Tent camping near Pylesville, Maryland offers several rustic options in the mid-Atlantic Piedmont region, where elevations range from 400 to 800 feet. The area typically experiences humid summers with temperatures averaging in the 80s and moderate winters with occasional snow. Fall camping is particularly popular due to colorful foliage and decreased humidity from September through early November.
What to do
Wildlife viewing at Susquehannock State Park Campground: The park offers several trails with opportunities to spot native wildlife. "There are some excellent views of the Susquehanna River," notes reviewer Tom F. The park features a variety of hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty.
Biking to Conowingo Dam: Susquehannock State Park Campground provides access to a scenic bike trail. "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. 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," advises David G.
Hiking through historic sites: Hibernia County Park offers trails that connect to cultural points of interest. "The park is beautiful. Walking/hiking trails and the lake were super peaceful," writes Chelsea. The park also features a historic mansion that "gives tours on weekends," according to Jim N.
What campers like
Cool stream settings: Mill Creek Camping Area provides creekside sites that help moderate summer heat. "The stream is refreshing and the site stays fairly cool. When it hits the high temperatures a quick dip in the water is amazing," reports Philip B. These sites are particularly valued during July and August when temperatures can reach the 90s.
Spacious camping areas: Many campers appreciate the generous site dimensions at Hibernia County Park. "Large campsites at the Lake Loop. Map is a little deceiving - the sites are farther from the lake than I expected," notes Chelsea. Most sites accommodate multiple tents with room to spread out.
Wooded privacy: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area offers a forested camping experience with good site separation. "This is a small gem of a state park campground, one of only two in the massive Patapsco Valley State Park. It's a bit odd getting here through a suburban neighborhood, but the Hilton area is great," explains Sean M. The campground layout provides natural screening between most sites.
What you should know
Weather impacts: Prepare for variable conditions when tent camping at Patapsco Valley. "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 and it was very wet even after the rain died down," warns Alexandra T.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Restroom accessibility differs significantly between campgrounds. "There are only pit toilets in Fiddler's loop, however there is a bathroom with running water, flush toilets and electric outlets (no shower) within walking distance of the loop," explains Jennifer S. about Hibernia County Park.
Tent pad surfaces: Many campgrounds feature crushed stone pads rather than soil. "The crushed stone at the sites isn't comfortable for tents, and they won't let you pitch it on the ground, so bring extra pads and alternative ways to secure the tent to the ground," advises Sean M. about Patapsco Valley State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Blackbird State Forest Campground offers spacious sites suitable for families. "Each site has a fire pit, a grill, and two tables with a decent amount of space for tents," notes a reviewer named Blind. The campground features eight well-spaced sites that provide privacy for family groups.
Playground access: The Hilton entrance of Patapsco Valley State Park caters specifically to children. "The Hilton entrance of Patapsco Valley Park is perfect for keeping the kids entertained. There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park," shares Angel G. Note that the playground is "not within walking distance for little kids but it's a very short drive by the entrance to the park," adds Alexandra T.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer fishing suitable for young anglers. "Great children's pond for 12 and under. Brandywine creek and Chambers Lake are there too," says John Z. about Hibernia County Park. The children's pond is stocked regularly, making it more likely for kids to experience successful catches.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Lancaster County Mill Creek Camping Area and several other nearby campgrounds have few amenities for RVs. "Nice little RV Park if your goal is to be in town & close to the amusement park. Amenities need attention," notes Mary Elisabeth D. Most tent-focused campgrounds in the region have no electric or water hookups at individual sites.
Site leveling challenges: RV campers should be prepared to level their vehicles at these campgrounds. "They aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix," advises Jennifer S. about certain sites at Hibernia County Park. Bringing leveling blocks is recommended for most locations.
Size restrictions: Most campgrounds near Pylesville have limitations on RV length. "I wouldn't attempt to park an RV up there," warns Jennifer S. about certain loops at Hibernia County Park. However, she notes sites #3, #17 and #18 can accommodate larger units including her 28-foot fifth wheel.
