk to beach with all our gear."
Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers extensive family programming. "We recent went camping for the first time at Jellystone in Maryland. 5 of our 6 kids came with us, so we knew we needed to find a camping ground more geared kids. Jellystone was amazing in every way possible," shares Mary, who found that "the kids were never bored and had so much fun."
Quiet camping loops: For families seeking more peaceful settings, request specific areas within larger campgrounds. "We were very pleased with the facilities at this campground. Arrived a little early and found the site ready and spotless. Decent sized sites included picnic table, fire ring, and 2 poles for hanging lanterns, garbage, whatever," notes Elinor about her Greenbrier State Park experience.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: RVers staying at Harpers Ferry locations should expect uneven terrain. "Heads up, big rig owners! Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site(#199) had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air," warns Matt S., who appreciated that "the nice staff kindly moved us to a FHU site without the patio and furniture."
Site selection: Choose campgrounds with dedicated RV loops for easier setup. "Get cozy, the sites are quite tight. We had a pull through campsite, but on the camp side it was all dirt and grass that look like it hadn't been mowed in over two weeks," notes John B. about his Harpers Ferry KOA experience.
Electric options: For cold-weather camping, select sites with electrical hookups. "It was so very cold the first night we were there (25!). We took advantage of our electric site and used a small space heater to take the edge off of that night!" shares M.J. about Gambrill State Park, which offers some electric sites in a small but well-maintained setting.
