Several camping options surround Cavetown, Maryland with accessibility to historical sites like the Gettysburg battlefield and natural features including the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. Campgrounds in this region range from 500 to 800 feet in elevation, experiencing hot summers with highs frequently reaching 90°F and mild spring and fall temperatures in the 60-70°F range. Camping near Cavetown typically requires reservations 2-3 months in advance for summer weekends.
What to do
Battlefield exploration: Just 25 miles from Cavetown, Artillery Ridge Campground offers direct battlefield access. "My family and I stayed at this campground in late April. The staff was great. We had a site right next to the trail going to Stangler Farm," reports one visitor to Artillery Ridge Campground. Historical sites are extremely accessible, as "The campground is approximately a 3 minute drive from everything in the town of Gettysburg."
Tubing and water activities: Enjoy the Shenandoah River at Harpers Ferry Campground, located 30 miles southeast of Cavetown. "The campground offers adventures like rafting, biking, tubing and zip lining to name a few," notes one camper. River access is immediate from most sites: "You can go swimming right from your campsite!"
Farm animal interactions: At Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, 33 miles northwest of Cavetown, families can experience a working farm. "We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires," writes one camper. Another adds, "Got a kick out of the children playing with the kids (baby goats) pigs, goats, chickens, horses and even lamas. Plenty to see and learn."
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Brunswick Family Campground, 15 miles southeast of Cavetown, offers direct river access. "The Potomac river view was nice," reports one camper. Another visitor appreciates the outdoor opportunities: "The river is beautifully clean clear and cool. There wasn't much late night going on it seemed all the campers for the most part we're turned in by 11."
Shaded camping spots: Gettysburg Campground provides peaceful tent areas. "The tenting area is calm and has a creek right next to it to listen to in the evening and morning," writes one camper. Sites vary in quality and environment, as noted by another visitor: "Trees lined the sides of our site which was nice for privacy and shade."
Swimming facilities: When temperatures rise in summer, campgrounds with pools become popular. "The pool was clean and roomy. We enjoyed hours hanging out there," mentions a visitor to Round Top Campground. Another notes that Drummer Boy in Gettysburg offers "a pool with the slide was very clean."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have terrain issues. At Round Top Campground, a visitor reported, "site was unlevel and poorly maintained." Another camper at a different facility mentioned that "many of the sites are on annoying slope where the table/fire pit is not level to the camper."
Train noise: Several campgrounds near Cavetown sit close to active rail lines. At Brunswick Family Campground, "Brunswick train station and depot is just a few hundred feet away and you can hear trains at all times of the night." Similarly, at Harpers Ferry Campground, trains pass "almost hourly" and "if the sound doesn't wake you up, the rumbling ground will."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from April through October. One visitor to Gettysburg Farm noted, "We came amidst COVID-19, so the many activities and events this location usually holds are down, BUT there is still fun to be had here!" Some facilities like Western Village RV Park in Carlisle remain open year-round, though with limited amenities in winter.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: When selecting a campsite with children, check playground locations. At Drummer Boy, one parent observed, "the worst part was that there was only 1 playground, it was all the way at the front of the campground (we had to drive to it) and it was very junky and run down."
Family-friendly activities: Harpers Ferry Campground offers diverse outdoor options. "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. The trail is about 1.5 miles one way," notes one camper. Families can "grab a bite, visit the history of Harper's Ferry or continue exploring more hiking trails."
Bathroom proximity: Consider bathroom distance when tent camping with children. At Brunswick Family Campground, a visitor cautioned: "Only downside is the walk to the bathrooms if you tent camp. A long walk if you really got to go."
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: At several campgrounds, hookup placement creates challenges. One camper at Round Top noted "the sewer hookup was inconveniently placed about six inches above the ground which meant that it would not drain properly." Another observed that "Water and electric are in award spot on our site."
Site selection strategy: When booking at Gettysburg Campground, consider location carefully. "If you are camping with friends make sure you get sites nearby them or else you will need to drive to their site," advises one RVer. Another notes, "Some roads are one-way but people don't pay much attention to that and went whichever way they wanted."
Off-season advantages: Winter camping offers quieter experiences at select locations. At Artillery Ridge Campground, a visitor reported, "they got us a great deal for are winter site we were in spots 86,85,89 for a month long stay... which they do during the winter!!" Off-season camping typically means fewer neighbors, reduced rates, and better site availability.
