Best Campgrounds near Oldtown, MD
The Appalachian foothills surrounding Oldtown, Maryland feature a mix of state parks, forests, and riverside campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Rocky Gap State Park Campground, located about 20 miles northwest of Oldtown, offers tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts around a scenic lake. Green Ridge State Forest provides more primitive camping experiences with dispersed sites that require registration at the main office. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park maintains several small campgrounds along the Potomac River, including Fifteen Mile Campground and Paw Paw Tunnel Campground, which primarily accommodate tent campers. Private campgrounds like Cumberland Campgrounds and Ridge Rider Campground supplement these public options with full hookup sites for RVs.
Camping reservations are essential during summer months, particularly for weekend stays at Rocky Gap State Park where sites can fill months in advance. According to one camper, "Weekends fill up quick and getting a holiday site is best if you plan MONTHS ahead." Most campgrounds in the region are open from April through October, though Green Ridge State Forest offers year-round camping. Maryland's "can't bring your own firewood" policy applies throughout the area to prevent pest introduction, with bundles available for purchase at camp stores. Cell service varies significantly, with better coverage at developed campgrounds near Interstate 68 and spotty reception in more remote forest locations. Western Maryland's bear country requires proper food storage at all camping locations.
Waterfront sites receive consistently high ratings from visitors, particularly at Rocky Gap State Park where the lake offers swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating. "The beach area here is, by far, my favorite in the area," notes one reviewer. "There is a roped off area for swimming, an area for dogs and an area for fishing." Campers frequently mention the well-maintained bathhouses and dish washing stations at state park facilities. Green Ridge State Forest appeals to those seeking solitude, with one visitor noting that the "dispersed campsites offer great privacy. All are roadside, but plenty are tucked away so you feel alone in the woods." Poison ivy is commonly reported around campsite edges throughout the region, particularly in more primitive camping areas. Highway noise can be noticeable at some Rocky Gap sites despite the otherwise natural setting.
