Jeff F.
Scout
Scoutkoa Gettysburg battlefield
Nice spot to experience Gettysburg
Friendly staff, well shaded, good size site 23 with easy in and paver patio and sturdy furniture
Best Camping Near Jarrettsville, Maryland
State parks and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius of Jarrettsville, Maryland provide diverse camping experiences along the Susquehanna River watershed. Susquehanna State Park Campground, located 15 miles southeast of Jarrettsville, offers well-spaced, shaded sites with hiking trails connecting directly to the river. Codorus State Park Campground, situated northwest in Pennsylvania, features lakeside camping with spacious sites and recreational amenities. The region includes a mix of public and private facilities ranging from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV parks with resort-style amenities. Many campgrounds in this area maintain wooded settings while providing access to water recreation, hiking trails, and cultural attractions.
Reservations are essential during peak season from April through October, with many campgrounds filling completely on summer weekends. Maryland state parks typically require bookings up to six months in advance, while private campgrounds like Merry Meadows Recreation Farm often accommodate last-minute stays during weekdays. Weather conditions remain mild through most of the camping season, though summer humidity can be significant. As one camper noted about nearby Pequea Creek Campground: "Beautiful picturesque campground with large spots and a lot of trees. Very quiet and close enough to Lancaster for shopping." Campground access roads vary considerably in quality, with some requiring careful navigation for larger RVs, particularly in more rural areas near the Pennsylvania border.
Campers consistently highlight the region's balance of natural settings and proximity to attractions. Sites along the Susquehanna River receive high ratings for their scenic views and water access. At Elk Neck State Park, visitors appreciate the well-maintained facilities and wooded privacy: "The campground is well-wooded, offering reasonable privacy given the space constraints." Noise levels vary significantly between campgrounds, with those near highways sometimes experiencing traffic sounds. Family-friendly amenities are common throughout the area, with many campgrounds offering playgrounds, swimming pools, and organized activities. The camping season generally runs from March through November, with limited year-round options available primarily at private RV parks that maintain full hookups during winter months.
Best Camping Sites Near Jarrettsville, Maryland (124)
1. Merry Meadows Recreation Farm
19 ReviewsFreeland, MD13 milesWebsite+1 (410) 329-6636"It was a VERY dark walk to get to the bathhouse for showers. And the fire pit had no grill, so we ended up having to use the stoves of some RV camping friends for meals."
"Large campground with some good trails. Will definitely return!"
2. Susquehanna State Park Campground
25 ReviewsDarlington, MD17 milesWebsite+1 (410) 557-7994$21 - $50 / night
"The campsites are separated more widely than many other parks in Maryland (Cunningham Falls, Ft. Frederick, Pt. Lookout), and are quite secluded in comparison."
"I was a walk-up with no reservation and since it was a weekday the ranger gave me a great rundown of the best spots in the camp and let me drive through to check them out before going back with my decision"
3. Elk Neck State Park Campground
60 ReviewsPerryville, MD28 milesWebsite+1 (410) 287-5333$21 - $55 / night
"I didn't notice it when I was in my tent, but I did as I was walking around.
The campground is well-wooded, offering reasonable privacy given the space constraints. ""Surrounding area
There are lots of tails for hiking in walking distance and also a playground for kids."4. Codorus State Park Campground
41 ReviewsPorters Sideling, PA26 milesWebsite+1 (717) 637-2816$20 - $195 / night
"This campground isn't too far from our home in Maryland, so if they have room and we want to go spur of the moment, this one is a good choice. "
"The trails from Campground are ok for a short walk, not much of a lake view but mostly shaded trail. The pool is conveniently located maybe even walking distance for some. "
5. Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina
8 ReviewsAbingdon, MD15 milesWebsite+1 (410) 679-0880$70 - $90 / night
"Had our kayaks with us and the water wasn’t but a few steps away. Some sites you are right on the waters edge."
"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."
6. Tucquan Park Family Campground
12 ReviewsHoltwood, PA20 milesWebsite+1 (717) 284-2156"Highly recommend staying here with lots of close hiking trails within driving distance."
"There was a lot of space so walking our dogs was great. The smaller bathroom stalls are pretty small but got the job done. Playground and pool were both nice and clean. Wonderful place for a family."
7. Pequea Creek Campground
14 ReviewsPequea, PA21 milesWebsite+1 (717) 284-4587"Covered bridges and road side shopping are close by. Enjoyed river tubing which is close by to this campground. Music bingo on Saturday night was so much fun. Owners are very nice and helpful."
"The wife & I stayed in site 22 for three nights and bicycled 14 miles, some along the Susquehanna, on nearby Enola Low Grade Trail . "
8. Otter Creek Campground
10 ReviewsPequea, PA19 milesWebsite+1 (717) 862-3628"Just down the road about a mile or so was the Indian Steps Museum which is owned by York Conservation Society."
"Its close proximity to the Susquehanna River, Otter Creek, and the Mason Dixon Trail is absolutely ideal! Sites are spacious and nice! Restrooms clean!"
9. Muddy Run Rec Park - PPL
11 ReviewsHoltwood, PA20 milesWebsite+1 (717) 284-4325"The large lake is great for a day of kayaking and fishing with supplies readily available for rent at the boat dock store."
"The observatory is open to public once a month, we recommend you plan your trip around this."
10. Jellystone Park™ Quarryville
19 ReviewsQuarryville, PA26 milesWebsite+1 (717) 610-4505"We stayed here in November with beautiful weather which meant the large farm behind the campground was spraying manure over their fields. We could smell it."
"The site was covered and it was cool around 4:30pm when the sun went behind the trees. It didn’t look like all sites had that much cover so be careful."
Recent Camping Photos near Jarrettsville, MD
330 Photos of 124 Jarrettsville Campgrounds
Leslie
Spring-Fed Stream, Creek and Pond
Brit A.
Starry Pond
Sharon L.
Merry Meadows Recreation Farm
Lisa T.
Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina
Jen V.
Susquehanna State Park Campground
Jen R.
Otter Creek Campground
Dan A.
Tucquan Park Family Campground
Nate & Erika L.
Muddy Run Rec Park - PPL
Danielle C.
Pequea Creek Campground
AdventureStang
Indian Rock Campgrounds
Jeffrey W.
Codorus State Park Campground
Jennifer S.
Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Recent Reviews near Jarrettsville, MD
1042 Reviews of 124 Jarrettsville Campgrounds
- MMaybe I.
GuideCodorus State Park Campground
Excellent campground!
The sites offer plenty of space and privacy, making it easy to relax and enjoy nature. The campground is conveniently located near the lake, with beautiful views and easy access to the water. There is also a nice swimming pool, which is a great bonus. We enjoyed kayaking on the lake and spending time outdoors. Overall, it's a wonderful place to unwind, relax, and enjoy a peaceful getaway. We would definitely come back!
Nancy W.
LegendLums Pond State Park Campground
Clean, big-rig friendly, large sites.
Overall, this is a nice, small (about 65 sites) state park with plenty of recreational opportunities inside the park. There is nice separation between sites so you don’t feel like you are on top of your neighbor. Tall trees are scattered about which provide shade at some sites but overall, the park is pretty open. Roads getting to the park are easy to navigate with any size RV. Within the park, roads are paved and free of potholes and there are no low hanging branches. Since the roads are one-way they are not very wide so backing in big-rigs can be a little tight and you might have to run over the grass.
All RV sites are full hook-up and there is a separate area for tents and there is one canvas yurt for rent. The tent sites are nice in that they are tucked along the wood line slightly away from RVs with more privacy and shade. The only downside is that they are pretty far away from the centrally located bathroom and showers. The bathroom has separate rooms for showers which is nice and private. They were tended to daily and very clean. Also, located in the center of the campground is a playground, camp store and laundry. The dumpsters and recycle bins are located in a separate area on the way out of the campground and were frequently full and overflowing. Campsites are paved and some have wide enough that the patio is paved but others have a narrow pad for the RV and gravel patio. We discovered that most sites are level but a few are not (like 22 and 24). The campground is very clean and camp hosts were diligent about picking up trash and cleaning out fire pits every day.
Across the pond (north of the campground) is where most of the amenities are located such as concessions, ball fields, horseshoe pits, disk golf, and more. For those wanting to fish there is a pier in the campground and a self-serve vending machine with bait in it. There are additional fishing piers located in other parts of the park and there are boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards for rent. We stopped in at the Nature Center but it was a bust– just a few taxidermy specimens and not much information. One of the most popular areas of the park is Go Ape which is a ropes/zip line course through the canopy (which does require admission fee). There are nice trails that leave right from the campground– some 17 miles in all. There is a boat launch about a quarter mile from the campground entrance which is suitable for trailerable boats and paddle craft but there are no docks so you can’t leave your boat tied up there. There is an off-leash dog area but it is located far from the campground so it’s best to drive.
Matt S.LegendBay Shore Campground
What stands out about this campground? The view!
We spent a week at Bay Shore Campground to explore Rock Hall, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. What stands out about this campground? The view!
For me, this is a 4-star campground because of the view and nice staff, but not 5-stars because of the sloped site packed in with the neighbors and no sewer connection.
THINGS I LIKED:
— Great view from our site of the Chesapeake Bay— especially for sunset each evening
— Friendly staff
— Nearby Rock Hall, Chestertown, and Eastern Neck Island Wildlife Refuge
— They offered a promo to pay for 6 nights, and the 7th was free
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
— Our site(Site B) had an amazing view of Chesapeake Bay, but the slope made it difficult to get even close to level— even with my front jacks fully extended. I had to buy additional leveling blocks from the camp store(at twice the price of Amazon) just so we didn’t feel like walking uphill to walk around our motorhome. I admit, I am spoiled but really appreciate the campgrounds that level their sites. I think it could be done in a few hours with a rented front loader at a couple nights’ cost.
— Our site(Site B) was tight. The neighbor’s awning was just inches from our motorhome. I understand the need for any business to maximize revenue, but this was unpleasantly close.
— There are no sewer hookups at the sites. They do have a couple of dump stations for your way out and provide a pump-out service once per week at$40 a pop. They were nice enough to pump me out a second time since I stayed 7 nights. Again, I know I’m spoiled, but a sewer connection is a necessity when you’re staying 8 days.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
Sure thing, but we’d stay at a different site.
- SShannon D.Scout
Lums Pond State Park Campground
Lums Pond
Bathrooms are clean and staff is nice
James B.
TravelerHershey Road Campground
An alternative to Hershey Park Campground. A little cheapwr but sites are better here.
Great location a updated grounds, sites and restrooms n bath houses. Local to hershey but out of the traffic.
Great vaction site for RVs n longer stays. Quiet n comfortable RV living!
- ccara S.Scout
Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Hilton area
Thought the campsites were extremely close together. There were A LOT of kids and no quiet hours. Good for families. Not good for a camping camping experience.
MBOLScoutSusquehanna State Park Campground
Great time with kids
Nice campground had my 6 and 7 year old. The site was pretty private and had bathrooms close. I would definitely go again.
- SSarah G.Guide
Lums Pond State Park Campground
Spacious, Well Maintained, and Top Notch
This campground has everything. Conveniently located, short drive to Dover, Wilmington, Annapolis and Baltimore. The sites were very large and spacious. Sites can accommodate any type of trailer or vehicle. Plenty of site hookups, areas for tents. There is a camp store, several washer and dryers. The best private, individual shower booths and even a pond to go fishing in.
Guide to Jarrettsville
The Susquehanna River watershed shapes the camping landscape around Jarrettsville, Maryland, with elevations ranging from 250 to 600 feet across the region. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with humidity levels exceeding 70% during July and August. Campsites near Jarrettsville provide varying degrees of shade coverage, with most state parks offering 70-80% tree canopy on established sites.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Muddy Run Rec Park, the 144-acre lake offers excellent fishing access with boat rentals available at the dock store. "The large lake is great for a day of kayaking and fishing with supplies readily available for rent at the boat dock store," notes Alanna M., who particularly recommends exploring the hiking trails that circle the park perimeter.
Creek exploration: Families enjoy wading and floating in Pequea Creek at Pequea Creek Campground, located 28 miles northwest of Jarrettsville. "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)," reports J W., who appreciated the easy water access.
Hiking options: The Mason Dixon Trail connects with multiple campgrounds in the region, with Otter Creek Campground offering direct trail access. "Its close proximity to the Susquehanna River, Otter Creek, and the Mason Dixon Trail is absolutely ideal!" says Gerald B., highlighting the campground's strategic location for hikers.
What campers like
Quiet, wooded sites: Campers consistently praise the shaded sites at Susquehanna State Park Campground, which offers superior privacy compared to many other regional options. "Site was very shaded, and probably the most secluded feel of anywhere we've camped. Camping pad was nice and level, although the driveway was slightly sloped," reports Jen V.
Waterfront access: Many sites at Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina sit directly on the water's edge. "Camped here at the end of summer, really loved it. Had our kayaks with us and the water wasn't but a few steps away. Some sites you are right on the waters edge," says Janet P., highlighting the convenience for water enthusiasts.
Family-friendly activities: Seasonal events make camping more engaging for families, particularly at Merry Meadows Recreation Farm. "We stayed here this past Easter and they had plenty of activities for kids and adults. Easter egg hunts for kids, adult scavenger hunts for alcohol. Wonderful experience for the whole family," explains Melissa E.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds in the region fill quickly during peak seasons, with Elk Neck State Park Campground requiring bookings 6-9 months in advance for summer weekends. "There's a ton of camping at Elk Neck, including a loop with full hook ups. In the full hook up loop pay close attention to the lengths specified," advises David G., noting that site selection matters for larger rigs.
Water hookup challenges: At several campgrounds, water connections may be inconveniently placed. "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," warns Chris G. about Muddy Run Rec Park.
Bathroom facilities: Quality and cleanliness of bathhouses vary significantly between campgrounds in the area. "Bath house is located at top of steep hill and bathrooms were not very clean. So if you don't have a camper to use, you might not like the bath house situation," notes Pamela S. about Pequea Creek Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: When booking at Susquehanna State Park Campground, select sites near the central playground for convenience with children. "For kids, the playground was fantastic, though, it was not shaded. It is also in the middle of the Acorn and Beechnut loop," reports Jennifer S., adding that "The camp road was minimally hilly and would be safe and easy for little kids to ride their bikes."
Kid-friendly swimming: Codorus State Park Campground offers a pool that's included with camping fees. "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," explains Catherine H., who appreciates this family-friendly feature.
Seasonal activities: Holiday weekends feature special programming at many campgrounds near Jarrettsville. "The campground throughout the year has activities and events that are fun for the whole family, my favorites being the Halloween fest in October and an Native American Pow wow," shares Alanna M. about the events at Muddy Run Rec Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When booking at Elk Neck State Park, understand that site angles matter. "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," warns David G., recommending careful site selection for larger vehicles.
Utility access: Several campgrounds have unusual utility placement requiring extra preparation. "We got there and the site was wooded and not enough room for our big tent, but they left us change sites and were very nice," reports Terri S. about Muddy Run, highlighting the importance of confirming site dimensions before arrival.
Access road considerations: The roads leading to some campgrounds can be challenging for larger rigs. "You have to drive through a residential neighborhood to reach Bar Harbor, so big rigs take care/caution," advises Craig Z., noting the importance of planning your route carefully when traveling with larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Jarrettsville, MD?
Which is the most popular campground near Jarrettsville, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Jarrettsville, MD is Merry Meadows Recreation Farm with a 4-star rating from 19 reviews.
Keep Exploring