Riverside camping opportunities surround Clarksville, Maryland, with sites positioned along the Potomac and Bush rivers. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures reaching the upper 80s while spring and fall camping offer milder conditions in the 60s-70s. Winter campers should prepare for occasional snow and temperatures that can drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Water activities at Harpers Ferry Campground: Access the river directly from waterfront campsites for swimming, fishing, and kayaking. "Wonderful tent campground. It is right on the river so you can go swimming right from your campsite! The camp ground is part of river riders which offers lazy tubing, white water tubing, zip lining, and great kayaking down the river," explains one visitor at Harpers Ferry Campground.
Historical exploration in Gettysburg: Located about 45 minutes from Clarksville, Drummer Boy Camping Resort provides convenient access to Civil War sites. "It's literally like a mile from downtown Gettysburg, which also has a lot of different things to do. Overall I would def recommend this campground to someone," notes a camper at Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Day trips to Washington DC: Many campgrounds serve as convenient bases for visiting the capital. "About 17 miles to the closest Rail station to bring you to the mall in Washington DC," mentions a visitor about Prince William Forest RV Campground, noting its strategic location for DC day trips.
What campers like
Waterfront fishing opportunities: Sites along the Bush River at Bar Harbor RV Park provide direct fishing access. "Beautiful family owned campground. Kinda small but has a lot to offer. Fishing piers, (I love to crab) catch them and steam them in my camper (a MD thing :-) Only bait at the camp store or within 25 miles is night crawlers," notes one visitor at Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina.
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight the well-maintained bathrooms and showers. "Bathhouse available but I didn't use it. Pool was closed but looked nice. There was a fenced dog area and play set," reports a camper about Bar Harbor RV Park. Another visitor at Bull Run Regional Park adds, "I'll go again just for the showers... They're worth staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Best camping showers I've ever had."
Recreational amenities: Beyond basic camping, many parks offer extensive activities. "They have a dog park but didn't get a chance to check it out... Playground is nice," mentions a camper at Prince William Forest RV Campground. Another visitor at Cherry Hill Park reports, "Mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry, a store and office open early and late."
What you should know
Train noise concerns: Some campgrounds experience periodic train disturbances. At Harpers Ferry, "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," cautions a visitor.
Pricing variations: RV sites near Clarksville, Maryland vary considerably in cost. One camper at Bull Run Regional Park notes, "We have found municipal campgrounds in Northern Virginia are a bit spendy for being government sponsored... There are occupancy AND transaction fees that really add up if you're only there a few nights."
Weather considerations: The region experiences occasional heavy rain. "While we were here, there was a fairly heavy day of rain. Couple inches... Result was lots of standing water at our campsite," reports a visitor about Bull Run Regional Park in April.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds offer dedicated activities for children. A visitor at Cherry Hill Park describes, "Proximity to DC and surrounding areas can't be beat. Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle... The park itself has more than most. Mini golf, two pools, arcade... Splash pad, paved roads for scootering."
Consider seasonal timing: Different seasons offer unique family experiences. "We camped here in May for Memorial Day weekend. We usually avoid holidays but gave this campground a try. It was pretty full and everyone seemed to have a golf cart... A yard sale, vendor sale, golf cart parade, as well as other activities going on," notes a camper at Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Check playground availability: Playgrounds vary significantly between parks. "The biggest complaint about our site was that there's only one playground that's awkwardly located," mentions a visitor at Bull Run Regional Park.
Tips from RVers
Site layout considerations: Pay attention to hookup locations when reserving. "Our site was in the back row and I didn't mind the walk... Lots are really staggered/set back from each other so feels like you have more space," explains an RVer at Prince William Forest RV Campground.
Road access challenges: Some parks have difficult entrance roads. "You have to drive through a residential neighborhood to reach Bar Harbor, so big rigs take care/caution," advises a visitor.
Leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven surfaces at some campgrounds. "The site was pretty level and an okay side. Our site was separated from our neighbors site with nice foliage," notes a camper at Drummer Boy Camping Resort, while another at Bull Run explains, "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level."
