Best Tent Camping near Flintstone, MD

Tent campers exploring the area surrounding Flintstone, Maryland have access to several primitive campgrounds along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park corridor, with additional tent sites available at Big Run State Park and Barnum Whitewater Area. The region offers a mix of riverside tent camping options and more secluded forest sites, with most tent-only areas requiring modest walks from parking areas. Paw Paw Tunnel Campground provides basic tent-only sites within walking distance of the historic tunnel, while other tent campgrounds are scattered along waterways throughout the region.

Most tent sites in the Flintstone area feature grass or dirt surfaces with minimal site preparation. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal campgrounds typically offer primitive amenities, with chemical toilets or pit latrines being the standard facility. Campers should note that many sites require parking on nearby roads and carrying equipment to the camping area, sometimes across bridges or down paths. Water access varies significantly, with some campgrounds featuring hand pumps (occasionally missing handles) while others have no potable water. Fire rings and picnic tables are common at established tent campgrounds, though several hiker-biker sites may have limited seating for large groups.

The tent camping experience near Flintstone often includes proximity to waterways, with many sites positioned along the Potomac River or smaller creeks. Train noise can be a consideration for light sleepers, as many tent campgrounds sit near active rail lines. Sites at Big Run State Park offer more seclusion and privacy between campsites, with some situated in wooded areas adjacent to streams. Antietam Creek Campground provides riverside tent sites but limited privacy from neighboring campers and trail users. According to one visitor, "Big Run State Park is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream where you can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds."

Best Tent Sites Near Flintstone, Maryland (29)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Flintstone, MD

747 Reviews of 29 Flintstone Campgrounds


  • Michelle N.
    Aug. 13, 2020

    Antietam Creek Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

    Great Site Along the Potomac River

    Stayed one night on 8/9.

    This is such a nice little spot right along the Potomac River. All sites are walk-in only, which means you park on the street, cross the bridge over the C&O and towpath, and then down a little hill to your site. When my dog and I arrived, someone was still there, but after letting them know I had this spot reserved, they promptly packed out. There were no camp hosts on-site and nowhere to check in. 

    There isn't much privacy between you and your neighbors (or the C&O towpath so be prepared to see bikers, walkers, and runners). Each site has a grill, fire pit, and picnic table. I stayed at Site 11 which had its own path down to the Potomac River. It was quite steep for my bum knees and ankles, but I saw kids easily run up and down it. The Potomac is mostly flat with some "swirlies" for experienced paddlers. I also saw some people tubing. 

    There's one bathroom area- 2 pit toilets and 2 portapotties. There is nowhere to leave trash, so be sure to follow Leave No Trace principles and pack everything out with you. The sites are fully or mostly shaded. Be prepared to make friends with bugs, but they shouldn't bother you. Also great news- no mosquitoes! 

    I have Verizon and had better service by my car on the road than at the actual campsite. At the site I could make calls but couldn't check the internet. Other than a few check-in calls to family, I was looking to unplug for the night. 

    I ended up not sleeping overnight due to a personal health issue, but I am looking forward to coming back when it's a little cooler.

  • Britt B.
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Kooser State Park Campground

    Small Shaded Park

    Kooser State Park is a small campground nestled in the Laurel Highlands, close to Hidden Valley and Seven Springs ski resorts. The park has great amenities just a short walk from all sites. All sites have fire rings, with grills, however note they are double walled so do not expel a lot of heat outward. Great for cooking however. 

    Most sites are not level, but very grassy. Firewood is available at the entrance for$5 bundle supporting a local club. A beautiful walk through the park leads you to the Kooser Lake, great for fishing. It is also close to the Laurel Hill State Park which is great for hiking and water activities. The park is close to the road so you will experience some road noise. 

    The park is 15min from Somerset. No phone reception at this one! They welcome all furry friends!

  • K
    Jul. 27, 2022

    Swallow Falls State Park Campground

    Great camping near falls

    Clean, beautiful and quiet (occasional barking dog or children playing loudly). The basic tent sites each have a picnic table, fire pit w/ grill, and lantern post. The trails to the beautiful falls are a short walk from the campgrounds.

  • Evan C.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Robert W. Craig - Jennings Randolph Lake

    Great Tenting, Little Busy

    8/14/2025

    USACE-managed campground with hosts who are on-site all season. Nice sites (easy staking) with picnic tables and fire pits, plus a camp store for firewood and other supplies (got there too late to check it out though). A little crowded with what seemed like folks who stay there for a hefty chunk of the season, and the sites are pretty close together, but there weren't any issues with rowdy folks - it seems like the hosts keep things in order/enforce quiet hours if necessary. 

    Drinking water right next to the site (37) as well as a trail to a restroom - I think there's a shower on the other loop/section. 

    $22 for a basic (non-electric) tent site.

  • Napunani
    Jun. 25, 2022

    Pioneer Park Campground

    Close to Flight 93 Memorial

    PROS 

    Able to reserve 129 days prior to arriving 

    Melissa at check-in was very friendly and helpful 

    Good overnight stop to visit Flight 93 Memorial 22 miles from campground 

    Site #391 level 

    Gravel site surrounded by grass 

    Moveable wooden picnic table 

    Large concrete fire ring 

    Clean toilet-shower building that are heavily used 

    Mostly quiet except for road noise 

    Firewood for sale in Park

    CONS 

    No discount 

    Site #391 no shade 

    Park cable connection failed 

    Sewer connection“up hill” 

    Never found trash dumpster and wasn’t marked on campground map 

    Very loud radio station blaring in the toilet/shower building that could be heard outside the building 

    2 bars Verizon 

    No WIFI

  • Suzy W.
    May. 23, 2018

    Hawk Recreation Area Campground

    A nice spot to get a little off the grid a couple hours outside DC.

    I only stayed one night, but plan to return for a longer stay as it was peaceful and scenic. The campground is free, open from late April through December, and campers may stay up to 21 days. However, there are no online reservations or staff in the area; I would want to have a back-up plan in case all sites are already taken.

    Check-in and check-out are accomplished by filling out a 3 x 5 card at the entrance and placing it in the slot for your campsite. At the end of October, only 4 of the 15 campsites were occupied so I was able to select one spaced out from other campers for privacy.

    The campsites are arranged on the outer perimeter of the loop drive, with a vaulted toilet outhouse and a pump water spigot located within the center island. (I did not use the water, but have read elsewhere that it may come out looking rusty, presumably from the mineral content). Campsites had enough space between them to feel private but close enough to feel that local bears would (hopefully) pass us by. Each campsite has a long parking area (not pull through), a cleared area for tents, a picnic table, and a fire ring and lantern pole. There is no electricity at the campground.

    The road approaching the campground is not comfortably wide enough to pass oncoming cars (though I did not encounter any) so I would take it slow, especially around the many bends. My cellular reception cut out along one of the forest roads well before reaching the campground; I will have a compass and written directions in and out handy when I return.

  • Simon S.
    Dec. 30, 2021

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Williamsport MD

    Great place for kids

    Camp site (Tent camping)

    Camp site was pretty spacious. We set up our tent on gravel. No hookups to electricity or water. Rangers deliver firewood for your convenience.

    Facilities / Amenities

    Huge pool divided into two sections, one for mainly kids and the other for swimming and water slides. 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.

    There is a basketball court, playgrounds, and jumping pads.

    During the day, we did tie dying t-shirts at the pavilion.

    There is a 18-hole mini golf course as well.

  • 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.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 8, 2023

    Big Run State Park Campground

    Great primitive campsite

    This is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds. The camp sites next to the reservoir have no privacy but offer extremely easy access for canoes/kayaks. Clean and well maintained. The camp store nearby offers a good selection of basics along with boat rentals


Guide to Flintstone

Tent campsites near Flintstone, Maryland offer primitive camping with seasonal variations. Late summer temperatures average 80-85°F during the day and 60-65°F at night, making mid-summer camping potentially uncomfortable without shade. The region features more water access than privacy at most sites, with whitewater areas and creeks being notable draws for many tent campers.

What to do

Water activities at Potomac River: Camp at Antietam Creek Campground where the Potomac provides opportunities for paddling and tubing. "The Potomac is mostly flat with some 'swirlies' for experienced paddlers. I also saw some people tubing," notes one visitor, while another mentions the campground is "Nice place to camp for a night or two next to the river."

Explore historic tunnels: Sites at Paw Paw Tunnel Campground serve as base for touring the historic tunnel. "Basic tent camping sites... only a mile from the historic paw paw tunnel. Tunnel is very fun to travel through. Kids and adults alike enjoy the tunnel," reports one camper. Remember flashlights as the tunnel "gets very dark" and "is a mile long."

Stream exploration: Wade in clear creeks at Big Run State Park Campground where kids can discover wildlife. "Stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish," explains one visitor. The park also connects to Savage River reservoir for kayaking opportunities.

What campers like

Creek sounds: Tent sites positioned near moving water offer natural white noise for sleeping. At Big Run State Park, campers appreciate sites "in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds." These waterside sites typically cost $10-15 per night.

Wide spacing between sites: Several campgrounds offer more isolation than others. A camper at Big Run State Park noted "Tons of space between sites" and called it "a gem! Nice wide open site." Another camper described it as "more spread out, wooded" compared to other area options.

River views: The elevated sites at Barnum Whitewater Area provide scenic vistas of flowing water. A recent visitor called it "River Rat Paradise" and noted various accommodation options: "Primitive campsites are $10 a night. Small cabins are $35 a night, with larger cabins going at $56 a night."

What you should know

Site access limitations: Several campgrounds require carrying gear from parking areas. At Antietam Creek, "you have to park on the road and carry all your stuff across a bridge and down the path to your site. Could be a very far walk." Similarly, Paw Paw Tunnel sites require walking from parking areas.

Train noise: Railroad tracks run near several campsites in the region. At Cacapon Junction Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite, a visitor simply noted: "Train close by." Consider bringing earplugs if you're a light sleeper.

Bathroom facilities vary: Most tent sites feature basic sanitation. One Antietam Creek camper reported "The one thing we had to complain about were the bathrooms... by the 3rd night they were really gross. We were at the site next to them and could smell them." At Paw Paw Tunnel, "The Portapotties were in bad shape, but it was winter so hopefully they get serviced more often in season."

Tips for camping with families

Creek play areas: Children enjoy wading in the shallow waters at Big Run State Park. One family reported: "The kids loved playing in the water. Very quiet and relaxing!" The creek areas feature gradual entry points suitable for supervised water play.

Multi-day itineraries: Combine camping with educational historic sites. The Maple Festival Park provides a home base for regional exploration, as it's "Just 8 Miles from the Eastern Continental Divide" along the GAP Trail. A visitor noted "Downtown has a number of options for food" when planning day trips.

Privacy considerations: Family groups may want sites farther from high-traffic areas. At Antietam Creek, be aware that "All the sites are very open and run along the multi-use trail. People are constantly walking, running, and biking by." For more seclusion, consider Big Run where sites feature "more privacy between campsites."

Tips from RVers

Length restrictions: Most tent camping areas near Flintstone can accommodate smaller RVs only. At Big Run State Park, a camper with a "26ft hybrid camper" reported "Fit perfectly! It was flat, large, clean and right by the creek" and noted "Many other sites/options for 26ft ish size camper."

Water access points: Waterfront sites require careful planning for RVs. Big Run sites "next to the reservoir have no privacy but offer extremely easy access for canoes/kayaks." Consider whether gear transport or privacy is more important when selecting sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Flintstone, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Flintstone, MD is Paw Paw Tunnel Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park with a 3.8-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Flintstone, MD?

TheDyrt.com has all 29 tent camping locations near Flintstone, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.