The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Emmitsburg. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Emmitsburg, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Maryland camping adventure.
"Our site was very spacious, beautifully landscaped and wooded, but right next to the road. There was a buffer of trees, but unfortunately that didn’t make much of a difference with regard to noise."
"Located about 4 miles from town it is far enough for that country feel but close enough to be convenient. The camp store was well stocked with basic needs as was the gift shop. "
$30 / night
"Our campsite was quiet with the creek right behind us and had lots of privacy. This place is a great campground to go during summer as it's tucked in the mountains with lots of tree coverage."
"My only complaint is that the fire ring is a little too close to the main road. This is true for most of the sites. However the tent pad was set back in the woods and it was very peaceful."
"I always appreciate the near solitude experience of this campground as 90% of the sites are RV sites, that are kept away from the tenting area."
"If you’re looking for a backwoods, off-the-beaten-path type of campground, this isn’t it."
"This park is a perfect location if you want to explore Gettysburg National Historical Site as you can literally walk across the street and be in the park or venture½ mile up the road and you come to the"
"Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded."
$21 - $65 / night
"Camp next to the president."
"There are a few vineyards and breweries nearby. Gettysburg, PA is close as is Frederick, MD. Our site was level and had a good view of the woods. Family was staying in site next to us, site 12."
$23 - $29 / night
"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."
"Only one trail leading out. Ground is all gravel so bring a mat. Also VERY close to highway 15 so we heard traffic and j-breaks and motorcycles all night."
"Great shade and access to the playground. You can let the kids play all day while sitting at your campsite cooking and just hanging. It’s only 15 yards for the play set."
"Nice place to camp me and the wife was there July 4th weekend close to the pool"
$20 - $92 / night
"Stayed here two nights while visiting Gettysburg (short 20mi drive between the two). Stayed on Chinquapin Hill, each site has picnic table and fire ring and good space for camp."
"It’s a fantastic state park with great picnic areas next to the creek. You can also drive up the road to the dam where there’s a beautiful lake with fishing, kayaking, etc."
$66 - $127 / night
"This campground worked out perfectly..so close to the battlefields. It was only for the weekend but we really enjoyed our stay."
"It also has a lake and cabins available."
$23 - $29 / night
"This park just is near enough to Baltimore and DC to allow for a quick getaway and offers a lot to do."
"Maryland has some great state parks and this is one of them. Decent sized sites, clean bath houses. Swimming lake is excellent. Only basic amenities, but dump station."
TravelerWe have a motorhome with no additional vehicle and two dogs, and this site couldn’t have been more perfect for us. A dog park, walking distance to most everything we wanted to see. The national park is mostly dog friendly. My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site. The staff was super friendly and welcoming.
ScoutSite and bathrooms clean. Activities provided free each day. Food trucks in park. Close to museum and battleground sites.
TravelerStayed for 2 days while passing through from FL to NH. Off-season so not crowded. Pool was clean and quite good sized, had it to ourselves due to season. Did laundry while here, ample laundry room. On-site extras include food-truck restaurant and small country goods vendor during our stay. Office staff did ok. Sites have reasonable spacing with gravel pads, mostly level. Trees between sites with sloping hills , not just a big open field. It’s a corporate site so automated web-based reservation system was finicky so we had to verify reservation went through. Tried to book 2 nights but system only set us up for 1. Phone call to help line easily resolved the issue. Quiet and no spotlights on all night.
TravelerVery cool spot. Amazing sites right on the Potomac. There is a Ale House above the office that delivers for free to your site (2.5 miles away), just tip the driver
GuideGreat spot! We had site 114 . It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground. Bathrooms were in good shape. Sites were of ample size and well spaced.
ScoutI’m a shamanic energy healer and health enthusiast exploring a new life and hunting for healthy. While this campground has some nice features. This certainly is not a health conscious facility. Lots of smoking, drinking and unhealthy food. There was also evidence of mice in the main store and definitely issues with the water.
ScoutIt's very nice here, good for kids, big pool. The sites for campers are very tight.
RangerWe totally loved our camping trip here! I was a little apprehensive because I read so many disappointing reviews about pretty much everything. People didn’t like this or that, but most of it seemed as if they weren’t happy with rules! Neither of us found anything that was so terrible in the rules and truthfully, if more campgrounds had them and enforced them, it would be nice for all.
We loved the peace and quiet, the restrooms were clean and tidy, the usable sites all looked nice. They had a tornado come through at the beginning of the season that messed some areas up, but they are working it. The pool area seemed like the place to be. We just went to rest though. Honestly, we liked the campground so much that we would consider parking our camper over the summer! There are occasional whiffs of McCormick spices in the air that is very soothing. Prices aren’t horrible. One of the complaints was they work on cash. Yeah, I knows it’s not popular because most of us live in a plastic dominated world. I read it in advance and I just made sure we had some with us. The activities and store weren’t outrageous. Ready to go back!
TravelerWe had a nice stay overlooking the marsh. The small crabs were skittering around the campsite and birds perched in the marsh. The beach was nice and clean.
Camping near Emmitsburg, Maryland, offers a great mix of nature, fun activities, and family-friendly spots. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to check out.
Camping near Emmitsburg, Maryland, has something for everyone. Whether you're with family or friends, you'll find plenty of activities and beautiful spots to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Emmitsburg?
The Emmitsburg area offers several excellent camping options. Owens Creek Campground — Catoctin Mountain Park stands out for its peaceful setting, privacy, and the beautiful creek running behind many sites. It's notably less crowded than nearby alternatives and offers full shade for comfortable summer camping. Another top choice is Cunningham Falls State Park Manor Area, which provides family-friendly amenities including a playground for children. Both campgrounds are nestled in the scenic Catoctin Mountain area, making them perfect basecamps for exploring the region's natural beauty.
Are there any free camping options available near Emmitsburg?
True free camping is limited around Emmitsburg, but budget-friendly options exist. Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite along the C&O Canal offers an economical choice with convenient parking nearby (approximately 8 vehicle spaces), making it accessible even for those who prefer not to hike far distances. Another option to consider is Button Farm, a private farm campground with minimal fees compared to established campgrounds. While not free, these locations provide more affordable alternatives to the full-service campgrounds in the area.
What amenities are available at Emmitsburg campgrounds?
Campgrounds near Emmitsburg offer varying levels of amenities. Brunswick Family Campground provides sites between the railroad tracks and river with welcoming staff and river access. For more recreational options, Gambrill State Park Campground features level, shaded sites, convenient water spigots, and clean bath houses. Many campgrounds in the region, like Greenbrier State Park, include basic facilities such as fire pits, picnic tables, and dump stations. The higher-end options like Harpers Ferry KOA offer additional amenities such as electric hookups and Wi-Fi, though these come at premium prices.
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