Glamping in Buckeystown, Maryland sits within the Monocacy River watershed at 300 feet above sea level, providing a transition zone between the Piedmont Plateau and the Appalachian Mountains. Summer temperatures average 85-90°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall offer milder 60-75°F conditions. Tents, RVs, and glamping accommodations are available from April through October with most sites requiring reservations 2-6 months in advance during peak season.
What to do
Hiking along the C&O Canal: Brunswick Family Campground provides direct access to the historic C&O Canal towpath. "You could walk or bike for miles in either direction for hours! Harpers Ferry is only 6 miles away on the trail," explains Susan K., who appreciates the campground's convenience to Silver Spring. The towpath offers flat terrain suitable for all experience levels.
River activities: Brunswick Family Campground sits directly on the Potomac River with excellent water access. "Great location right next the river. Easy to walk into the river or tube down it," says Nicholas S. The campground includes a boat loading ramp and fishing dock, with tubing opportunities just upriver from the sites.
Family-oriented attractions: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers extensive children's amenities beyond standard camping. "The pool is absolutely amazing to say the least. My grandkids didn't want to leave from the time it opened until the time it closed," shares Karen H. The park includes water features, playgrounds, and scheduled activities like hayrides and character events.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Little Bennett Campground offers well-separated camping areas. "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup," notes Ray & Terri F. The campground has different loops designated for tents and RVs, with D Loop specifically designed for larger vehicles.
Riverside views: Harpers Ferry Campground features sites directly along the Potomac. "Gorgeous spot on the river. Small campground with not a lot of amenities BUT THAT RIVER IS GORGEOUS," explains Darcy S. All camping spots face the water, creating an immersive outdoor experience despite the proximity to rail lines.
Water recreation: Cunningham Falls State Park offers a 43-acre lake with multiple recreational opportunities. "There is a very nice network of trails, most if not all were leashed dog friendly," says Ray & Terri F. The park includes a sandy beach area for swimming during season, and permits trolling motors for fishing access.
What you should know
Train noise: Harpers Ferry and Brunswick campgrounds have active rail lines nearby. "The train tracks behind the campground with a train going through day and night. For me it's a minor inconvenience," mentions Maggie A. from Harpers Ferry Campground. Bringing earplugs is recommended for light sleepers as trains run through the night.
Busy weekends: Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA experiences high capacity during peak season. "We got lucky and got an end site despite arriving without a reservation. To top it all off, we got there during get one free sale," reports Erin S. Reservations are highly recommended, especially for prime end sites or holiday weekends.
Site selection matters: KOA campsites vary significantly in quality. "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," warns Matt S. Requesting specific site information prior to booking can prevent setup challenges.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: "They've got a great water park, playground and bounce pad feature. Definitely recommend for families and/or anyone looking for easy convenience camping," shares Beth C. about Jellystone Park. The campground schedules daily organized activities including arts and crafts, movie nights, and character meet-and-greets.
Lake swimming options: The William Houck area at Cunningham Falls features family swimming areas. "Great campground. A bit pricey, but has a full hookup loop. Other loops are tent only. Wonderful bath house. Lots of stuff to do," notes PattyD T. The lake includes designated shallow areas appropriate for younger children.
Multi-generational appeal: Ramblin' Pines offers activities for various age groups. "Nice large sites with friendly staff. Lots of free activities for children and it's close to home," says Christopher M. The campground includes fishing ponds, playgrounds, mini-golf, and a jumping pillow that appeals to children while adults appreciate the wooded setting.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: For privacy at Little Bennett, choose sites at loop ends. "Only came through for a weekend but the sites were well maintained, and felt separated enough to have some privacy," notes Michael A. End sites typically offer more space and less foot traffic from other campers.
Hookup considerations: Manor area at Cunningham Falls has limited utilities. "We stayed in a travel trailer with no hookups at our site. Some sites offer electric. There are two water spigots on opposite sides of the loops, but this area has no dump station," reports Aaron C. RVers should arrive with fresh water tanks filled and plan for dump station locations.
Large rig limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. "Our section had mostly pop-ups and mid-size travel trailers, so the sites were all grass and gravel. However, the area with pull-through sites for big rigs was just a huge RV parking lot. All roads were very narrow and winding," explains Jen V. about Harpers Ferry KOA. Some loops restrict RV length, requiring advance research for suitable placement.
