Glamping options near New Windsor extend beyond the well-known sites at Ramblin' Pines and Little Bennett Campground. The region sits within the Piedmont Plateau at elevations between 300-800 feet, creating moderate temperatures that average 74°F in summer and 34°F in winter. Seasonal changes significantly impact camping conditions, with spring bringing muddy terrain and fall offering peak foliage viewing from mid-October through early November.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Codorus State Park Campground offers a 43-acre lake where camping families can fish throughout their stay. According to a visitor, "Nice campground. Very clean facilities. We typically stay in the primitive tent loop which is right on the lake. It can get a little busy on the weekends since there is a boat launch at the end of the primitive lane, but some of the sites are secluded/set back enough to be private."
Horseback tours: Artillery Ridge Campground provides unique horseback battlefield tours directly from the campground. A camper noted, "Amazing location surrounded by the national park. The grounds are nice and shaded, and you don't feel crowded... You can take guided tours of the battlefield on horseback."
Historical explorations: Located just 35 miles from Little Bennett Campground, Harper's Ferry National Historical Park offers day trip opportunities. According to a reviewer, "This is a good regional campground with activities for kids on special days. Took our grand daughter there for her first camping trip and she loved the bouncing strawberry and the hikes."
Miniature golf: Multiple campgrounds in the region feature mini-golf courses, providing family entertainment without leaving the grounds. A visitor to Merry Meadows noted, "This campground has lots to offer they have upgraded many of the activities such as miniature golf and the pool area looks great."
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Cunningham Falls State Park offers well-separated sites with natural surroundings. A camper shared, "I stayed at Cunningham Falls State Park a few weeks ago and the campground was very good with lots to do hikes, swimming etc. But last night I stayed at same state forest but 4 miles away the Cunningham Falls State Park Manor Area. I haven't seen this much space between campsites in a long time."
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds receive praise for their well-maintained amenities. At Gettysburg Campground, a visitor noted, "Nice quiet place to camp. Just as all the other reviews say it's a great place to stay. Quiet clean and the occasional drop of nuts from squirrels but not a big deal."
Farm animal interactions: Many glamping locations offer animal experiences not mentioned in traditional campground listings. A guest at Granite Hill Camping Resort commented, "We've been here a few times and only choose this campground. Everyone from the campers to the staff are inviting and friendly."
Weekend events: Seasonal programming extends beyond October at many locations. According to a Gettysburg Battlefield Resort visitor, "During the summer they have different themed weekends and fun activities for the whole family. In the fall they have Halloween weekends. Their pool is fantastic and so is the playground for the kids."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most glamping sites require advance planning, especially during peak seasons. A visitor to Codorus State Park noted, "I was advised it normally sells out on weekends, so securing a site in advance is wise."
Electrical considerations: For glamping tents with electrical needs, check the amp service available. A Cunningham Falls camper reported, "Cell service doesn't work, electric hook ups only. This state park is beautiful and off the grid! We love hiking to the falls, swimming in the lake, visiting Misty Meadow farm and creamery, and relaxing!"
Site privacy variations: Merry Meadows Recreation Farm offers both wooded and open sites for different glamping preferences. A reviewer explained, "Wooded sites, open sites, tent sites. All great! The resort is spacious, scattered throughout the woods."
Seasonal closures: While some glamping sites operate year-round, others have limited seasons. A camper at Little Bennett noted, "Out-of-state campers pay higher camping fee than Maryland residents, $66/night. No senior or veteran discount."
Tips for camping with families
Age-appropriate activities: Campgrounds like Gettysburg Battlefield Resorts offer structured activities for different age groups. A visitor shared, "The resort had great amenities for all ages. We stayed in October so there was plenty of activities for kids from crafts, games, dancing, to trick or treating. The resort ensured safety for the kids during trick or treating and closed all vehicle traffic for 2 hours."
Playground proximity: Consider site location relative to play areas when booking glamping with children. A camper at Granite Hill noted, "We stayed in the 'C' row site. Great shade and access to the playground. You can let the kids play all day while sitting at your campsite cooking and just hanging. It's only 15 yards for the play set."
Weather preparations: Glamping structures offer varying levels of weather protection. According to a Cunningham Falls visitor, "We liked camping here and plan to eventually return. Our experience was rainy, but it was fun regardless. Nice park with hike to the waterfalls, swimming in the lake and playground."
Safety considerations: Some glamping sites have terrain challenges for small children. A Little Bennett reviewer advised, "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."
Tips from RVers
Leveling needs: Glamping units on permanent sites are typically level, but RV sites may require equipment. A visitor to Artillery Ridge warned, "Make sure to bring your leveling blocks, some sites do have a slope to them of 3-4"."
Hookup locations: At some campgrounds, utilities are positioned in non-standard locations. As one Granite Hill camper noted, "The hookups are oddly spaced and you need to ensure you have extentions handy. My electric hookup didn't work on 30A."
Signal strength: Cell reception varies widely between glamping locations. At Little Bennett, a reviewer reported, "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."
Water access: Not all glamping sites include water service. A Codorus camper mentioned, "I stay here for my first camp out with my new camper. No water but the bath house was close and very clean."
