Camping options near Boyds, Maryland vary significantly in terrain and amenities, with many campgrounds situated along waterways including the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. The region's elevation ranges from 250 to 400 feet above sea level, creating moderate temperature variations between riverside and more elevated camping areas. Most campgrounds in the area maintain operational seasons from March through October, though select facilities offer year-round accessibility.
What to do
**River activities: Take advantage of riverfront camping at Brunswick Family Campground where the Shenandoah River provides recreation options. "The Shanandoah River is just as beautiful. The showers could use a good cleaning but they are typical Campground showers perfect for the campground life," notes Brian S., who visited multiple times.
**Historical exploration: Visit Civil War sites near Drummer Boy Camping Resort in Gettysburg. "It's literally like a mile from downtown Gettysburg, which also has a lot of different things to do," shares David G., highlighting the proximity to historical attractions.
**Trail access: Walk or bike the C&O Canal towpath directly from Brunswick Family Campground. Susan K. explains, "Situated on the C&O canal, so you could walk or bike for miles in either direction for hours! Harpers Ferry is only 6 miles away on the trail."
What campers like
**Waterfront views: Enjoy riverside camping at Harpers Ferry Campground with direct river access. "Gorgeous spot on the river. Small campground with not a lot of amenities BUT THAT RIVER IS GORGEOUS. Lots of activities - tubing, zip lining, fishing," according to Darcy S.
**Military history access: Camp at Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp for outdoor recreation combined with historical sites. "This campground is abord Fort Belvoir, an US Army base in Northern, VA. It is very clean and there are many amenities close by. The base outdoor recreation center has equipment to rent such as kayaks and canoes to explore the Potomac river," reports Jack R.
**Family recreation options: Multiple campgrounds offer built-in activities for children. At Bull Run Regional Park, one camper shared, "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. They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides."
What you should know
**Train noise levels: Several campgrounds sit near active rail lines. At Harpers Ferry Campground, Sherri C. warns, "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."
**Site levelness varies: Many rv sites near Boyds, Maryland require leveling equipment. At Bull Run Regional Park, Drew M. notes, "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level."
**Weekend crowding: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially those with activities. At Drummer Boy Camping Resort, a reviewer commented, "Quiet during the week, weekends quite busy." Another noted that "It was a bit noisy. The site was pretty level and an okay side."
Tips for camping with families
**Pool options: Cherry Hill Park offers extensive water recreation for children. "You get what you pay for. This campground has so much to offer. We loved it. 50 amp hook-up, Water, Sewer, Playground, Mini Golf, Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Basketball court, Snack bar on site, Nightly hayride," lists Beth R.
**Playground access: Consider locations with dedicated play areas. At Brunswick Family Campground, a visitor mentioned, "The little store has just the necessities and there is an amazing playground for the kids."
**Transportation convenience: Select campgrounds with easy access to attractions. Cherry Hill Park offers "a bus stop for metro service to the city" and many campers note the 20-minute drive to Washington DC makes day trips manageable with children.
Tips from RVers
**Site selection strategy: For RV camping, request end sites when possible. At Cherry Hill Park, Scott C. advises, "Look at the park map and try to get a site at the end of a row. The sites are pretty close together but on the ends at least you only have a neighbor on one side."
**Utility placement: Check for awkward hookup locations. At Round Top Campground, one RVer observed, "Water and electric are in award spot on our site," while another mentioned, "The sewer consisted of a storage tank less than 10 ft from our picnic table."
**Security benefits: Military rv sites near Boyds, Maryland like Camp Meade RV Park offer added security. Elvin J. notes, "Was great not to have to really worry about anything because you are securely on post."
