Camping sites near Point of Rocks, Maryland lie at the convergence of the Potomac River and Catoctin Mountain, with elevations ranging from 240 to 500 feet. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes, with summer temperatures typically reaching 85-95°F and winter lows often dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October with limited winter availability at select locations.
What to do
Hiking on the Catoctin Trail: Gambrill State Park offers challenging hiking with connections to the Appalachian Trail. "The hike from visitor center to AT is steep and rocky," notes one camper at Gambrill State Park Campground.
Fishing along the Potomac: Multiple access points provide opportunities to fish. A visitor to Antietam Creek Campground mentioned, "Site 11 had its own path down to the Potomac River. The Potomac is mostly flat with some 'swirlies' for experienced paddlers. I also saw some people tubing."
Tubing and paddling: Shenandoah River access makes for great water recreation. "The river is beautifully clean clear and cool," notes a Brunswick Family Campground visitor who added, "there wasn't much late night going on it seemed all the campers for the most part were turned in by 11."
Historic exploration: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is within minutes of several camping areas. "The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Visitor Center is literally next door. Harpers Ferry Lower Town and Bolivar Heights are a few minutes by car," according to a visitor at Harpers Ferry KOA.
What campers like
River access: Multiple sites offer direct water access. At Brunswick Family Campground, a camper remarked, "The Shenandoah runs pretty close to the campground. We had a great view of the river which was just a short walk away. You can walk down into the river or go up river some to go tubing!"
Natural surroundings: The wooded settings provide shade and privacy at many sites. A camper at Greenbrier State Park noted, "Almost all sites were nice and shaded. Big, immaculately groomed tent pads. Mostly tent campers!"
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses. "Bathroom facilities were close enough and had hot and cold water, showers, flush toilets, and showers. All were spotless," reported a Greenbrier State Park camper.
Convenience to trails: Direct access to hiking and biking paths is highly rated. A visitor to Little Bennett Campground shared, "There is a very nice network of trails, most if not all were leashed dog friendly."
What you should know
Train noise considerations: CSX rail lines run near several campgrounds. "The CSX railroad runs pretty close it's not super loud just wanted to make you aware," warned a Brunswick Family Campground camper. Another visitor noted, "Noise from nearby train tracks impacts sleep quality at several campgrounds."
Seasonal water availability: Water systems may shut down during colder months. At Cunningham Falls State Park, water is "relegated to water spigots...3 to 4 spaced out in each loop," according to one camper who added, "gathering downed firewood is permitted."
Site privacy varies: Some campgrounds offer more separation between sites than others. "Sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service," noted a Little Bennett camper, while at other locations "the sites are quite small and tightly packed together."
Weekend crowds: Popular areas fill quickly, especially during summer. A Greenbrier State Park visitor warned, "The beach by the lake is PACKED every weekend with day trippers," while another mentioned, "When we pulled the rangers where blocking traffic to the park. They said that the park was full."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Lake facilities provide supervised swimming areas. "The beach area at the lake was fantastic! My kids loved it, plenty of areas to grill and dogs are allowed," shared a Cunningham Falls State Park visitor.
Kid-friendly trails: Several parks have accessible hiking paths for young children. "The trails are well-kept and the scenery remains as natural as possible. The 3-yo had no issues on the trails," noted campers at Cunningham Falls State Park.
Playground facilities: Some campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Harpers Ferry KOA, visitors found "amenities for kids were incredible, with arts/crafts, a movie theatre, an arcade, nice playground, and jumping pillow."
Nature programs: Educational activities run at select parks. A visitor to Cunningham Falls mentioned, "During peak season, there are nature programs going on," providing structured activities for younger campers.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Many campgrounds have length restrictions. "We have a 34' travel trailer and although the site was narrow, it was easily long enough to fit our needs," reported an RVer at Harpers Ferry KOA.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven sites at some locations. "Heads up, big rig owners! Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air," warned a visitor to Harpers Ferry KOA.
Limited hookup options: Full-service sites are scarce in some parks. "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," noted a Little Bennett camper.
Narrow access roads: Some campgrounds have challenging entries for larger rigs. At several locations, campers reported that "roads were very narrow and winding," making navigation difficult for large motorhomes or travel trailers with inexperienced drivers.
