Cabins near Damascus, Maryland sit along the rolling Piedmont region at elevations around 500-800 feet with moderate precipitation year-round. Summer overnight temperatures typically range from 60-70°F, while spring and fall can drop to 40-55°F. Most cabin rentals in this area require advance bookings at least 2-3 months ahead during peak season from May through October.
What to do
Hiking trails: 35 miles at Little Bennett Campground provide extensive outdoor exploration options. "Lots of nature trails" with leashed dogs welcome according to Ron H., who adds there's "nice quiet and spacious campground" surroundings.
Fishing: No license required for pond fishing at Gambrill State Park Campground. "Fishing in the pond-no license required. Creek is cool- swings for kids plus a field," notes Brittany V., who spent two weeks there and found "it was never packed."
River access: Direct Potomac views at Brunswick Family Campground with boat ramp and dock. Brian S. describes the river as "beautifully clean clear and cool" and notes the campground is "100 yards from here campsite may be a little more for further out but the Shenandoah river parallels the campground."
Historical sites: Multiple battlefields within 35 miles of Damascus provide educational opportunities. One visitor at Harpers Ferry Civil War Battlefields KOA noted, "Location, Location, Location! Close proximity to plenty of historic and tourist places to visit. The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Visitor Center is literally next door."
What campers like
Cabin interiors: Mini-cabins at Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area offer basic comfort upgrades. Sean M. describes them as "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.'"
Secluded options: Site 16 at Gambrill State Park provides maximum privacy. Danny W. reports this site "will get you furthest away from other campers and give you some privacy. It's a nice getaway into the mildly wooded area of Gambrills, but provides plenty of space for multiple tents."
Year-round access: Cherry Hill Park maintains cabin rentals through winter. Matt S. recommends it as "a nice campground with lots of great places nearby including Harpers Ferry, Antietam, Frederick, Washington DC, Baltimore, and more."
Cabin amenities: Clean facilities at Cunningham Falls State Park make for comfortable stays. Laure D. found that "Bath house was a standard state park building" and the sites were "level and well separated from others."
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: April-October operation at many campgrounds restricts winter options. Little Bennett Campground runs from "April 1 to October 30" while Gambrill State Park operates from "April to October."
Reservation requirements: Peak season fills quickly at popular spots, especially holiday weekends. Regina C. warns about Cunningham Falls State Park: "We love going to Cunningham falls annually, however, it books up quickly during peak season!"
Cabin types: Weatherproof structures at Brunswick Family Campground provide basic shelter but limited amenities. Sherri C. described their cabin as "TINY. Essentially four beds (two bunks) and some space between them to move around. Essentially a shed with bunkbeds in it."
Environmental conditions: Drainage issues can occur during rain. Casey L. reported at Cunningham Falls "poison ivy everywhere" while Stuart O. noted at Bull Run Regional Park that "The mouths of the metal culverts in our loop were bent downward from campers driving over them, which obstructed the flow. Result was lots of standing water at our campsite."
Tips for camping with families
Nature activities: Scavenger hunts provide entertainment for children at Bull Run Regional Park. Bridget H. explains, "my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish."
Playground access: Multiple play areas at different campgrounds keep children entertained. Angel G. reports about Patapsco Valley: "The Hilton entrance of Patapsco Valley Park is perfect for keeping the kids entertained. There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park."
Swimming options: Lake beaches provide summer recreation at several parks. Buck P. brought grandchildren to Cunningham Falls State Park-William Houck Area and reported, "The 3-yo had no issues on the trails. The volunteer staff were awesome and extremely helpful."
Space considerations: Cabin sizes vary significantly between locations, affecting family comfort. The cabins at Brunswick Family Campground are described as "weather-proof cabin with comfy bunks" but visitors should note they are essentially "a shed with bunkbeds in it."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Bring blocks for uneven terrain at several campgrounds. Drew M. noted at Bull Run Regional Park, "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level."
Hookup locations: Shared utilities at some sites require longer hoses/cords. Ray & Terri F. described Little Bennett Campground sites as "quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup" but noted "There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy."
Connectivity: Variable cell service across campgrounds affects remote work possibilities. At Napunani reported Little Bennett had "No WIFI" and "1 bar Verizon" while Ray & Terri mentioned "AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster(1 bar), 8 MB/s with it(2 bars)."
Access limitations: Narrow roads at some campgrounds challenge larger RVs. While Little Bennett Campground has a full hookup loop, Jen V. cautioned at Harpers Ferry KOA that "All roads were very narrow and winding. We did fine with the pup, but can't imagine trying to navigate a large motorhome through there."
