156 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Where the Potomac meets the Shenandoah River, Harpers Ferry camping spots combine outdoor recreation with Civil War history. River Riders G Z sits close to both rivers, making it convenient for kayakers and rafters who want to get on the water. Greenbrier State Park Campground connects to the Appalachian Trail for good hiking, though you should check if it's open before planning a trip there. Little Bennett Campground has bigger sites that work well when camping with kids or several tents. The best times to camp around Harpers Ferry are May-June and September-October when the weather stays comfortable and bugs aren't as bad. Some of the back roads to campsites can be tight or rough in spots, so larger RVs might have trouble at certain locations. Most campgrounds don't require special permits, but always check about current fire rules, especially during dry spells. Stay within posted time limits at each site and pack out all trash to keep these camping areas in good shape for future visitors.
"We set up camp at Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA Holiday as our launchpad to visit the historic sites in and around Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and Frederick, Maryland. "
"close to the AT. harpers ferry is breathtaking. fun trip."
from $40 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Harper's Ferry is a little town in WV nestled right next to the Potomac River. It's also a convenient halfwayish point on the Appalachian Trail."
"The hike that leads to the lookout about harpers ferry was fantastic. This hike takes you well above the town settled in West Virginia."
"We hiked from Harper's Ferry to Pen Mar on the AT and used this fabulous campground as a base station the entire 5 days. "
"We also didn't make it down to the lake. Easy check in and out and they sold us wood at check in. Close to the AT and only about an hour from Harper's Ferry where we spent the day."
from $23 - $29 / night
Check Availability"Picked this location because it is close to our home in Silver Spring, MD but far enough to make us feel like we were leaving town."
"The only real water entrance is the boat ramp, but you can climb down a cliff in other places. A, D, and E are sunnier. B and C and Nottingham are mostly wooded with mature trees. "
from $10 - $90 / night
Check Availability"All the sites are very open and run along the multi-use trail. People are constantly walking, running, and biking by."
"Pretty standard campground—the perks are it’s location to nearby attractions and the river/creek. It depends on what you’re looking for—easy camping and proximity to Antietam and Harper’s? Golden."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"There is a food court in the swimming pool and a camp store right next to it. They play movies every night at the outdoor theater near the pool."
"This campground has tons of nice cabins and tent sites, all in wooded surroundings. There is a small creek to play in and a nice little hiking trail within the campground."
from $99 - $471 / night
Check Availability"The site was very level, nicely shaded, and positioned a short distance from the bath house. There was also a water spigot located right at the entrance of the site."
"There was a walking path to the bathhouse between 13 and 14. Sites 8-11 were on a nice open field, with some smaller trees."
from $18 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Set right next to the river and you fish if you want to. DO NOT follow your GPS. Follow the directions on the KOA Website."
"Beautiful campgrounds situated near a creek. The campgrounds have a homey feel and were decorated nicely for fall & Halloween. The staff & hosts were incredibly nice & helpful."
from $45 - $75 / night
Check Availability"This site is at the very top of the loop so it has a great cozy vibe and is spaced well away from other sites. The only downside is that the bathhouse is a walk downhill and then a walk back uphill."
"Deer Spring Loop is near the top of the mountain. This is not a pet friendly loop.
Site 112 is level, mostly shaded, backs up to the woods and has electric.
The site is between two cabins."
from $23 - $29 / night
Check Availability
ScoutWe absolutely loved it. The camp spaces were a nice and spread out lot not congested actually it was really nobody here which I can’t believe because the place is absolutely beautiful. There is a little bit of noise from route 30 during the day, but you don’t hear really anything at night Plus there is a really great bar/restaurant about 100 yards away. Called Yionnis and their food is actually delicious.
TravelerVery clean campgrounds with nice trails along the lake and the creek that feeds it! Plenty of space near swimming area and even a geocache to find!
GuideThis spot was good for a one night pull over and just wanted to rest; I would not set up camp and spend some time at this site.
There are several spots with a vault toilet. We stayed at campsite 6. This spot had a tent pad, fire ring, and picnic table but overall pretty small. It did offer a slight more privacy due to the tent pad being below the parking spot and surrounded by overgrown brush. There are no views with this spot but does offer a trail. I would not recommend the trail being it has been used as a bathroom spot with toilet paper and heavy smell included.
The vault toilet was just a vault toilet. It is a heavy noise area with other campers and ATV so if you are looking for a secluded peaceful site with spectacular views, this is not it. If you just need a place to lay your head or wanting to bring your ATV along this is for you.
ScoutThe park is very well maintained, and the campsites have clean fire pits and cooking grills. The restrooms are clean, spacious, and well maintained, and my campsite was large enough to comfortably fit a 6-person tent and a canopy.
However, there were a few concerns during our stay. Despite the campground’s quiet hours policy starting at 10:00 PM, many campers continued to make noise well past that time. I did not notice any campground staff or maintenance personnel making rounds to enforce the quiet hours.
I also felt concerned about security. One of my neighboring campers, who was visiting from South Carolina, told me that his generator had been stolen during the night. He reported the theft to the police, and an official report was filed. Incidents like this made me feel unsafe while camping.
I recommend increasing staff or security patrols, especially during the evening and overnight hours, to enforce quiet hours and improve the safety and security of campers and their belongings. With better enforcement and security, Burke Lake Campground would provide an even better camping experience.
GuideWonderful campground that has all you need: full hookup, bathrooms, shower, laundry, gift shop, parts shop
ScoutStaff is friendly and everything is kept up well, newly renovated pool and pavilion area.
ScoutFor $90 per night the WiFi should work better. Didn’t connect at all. Had to use the antenna pointed East to get local Baltimore news.
ScoutThis camp ground is like a resort with 2 pools mini golf splash pad and many other amenities
GuideThis park is top notch. The grounds are immaculate. The staff is friendly and helpful. They have a lovely gift shop. We were in the 400 sites and it was nice and shady. Though you are close to highways I don’t recall hearing and noise. I love that they have shuttles to DC., walking trails and a large dog park. This is my all time favorite park so far and I need to go back.
Campers visiting Harpers Ferry, West Virginia can explore where the Blue Ridge, South Mountain, and Catoctin Mountain ranges meet at an elevation of approximately 300 feet. The area features diverse terrain with riverside camping areas that are frequently subjected to train noise, as multiple rail lines converge near the historic town. Weather conditions vary dramatically between seasons, with summer temperatures often reaching the high 80s with significant humidity.
Tube down the Shenandoah River: Brunswick Family Campground provides direct river access for tubing and swimming. "The Shanandoah is just as beautiful. The showers could use a good cleaning but they are typical Campground showers perfect for the campground life," notes Brian S., who returned for multiple visits.
Fish at multiple spots: Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders offers shoreline fishing access. "There is great fishing right from you campsite as well," writes Robin W., adding that the riverside location provides "great water, sunshine, and wonderful company."
Hike to lookout points: Elevation gains provide scenic views of the historic town. "The hike that leads to the lookout about harpers ferry was fantastic. This hike takes you well above the town settled in West Virginia," reports Anthony S., who recommends watching for decorative locks left on the bridge by other hikers.
Visit Civil War sites: Several campgrounds provide access to historic battlefields. At Antietam Creek Campground, "you can walk to Shepherdstown, WV for some fun. Antietam creek is very close by and is perfect for tubing," according to Shawn W.
Easy access to the Appalachian Trail: Greenbrier State Park Campground connects directly to this famous long-distance trail. "Nice hiking. Connect to AT. Campground's are well kept," states Butch B., adding that the "hike from visitor center to AT is steep and rocky."
Riverside camping spots: Many campers appreciate waterfront sites despite the occasional noise. "Nice river front sites, and pool in the campground. Close to historic Harpers Ferry and lots of great hiking," explains Beth C. about her stay at Harpers Ferry Campground.
Well-maintained tent pads: Campsite quality varies across locations. Sarah K. appreciated Greenbrier State Park's "Big, immaculately groomed tent pads" and the fact it had "Mostly tent campers!" She added, "Almost all sites were nice and shaded" with "Clean bathrooms with free showers were close by."
Swimming opportunities: Cunningham Falls State Park offers a lake beach area popular with families. "The beach area at the lake was fantastic! My kids loved it plenty of areas to grill and dogs are allowed," shares Casey L., though she noted the campsite itself had some drawbacks including "paths to the bathroom through many sites."
Train noise affects many sites: CSX and passenger trains run frequently near some campgrounds. Kristen M. at Harpers Ferry Campground warns: "When the train comes barreling by at 1am, 2am and 3am you either laugh or you cry depending on how tired you are."
Weekend crowding: Some areas become extremely busy during peak times. At Brunswick City Campground, Nicholas S. found that "The Shanandoah is just as beautiful" despite the crowds, and praised the "friendly staff and large sites for tents or RVs."
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Quality and cleanliness fluctuate between locations. At Antietam Creek Campground, Casey L. observed that "the one thing we had to complain about were the bathrooms. When we got there, they were okay, but by the 3rd night they were really gross."
Seasonal closures: Check operating dates before planning trips. M J. at Gambrill State Park noted: "We camped here in early April 2021. The first weekend open of the season. This is a smaller campground, only 34 sites, but it had all you needed."
Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly activities: Jellystone Park in Williamsport offers extensive children's programming. "We were looking for a camping ground more geared kids. Jellystone was amazing in every way possible. The kids were never bored and had so much fun," shares Mary.
Choose sites away from walkways: Heavy foot traffic can disrupt family camping. At Cunningham Falls State Park, Casey noted "There are paths to the bathroom through many sites so people walk through your site to get to the bathhouse," which can disturb privacy and setup.
Consider cabins for easier family camping: Several campgrounds offer cabin options. Sherri C. at Brunswick Family Campground rented a cabin called "Onward" and appreciated the "Great Potomac river views" and "Weather-proof cabin with comfy bunks," though she noted it was "TINY" with "essentially four beds (two bunks) and some space between them."
Ask about swimming areas: Water features vary by location. Raymond H. reported that at Cunningham Falls, "The park was gorgeous and staff were friendly. There are a few spots to get away and do some fishing. The beach was too crowded for my liking."
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven sites that require extra equipment. At Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA, one reviewer warned: "Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site(#199) had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air."
Site spacing varies significantly: RVers should check site dimensions before booking. Brian P. notes that at Harpers Ferry KOA, "Only thing I didn't care for is the sites are pretty close together and some of the back-in sites are not very level."
Check road conditions: Access roads present challenges for larger vehicles. At Gambrill State Park, a reviewer noted: "Site host and ranger came by - and were very nice - though all things considered I like parks when you don't really see anyone."
Bathroom distance matters: Consider proximity to facilities when selecting sites. In Houck Area at Cunningham Falls, Amanda W. shares: "My family and I have been coming here every year since I was young and it is my absolute favorite place to camp. Great campsites- whether you have a tent or a big Class A."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Harpers Ferry for tent camping?
Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders is excellent for tent camping with its riverside sites and convenient access to hiking trails and the historic town. The campground offers tent sites with picnic tables and grills, plus amenities like a swimming pool. For a free option, consider Huckleberry Hill Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite along the C&O Canal towpath. This small, primitive site accommodates 3-4 tents and offers beautiful views of the Potomac River. It's especially convenient for hikers and cyclists traveling the C&O Canal or connecting to the Appalachian Trail.
How much does camping cost at Harpers Ferry Adventure Center?
Harpers Ferry Adventure Center (now known as Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders) offers camping at varying price points. While specific rates aren't detailed in recent reviews, prices typically range from $30-50 per night for tent sites, with riverfront locations commanding premium rates. The campground offers both standard and premium tent sites as well as RV options. For a budget alternative near Harpers Ferry, Nahkeeta Campsite provides a more affordable option with convenient highway access, making it easy to explore the historic area without paying premium prices.
Is there a KOA campground in Harpers Ferry and what amenities does it offer?
Yes, the Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA offers extensive amenities including a large swimming pool and numerous kid-friendly activities. This KOA provides typical campground facilities with some shaded sites, though they tend to be close together as with most KOA locations. The campground serves as an excellent base for exploring historic sites in Harpers Ferry and nearby Frederick, Maryland. Visitors can also enjoy convenient access to river activities including float trips and whitewater rapids adventures. Rates average around $114 per night including fees and taxes, which some campers consider somewhat pricey given the amenities provided.
Are there RV campgrounds with full hookups in Harpers Ferry?
Brunswick Family Campground offers RV sites with hookups just a short drive from Harpers Ferry. Located along the river at the end of a quiet road, this campground provides a peaceful setting while still being accessible to the historic area. For those wanting more amenities, Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA is within driving distance and offers full hookup sites that can accommodate big rigs, along with typical KOA facilities like water, toilets, and other amenities. Both options make excellent bases for exploring the Harpers Ferry region while enjoying the comforts of full RV services.
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