Glamping close to Milford Mill, Maryland offers unique accommodations in a region characterized by rolling hills and moderate seasonal changes. Located within the Patapsco River watershed, this area experiences distinct seasons with humid summers reaching 85-90°F and winters that typically stay above freezing. Most glamping options sit at elevations between 400-600 feet, providing good drainage during spring rainfall.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Gifford Pinchot State Park has two 18-hole disc golf courses with different difficulty levels. "The Conewago day use area is relatively flat, whereas the Quaker Race course is built into the side of the hill leading into the QR day use area, so it is a lot more wooded and hillier," explains one visitor to Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Cast a line at multiple locations around Susquehanna State Park. "We hiked back to the campground from here, which was a nice easy-to-moderate trail. The beginning was pretty rough for me, since I was wearing my infant son while navigating an uphill trail, but it quickly evened out. There are also plenty of areas to stop along the road in the campground, with access to the creek for wading," notes a camper at Susquehanna State Park Campground.
Nature trails exploration: Little Bennett Campground features extensive hiking networks through mature forest. "There is a very nice network of trails, most if not all were leashed dog friendly," reports a visitor. Trails range from beginner-friendly to more challenging terrain, with most trails under 3 miles in length.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural spacing at Codorus State Park. "There are some in wide-open park-like settings, and some that are treed. For the most part we didn't notice any that really seem to be right on top of each other," says a visitor to Codorus, who added that site 132 "was huge and had nice open flat areas for the tent."
Clean facilities: Merry Meadows Recreation Farm maintains well-kept restrooms and common areas. "The restrooms were clean and tidy, the usable sites all looked nice," reports a recent camper. Another visitor notes, "I had trouble with my electric and Lenny the maintenance man was on the job within 15 minutes and had it fixed in the rain at that."
Family activities: Cherry Hill Park offers numerous amenities for families seeking upscale glamping near Milford Mill. "Just can't be beat. Great sites. So many other things in the park. Splash pad, paved roads for scootering. Just awesome!" shares one enthusiastic visitor. Another notes the "nice looking pool area" and that "the shop was cute and staff nice."
What you should know
Reservation timing: During peak seasons (May-September), book sites at least 3-4 months in advance, particularly for weekend stays. Most campgrounds release reservations 6-12 months ahead.
Site selection considerations: Campsite terrain varies significantly throughout the region. "The site we originally picked was advertised as 'partially shaded' but when we got there we found one small tree per site in a grass field. But on the way in we noticed there are lots of wooded sites, and asked to move," explains a camper at Codorus State Park Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Several campgrounds operate with limited amenities in off-peak times. "I wish there was a little bit more room in between the campers for privacy but it did not hurt our stay. This campground is very close to DC and you are able to ride the metro bus right from the campground," notes a visitor to Cherry Hill Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Sites near recreation areas can be convenient but noisier. "I didn't like that non potty trained kids are not allowed to swim in their pool. Luckily we only have a 9 month old currently that isn't potty trained so she didn't care if she was in the pool or not but I could see where it would be a problem," advises a visitor to Washington DC / Capitol KOA.
Water activities: Several campgrounds offer both swimming pools and water access points. "They have a pool, jump pillow, mini golf, fishing pond, barnyard with goats, and multiple playgrounds," says a Ramblin' Pines visitor about the facility's family-friendly amenities.
Multi-generational amenities: Look for campgrounds with diverse activities for different age groups. "This is our local campground and our second time here and we really like it," notes a Ramblin' Pines visitor, highlighting how the range of options keeps various family members engaged.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. "Site #D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back," advises an RVer about their stay at Little Bennett Campground.
Hookup variations: Water and electric service can vary between loops and sites. "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup. D Loop is for RVs, A, B, C& E are tents only," explains a Little Bennett camper, highlighting the importance of checking specific site amenities.
Connectivity considerations: Cell coverage and internet access varies widely in the region. "AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster(1 bar), 8 MB/s with it(2 bars). There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy. OTA TV was descent using an external omni antenna. There is no WiFi," notes an RVer at Little Bennett Campground.
