Camping opportunities near Elkton, Maryland range across three states within a 30-mile radius. Situated where Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland meet, Elkton offers access to both freshwater and tidal waterways, with elevations ranging from near sea level to around 300 feet. Winter camping remains available at several locations, though nighttime temperatures typically drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Kayaking at Scott's Run Lake: French Creek State Park offers excellent paddling opportunities about 30 miles northwest of Elkton. "We spent Saturday afternoon fishing but not catching anything at Scott's Run. It's a beautiful location and it was still a fun way to spend the day with the kids away from the site," reports one visitor to French Creek State Park Campground.
Visit historic sites: The Elkton area features several preserved historic locations. At Susquehanna State Park, "There is a historic area in the park, with a working grist mill, mansion and other little buildings to view. Not really my thing, but was pretty neat. The views of the river are really nice from here," notes a camper at Susquehanna State Park Campground.
Explore Turkey Point Lighthouse: For panoramic Chesapeake Bay views, visit this historic landmark near Elk Neck. "Turkey Point Lighthouse is nearby. The town of North East is close and is a quaint town with a Main Street and great little shops. Woodys famous crab house is there along with other restaurants. Turkey Point Vineyard is nearby," mentions a camper at Elk Neck State Park.
Try pickleball: One of the best places to camp near Elkton for activity-minded campers is Philadelphia/West Chester KOA, which offers modern sports facilities. "They also have pickleball, mini golf and a lovely pool," notes a visitor, making it a versatile option when searching for camping around Elkton.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Campers appreciate the generous spacing at many Elkton-area campgrounds. A visitor to Elk Neck State Park Campground notes, "Sites were level, spacious, spaced apart, with packed gravel surface. Back in and pull through sites available. Near the state forest with a rifle, archery, and handgun ranges including skeet shooting."
Clean, modern facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for bathroom facilities. At Lums Pond, "The bath house was absolutely immaculate; by far the cleanest I have ever seen in a campground. Must have been recently renovated," states one camper about their experience at a popular camping destination near Elkton.
Primitive options: For those seeking more rustic experiences, Blackbird State Forest Campground provides isolated sites. "My family had a great time here. The camp sites are spaced out a good amount so each site has good privacy. There are multiple port a potties here but some sites are a bit far from them. Each site has a fire pit, a grill, and two tables with a decent amount of space for tents."
Hiking trails: The region offers extensive trail networks. "We hiked back to the campground from here, which was a nice easy-to-moderate trail. The beginning was pretty rough for me, since I was wearing my infant son while navigating an uphill trail, but it quickly evened out," reports a visitor to Susquehanna State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal facility limitations: Not all campground amenities operate year-round. At Susquehanna State Park Campground, "We camped here for a somewhat rainy Memorial Day weekend. Despite the rain, we enjoyed ourselves and even did a hike. The bathroom was okay but ran out of toilet paper, so be sure to bring your own!"
Site conditions vary significantly: Even within the same campground, site quality can differ. "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," reports a camper at French Creek State Park.
Firewood availability: Policies vary across campgrounds. Some local residents near French Creek State Park sell firewood: "We found several places nearby to purchase wood, besides the supermarket and a nursery in town, there are a few residents that sell it right on their front lawn so be on the look-out en route to the park entrance."
Reservation requirements: The most sought-after campgrounds fill quickly. For Lums Pond, "We do Lums Pond at least twice a year if we can get reservations. Book early because it fills up fast!" advises a frequent camper about this popular camping spot near Elkton.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access matters: When booking sites with children, consider proximity to play areas. At French Creek, "For kids, the playground was fantastic, though, it was not shaded. It is also in the middle of the Acorn and Beechnut loop. This is great if you want to be away from the playground, as you can book one of the sites further off and not have kids running about."
Child-friendly water activities: Jellystone Park™ Quarryville, located about 20 miles northwest of Elkton, offers exceptional water features. "The water park is super fun for adults and kids. The entire campground is clean and very well maintained," reports a family that visited this campground near Elkton.
Safe biking terrain: Evaluate campgrounds for cycling-friendly layouts. "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," notes a camper at French Creek State Park about the family-friendly riding conditions.
Consider digital disconnect: Some campgrounds offer a technology break. One visitor to Elk Neck notes, "No cell signal in the campground so the family is forced to disconnect. I absolutely love it!"
Tips from RVers
Site angle challenges: Be aware of difficult approaches at some campgrounds. At Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, one RVer warned: "I did have major trouble backing in because the road is too narrow for a 45' motorhome to back in on a nearly 90-degree angle. So difficult, that I cracked the bottom of my front cap catching the grass and gravel beside the grave road... Don't stay in this site in a big motorhome."
Leveling conditions: Many sites require minimal adjustment. At Elk Neck State Park, visitors note "Sites were level, spacious, spaced apart, with packed gravel surface. Back in and pull through sites available." This makes it one of the better places to camp near Elkton for those with larger RVs.
Hookup variations: Full-service sites are limited at some campgrounds. At Woodlands Camping Resort in Elkton, a camper observed: "Staying in the overnight section was just OK. Only 4 50 amp spots, luckily we secured one. No sewer hookup, but there is a dump station in the seasonal/permanent section."
Water access considerations: Winter camping might mean restricted water hookups. At Lums Pond, one off-season camper noted, "Finished the season at this state park in MD with full hook up (20, 30, and 50 amp, water and sewer) and the water was still on in November."
