Tent camping near Port Deposit, Maryland encompasses areas spanning across nearby state lines into Pennsylvania and Delaware, with elevations ranging from near sea level along the Susquehanna River to 300+ feet in surrounding woodlands. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F and camping typically available from March through November. Campgrounds within a 30-mile radius offer different terrain from riverside lowlands to forested highlands.
What to do
Hike diverse trails: Susquehannock State Park provides several scenic trails with river views. According to one camper, "There are amazing wildflowers on that trail. You can bike to the trail from the campground. All downhill. So be ready for the climb back up. One trail has two amazing specimen trees."
Fishing opportunities: Hibernia County Park offers fishing at multiple locations, including a designated children's fishing area. "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," notes one visitor, while another mentions "Hibernia County Park provides access to Brandywine creek and Chambers Lake are there too."
Water activities: Lancaster County Mill Creek Camping Area allows creek access for cooling off during hot weather. A camper reports, "The stream is refreshing and the site stays fairly cool. When it's hits the high temperatures a quick dip in the water is amazing."
Wildlife viewing: Susquehannock State Park offers opportunities to spot local wildlife, particularly birds. One visitor notes, "There's a great bike trail to the Conowingo dam which is a nice place to visit, and a great place to see lots of eagles."
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds offer well-spaced sites for privacy. At Mill Creek Camping Area, "Campgrounds are spaced out large spaces for multiple tents, camping cost $25 a night flat rate, for up to 6 days."
Natural cooling: Stream-side camping provides relief during hot summer months. At Lancaster County Mill Creek, a camper noted, "The stream is refreshing and the site stays fairly cool. When it's hits the high temperatures a quick dip in the water is amazing."
Historical features: Some parks include historical structures. Susquehannock State Park has "a working, renovated mill and home at the river," while Hibernia County Park features "an old mansion that gives tours on weekends."
Variety of terrain: Camping areas offer different environments from wooded to waterfront. At Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park, "I had the best time here hiking up and down the mini mountains. The water was clear and beautiful and I absolutely loved it."
What you should know
Primitive facilities: Many tent campgrounds have minimal amenities. At Hibernia County Park, "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV. If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank."
Weekend-only operation: Some parks have limited availability. As one camper noted about Hibernia County Park, "This campground is only open on the weekends, in season."
Weather considerations: Tent sites can be affected by rain. At Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area, a camper experienced challenges: "One negative was that when it rains it really flushes through the grounds. We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm."
Trail traffic: Some camping areas are located near hiking trails, affecting privacy. At Lancaster County Mill Creek, "The site is public access and there are lots of hikes, joggers, and people expecting you not to be camping. I was woke up every morning by people walking through the site."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Parks with playgrounds and nature programs work best for families. At Blackbird State Forest Campground, families enjoy the spacious setting: "My family had a great time here. The camp sites are spaced out a good amount so each site has good privacy."
Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds require hiking to reach sites. Mill Creek Camping Area requires a walk-in approach, as one visitor notes: "The campground is not a far walk from the parking lot. Great tree coverage."
Educational opportunities: Parks with nature centers provide learning experiences. Patapsco Valley State Park "is, possibly unintentionally, geared toward children. There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center."
Camping near water: Children enjoy stream access at several campgrounds. At Hibernia County Park, "The lake is about a 3 minute hike down the clearly marked trails. Each site has a large picnic table and a fire ring with a built in grill."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most tent camping areas near Port Deposit have few or no RV hookups. At Hibernia County Park, "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV. If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank."
Dump station access: Plan for waste disposal. A camper at Hibernia County Park warns, "There is NO DUMP STATION. There are a few nearby campgrounds that will let you dump for a fee, otherwise, you'll have to look for a truck stop on the way home."
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain. At Hibernia County Park, sites "aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix."
Size restrictions: Most tent campgrounds can accommodate small to medium RVs only. At Hibernia County Park, "though at first glance the sites don't look big enough to house an RV, there are a few sites that will, including #3, #17 & #18 and plenty of sites will fit a small RV or pop up camper."
