Several campgrounds within driving distance of Reisterstown offer seasonal campsites where advance booking is essential. Most RV accommodations in the region cluster along major travel routes with varying levels of privacy and amenities. The camping season in this area typically runs April through October, with limited winter options available at select locations.
What to do
Explore farm animals: At Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, families can interact with livestock daily. "We LOVED the animals and fed them at the allotted time every morning and went to visit at other times," reports one camper. The working farm setting provides educational opportunities beyond typical camping activities.
Enjoy water activities: Waterfront campsites at Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina provide direct water access. "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," notes a visitor. The park offers boat slips for larger watercraft.
Visit historical sites: The Gettysburg National Military Park sits approximately 10 minutes from many area campgrounds. "It's literally like a mile from downtown Gettysburg, which also has a lot of different things to do," comments one camper about the location. Most historical attractions remain open year-round while campgrounds operate seasonally.
What campers like
Proximity to attractions: Campgrounds in the region provide strategic access to multiple destinations. "Close to Lancaster for necessities and great proximity to Baltimore and Philadelphia for day trips," notes a camper at Thousand Trails Circle M. Sites serve as convenient bases for exploring multiple cities and attractions.
Swimming options: Many parks maintain pools that operate during summer months. "They have a nice looking pool area," mentions a Cherry Hill Park visitor, while another notes that "Pool was clean and quite good sized" at Round Top Campground. Swimming facilities typically close during shoulder seasons.
Recreational activities: On-site entertainment varies widely between parks. "Mini golf along with fishing plus movie night," highlights one camper about Gettysburg Farm. Another mentions that Gettysburg Campground offers "Playground and mini golf available. Close to battlefields."
What you should know
Site conditions: Many campgrounds feature gravel pads with varying degrees of levelness. At Round Top Campground, "Sites have reasonable spacing with gravel pads, mostly level. Trees between sites with sloping hills, not just a big open field." Site topography can present challenges during rainy weather.
Seasonal operational changes: Most facilities reduce services during shoulder seasons. "Off-season so not crowded. Pool was clean and quite good sized, had it to ourselves due to season," reports one camper. Hours and amenity availability vary significantly between peak and off-peak periods.
Noise considerations: Several parks experience external noise pollution. "Road traffic noise," mentions one reviewer, while another notes "highway noise, but easily drowned out with the AC." Sites farther from park entrances typically offer quieter conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Look for activity options: Parks with dedicated children's facilities provide entertainment during downtime. "There is a swimming pool, ball courts, fishing pond, mini golf (which was in pretty sad shape), and more," observed one visitor at Drummer Boy Camping Resort. Activity availability varies seasonally.
Consider playground access: Quality and quantity of play equipment differs significantly between parks. "In a campground that size I would expect at least 2 playgrounds," notes one camper about limited facilities despite the large property size. Sites nearest playgrounds fill quickly during family-oriented weekends.
Check event schedules: Many campgrounds run organized activities on weekends. "They had Halloween ever at every weekend of October and we spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it!!" shares a Circle M visitor. Theme weekends generally require advance booking as they reach capacity quickly.
Tips from RVers
Verify hookup locations: RV sites sometimes feature inconveniently placed connections. "Water and electric are in award spot on our site," mentions one camper, while another notes "sewer hookup was inconveniently placed about six inches above the ground which meant that it would not drain properly." Carrying extension hoses and leveling equipment helps address these challenges.
Consider site angles: Navigation through some parks presents challenges for larger rigs. "The roads are very confusing and difficult to navigate. Many of the sites are on annoying slope where the table/fire pit is not level to the camper," reports one RVer. Arrival during daylight hours helps with site setup and navigation.
Check cellular coverage: Reception varies widely between campgrounds. "Cell coverage was good (att & Verizon), so we had no issues working," reports a visitor to Ben Franklin RV Park. Most parks near Reisterstown offer adequate coverage for basic connectivity needs, but bandwidth may be limited during peak occupancy periods.
