Best Campgrounds near Fairplay, MD

The Fairplay, Maryland region sits at the convergence of notable camping destinations along the Potomac River and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal corridor. Established campgrounds like Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Williamsport and Greenbrier State Park offer a spectrum of accommodation options from tent sites to RV hookups and cabin rentals. The area features a mix of state park facilities and private campgrounds with varying levels of amenities. Many sites provide access to waterways, historic landmarks like Antietam Battlefield, and the extensive C&O Canal towpath system.

Several campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with most sites open from April through October when weather conditions are most favorable. "We stayed 4 days last year and we booked immediately for a 6 day stay this August," noted one camper about their experience at Jellystone Park. Established campgrounds like Cunningham Falls State Park, Owens Creek, and McCoys Ferry require reservations during peak summer months. Water levels along the Potomac affect the accessibility of some riverside camping areas, particularly at primitive sites within the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Winter closures affect most developed campgrounds, though some private facilities maintain year-round operations with reduced services.

Family-friendly amenities distinguish many campgrounds near Fairplay, particularly at privately managed sites. According to visitor feedback, "Great campground for families with 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." Mixed-use campgrounds like Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA accommodate both tent campers and RVs while providing proximity to historic attractions. State park campgrounds typically feature more primitive amenities but offer better access to hiking trails, fishing spots, and natural swimming areas. Both Antietam Creek and Owens Creek campgrounds receive praise for their secluded settings and access to natural water features, making them popular with visitors seeking a more traditional camping experience away from developed facilities.

Best Camping Sites Near Fairplay, Maryland (138)

    1. Greenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    41 Reviews
    Boonsboro, MD
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    $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."

    2. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Williamsport MD

    23 Reviews
    Williamsport, MD
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 223-7117

    $99 - $471 / night

    "We recent went camping for the first time at Jellystone in Maryland. 5 of our 6 kids came with us, so we knew we needed to find a camping ground more geared kids."

    "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."

    3. Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA

    39 Reviews
    Harpers Ferry, WV
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 535-6895

    $40 - $80 / night

    "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. "

    "It’s very close to Harper’s Ferry (almost worth the hike into town rather than the difficulty finding parking in a town with one parking lot)."

    4. Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA

    20 Reviews
    Williamsport, MD
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 223-7571

    "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."

    5. Owens Creek Campground — Catoctin Mountain Park

    28 Reviews
    Sabillasville, MD
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 663-9388

    $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."

    6. Houck - Cunningham Falls State Park

    24 Reviews
    Thurmont, MD
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 271-7574

    $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."

    7. Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders

    24 Reviews
    Harpers Ferry, WV
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 535-2663

    "If you would like to do some exploring, then you can walk the trail right next to the campground into the historical town of Harper's Ferry (If you’re facing the river then the trail is to the right of"

    "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."

    8. Antietam Creek Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

    11 Reviews
    Sharpsburg, MD
    8 miles
    Website

    $20 / night

    "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."

    9. Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    23 Reviews
    Thurmont, MD
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 271-7574

    $23 - $29 / night

    "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."

    10. McCoys Ferry Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

    13 Reviews
    Big Pool, MD
    13 miles
    Website

    $20 - $40 / night

    "There is no privacy from adjacent campsites, but you are on the Potomac in sites 1 - 7.
    Price 2023: $10 w interagency pass Usage during visit: Light during the week. 40% full on weekends."

    "We stayed at campsite 1 which had nice views of the river and a pretty good distance from neighbors. Closest site to the drop toilet and day use area portapots (very clean!)."

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Recent Reviews near Fairplay, MD

992 Reviews of 138 Fairplay Campgrounds


  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Great non-electric site, no dumstation

    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. Surprised there’s no place for someone to park next to the bathhouse - only trails to it- so if you have accessibility needs, consider choosing a site that’s lower in the loop. The site is level and was raked by the hosts before we got there. Really clean and quiet except for some road noise. Showers are SO nice compared to other campsite. Hot water is hot, no push buttons, and there is a shower wand in both stalls. No dump station though!! Dump before you get here. Also if you work remote and depend on service, it’s spotty. Very wooded so Starlink can’t help much. OH- Don’t bother visiting the winery down the road. Ew. Just don’t.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA

    Dense and chaotic, but great breakfast

    We got here late on a Friday and boy was it packed. It was a pretty tight fit and at a perpendicular. Not sure why campsites do that. We didn’t use the bathroom or showers because it was so late and honestly because they only had one bathroom location for all those people and it was on the opposite side of the campsite. They have SO many activities going on for kids and families including crafts and a magic show. They also had a diner and general store. Didn’t go into the store but did get breakfast from the diner and the breakfast was honestly delicious. It was about a 20 min wait at 8:15 but the quality of the food totally makes up for that. I recommend the sausage gravy and biscuits. Overall, great spot if you’ve got kids. Pretty packed if you’re just traveling or looking for some outdoor time.

  • E
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Camp Cacapon

    Great camping in a perfect spot

    We stayed at this campground Sep 26-28 and had a fantastic time. The campsite is in a perfect spot on the Cacapon river, and the facilities are excellent. Nice campsites, clean bathrooms and a charming little pavilion that you can rent and hang out with your group.

    Highly recommend

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Watermelon Park Campground

    Beautiful setting!

    This camping ground is for RVs only. It's right on the Shenandoah River so it's a quiet peaceful setting. However it's a long way from any town, has terrible wifi, (the mobile data was slightly better) & doesn't hav a laundry room. The road in is very narrow so our moterhome had a little difficulty getting in, but we made it! There is only a dumping station. This is just info, not a bad review :) they have showers & firewood & the staff is very friendly & helpful! Tubing on the river was closed for the season but that wud have been a great pass time!

  • Brian C.
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    Solid State Park Camping

    Stayed in a walk-in tent site. Much better spacing than typical sites, though sites 2 & 3 were basically connected. The non-walk in sites in Loop B are typical to smaller than average and mostly suited for campers/RVs.

    Pros : Site spacing/privacy was good Bathrooms and showers were clean. Firewood available at the park ($5 for 6 pieces self-serve). Location near the dam and lake trail is nice. Cell service was limited, but had reliable (but low) signal with T-Mobile at my site. Easy access (on foot) to all of the hiking trails.

    Cons: The tent pads could use some leveling and there was some trash around the site. The major negative was generator noise coming from the facility just beyond the dam. Droning generator noise was on/off at all hours of the day and went on until 10pm in the evening. Not sure how far up in Loop B this was heard, but it was pretty loud in the walk-in site area.

  • Marcandpatti B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Gettysburg Campground

    Good spot for Gettysburg, a bit spendy.

    We stayed here mid-week in September so it was very quiet. There was a bit of road noise as our site was close to the entrance. Host was super friendly. They have a bunch of things going on with groups that stay here; next group is quilters with vintage trailers, sorry to miss that. All of the utilities worked just fine. Sites re a bit close to each other, not a lot of foliage between sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Great location and friendly staff

    We 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.

  • p
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Rv stay

    Site and bathrooms clean. Activities provided free each day. Food trucks in park. Close to museum and battleground sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Round Top Campground

    Better than OK

    Stayed 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.


Guide to Fairplay

Camping near Fairplay, Maryland, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Caledonia State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "The Appalachian trail runs right by it," making it a great spot for hiking enthusiasts.
  • Fishing: Many campers enjoy fishing at Codorus State Park Campground. A visitor noted, "There’s a lot to do in the area," highlighting the lake's fishing opportunities.
  • Historical Sites: Visit nearby Gettysburg for a dose of history. One camper shared, "We went to a winery and an ice cream place as well as did some other fun things," making it a perfect day trip from your campsite.

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the bathhouses at Greenbrier State Park Campground. A reviewer stated, "The bath houses & sites are always clean, camp hosts are friendly."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the spacious sites at Rocky Gap State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "The camp sites are tucked into the woods with plenty of room for camping."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Cherry Hill Park are known for their family-friendly amenities. A visitor said, "There is also plenty to do for the kids, like Tractor Ride through the Campground."

What you should know

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds, like Bull Run Regional Park, can be noisy. One camper complained, "This place is absolutely the most horrific noisy place... like sleeping on the side of the highway."
  • Site Proximity: Campers at Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA noted that sites can be close together. A reviewer mentioned, "The sites were so unlevel, close together, and the whole infrastructure in need of repair."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A visitor at Matthews Arm Campground noted, "There is no electricity or hookups at Matthew’s Arm, and no cell service."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, where one camper said, "The lake is very nice and it's a very family park!"
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to plan activities that everyone can enjoy. One family mentioned, "The kids loved the man-made beach and park" at Greenbrier State Park Campground.
  • Check Playground Availability: If your kids love to play, check for playgrounds nearby. A reviewer at Rocky Gap State Park Campground noted, "There is a nice playground near shade for parents to watch."

Tips from RVers

  • Level Sites: Look for campgrounds with level sites, like Cherry Hill Park. One RV owner mentioned, "The sites are all nice and level."
  • Check Hookup Availability: Ensure your campground has the necessary hookups. A visitor at Codorus State Park Campground appreciated the "full hookup sites which is nice."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A reviewer at Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA noted, "Definitely crowds up on the weekends but the amenities are endless!"

Camping near Fairplay, Maryland, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're looking for a quiet getaway or a fun family trip, there's something for you in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Fairplay, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, Fairplay, MD offers a wide range of camping options, with 138 campgrounds and RV parks near Fairplay, MD and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Fairplay, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fairplay, MD is Greenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED with a 4.4-star rating from 41 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Fairplay, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Fairplay, MD.

What parks are near Fairplay, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Fairplay, MD that allow camping, notably Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.