Glamping sites near Abingdon, Maryland offer a variety of accommodations within 25 miles of I-95, making them accessible weekend getaways from Baltimore and Philadelphia. The region sits at approximately 500 feet above sea level with moderate temperatures ranging from 30°F in winter to 85°F in summer. Most camping areas are situated near the Chesapeake Bay tributaries, creating opportunities for water recreation throughout the camping season.
What to do
Kayaking at Tuckahoe Creek: Access the water directly from the campground at Tuckahoe State Park Campground where there's a canoe/kayak launch between sites 46 and 48. "The walk to Tuckahoe Creek from the parking area is very short, and the creek leads to Tuckahoe Lake (no gasoline motors) with more of the creek on the other side of the lake," notes Mary S.
Wildlife viewing at Codorus: Spend time at Codorus State Park Campground where hiking and animal spotting are popular activities. "We scared a bunch of deer (ok they scared me!!) and checked out the giant old growth trees, hiked over a bridge and stream which was full of fish I could see! Turned around after I got to the Susquehanna itself," shares Anne L.
Family activities at Jellystone: Kids can enjoy the water park, character appearances, and organized activities. "Super clean, beautiful campground. So many activities to entertain kids, we couldn't fit it all in!" exclaims Karla R. The campground operates from April through early November.
What campers like
Spacious RV sites: Many campers appreciate the room to spread out at Lums Pond State Park Campground. "This place is a gem, even among nice state parks... Beautiful park setting with fantastic site— spacious, level, good-working hookups, and paved," says Matt S., who stayed at site #56.
Clean facilities: Bathhouse cleanliness ranks high on camper priorities. "Bath house was immaculate; by far the cleanest I have ever seen in a campground. Must have been recently renovated," comments Jen V. Many campgrounds in the region have updated their restroom facilities in the past five years.
Honor system firewood: Convenience matters when camping, and Susquehanna State Park Campground offers easy access to supplies. "They also sell ice and firewood at the campstore AND there is an honor system with it available to you after the campstore hours. This is great so that you don't have to time things around when the campstore is open," explains Jennifer S.
What you should know
Tent pad availability: Not all sites accommodate tent camping equally. "I docked a star because I'd say about half—maybe more—don't have pads. I didn't get a chance to check out the Acorn Loop, other than a quick drive by," notes Jennifer S. about Susquehanna State Park.
Cash policies: Some privately owned campgrounds maintain traditional payment systems. At Merry Meadows Recreation Farm, "One of the complaints was they work on cash. Yeah, I knows it's not popular because most of us live in a plastic dominated world. I read it in advance and I just made sure we had some with us," advises Sharon L.
Weather considerations: Area campgrounds can experience significant weather events. "Power outage at a lot of the campground Friday night due to a tree down on the power lines. My section kept power, so I was happy," reports Peggy T. from Merry Meadows. Most glamping options near Abingdon include electricity, making outages particularly impactful.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: When booking, consider site location relative to play areas. "I had chosen this site, based on two factors: 1. It was available and 2. It was close to the playground. Unfortunately, it was most likely available because it was overrun with roots and rocks (no pad for the tent)—and you also couldn't see the playground from the site," cautions Jennifer S.
Kid-friendly biking routes: Look for campgrounds with gentle terrain for young cyclists. "The camp road was minimally hilly and would be safe and easy for little kids to ride their bikes, unlike some of the campgrounds that have pretty decent hills," observes a reviewer at Susquehanna State Park.
Bathroom proximity for tent campers: At Cherry Hill Park, facilities layout matters. "Some engineering genius put the bath houses furthest from the people that need them most. Tent campers….keep your shoes handy, its a hike," warns Al K. Consider packing a small portable toilet for nighttime needs with children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup configurations: Be prepared for unusual utility placements. "The site offered electric and water but they were on 2 different sides. This made it difficult to set up. Had to park the camper crooked to use both," notes Amanda H. about a campground in the region. Pack extra-long water and electrical cords.
Reservation timing: Popular glamping sites fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "Book early because it fills up fast!" advises Ellen B. about Lums Pond State Park. Most reservations open 6-12 months in advance depending on the campground.
Site selection for privacy: Study campground maps before booking. "If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy," shares Elise M. about her experience camping near Abingdon. Corner sites and those at the ends of loops typically offer more space between neighbors.
