Camping in the Catoctin Mountains near Middletown, Maryland offers diverse experiences at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,900 feet. The region's mixed hardwood forests create a temperate microclimate that's typically 5-10°F cooler than nearby urban areas during summer months. Fall camping season extends longer here than in surrounding areas, with colorful foliage often lasting through early November.
What to do
Hiking to Annapolis Rock: 2+ mile moderate trek from Route 40. This section of the Appalachian Trail rewards with panoramic views at 1,700 feet elevation. "About a dozen campsites to choose, and several group sites. Some fairly private. No camp fires allowed. Short walk to cold natural spring for water. Short walk to Annapolis rock. Rock climbing available," notes a camper at Annapolis Rock Campground.
Exploring historic Harpers Ferry: 5 mile trek on C&O Canal towpath. Brunswick Family Campground provides direct access to this scenic trail route. "Situated next to the river so half of the sites have river views. Nice boat loading ramp and dock for fishing. Half the campground are shaded with trees and half are in more of an open field. 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," reports a visitor.
Paddling the Potomac: Rentals available at multiple locations. At Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders, water activities are steps from your site. "The river views were amazing... The campground cannot do anything about their location along the tracks, but they can control their response time to issues and the cleanliness of their bathrooms," notes a recent reviewer describing the waterfront experience.
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: 150+ campsites across multiple loops. Cunningham Falls State Park offers varied camping environments. "There are 149 sites to choose from, yes...149...in five different loops that continue to wind their way up the mountain. There are very few electric sites on the three lower loops, the fourth loop is all electric sites, but water is relegated to water spigots...3 to 4 spaced out in each loop," explains a reviewer at Houck - Cunningham Falls State Park.
Privacy between glamping accommodations: Natural barriers maintained. Little Bennett Campground prioritizes site separation. "This is our second time here. This place is quiet the spaces are big. They can accommodate large campers, ours is 35 ft. Tent camping have big areas. Lost of nature trails," shares a visitor about the glamping close to Middletown, Maryland.
River access for cooling off: Easy entry points for swimming. Brunswick Family Campground offers direct Potomac River access. "I found this campground to be very nice it's a small family owned campground. The store is very small and it's in a travel trailer so there's not much selection there is ice and firewood for sale. What is amazing is that 100 yards from here campsite may be a little more for further out but the Shanandoah river parallels the campground. The river is beautifully clean clear and cool," describes an enthusiastic camper at Brunswick Family Campground.
What you should know
Train noise affects multiple riverside campgrounds: Hourly freight service. Several locations sit adjacent to active rail lines. "A friend and I chose this campground because of its right-on-the-river sites... When we arrived we noticed that the campsites are one on top of the other in a row along the access road and the river. The river views were amazing, but face the other way and you're looking at a 15 or so foot CSX rail line berm. The trains that come through here almost hourly range from quick commuter MARC or Amtrak trains to long freight trains."
Seasonal operation limitations: Most close October 31. Many glamping facilities near Middletown adjust availability based on weather. "Sweet Little Spot. This was the first site we took kiddos to and it was a fun little trip. The aforementioned Falls were busy and viewing was a bit rough between crowds and a beehive. The Lower Falls Trail is short but great for younger kids and we saw lots of dogs which was lovely. Next time we'll plan to check out the lake which looked pretty great," reports a visitor at Cunningham Falls State Park Manor Area.
Crowded weekend conditions: Advance reservations essential. Popular sites fill months ahead, especially for luxury glamping options. "This is a very busy campground and I was advised it normally sells out on weekends, so securing a site in advance is wise."
Tips for camping with families
Water features for kids: Swimming areas with beach access. Cunningham Falls State Park offers lake activities during summer. "My family and I have been coming here every year since I was young and it is my absolute favorite place to camp. Great campsites- whether you have a tent or a big Class A, lots of well-maintained hiking trails of varying difficulty, lots of activities and amenities, there's just SO much here!"
Scheduled activities: Ranger-led programs at multiple parks. Seasonal educational programs complement glamping experiences. "During peak season, there are nature programs going on."
Family-friendly amenities: Playgrounds and activity centers. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Williamsport MD delivers extensive recreation options. "We recent went camping for the first time at Jellystone in Maryland. 5 of our 6 kids came with us, so we knew we needed to find a camping ground more geared kids. Jellystone was amazing in every way possible. The kids were never bored and had so much fun. Us, as adults, were also never bored. We are definitely going back. Camping ground was clean, staff was nice and tons of fun activities."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Limited at state parks. Research utilities before booking luxury glamping sites. "We stayed at site D72 for 4 days. 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. 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," reports a visitor at Little Bennett Campground.
Site leveling challenges: Bring additional blocks. Some premium locations require stabilization. "Heads up, big rig owners! Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site(#199) had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air. The nice staff kindly moved us to a FHU site without the patio and furniture. And refunded the difference in price for the lesser site."
Connectivity varies widely: Research specific loops. Cell service patterns differ between campgrounds near Middletown. "No WIFI. Cell service was fairly consistent."
