Cabin camping near Boyds, Maryland offers outdoor recreation in the Piedmont Plateau region with elevations ranging from 350 to 650 feet. The area features rolling terrain with mixed deciduous forests and several water features where temperatures typically range from 25°F in winter to 85°F in summer. Camping cabins provide protection from seasonal weather while allowing access to hiking trails and water recreation.
What to do
Fishing at multiple spots: Brunswick Family Campground sits along the Potomac River with a boat loading ramp and dock specifically for fishing. A camper noted, "Great location right next to river. Easy to walk into the river or tube down it. Lots of different activities for kids and plenty of space at each site to make your home away from home."
Hiking on extensive trail networks: Gambrill State Park Campground offers numerous hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. One visitor shared, "This is a beautiful park and the camping was nice...Firewood bundles are available on the honor system." Another mentioned, "There are lots of trails in the area, though we didn't explore too many on this trip."
Historical exploration: Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA provides easy access to significant historical sites. As one camper reported, "The best part about this site is the location. We could walk or easily drive to Harper's Ferry NP visitor center, from where we could take a bus into downtown."
What campers like
Private cabin settings: Little Bennett Campground in Clarksburg offers secluded cabin sites. A camper described, "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup." Another noted it's "conveniently located, it's quiet, it's beautiful and there is plenty to do to keep the kids busy."
River access: Brunswick Family Campground receives praise for its proximity to water. One visitor shared, "Situated next to the river so half of the sites have river views. Nice boat loading ramp and dock for fishing." Another camper was impressed by the "Shanandoah river parallels the campground. The river is beautifully clean clear and cool."
Amenities and activities: Bull Run Regional Park features extensive recreational options. A reviewer mentioned, "Our family stayed here in a cabin on a long weekend trip to DC. This campground was full of stuff to do and we didn't even get to do a lot of it." Another added, "They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides."
What you should know
Cabin sizes vary significantly: Some park cabins are notably compact. A visitor to Brunswick Family Campground stated, "The cabin was TINY. Essentially four beds (two bunks) and some space between them to move around. Essentially a shed with bunkbeds in it."
Train noise: Harpers Ferry Campground has tracks nearby which can affect sleep. A camper warned, "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."
Reservation requirements: Cunningham Falls State Park is in high demand during peak seasons. A visitor advised, "We love going to Cunningham falls annually, however, it books up quickly during peak season!"
Bathroom facilities: Facility quality varies between parks. At Bull Run Regional Park, one camper praised, "I'll go again just for the showers...They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Best camping showers I've ever had."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-specific amenities: Ramblin' Pines offers multiple child-friendly features. One family mentioned, "It has a pool, jump pillow, mini golf, fishing pond, barnyard with goats, and multiple playgrounds." Another noted it has "lots for kids to do, plenty if shaded spots! Nice pool."
Consider proximity to attractions: Cherry Hill Park provides easy access to Washington DC. A camper shared, "This was a great stop to take the kids to visit the city. Easy access and well laid out sites. They have a bus stop for metro service to the city."
Check swimming options: Cunningham Falls State Park includes a lake with beach area. A reviewer noted, "The beach area at the lake was fantastic! My kids loved it plenty of areas to grill and dogs are allowed."
Select trails suitable for children: Harpers Ferry area has family-appropriate hiking paths. One visitor recommended, "The hike that leads to the lookout about harpers ferry was fantastic. While some points are pretty steep don't let this deter you from completing it."
Tips from RVers
Site levelness varies: Cherry Hill Park receives mixed reviews on site conditions. A camper mentioned, "Sites were pretty level," while noting "Cons: Gravel pad, Expensive, Spotty Wi-Fi."
Full hookup availability: Little Bennett Regional Park offers complete services for RVs. A camper detailed, "D Loop is for RVs, A, B, C & E are tents only. AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster(1 bar), 8 MB/s with it(2 bars). There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy."
Tight navigation: Some parks have challenging access roads. For Harpers Ferry KOA, a visitor warned, "Heads up, big rig owners! Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air."
Off-season considerations: Bull Run Regional Park has year-round availability. One RVer shared, "Camp ground is nice. Check in was a breeze. The only drawback is that it is not quite. There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away."
