Yurt camping options near Jarrettsville, Maryland provide access to the rolling hills of Harford County where elevations range from 300 to 800 feet above sea level. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F, making May through October prime camping months. Several campgrounds within a 45-minute drive of Jarrettsville offer glamping tents, yurts, and alternative accommodations for campers seeking outdoor experiences with added comfort.
What to do
Fishing at riverside sites: Susquehanna State Park Campground offers excellent fishing access with many campsites positioned near water. "We didn't get a chance to do any hiking (because we were lazy campers) but very much enjoyed our weekend stay. We will absolutely be coming back... but we will bring our bikes and book a site with a tent pad!" shared one visitor who appreciated the park's relaxed atmosphere.
Water activities on Pinchot Lake: At Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground, the large lake provides multiple recreation options. "The LARGE beach area in the QR day use area is one of the nicest I've ever seen at a PA state park, with tons of picnic tables with grills, a playground, a volleyball court, and a special fence solution to keep the stupid geese out of the water in the swimming area," according to one reviewer who explored the park extensively.
Go-karts and recreational games: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville offers numerous activities beyond swimming. "The go carts are old. The air pillow was flat. They took out the pool table. Hardly any games in the game room. We were very disappointed. They really need to ass something new to make it more teen-friendly," noted one family, highlighting the need for updated equipment while still acknowledging the variety of options.
Nature hikes on maintained trails: Tucquan Park Family Campground features well-maintained trails for nature walks. "This campground goes above and beyond to make you feel like home... This campground features an amazing playground, a pond, a beautiful pool, a rec room, a wonderful hiking trail, and a basket ball court," explained a camper who discovered the various amenities available.
What campers like
Private wooded tent sites: Tucquan Park Family Campground offers secluded tent areas that provide relief from summer heat. "The primitive sites are back in the woods which kept us nice and cool on hot July nights. The location also kept us fairly bug free," shared one camper who appreciated the natural setting.
Waterfront camping views: Codorus State Park Campground provides sites with lake views that many visitors praise. "We camped at Codorus State Park for the first time a few years ago while out east. We really love this Campground! There is a wide variety of sites so finding one that you like should not be difficult," reported a reviewer who found their ideal spot among the diverse options.
Well-maintained bathhouses: Susquehanna State Park Campground receives consistent praise for clean facilities. "Bath house was immaculate; by far the cleanest I have ever seen in a campground. Must have been recently renovated," noted a visitor who was impressed with the maintenance standards at this Maryland park.
Full hook-up sites with concrete pads: Lums Pond State Park Campground offers upgraded sites with modern amenities. "In February, about 1/4 of the sites were occupied. It was very quiet. The sites are large and well spaced. Many are in full sun. The bathroom facilities and laundry are clean and modern," according to a winter camper who found the campground comfortable even in off-season.
What you should know
Campground traffic concerns: Some locations have permanent residents which affects the atmosphere. At Tucquan Park, "The only downside I could find is the amount of permanent sites makes it seem more like your staying in a trailer park then a campground which leads to a lot of traffic in and out," mentioned one reviewer who still recommended the campground despite this observation.
Seasonal operations to consider: Many parks have limited schedules, with Codorus State Park operating "2nd Friday April to November 1" and Susquehanna running "March 31 to October 29," requiring advance planning for off-season yurt camping near Jarrettsville.
Cash payment policies: Some campgrounds maintain traditional payment systems. As one Merry Meadows visitor noted, "One of the complaints was they work on cash. Yeah, I knows it's not popular because most of us live in a plastic dominated world. I read it in advance and I just made sure we had some with us."
Agricultural odors can affect stays: Old Mill Stream Campground experiences occasional agricultural smells from nearby farms. "The overwhelming impression of this campground was the smell of cow manure from the nearby dairy farm feedlot. The smell was not present the first day or so we were there and we enjoyed sitting outside in the afternoon, but when the wind shifted the horrid smell drove us inside," reported a camper who otherwise found the facilities satisfactory.
Tips for camping with families
Book family-friendly planned activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park schedules special events for children. "We took my kids to the Quarryville location on multiple occasion for their Halloween events. Absolutely amazing! We can't wait to go back!" shared an enthusiastic parent whose children enjoyed the themed programming.
Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities: Ramblin' Pines offers multiple child-focused attractions. "This is our local campground and our second time here and we really like it. It has a pool, jump pillow, mini golf, fishing pond, barnyard with goats, and multiple playgrounds," noted a returning visitor who appreciated the variety of activities for different ages.
Choose tent sites with playground proximity: When booking at Gifford Pinchot, consider location carefully. "We have camped here several times and love the waterfront sites and the yurts," shared a repeat visitor, while another mentioned, "The playground was fantastic, though, it was not shaded. It is also in the middle of the Acorn and Beechnut loop."
Plan for weather contingencies: Early spring and fall yurt camping near Jarrettsville requires preparation for temperature swings. At Susquehanna State Park, one camper advised, "We stayed in site #3, it had a nice huge concrete pad and fire ring. We set-up our new tree tent behind the actual campsite and it worked perfectly," demonstrating creative solutions for seasonal camping.
Tips from RVers
Level sites with good hook-ups: Old Mill Stream Campground receives positive feedback for its utility placement. "Our site was perfectly level and had a large gravel patio area and a large shade tree behind us. The site was plenty long for our 45' RV and tow car. Each site has a firepit and picnic table. There were over 50 cable channels and all the hookups were well-placed and worked well," reported one RVer who found the setup convenient.
Consider arrival times and access restrictions: Some parks have limited check-in windows. At Ramblin' Pines, a visitor noted, "The keycard entry system is pretty inconvenient though ($40 cash only deposit!) and the hours are inconvenient as well. You can only check in between 2 and 4!"
Check for site privacy levels: Circle M RV & Camping Resort offers varying levels of seclusion. "While the top part of the campground seemed more communal, we chose the lower, Riverside sites and we're glad we did! The campground sits in the center of a horseshoe curve of the river, bring tubes and kayaks!" advised a camper who preferred more secluded options.
