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Best Campgrounds near Frederick, MD

1,044 Reviews

Camping around Frederick in Maryland ranges from state parks to forest sites with varying amenities. Greenbrier State Park Campground has a nice beach area and good views, though it's currently closed. Codorus State Park Campground is known among local fishers for its good catches. Hikers can find many trails at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground to walk through the woods. You can get to most of these places without trouble since the roads are kept in good shape. The campgrounds typically have bathrooms and drinking water available. Cowans Gap State Park Campground is quieter and feels more removed from busy areas. Some campgrounds even have tractor rides, which kids particularly enjoy. Weather-wise, camping is best in spring and fall when it's not too hot or cold. Summer gets pretty warm, so you'll need to stay hydrated and use sunscreen. Winter camping works if you bring warm sleeping bags and proper cold-weather gear. The Frederick area has camping that works well whether you want to be active or just relax by a campfire.

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Best Camping Sites Near Frederick, Maryland (132)

    1. Greenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

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

    $23 - $29 / night

    "Very nice campground not far from DC area and Frederick.  We are going back for second time this month (June 2020).  "

    "We really enjoyed camping at Greenbrier state park, and was pleasantly surprised how nice the park was given its convenient location to us!"

    2. Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

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

    $23 - $29 / night

    "Only 30 minutes north of Frederick. There is a lot of beautiful trails in the area and a man-made lake with two swimming area beaches."

    "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."

    3. Houck - Cunningham Falls State Park

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

    $21 - $65 / night

    "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."

    "Camp next to the president."

    4. Gambrill State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Middletown, MD
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    $18 - $50 / night

    "It is located in Frederick, about an hour outside of Baltimore and Washington D.C. Though the campground is small, each site looks pretty unique. It offers tent sites, electric sites, and 4 cabins."

    "The site was very level, nicely shaded, and positioned a short distance from the bath house. There was also a water spigot located right at the entrance of the site."

    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. Little Bennett Campground

    23 Reviews
    Clarksburg, MD
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 528-3430

    "Quiet woods in Maryland about 30 or 40 miles north of DC. Tenting, and RV spots partial to full service. Just of hiway 270. pricey ($66/night) for a state park, but nice."

    "PROS  Very nice small Montgomery County Park 

    No reservation fee to make on-line reservations 

    Reserved 137 days prior to arriving 

    Entrance gate required entry code Instructed by staff via gate phone"

    7. Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA

    39 Reviews
    Harpers Ferry, WV
    20 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)."

    8. Brunswick Family Campground

    12 Reviews
    Brunswick, MD
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 834-9950

    $10 - $90 / night

    "Picked this location because it is close to our home in Silver Spring, MD but far enough to make us feel like we were leaving town."

    "Great location right next the river. Easy to walk into the river or tube down it. Lots of different activities for kids and plenty of space at each site to make your home away from home."

    9. Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders

    24 Reviews
    Harpers Ferry, WV
    21 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."

    10. Cunningham Falls State Park Manor Area

    6 Reviews
    Thurmont, MD
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 271-7574

    $21 - $29 / night

    "Nice little spot near Thurmont Maryland. Good playground for the kids."

    "If you like farther away from stores and restaurants (but not two far). This is a nice option. It is about 2 hours from DC. The firewood they sell is very good."

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Recent Camping Photos near Frederick, MD

423 Photos of 132 Frederick Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Frederick, MD

1044 Reviews of 132 Frederick Campgrounds

  • Amanda S.
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Washington DC / Capitol KOA

    Got bed bugs? They do.

    Stayed in cabin 202 for a Fri- Sun and on our last morning we found a bed bug on our clothing. While they gave a refund it does not come close to cover the time and energy of remediating all of our clothing, sheets, and blankets. We also had to throw out items that could not be cleaned properly and now have to replace them(pillows, shoes, etc). My husband has 23 bites over the course of 2 nights. They burn and itch very badly. I truly hope this was a hiccup for them and they go through correct methods of having the cabin treated properly. 

    UPDATE: A recount of the bites- my husband has 31 bites so far. The remediation of all of our items is exhausting. All the blankets, clothing, suit cases, all the other items we used in the cabin needs to be cleaned. We had to throw out our shoes because they shrunk in the dryer. Spent$$$ replacing shoes for a family for 4. Pillows are not cheap to replace either. I bought a new corset at the renfest this weekend that I'm hoping doesn't get ruined when it goes through the dryer. That too was expensive. So if you're looking to have to spend a bunch of extra money to replace items you didn't want to replace in the first place- I recommend staying here.

  • 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.

Guide to Frederick

Camping near Frederick, Maryland, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "We camped in a tent. It was nice and quiet. Lots of birds singing, and owls at night."
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing at Codorus State Park Campground. A visitor shared, "This campground isn't too far from our home in Maryland... The sites are fairly large and they do have some full hookup sites which is nice."
  • Swimming: Relax at the beach area in Greenbrier State Park Campground. One reviewer noted, "The swimming lake is excellent. Only basic amenities, but dump station."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the bathhouses. A visitor at Cherry Hill Park said, "The bathrooms/showers are very clean and modern."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Many families enjoy the activities available. One reviewer at Pohick Bay Campground mentioned, "The kids loved the man-made beach and park."
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the beautiful surroundings. A visitor at Caledonia State Park Campground remarked, "Nice creek running through. Pool. Appalachian trail runs right by it."

What you should know:

  • No Cell Service: Many campgrounds, like Cowans Gap State Park Campground, have limited or no cell service. One camper noted, "There is none. NONE. No AT&T, no Verizon, no T-Mobile."
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots like Greenbrier State Park Campground can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A visitor advised, "It stays booked because it is such a well-maintained campground."
  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy, especially during busy weekends. A camper at Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA mentioned, "Partiers with foul mouths throughout the campground. No enforcement of quiet hours."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Cherry Hill Park that offer activities for kids. One parent said, "There is also plenty to do for the kids, like Tractor Ride through the Campground."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring bikes or kayaks for fun on the water. A visitor at Pohick Bay Campground shared, "Bring bikes. Long bike trail along the road."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep the kids happy. A camper at Codorus State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground has a beach swim area with a concession stand."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to verify the size of your site before booking. A camper at Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA noted, "The sites were so unlevel, close together, and the whole infrastructure in need of repair."
  • Use Local Amenities: Take advantage of nearby stores for supplies. A visitor at Cherry Hill Park said, "The camp store is very well stocked with camping stuff, food, and beer."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds can be loud, especially on weekends. A reviewer at Bull Run Regional Park mentioned, "This place is absolutely the most horrific noisy place is like sleeping on the side of the highway."

Camping around Frederick, MD, has something for everyone, from serene nature spots to family-friendly parks. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any RV campgrounds near Frederick, MD with full hookups?

Evergreen Point Village is the primary RV park in the immediate Frederick area offering full hookups. While it's more of a mobile home community with some RV spaces rather than a vacation resort, every site provides full hookups. The spaces are tightly packed but private, making it functional for RVers needing convenient access to Frederick. For those willing to drive a bit further, Little Bennett Campground near Clarksburg offers more traditional campground amenities while still providing the hookups needed for comfortable RV camping, including sites that can accommodate larger rigs.

What are the best campgrounds in Frederick, MD for families?

Families visiting Frederick have several excellent campground options. Gambrill State Park Campground is ideal for beginning campers with unique sites, pet-friendly policies, and both tent and electric sites. It's conveniently located just outside Frederick, offering a peaceful natural setting while being close to city amenities. For families seeking more amenities, Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA hosts family-friendly weekend festivities, especially during October when they offer Halloween activities. Though technically in West Virginia, it's a short drive from Frederick and serves as an excellent base for exploring the region's historic sites and natural attractions.

Where can I find riverside or lakeside camping near Frederick, MD?

For lakeside camping near Frederick, Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park offers beautiful sites nestled in Catoctin Mountain, just 30 minutes north of Frederick. The park features a man-made lake with two swimming beaches, though water levels and algae can be seasonal concerns. For riverside options, Brunswick Family Campground provides camping along the Potomac River, offering water activities and scenic views. Both locations combine water access with the natural beauty of Maryland's landscapes, providing refreshing alternatives during the warm summer months when water recreation becomes a priority for campers.

Is there any free or dispersed camping available near Frederick, MD?

True free or dispersed camping is limited near Frederick due to the density of private land and regulated public lands in the region. Adirondack Shelters — Catoctin Mountain Park offers a primitive camping experience, though not entirely free. These three-sided shelters provide a backcountry experience close to Frederick. For hikers and bikers, Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite along the C&O Canal provides low-cost camping options. While not free, these sites are typically more affordable than established campgrounds. True dispersed camping requires traveling further west into George Washington National Forest in Virginia or other national forest lands beyond the immediate Frederick area.

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