Best Campgrounds near Emmitsburg, MD
The Emmitsburg area provides several established campgrounds spanning across Maryland and neighboring Pennsylvania, with most sites concentrated around Gettysburg and Thurmont. Gettysburg Battlefield Resort and Gettysburg Campground offer full-service camping with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals approximately 10 miles northwest of Emmitsburg. For those seeking more natural surroundings, Cunningham Falls State Park operates two camping areas - Houck and Manor - featuring a mix of tent sites, RV spots with electric hookups, and cabin options. Catoctin Mountain Park's Owens Creek Campground provides more rustic tent and RV camping without electrical connections or shower facilities, situated in the forested hills about 7 miles southwest of Emmitsburg.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April through October, with limited winter availability. Facilities like Caledonia State Park and Granite Hill remain open year-round. Road access varies across the region with most campgrounds accommodating standard vehicles. A recent visitor noted, "The resort had great amenities for all ages. We stayed in October so there was plenty of activities for kids from crafts, games, dancing, to trick or treating." Advanced reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays during summer months when sites fill quickly. Electric hookups are available at most campgrounds, though amperage varies between 30 and 50 amp service. Sites with full hookups including sewer connections are limited to private campgrounds like Gettysburg Battlefield KOA and Artillery Ridge Campground.
Camping experiences near Emmitsburg feature notable historical significance due to proximity to Gettysburg Battlefield and other Civil War sites. One camper remarked, "This campground worked out perfectly..so close to the battlefields." Shade coverage varies significantly between locations, with state park campgrounds typically offering more wooded sites compared to some private resorts. Family-friendly amenities appear consistently across reviews, with swimming pools, playgrounds, and scheduled activities frequently mentioned at private campgrounds. Sites at Granite Hill and Round Top Campgrounds have been noted for occasional leveling challenges, with one reviewer advising, "Come prepared with leveling blocks!" Water features enhance the camping experience at several locations, particularly at Greenbrier and Cunningham Falls State Parks where lake access provides swimming and fishing opportunities during summer months.
