Camping near Fallston, Maryland offers access to both forested and waterfront sites within a 15-25 mile radius. The region sits at approximately 400 feet above sea level with the camping season typically running from April through late October when temperatures range from 45°F to 85°F. The area receives moderate rainfall year-round, making waterproof gear essential for spring and summer camping trips.
What to do
Kayaking at the Susquehanna River: Visit Susquehanna State Park Campground for water activities and fishing. One visitor mentioned, "I hiked over a bridge and stream which was full of fish I could see! Turned around after I got to the Susquehanna itself. The river was running pretty high and fast, pretty cool to see."
Visit historic sites: Take a short trip to the grist mill at Susquehanna State Park. "There is a historic area in the park, with a working grist mill, mansion and other little buildings to view. Not really my thing, but was pretty neat. The views of the river are really nice from here," notes one camper.
Explore Turkey Point Lighthouse: Elk Neck State Park Campground offers access to this scenic spot. A visitor recommends, "The Turkey Point Lighthouse is nearby. The town of North East is close and is a quaint town with a Main Street and great little shops."
Disc golf course: Check out Muddy Run Rec Park for outdoor activities. A regular visitor shares, "They have added some new features such as the wonderful water park as well as a very well laid out and up kept disc golf course."
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Pequea Creek Campground offers private spaces for tent camping. A reviewer noted, "If you are looking for a secluded camp experience, this is your place. The campsites are large and include a firepit. They supplied a massive pile of firewood for free."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds in the area provide chances to spot local fauna. At Elk Neck, campers report, "We saw bald eagles and great blue heron." Another visitor to Muddy Run shares, "My favorite evening activities (besides enjoying a campfire) are dusk deer-watching! There are hundreds of deer in this protected park."
Cleanliness of facilities: Campgrounds maintain good standards. At Hollofield Area Campground, a visitor mentioned, "Bath house was old, small, and not exceptionally clean, but adequate for our needs," while another noted at Elk Neck, "The lovely camp host, Carol, kept the bathhouse spotless."
Level sites for easy setup: Several campgrounds feature prepared sites. At Codorus State Park, a camper shared, "Paved sites, modern, clean bathrooms." Another at Elk Neck mentioned, "Sites were level, spacious, spaced apart, with packed gravel surface."
What you should know
Cell service varies by location: Some campgrounds have limited connectivity. At Merry Meadows Recreation Farm, one camper mentioned they "had 0 cell/GPS service on the entire premises (my carrier is AT&T)" while another at Elk Neck noted, "No cell signal in the campground so the family is forced to disconnect."
Reservation timing considerations: Most campgrounds fill quickly in peak season. As one Pequea Creek visitor advised, "We booked late and ended up being given the group camping site because it was all that was left."
Campground noise levels: Some locations are quieter than others. At Merry Meadows, a camper reported, "We totally loved our camping trip here! The peace and quiet, the restrooms were clean and tidy, the usable sites all looked nice."
Utility hookup configurations: Utility access points can be challenging. At Muddy Run, a visitor warned, "Bring 50 ft of hose for water hook up and an extension cord with a converter. The water hook ups are randomly placed, ours was 2 sites away."
Tips for camping with families
Natural playgrounds for kids: Patapsco Valley State Park offers unique play areas. A visitor mentioned, "I've attached photos from the 'natural playground' aka, large rocks and overturned trees. The kids loved it."
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds schedule events for children. At Tucquan Park Family Campground, a visitor shared, "They had a lot of events that people participated in like candy bar and regular bingo, corn hole and horse shoe tournaments and a dj."
Swimming options: Know where kids can cool off. At Codorus State Park, a camper advised, "There is no swimming allowed in the lake but there is a pool located at the park, there is no extra cost to use the pool if you are at the campground."
Kid-friendly water access: Look for safe water entry points. A Pequea Creek visitor recommended, "We welcomed grandkids' visit for splashing and floating in Pequea Creek. (Nearby site 24 had steps down the 'levee'; affording easier access to the creek.)"
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: Choose your site carefully based on size. At Elk Neck State Park, one RVer advised, "In the full hook up loop pay close attention to the lengths specified. The actual pads are fairly level but some of the driveways to them are very sloped. Long rigs will have issues in a few of the sites."
Dump station access: Check availability before arrival. A visitor to Hollofield noted, "There is a dump station. There is a decent bathhouse but it does get buggy."
Extension cord needs: Be prepared with extra cords. At Muddy Run, an RVer warned, "Bring an extension cord with a converter" to reach power hookups.
Water management in cold weather: At Bar Harbor RV Park, a visitor shared, "Weekend was cold but the park was pretty full. This is close to us so it was an easy trip. Full hookup but we're told to turn off and unhook water the night it dropped below freezing."
