Camping near Phoenix, Maryland offers a mix of wooded and open sites within the rolling hills of Baltimore County. The area sits at approximately 400 feet elevation with moderate summer temperatures typically ranging from 75-85°F during peak season. Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with limited winter camping options near major highways.
What to Do
Fishing opportunities: Codorus State Park Campground provides access to a large lake for anglers. "The lake is beautiful and the trail around the lake is nice. Staff was friendly. A nice park to go to if you just want to rest around the camp fire," notes a visitor to Codorus State Park Campground.
Historical exploration: Within Susquehanna State Park, campers can visit historical structures. "There is a historic area in the park, with a working grist mill, mansion and other little buildings to view. The views of the river are really nice from here," shares a camper at Susquehanna State Park Campground.
Water activities: Multiple area parks offer water-based recreation beyond swimming. "You can bring your own boat (gas allowed) or rent one from their marina. There is no swimming allowed in the lake but there is a pool located at the park, there is no extra cost to use the pool if you are at the campground," explains a visitor about Gifford Pinchot State Park.
What Campers Like
Spacious, private sites: Many campsites in the region provide good separation between neighbors. "The sites were a little close together but still plenty of room. The pool and playground were very clean and well taken care of. There was a huge wood pile and it was only $10 per wheelbarrow full," notes a camper at Tucquan Park Family Campground.
Clean facilities: Area campgrounds maintain good bathroom facilities. "Bath house was immaculate; by far the cleanest I have ever seen in a campground. Must have been recently renovated," reports a visitor to Susquehanna State Park.
Family activities: Campgrounds provide structured events for different age groups. "We stayed here this past Easter and they had plenty of activities for kids and adults. Easter egg hunts for kids, adult scavenger hunts for alcohol. Wonderful experience for the whole family," notes a camper at Merry Meadows Recreation Farm.
What You Should Know
Reservation requirements: Securing spots at popular campgrounds requires advance planning. "Advance reservations are a must — this place books up fast!" advises a camper at Merry Meadows Recreation Farm.
Seasonal accessibility: Most parks operate on limited schedules. "Stayed at site #3, it had a nice huge concrete pad and fire ring. We set-up our new tree tent behind the actual campsite and it worked perfectly," shares a camper at Susquehanna State Park, which operates from March 31 to October 29.
Glamping close to Phoenix, Maryland: For those seeking upscale camping experiences, Ramblin' Pines offers premium accommodations open year-round. "The place was nice, lots for kids to do, plenty if shaded spots! Nice pool... they even allowed us to store the camper while we took a cruise out of Baltimore!" explains a visitor.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Select sites near play areas for convenience. "We loved the peace and quiet, the restrooms were clean and tidy, the usable sites all looked nice. The pool area seemed like the place to be," notes a visitor to Merry Meadows Recreation Farm.
Swimming options: Check pool policies before booking with young children. "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," advises a camper at Washington DC/Capitol KOA.
Kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer structured programming. "This campground features an amazing playground, a pond, a beautiful pool, a rec room, a wonderful hiking trail, and a basketball court," shares a visitor to Tucquan Park Family Campground.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Several parks offer complete amenities for larger rigs. "Sites are full hook up with about 5 tent sites. All are pretty much level. Close to shopping if needed," reports a visitor to Lums Pond State Park Campground.
Site selection considerations: Specific areas within campgrounds offer better RV accommodations. "If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy," notes a camper at Washington DC/Capitol KOA about glamping near Phoenix, Maryland options.
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require equipment for proper setup. "The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back. That was a bonus," mentions a camper at Lums Pond State Park Campground.
