Camping near Simpsonville, Maryland offers diverse options within the Piedmont region, where rolling hills meet suburban convenience. Located in Howard County at an elevation of about 400 feet, the area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures typically ranging from 70-90°F. Most local campgrounds remain open from April through October, though some offer year-round accommodations.
What to do
Hiking on established trails: Little Bennett Campground features a network of well-maintained trails through its 3,700-acre park. "There is a very nice network of trails, most if not all were leashed dog friendly," notes a visitor at Little Bennett Campground.
Fishing and water recreation: Bull Run Regional Park offers water activities that complement land-based camping. "The park is nice, but if you're looking for fishing don't go here, but you can in fact kayak down the creek," mentions a review from Bull Run Regional Park.
Historical exploration: The area's rich Civil War history provides educational opportunities. "Harpers Ferry is great. Most of the shops and restaurants were open and great," reports a camper who stayed at Harpers Ferry KOA while exploring nearby historical sites.
Mini golf and recreational activities: Many campgrounds offer on-site activities. "They have mini golf but that is in need of some love just a little clean up of pine needs really. Otherwise the grounds are well maintained," states a Ramblin' Pines visitor.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Merry Meadows Recreation Farm offers sites with natural separation. "The resort is spacious, scattered throughout the woods. The RV sites are comfortable with all the amenities," shares a satisfied camper at Merry Meadows Recreation Farm.
Clean facilities: Maintaining hygiene standards matters to campers. "The bathhouse is clean and well maintained," notes a visitor to Bull Run, while another camper at Codorus State Park Campground praises "Paved sites, modern, clean bathrooms."
Convenience to attractions: Location near major cities ranks high. "Centrally located between Annapolis, Baltimore, and DC. This trip we spent most of our time in DC and only went to Annapolis one night," comments a Washington DC/Capitol KOA visitor.
Value-added amenities: Extras enhance the camping experience. "You get what you pay for. This campground has so much to offer... 50 amp hook-up, Water, Sewer, Playground, Mini Golf, Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Basketball court," states a Cherry Hill Park reviewer.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Peak season fills quickly, especially at popular sites. "Advance reservations are a must — this place books up fast!" cautions a Merry Meadows visitor.
Price variations: Expect different rates based on residency and amenities. "Out-of-state campers pay higher camping fee than Maryland residents, $66/night. No senior or veteran discount," notes a Little Bennett camper.
Site conditions: Not all sites are created equal. "Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site(#199) had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air," warns a visitor to Harpers Ferry KOA.
Weather preparedness: Local conditions can impact your stay. "When the rains came and everything turned into mud. We had a rug laid down, but the mud and water worked its way through that," explains a Harpers Ferry KOA camper.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Schedule around campground events. "They had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend, they had an outdoor movie scheduled for Friday night, a campfire story time scheduled for Saturday night and crafts scheduled for Sunday morning," shares a Pohick Bay Campground visitor.
Playground proximity: Sites near play areas benefit families with children. "Our site was close to the bath, a trail head, and field where we lay in the sun and played frisbee," notes a Codorus visitor.
Recreational options: Multiple activities keep children engaged. "For the most part we didn't notice any that really seem to be right on top of each other, but we think the site we got was the best one in the park. We were in 132, which was huge and had nice open flat areas for the tent," adds another Codorus camper.
Bathroom facilities: Clean, accessible restrooms matter for families. "I'll go again just for the showers. The best review I can give us of the bathrooms... Locking doors, individual stalls. Best camping showers I've ever had," states a Bull Run visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose based on size and slope. "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," advises an experienced RVer from Little Bennett.
Hookup quality: Check utility connections before setup. "Site#D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back. Site#D69 gravel parking pad," another Little Bennett camper notes.
Navigation challenges: Narrow roads can pose problems. "All roads were very narrow and winding. We did fine with the pup, but can't imagine trying to navigate a large motorhome through there," warns a Harpers Ferry KOA visitor.
Accessibility: Consider location for day trips. "This is our local campground and our second time here and we really like it. It has a pool, jump pillow, mini golf, fishing pond, barnyard with goats, and multiple playgrounds," shares a Ramblin' Pines camper.
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