Tent camping near Conowingo, Maryland offers primitive sites within an hour's drive of the Susquehanna River. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from April through October, with closure during winter months when temperatures drop below freezing. The area features both wooded campsites and waterfront options at elevations ranging from 300-800 feet above sea level.
What to do
Eagle watching at Conowingo Dam: Visit Blackbird State Forest Campground where campers report the area is "super pretty" with "plenty of hiking trails in the state forest, complete with mushrooms, and deer-hunting-stands." The campground features spacious sites that are "very spaced apart" providing good privacy.
Waterfront activities: Hibernia County Park offers a lake for fishing and recreation. One visitor notes that "the lake is about a 3 minute hike down the clearly marked trails" and the park includes "a short ways away for well stocked fishing" at the children's pond.
Hiking trail exploration: Ridley Creek State Park features "well marked trails great for hiking" with "a few great spots to get a small creek swim in." Multiple reviewers mention the varied terrain with one noting they "had the best time here hiking up and down the mini mountains. The water was clear and beautiful."
What campers like
Private, spacious campsites: Campers at Blackbird State Forest appreciate that "only 8 sites in the campground, very spaced apart. Each site has lots of room." Another mentions "each site has a fire pit, a grill, and two tables with a decent amount of space for tents."
Water features: Mill Creek Camping Area receives praise for its creek-side camping: "Campsite for where we stayed is down by the creek making for a cooler camping experience and love the sound of water flowing at night." The flat rate of $25 per night for up to 6 days makes it budget-friendly.
Family-friendly facilities: Hibernia County Park campers appreciate the "fantastic weekend with family" atmosphere and the "super peaceful" lake. One reviewer mentioned "my kids are age 3-12" and found the "running water available, porta potties are very clean and don't smell and are lit with a street lamp."
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Most campgrounds operate from April through October. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area is open "April 1 to October 30" according to their information.
Weather considerations: Lower elevation sites can flood during heavy rain. One camper at Patapsco noted "when it rains it really flushes through the grounds. We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm."
Trail traffic: At Mill Creek, "hikers take any trail instead of marked trails regardless of families camping in a private areas." Another camper mentioned "there are lots of hikes, joggers, and people expecting you not to be camping. I was woke up every morning by people walking through the site."
Reservation policies: Some parks require advance booking while others offer first-come, first-served options. At Hibernia County Park, "sites can be reserved on line, by phone, or by 'first come, first served' self-registration."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Sandy Point State Park offers youth group camping with family-friendly beaches. A visitor notes it has "pavilions for social gatherings, showers and bathrooms that are kept pretty very clean."
Kid-friendly activities: Patapsco Valley State Park is "possibly unintentionally, geared toward children. There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center."
Cabin options: For families wanting more comfort, Patapsco Valley offers "neat mini cabins. Small one room cabins that have electricity and heat. They are a nice touch for those that want to camp, but not completely 'rough it.'"
Fishing opportunities: Hibernia County Park features a children's pond that is "well stocked" and easily accessible, making it ideal for young anglers.
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Most primitive camping areas have size restrictions. At Susquehannock State Park Campground, "one loop has a few sites with electric and some cabins" but many sites are walk-in tent areas.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at several campgrounds. One RVer at Hibernia County Park noted the sites "aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix."
Water and hookup access: Susquehannock State Park Campground provides "potable water is available in several places on each loop" according to campers, though most sites lack full hookups.
Limited dump stations: Plan your waste management carefully as most campgrounds in the area lack dump stations. For Hibernia County Park, a reviewer warns "there is NO DUMP STATION. There are a few nearby campgrounds that will let you dump for a fee."