RV camping near Parkton, Maryland offers options for every style, from waterfront lots to farm-based settings. Located in the northern reaches of Maryland's Piedmont region at elevations ranging from 300-500 feet, this area experiences mild springs and colorful fall foliage. Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with limited winter availability at select locations.
What to do
Farm animal interaction: Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm features a working farm where campers can interact with various animals. "We were there around Halloween and they had decorated the park so nicely. The sounds of the farm animals all around was fun and amusing for us. It was an easy hike as suggested on the map to circle around and through the cornfield, you get a great view of the farms nearby and the river," notes a reviewer.
Water recreation: At Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina, water activities dominate. "Camped here at the end of summer, really loved it. Had our kayaks with us and the water wasn't but a few steps away. Some sites you are right on the waters edge," shares one visitor. The campground offers fishing piers and boat slips for those bringing their own vessels.
Historical exploration: The Gettysburg area campgrounds provide convenient access to historical sites. "It's literally like a mile from downtown Gettysburg, which also has a lot of different things to do," reports a camper at Drummer Boy Camping Resort. Many campers use these grounds as a base for battlefield tours, museum visits, and historic town exploration.
What campers like
Family activities: Thousand Trails Circle M earns praise for its variety of activities. "We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it. They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground. We were down by the river and had a lot of room on our site," a reviewer comments. The campground offers planned events throughout the season.
Pool facilities: Many campgrounds in the region maintain both indoor and outdoor pool options for year-round swimming. At Spring Gulch Resort Campground, "Heated spa/pool in upper area are a bonus. Lots of sports gear available for free to use within park, has to be returned by 5 when main office closes."
Clean facilities: Bathhouses receive specific attention in reviews. "We used the bathhouses for our showers and they were much cleaner and better than others we've been in," notes a camper at Drummer Boy Camping Resort. Similarly, at Pinch Pond Family Campground, visitors appreciate that "the ENTIRE campground was extremely clean and tidy."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds in the Parkton area operate seasonally. Spring Gulch Resort is open "Mar 21 - Dec 1," while Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country runs "April 14 to October 29." Some properties like Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm operate from "April 11 to October 26."
Site leveling challenges: Uneven sites appear frequently in reviews of several campgrounds. At Thousand Trails PA Dutch Country, a visitor notes, "Unlevel is an understatement we were in E row and every camper there had front end 4 foot off the ground. Many other sites were the same." Similarly, Spring Gulch receives comments that "lots were a bit uneven, but pull through which was nice."
External noise factors: Some campgrounds have specific noise considerations. At Pinch Pond, "there's a shooting range near the property, so at all hours you will hear target practice going on, especially in the wee early hours." Similarly, PA Dutch Country experiences noise from "the nearby shooting range is incredibly loud."
Tips for camping with families
Playground assessment: When choosing a family-friendly campground, check for playground quality and quantity. A visitor to Gettysburg Farm noted they "LOVED the animals and we fed them at the allotted time every morning and went to visit at other times. Beyond that though, we found there wasn't too much to do. There was a nice little store with hand dipped ice cream... There is also mini golf for a very small fee, though it was a little rough — covered in leaves and twigs."
Swimming options: Pools remain a key amenity for family campers. At Pinch Pond Family Campground, "unlike most campgrounds, the pool stayed open pretty late so that was a huge bonus for me." Some resorts offer multiple pool areas, as one visitor to Drummer Boy notes: "The pool with the slide was very clean."
Seasonal activities: Round Top Campground and other facilities organize themed weekends that appeal to families. "We were looking for a semi-local final fall get-a-way near us. What better location for that than Gettysburg... Like I mentioned above, we were there to relax but also to explore the town and battlefields."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: RVers recommend arriving early at first-come, first-serve campgrounds. "Meaning you have to arrive early in order to get the best spots. They don't reserve sites for you. For everyone complaining about driving around and not finding spots, if you get there early enough around 1 pm, you won't have a problem," advises one RVer at Thousand Trails Hershey.
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entry roads. One reviewer warns, "You have to drive through a residential neighborhood to reach Bar Harbor, so big rigs take care/caution." Others note tight turns or narrow roads at various campgrounds in the region.
Hook-up placement: Utilities placement varies between campgrounds and can impact comfort. "The biggest complaint about our site was that the sewer hookup was inconveniently placed about six inches above the ground which meant that it would not drain properly," reports a camper at Drummer Boy Camping Resort. At Round Top, "Water and electric are in award spot on our site."
