The Grantsville region sits at approximately 2,300 feet elevation in western Maryland's Garrett County, where the mountain climate creates distinct camping seasons with cool summer nights and cold winters. Snowfall averages over 100 inches annually, affecting campground accessibility between December and March. Most campsites near Grantsville maintain natural forest cover with mixed hardwoods providing ample shade during summer months.
What to do
Hiking trails with waterfalls: Swallow Falls State Park Campground offers direct trail access to Maryland's highest waterfall. "The trail head is right in the campground so that made it extremely easy. Our kids had a great time," notes Don L. The park features several interconnected trails suitable for all ability levels.
Stargazing opportunities: Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground provides a dedicated star-gazing platform. "Got a nice secluded spot to camp in the wooded area that had amazing mountain views and the star gazing platform," shares Tom C. Light pollution is minimal in the area, creating ideal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Middle Ridge Campground maintains private fishing ponds a short distance from campsites. "Short drive down the mountain to get to the ponds but my husband and oldest son had a blast catching fish in their ponds," reports Kayla M. No fishing license required for these private waters.
Mountain biking access: Ohiopyle State Park connects directly to regional trail systems. "Awesome campground right on the Great Allegheny Passage trail. We loved being able to access the GAP trail right from the campground," explains one reviewer. The trail extends for over 150 miles through the region.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Hickory Hollow Campground offers well-separated camping areas. "Hickory Hollow's campsites were nicely spaced out, perched on a hillside, but with nice flat pads. The lake and farm country provided a welcoming and relaxing setting," shares Brandy Q. Many sites include natural vegetation barriers between neighbors.
Clean, updated facilities: Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground maintains modern bathhouses. "The bathrooms were quite possibly the cleanest camp bathrooms I've ever come across. Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better first experience there," states Lee Anne H. Each campsite includes a bear-proof container for food storage.
Family-friendly amenities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Mill Run provides extensive recreation options. "What a pleasure, this place is great. Neat mixture of old campground and new campground. Kids had a blast, plenty of activities, water park, outstanding camp store," explains Jim C. Activities run throughout the day during peak season.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Rocky Gap State Park Campground offers natural encounters in a protected setting. "We had the perfect amount of sun for an afternoon nap after a short hike. Large camp sites, with decent space for tents," notes a visitor. Deer sightings are common throughout the campground.
What you should know
Bear activity awareness: Multiple campgrounds report bear sightings. "We were told there were regular bear sightings and there were bear boxes at each site; we saw many deer but not a single bear," explains a camper at Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground. Follow posted guidelines for food storage.
Seasonal facility limitations: Water systems at many campgrounds shut down during colder months. "The water hookups weren't working at the time, but we were able to connect in Cherry Loop and fill our tank," notes a visitor to Ohiopyle State Park. Call ahead to confirm available amenities during shoulder seasons.
Variable cell coverage: Connectivity differs significantly between campgrounds. "Starlink was sketchy at best, Verizon had one bar and slightly usable, ATT was best with a couple of bars and ok speeds," reports Stephen H. at Middle Ridge Campground. Download maps and information before arrival.
Weekend crowding: Popular glamping close to Grantsville, Maryland fills quickly during peak periods. "In contrast to the other reviews, we didn't enjoy this campground very much. We reserved a lakefront site (60) on the end of the loop but there was no view whatsoever; golf carts rode to and from the loop to the lake access area right by our site at all hours of the night," explains Lauren R. at Tub Run Rec Area.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated kid activities: Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground organizes regular family events. "Great place for kids! Family friendly atmosphere, cordial staff, well run campground. Lots of activities," explains Rob B. Activities typically run Friday through Sunday during summer.
Consider cabin options: Luxury camping near Grantsville offers alternatives to traditional tenting. "We stayed in the covered wagon, which was pretty cool. The covered wagon sites (there are 2) are isolated in their own clearing within the trees next to the lake," shares Jessica D. about her stay at Hickory Hollow Campground.
Select sites near playgrounds: Several campgrounds feature centralized recreation areas. "I gave it a 5 star for many reasons. First the campground is clean and made us feel like we were in a forest not just a campground... I didn't feel like I was walking in the dirt or through someone's campsite to get to the bathroom or the playground for the kids," explains Mike B. at Swallow Falls State Park.
Pack for variable weather: Mountain elevations create unpredictable conditions. "Even on Memorial Day weekend it was very peaceful. Can't say enough on how friendly and helpful the staff are. Other campers are exceptionally friendly," notes Aaron G., who experienced unseasonably cool temperatures at Yough Lake Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Laurel Hill State Park Campground requires preparation for uneven terrain. "Okay campground. We met nice people staying there. However, the sites are REALLY not level because the RV sites are on a major slope, especially the pull-through sites," warns Kathy L. Bring extra leveling blocks.
Access road considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging approach routes. "Road to access the campground was good with some tight turns up the hill the last couple of miles. The campground itself is gravel roads that were pretty tight getting in and out of and fairly steep with trees on all sides," explains Stephen H. about Middle Ridge Campground.
Water pressure variations: Several campgrounds report fluctuating utility performance. "Water pressure was just a bit weak and used our water tank and pump during our stay. Best we could get for water pressure out of the hose was 25-20 psi," shares a reviewer about their experience at a glamping spot near Grantsville, Maryland.
Electric hookup placement: Site layout affects setup requirements. "The electrical hookups are not played out well like an expensive RV park with the shared power post on the entrance side of the camper. You may want to have an extension for your power cable," advises Erik E. at Laurel Hill State Park Campground.
