Camping cabins near Joppa, Maryland are situated in the Chesapeake Bay watershed area, where elevations range from near sea level to approximately 300 feet. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and mild winters, making most cabin camping facilities available year-round. Water access is a defining feature of many campgrounds, with several offering fishing opportunities and trails leading to waterways.
What to do
Hiking to scenic views: At Patapsco Valley State Park, trails lead to waterfalls and river overlooks. "There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes. The trails we have been on are all pretty moderate to hard but offer beautiful waterfalls and river views," notes one visitor who appreciates the variety of terrain.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Tucquan Park Family Campground offers on-site fishing opportunities. "They also have a nice little pond you can fish," mentions one camper, while another adds, "There was also a nice pond — it looked pretty full of fish, but we had forgotten our fishing gear."
Visit the Turkey Point Lighthouse: Elk Neck State Park Campground offers access to this historic landmark. "The Turkey Point Lighthouse is nearby" and "definitely drive to, and then hike to the light house (open most weekends) the light house and the view are definitely worth it," recommend visitors.
Explore local Amish country: D&J Shady Rest Campground is "right in the middle of Amish Country" according to a visitor, making it a good base for experiencing local culture.
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: Cherry Hill Park receives consistent praise for maintenance standards. "Everything was extremely clean and well maintained. We loved the brick patio with patio furniture," notes one reviewer who visited during a busy holiday weekend.
Family-oriented activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers extensive programming for children. "Hands down the cleanest, friendliest, most beautiful campground I've ever been to. We really enjoyed our trip to yogi bear. We booked another one within 3 weeks that's how much we couldn't wait to go back," shares an enthusiastic family.
Waterfront sites: Many campers value proximity to water at Codorus State Park. "I stayed here for 2 nights in July 2017. We typically stay in the primitive tent loop which is right on the lake," mentions a visitor who enjoyed the waterfront access.
Wildlife viewing: Susquehanna State Park Campground offers opportunities to observe local fauna. "Great place. Have camped here twice now. Nice playground for the kids and plenty of park events to keep you busy. Took a nice hike out to the susquehanna and spent a few hours fishing in the pond. Lots of wildlife," reports one visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal bathroom closures: Some campgrounds reduce facility access during colder months. "Bathhouses were open with hot water. Nice clean bathhouses. Sites were level, spacious, spaced apart, with packed gravel surface," notes a late-season visitor to Elk Neck State Park.
Payment policies vary: At Merry Meadows Recreation Farm, cash payments may be required. "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," advises a camper.
Tent pad availability: Tent campers should check site specifications before booking. "I had chosen this site, based on two factors: 1. It was available and 2. It was close to the playground. Unfortunately, it was most likely available because it was overrun with roots and rocks (no pad for the tent)," warns a Susquehanna State Park visitor.
Environmental conditions: Be prepared for insects in wooded areas. "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," notes a visitor to Tucquan Park Family Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Select sites near play areas for convenience. At Patapsco Valley State Park, "It seem like this area is, possibly unintentionally, geared toward children. There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center."
Swimming options: Some parks offer pool alternatives to prohibited lake swimming. "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," notes a Codorus State Park visitor.
Entertainment for different age groups: Evaluate activities based on child ages. "We had stayed in this campground about 5 years ago and we loved it. We returned this year with my 12 and 14 year olds and a 12 year old friend. The kids were bored," cautions a visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park about teen-appropriate activities.
Weather planning: Be prepared for rapid weather changes in Maryland's climate. "One negative was that when it rains it really flushes through the grounds. We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm," reports a Patapsco Valley visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site angle considerations: Pay attention to approach details when booking. At Washington DC/Capitol KOA, "Our site was uphill and at a difficult angle. Plenty of bigger TTs and 5th wheels were camping," notes an RVer who managed despite challenges.
Leveling requirements: Many sites require adjustment for comfortable stays. "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," advises an experienced Elk Neck State Park camper.
Hook-up availability: Check specific utility options when booking cabin rentals near Joppa. "50 amp hook-up, Water, Sewer" are available at some sites, while others may offer more limited connections.
WiFi and cell coverage: Signal strength varies significantly between campgrounds. "The campground WiFi does not reach the primitive sites and I had 0 cell/GPS service on the entire premises (my carrier is AT&T)," reports a Tucquan Park visitor, noting complete disconnection during their stay.
