Best Campgrounds near Kitzmiller, MD

The Kitzmiller area in western Maryland features several established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius, including Swallow Falls State Park and Deep Creek Lake State Park. These public lands provide a mix of accommodation types from primitive tent sites to full-service RV hookups and cabin rentals. The mountainous terrain of the Appalachian highlands creates diverse camping environments, with many sites situated near lakes, rivers, and forested areas. Savage River State Forest and Big Run State Park offer more secluded options for those seeking a quieter experience, while developed campgrounds like Robert W. Craig at Jennings Randolph Lake provide more amenities.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the mountains, with cooler temperatures even during summer months. "Western Maryland is bear country, but also deer, eagle, hawk, and plenty of fish," noted one camper familiar with the region. Road access varies throughout the area, with some campgrounds accessible via paved roads while others require navigation on gravel or forest service roads. Cell service can be limited in more remote areas, particularly in the valleys between ridges. Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer weekends and fall foliage season when visitation peaks.

Waterfront camping represents a significant draw for visitors to the Kitzmiller region. Deep Creek Lake State Park and Swallow Falls provide access to swimming, fishing, and paddling opportunities. A visitor to Big Run State Park described it as "one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds." Campgrounds with electric hookups tend to fill quickly during peak season. Bathhouse facilities vary widely across the region, from modern facilities with hot showers at larger state parks to basic vault toilets at more primitive sites. Several campgrounds offer hiking trails directly from the camping areas, allowing visitors to explore the surrounding forests without driving to separate trailheads.

Best Camping Sites Near Kitzmiller, Maryland (155)

    1. Swallow Falls State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Oakland, MD
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 387-6938

    $22 - $33 / night

    "Thirdly, the campground was so close to the nature that we wanted to see. We went to see the falls and they were within walking distance from our campsite. Overall, it was an awesome place to camp."

    "Camp ground was just a few minute drive away from the entrance to the trail. Trails were easy enough for kids. Camp site itself was nice and clean but felt a little too close to each other."

    2. Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Mchenry, MD
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 387-5563

    $21 - $65 / night

    "Camp site(Tent camping) Camp site was pretty small and close to each other. The forest where the camp site was situated was beautiful."

    "Lots of touristy things around the lake, then you drive by lots of vacation homes on the lakeshore and then you pull into the camp and you feel like you are miles away from all that stuff."

    3. Robert W. Craig - Jennings Randolph Lake

    7 Reviews
    Kitzmiller, MD
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 355-2346

    $22 - $60 / night

    "General: Smallish (68 sites) campground near Jennings Randolph Lake, which is not directly accessible from the campground (you need to drive there)."

    "Drinking water right next to the site (37) as well as a trail to a restroom - I think there's a shower on the other loop/section.  22 for a basic (non-electric) tent site."

    4. Blackwater Falls State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Davis, WV
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 259-5216

    $50 / night

    "Our site was near the edge of the campground, which is basically a large grassy area with a bathroom in the middle of the loop."

    "Well they don’t really stick to this because the site next to us had seven tents spread across two sites. Walking around we saw several other sites with three and four tents."

    5. Savage River State Forest

    18 Reviews
    Grantsville, MD
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 895-5759

    "This was a beautiful state forest, with two state parks sort of bordering it (Big Run & New Germany). The roads were all paved which was nice."

    "Very remote western Maryland Appalachia. Sites are right off park road, are huge, rustic, and spaced very far apart from other sites. River runs along the sites."

    6. Middle Ridge Campground

    20 Reviews
    Romney, WV
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 822-8020

    "It is not near a main highway unless you call Route 50 through Romney a main highway. It is west of town up a curved mountain road. It is on the top area of "Middle Ridge" mountain. "

    "Super friendly and accommodating, beautiful walking paths, great campsites. We really enjoyed our stay."

    7. Big Run State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Bloomington, MD
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 895-5453

    $10 - $55 / night

    "This is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds."

    "You have to know what you're getting here - there ARE campsites with amenities, near water and bathrooms, but not all of them have the amenities. "

    8. New Germany State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Grantsville, MD
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    $18 - $117 / night

    "New Germany State Park is a pleasant location with a small lake for swimming and kayaking, as well as numerous trails in the wooded mountains of western Maryland."

    "New Germany State Park is situated in Garrett County Maryland. The park has a small lake, a few trails, and two camping loops."

    9. Wallman/Laurel Run - Potomac State Forest

    2 Reviews
    Kitzmiller, MD
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 334-2038

    $5 - $20 / night

    "Far enough away from the next campsite to enjoy peace and seclusion. Next to a crik for those nighttime lullabies"

    10. Barnum Whitewater Area

    2 Reviews
    Jennings Randolph Lake, WV
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 788-5732

    $10 - $30 / night

    "Had my wedding 2022 at Jennings picnic area and then after that spent the whole weekend away from everyone and everything!"

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Recent Reviews near Kitzmiller, MD

964 Reviews of 155 Kitzmiller Campgrounds


  • E
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Camp Cacapon

    Great camping in a perfect spot

    We stayed at this campground Sep 26-28 and had a fantastic time. The campsite is in a perfect spot on the Cacapon river, and the facilities are excellent. Nice campsites, clean bathrooms and a charming little pavilion that you can rent and hang out with your group.

    Highly recommend

  • Dana M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park

    Ok for a quick overnight

    Due to a water main break, only one bathroom and showers were available. Bathrooms were quite old and run down. There are over 100 sites. Pets are only allowed on specific loops and cannot be walked on “non pet” loops. We had an electric site which was pretty level for our van. Bike trails were more like hiking trails ( not single track Mtn biking trails). I found this park to be “just ok”.

  • G
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Private

    If you’re looking for quiet and privacy, this is the place.  they laid out the sites so that you’re not side by side. They are all on an angle which moves you further away from anyone on both sides.  The angled site also was great for driving just past you’re site and practically backing straight back into you’re site.  Decent bath house and friendly, low key staff.  Great rates per night.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Canaan Loop Road Dispersed

    Great dispersed sites!

    We only drove down to the second site, but it was awesome! Big site, good fire ring, paths the walk right from the site. The moss was like walking on carpet

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Large wooded sites

    The owners are so friendly and personable. The sites are actually in a wooded area not just a big field. Each site has full hookups. We will definitely return.

  • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Laurel Hill State Park Campground

    Okay campground

    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. Large open grassy area. The camp host saw me walking my pups, and as I walked toward the trash can(near the bathroom) to throw away a pooped that I had picked up, she yelled across the green area from her site“no dogs in the bathrooms!” Kinda rude, but later she was friendly. Some okay hiking trails off the campground in a meadow.

  • Aileen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Blackwater Falls State Park Campground

    Clean Campground in a Beautiful Park

    This is one of our favorite places. The park is beautiful, and so are the nearby Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge and Canaan Valley State Park.

    The campground is better suited to tents and small to medium size camping units. I think the person who designed it was not familiar with camping units other than tents. Loop 1-30 is one way going clockwise. Loop 31-65 is one way going counterclockwise. But in both loops, to have your door facing away from the street, you have to drive counterclockwise if your site is on the outside of the loop, and clockwise if your site is inside the loop.  In some sites, the electric pedestal is on the wrong side, so you'll have to use a long cord and take it under your unit to reach your electric hookup.

    There are two water fill stations, one at the camp store where you check in, and the other at a water fountain near the bathhouse in loop 31-65. They are supplied supplied with a green garden hose, not a white potable water hose, so we unscrewed the hose and used our own. The water tastes unusually good.

    The dump station is in a section of loop 31-65. You have to go the wrong way on a one way road to be close enough for your slinky to reach it. The non potable rinse water is across this road from the dump station and it has a white hose--beware--this is not the drinking water! You stretch this hose across the road to rinse your gray and black tanks and slinky.

    Some of the sites are not very level, and many of the pull thru sites share some driveway space with another pull thru site or a back in site. There are two pairs of sites that share a pull thru--OK for people traveling together, but otherwise a headache if you're arriving and leaving at different times.

    Once you have dealt with all this inconvenience and oddness, you'll find you're within walking distance of the falls, a small lake, hiking trails that go through beautiful forests with rhododendrons, hemlocks, spruce, and hardwoods. The camp store is limited, but the staff is very friendly and helpful. The nature center is one of the best I've ever visited, and park naturalists provide programs on weekends. There are kayak rentals in summer. The lake has a swimming beach, but you can pay to use the swimming pool at the lodge for better swimming. The lodge also has a huge lobby with a cabinet containing jigsaw puzzles. We worked on one on a rainy day when we didn't want to be outside. Davis and Thomas have some interesting shops and good restaurants.When you get back after a day of adventures, you'll find clean restrooms with hot showers that are actually hot. And the T-Mobile service was good enough for my husband to stream a movie while I sent photos to my family. The park was very busy for Labor Day weekend, but it was a family atmosphere and after dark, there were few lights and little noise.

  • Lee G.
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Big Bend Campground

    Big Bend Campground…Definitely Worth the Experience

    Big Bend Campground is a beautiful place with a great family atmosphere. The campsites are large and accommodate RVs and/or multiple tents. The best part about this place is the nearly 360° lazy river tubing experience. This place has no cell service and you’ll have to travel along a 2 1/2 mile dirt road to finally get to the campground. The Camp Hosts were great and offered a lot of local information and tips. While this is a great location and provides memorable adventures, it would be great if the picnic tables and some of the fire rings could be updated as they’re nearing the end of their service life. However, this is simply a great place to unhook from the daily grind.

  • Ronnie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Hidden Springs Campground

    Labor Day Weekend

    It was packed-all went smoothly. From check in, wood delivery, and parking.


Guide to Kitzmiller

Camping sites near Kitzmiller, Maryland offer varied terrain with elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 feet throughout the Appalachian highlands. The region experiences cooler nighttime temperatures even in summer, often dropping into the 50s, making sleeping bags rated for lower temperatures necessary year-round. Primitive sites along waterways tend to fill by Friday afternoon during peak season from May through September.

What to do

Hiking nearby waterfalls: At Swallow Falls State Park, the largest waterfall in Maryland, Muddy Creek Falls, drops 53 feet. "The trails to the namesake falls are beautiful and very family-friendly, with lots of helpful signage. However, the parking lots and trailheads were PACKED on the weekend, so if you're a day tripper, get there early!"

Paddle on multiple waterways: The region offers both lake and river paddling options within short drives. "Herrington Manor which was right down the road was a great place to go kayaking while we were there," notes one camper who visited Swallow Falls State Park.

Fish in stocked waters: Streams and lakes throughout the area hold trout and other species. "The stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish," reports a camper at Big Run State Park, where stream access is available directly from many campsites.

Winter recreation: For those camping in colder months, the area transforms into a winter sports destination. "Swallow falls is awesome year round. In the winter the snow and ice is beautiful," notes a camper who gives the park five stars.

What campers like

Stream-side camping: Many campers value the water sounds for sleeping. At Big Run State Park, "The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds."

Firefly displays: Summer visitors often mention the incredible light shows. At Deep Creek Lake State Park, one camper reports: "We were lucky enough to witness a spectacular light show put up by thousands of fireflies at night."

Wildlife viewing: The mountains host diverse wildlife beyond just bears. "Deer are dense in these parts," notes a camper at New Germany State Park, adding that "bears frequent the area" though most campers report seeing deer far more commonly than bears.

Truly secluded options: For those seeking genuine isolation, Wallman/Laurel Run - Potomac State Forest offers "peace and quiet and a good old fashioned camping experience at a very well maintained campground secluded but not way out in no man's land where it takes you an hour to get back when it's over."

What you should know

Bear precautions enforced: Most campgrounds in the region provide bear-resistant storage. "Bears are common so they emplaced a big old bear box at every site. It's enough room to hold your food for a month of camping!" reports a visitor to Deep Creek Lake State Park.

Weather fluctuations: Mountain weather can change rapidly, with temperature swings of 30+ degrees in a single day. "Summer temps usually do not get as nice 85max most of the summer," notes a camper from New Germany State Park, referring to the cooler mountain temperatures compared to lower elevations.

Site selection matters: Campsite quality varies significantly even within the same campground. "Some of the sites are AWESOME, some are a patch of grass. Its honestly best to carefully look at the site map," advises a visitor to Deep Creek Lake State Park.

Reservation timing: For weekend camping, especially at the more developed sites with hookups, reservations are essential. "The electric sites tend to fill quickly during peak season," according to ranger information provided at New Germany State Park.

Tips for camping with families

Look for dedicated activity programs: Some campgrounds offer organized activities. "We arrived and was surprised by a Christmas in July event where there was activities for the kids and a campsite holiday decoration contest. Santa even made an appearance," reports a visitor to Barnum Whitewater Area.

Consider cabin options: For families new to camping or during uncertain weather, cabins provide a more controlled environment. "Small cabins are $35 a night, with larger cabins going at $56 a night. There is electricity in the cabins," notes a visitor to Barnum Whitewater Area.

Bring bikes for campground loops: Some campgrounds are perfect for kids to explore safely on wheels. At Robert W. Craig - Jennings Randolph Lake, one visitor recommends: "Make sure to bring bicycles for your kids to ride around the loop. There is also a pond that you can hike to for fishing. It is far enough that your children would not wonder there on their own."

Check swimming access: Not all waterfront camping areas permit swimming. "The swim area leaves a brown residual stain in your swimwear and on your person," cautions one camper about the water quality at New Germany State Park, suggesting families might want to consider alternatives.

Tips from RVers

Site orientation challenges: Some campgrounds have unusual layouts that affect hookup accessibility. At Blackwater Falls State Park, "Many of the pull thru sites are situated in the wrong direction with the electric hookup on the wrong side."

Length restrictions: Most campgrounds in the area have limitations for larger RVs. "Roads and camper pads are all paved, and the sites are in two loops. All sites have electric hookups, and have a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern ring," reports an RVer at Robert W. Craig, noting that sites 53, 55, and 64-68 have the longest pads.

Dump station access: Plan your arrival and departure with service points in mind. "The dump station is in a weird spot and the only water available is the same used for flushing," notes an RVer about Blackwater Falls State Park.

Low clearance warnings: Some access roads have restrictions. "We approached the campground from the southeast through the town of Keyser. DO NOT do this if you have a large RV. There are multiple signs saying that the road was not safe for large trucks; although our 18-foot camper van had no problems, the road was narrow, hilly, and winding."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Kitzmiller, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, Kitzmiller, MD offers a wide range of camping options, with 155 campgrounds and RV parks near Kitzmiller, MD and 14 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Kitzmiller, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Kitzmiller, MD is Swallow Falls State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 24 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Kitzmiller, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Kitzmiller, MD.

What parks are near Kitzmiller, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Kitzmiller, MD that allow camping, notably Jennings Randolph Lake and Youghiogheny River Lake.