Several campgrounds near Knoxville, Maryland sit at elevations between 300-500 feet along the Potomac River corridor where Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia converge. The region's humid continental climate brings hot summers with frequent afternoon thunderstorms and mild spring and fall conditions ideal for outdoor recreation. Camping options extend beyond the glamping accommodations mentioned in existing descriptions, with traditional tent sites, RV hookups, and unique water-access camping available.
What to do
River activities: 3 miles from Knoxville, Brunswick Family Campground offers easy river access. "You can walk down into the river or go up river some to go tubing!" reports Nicholas S. The Potomac River provides swimming, fishing, and relaxation opportunities.
Historical exploration: 6 miles on C&O trail, Harpers Ferry Campground connects to significant historical sites. "Between the tent sites being close together and the campground being part of zip lining/rafting courses there's not a ton of privacy (especially during the weekend). Overall, it's a great adventurous spot!" writes Maggie A. The campground serves as a launching point for exploring Civil War sites.
Family entertainment: 30 minutes north, Williamsport offers water-based fun and themed camping. "The kids were never bored and had so much fun. Us, as adults, were also never bored," notes a visitor to the area's family-oriented campgrounds with organized activities.
What campers like
Riverside proximity: Campers enjoy sites with water views. At Brunswick Family Campground, "The Shanandoah is just as beautiful. The showers could use a good cleaning but they are typical Campground showers perfect for the campground life," writes Brian S. Direct water access ranks high in camper satisfaction.
Transportation options: The C&O Canal towpath provides car-free travel. "Also situated on the C&O canal, so you could walk or bike for miles in either direction for hours! Harpers Ferry is only 6 miles away on the trail," notes Susan K. This accessibility allows campers to reach attractions without driving.
Local dining delivery: At Brunswick City Campground, campers appreciate convenience. "There is an Ale House above the office that delivers for free to your site (2.5 miles away), just tip the driver," reports Eric J. Food delivery provides a welcome break from camp cooking.
What you should know
Train noise: CSX rail lines run near several campsites. "The proximity to the tracks means that if the sound doesn't wake you up, the rumbling ground will. Every hour through the night," warns Sherri C. about Harper's Ferry Campground. Light sleepers should bring earplugs or choose sites farther from tracks.
Campground sizing: Site dimensions vary significantly. At Harpers Ferry Civil War Battlefields KOA, "Get cozy, the sites are quite small and tightly packed together," notes Matt S. Research site sizes when booking glamping close to Knoxville, Maryland.
Seasonal changes: Most campgrounds operate April through October. "We were there in the days leading up to 4th of July, and there was not a single empty site," reports a camper. Reservations become essential during summer weekends and holidays.
Tips for camping with families
Water features: Swimming options abound for children. At Cunningham Falls State Park, "The beach area at the lake was fantastic! My kids loved it plenty of areas to grill and dogs are allowed," writes Casey L. Natural swimming areas provide alternatives to the Potomac River.
Activity programming: Many campgrounds organize daily events. "They have a great water park, playground and bounce pad feature," notes Beth C. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park. Scheduled activities keep children entertained during downtime at camp.
Emergency planning: Cell service varies widely in the area. "Cell service in the area for both AT&T and Verizon was poor. I do not know if this was due to the terrain or lack of towers," reports Dave B. Parents should plan communication alternatives when camping with children.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites require significant leveling. "Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air," warns Matt S. about Harpers Ferry KOA. RVers should bring extra leveling blocks.
Full hookup locations: Complete services cluster in specific areas. At Little Bennett Campground, "D Loop is for RVs, A, B, C & E are tents only. AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster(1 bar), 8 MB/s with it(2 bars)," notes Ray & Terri F. RVers needing full hookups should specify loop preferences when booking.
Dump station accessibility: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping. "The septic system is the worst I've seen at any campground, basically just a hole flush to the ground with a loose cap on it," reports Thomas B. RVers should plan dump station stops accordingly.
