Best Campgrounds near Knoxville, MD
Knoxville, Maryland sits at the convergence of multiple camping environments, with options ranging from full-service RV parks to primitive tent sites along the Potomac River. The Brunswick Family Campground offers riverside camping with boat access just minutes from town, while the Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA provides year-round accommodations with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Antietam Creek Campground in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park offers more primitive camping experiences with walk-in tent sites. The region's proximity to both the Appalachian Trail and the C&O Canal Towpath creates opportunities for hikers and cyclists to access hiker-biker campsites, many featuring basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from April through October, with limited winter camping options except at the Harpers Ferry KOA. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for summer weekends when proximity to Washington DC (approximately 60 miles southeast) creates high demand. Maryland state parks like Greenbrier and Gambrill enforce alcohol prohibitions, unlike some private campgrounds. As one camper noted, "The sites are flat and dispersed with most located adjacent to the river. Each site comes with a picnic table, fire ring and grill." Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, though coverage may be spotty in more remote sections of the Appalachian Trail corridor.
Waterfront camping locations receive consistently high ratings from visitors, with the Potomac River and nearby lakes serving as focal points for recreation. Many campgrounds feature shaded sites that provide relief during hot summer months. According to one reviewer at Gambrill State Park, "This is a very peaceful and heavily wooded park, with minimal but perfectly adequate facilities." Families appreciate the swimming beaches at Greenbrier State Park and Cunningham Falls, though these areas can become crowded on summer weekends. Historical attractions add another dimension to camping in this region, with Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Antietam National Battlefield, and the C&O Canal providing educational opportunities within short driving distances of most campgrounds.
