Best Glamping near Frederick, MD

We stayed in the Bear Branch Loop of the William Houch Camping Area.  This is a lovely area if you're a beginner camper or just looking for the glamping experience.  The sites are small and not very private but are well defined.  It's very clear where to park, set up the tent etc.  The park itself is very scenic with nice hiking trails and a lake to enjoy.  I was there in the fall so didn't go out on the water but can imagine it would be popular during the warmer months.

This campground is huge, and very crowded. We were there in the days leading up to 4th of July, and there was not a single empty site. Our section had mostly pop-ups and mid-size travel trailers, so the sites were all grass and gravel. However, the area with pull-through sites for big rigs was just a huge RV parking lot. All roads were very narrow and winding. We did fine with the pup, but can’t imagine trying to navigate a large motorhome through there. Crowding/space issues aside, this is a really nice (albeit expensive) campground. Almost everything, from the grounds, to rec halls, to pool and laundry, was sparkling clean and beautifully maintained. Bathrooms were reasonably clean as well, although they could certainly use some TLC and updating (most MD state park bathhouses are nicer).Staff was very friendly, as well. Tons of stuff to do here, especially for families: arts & crafts, indoor movie theatre, games, civil war reenactments, wine tastings, etc. We were certainly never bored, and the kids thought they had died and gone to heaven. Our site was extremely close to our neighbor's site, but still surprisingly roomy and decently shaded. We were right next to the pancake hut (free daily pancake breakfast included during the on-season) and playground, and very close to other activities. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is just a stone's throw away, with great hiking, sight-seeing, and cute little shops.

Overall, this is a really nice place, but much more of a resort than a campground in my opinion. The kids loved it, but I’ll always prefer the wooded seclusion of a state or national park. However, if I was looking for a more action-packed, activities-filled “glamping” experience, I wouldn’t hesitate to return.

I booked last minute and got the last paved, pull-through spot for the weekend prior to Halloween. Every weekend in October there are family-friendly festivities, and the guests and staff got really into it. 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). Took the dogs to the frequented Maryland Heights Trail, and that was a great 4-5 mile uphill jaunt that overlooks the town. Stunning in autumn. The site was clean, offered recycling, and the on-site store was convenient. For how close it is to Washington DC and Frederick MD, this is an easy getaway.

Campground is beautiful nestled in the hills of Catoctin Mountain. 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. The last couple years they have had issues with Alge and have low lake levels. Good for kayaking paddle boarding and small children swimming.

This is our 2nd time to this campground. Last time was in the fall season so this time we tried Spring time. Spring offers more water at the falls themselves and no leaves on trees yet. Your privacy between sites is less but sites are spaced pretty well. All sites state they are good for up to 30 ft. but several would fit up to 40 ft RVs. Site 1 would easily fit a 40 ft RV. If you’re not sure, call the campground and ask. Hosts were very nice. The closest town is Thurmont which is small but quaint. 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. We were in 14. Perfect as a buddy site with a short little path between. Watch for the burrs that cling to your dog if he has longer or curly hair! Hike to falls was easy if you go to parking lot and use the easier trail. Or you can walk from camp loop which is a longer and rocky, steep hike. There is a lake with a beach. Fishing was good. Small camp store had a few items.

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

We stay at Ramblin Pines because it is close to family and a good proximity to visiting Baltimore and Frederick. The campground is quite large with lots of seasonal sites but there are some transient spaces that can accommodate big-rigs. In addition to RV sites, there are tent sites and cabins. 

We stayed in one of the transient sites (#FR14) across from the RV storage lot. It was a long gravel back-in with 50-amp FHU. The water hook-up is in a pit so it doesn’t freeze so look under the cover. It can be a bit difficult to reach and you have to get on the ground to hook-up. Based on the location of the spigot, we were not able to attach our water filter (we drank the tap water anyway and it was good). The electric worked fine and were able to reach the sewer with our 20’ hose. The view out of our front window was of the storage lot which was not the most scenic. However, parking in the FR row is the easiest place for big-rigs to park since some roads in the park are tight and hard to navigate with the trees and with the two-way traffic. 

There are lots of amenities and it seems some people come here for the activities and things to do. It is a destination for many campers. They have lots of themed events, the most popular being the entire month of October celebrating like Halloween. They set up a haunted walk through the woods, have pumpkin carving, trick or treating, a costume contest, haunted hayride, and site decoration contest every weekend. If you want to camp on the weekends– book early because we found it very difficult to get a reservation during October and you have to pay in full and there are no refunds for cancellations. Other weekends have live music, bingo, hayrides, cornhole tournaments, crafts, and more. Basically, there is something every weekend. 

Huge fishing pond, shuffleboard, horseshoes, large dog park with agility, game room, playgrounds, jump pillow, heated swimming pool, and exercise room (which was decent but didn’t have a television to occupy your time), 18-hole mini golf. A short but nice hiking trail winds through the woods and is nice for walking dogs. There is a large covered pavilion with picnic tables for big gatherings. There is free Wi-Fi but it doesn’t reach sites in the back of the campground. Wi-Fi is great if you are near the office/store. The camp store is fairly large with some food/beverage items, t-shirts, large amount of RV supplies, and misc. other items. There is a coffee maker with free coffee.

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. Jellystone was amazing in every way possible.  The kids were never bored and had so much fun.  Us, as adults, were also never bored. We are definitely going back. Camping ground was clean, staff was nice and tons of fun activities.

Great park! Well cared for and perfect for a family get away.

We enjoyed our campsite and the bathrooms were very clean. 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.

Cunningham Falls has a nice set of trails that range from easy to moderate. The park is kid and dog friendly. Campsites are a little small and signage could be better, but restrooms are clean and the Rangers are very helpful.

Site was very shaded, and quite secluded. Camping pad was nice and level, although the driveway was slightly sloped. Nice amount of space in between sites. Very short walk to bathhouse. Campground was relatively empty our first night (Thurs), but filled up the next day. Still, heard hardly any noises from our neighbors. Camp hosts were very friendly, and came over to introduce themselves and go over park info shortly after we checked in. Bath house was centrally located. Pretty average as far as cleanliness goes, but everything worked, and the showers were hot. Great recycled tire playground, and awesome nature center w/ turtles and various birds of prey on site in the Manor Area. If you head over to the Houck Area of the park (about a 15-20 min drive), you’ll find the lake, falls, and another campground. The Houck area definitely tends to be more crowded. I can’t speak to the campground, but the lake is nice, and the falls are beautiful. The hike up wasn’t too strenuous, either; my husband, dog, and 5-year-old handled it just fine. Overall, this is a great park. Beautiful, wooded setting, and secluded, spacious sites. Would definitely stay in the Manor area again. Houck area is very nice, but a little too crowded for me, especially with summer traffic to get into the lake area.

Es un lugar muy organizado y limpio, tiene todos los servicios en orden. Personalmente prefiero lugares mas silvestres, pero es un buen lugar para 1 noche.

Well-maintained camp area offers year-round camping and hiking.  Water is available all year long, but bathhouses are closed off-season.  Portable facilities are available during winter camping.

Nice, level, spacious site. Easy access to potable water and a reasonably clean bathhouse. It was crowded but the campground is very wooded so I did not feel a lack of privacy.

Beware: The sites on the lower side of the road (mostly even numbered) are pretty level. The ones on the upper side of the road (mostly odd numbered) are short and have a lot of slope due to run-off when it rains. We are a 30’ class C, and there was no way we were ever going to get level! Spent one night on site 19 with the front wheels 10” in the air & we were still a good 6” short of level!

This is a great place to stop in that it is close to Camp David (historically presidential location). Make sure to drive slowly, as the road to get there is very curvy and somewhat steep grade (if driving eastbound. Recommend using fog lights.

We only booked for one night. But we loved this campground so much that we added an extra night. Very close to Gettysburg (25 mins) and hiking at the falls. Sites were level and shaded. Bathrooms were very clean - and had lots of hooks in the shower room.

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. Not a problem except the cabins were empty and the ac was running. Noisy and kind of wasteful.

There are lots of good hiking trails in the park. It’s a nice walk to the lake. Note that the hike back is 2/3 uphill.

They sell ice at the camp entrance, which is nice.

The bathrooms were moderately clean and had plenty of hot water.

I was not aware that there was a camp host until the third morning as I was readying to leave. I approached another camp to ask a question and they said they were the “camp hosts”.

We liked camping here and plan to eventually return. Our experience was rainy, but it was fun regardless. Nice park with hike to the waterfalls, swimming in the lake and playground. Bathroom facilities were fine and clean enough, but not the best of state park facilities I've seen.