Camping options near Buckeystown, Maryland include year-round and seasonal facilities across Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The region sits at the foothills of the Catoctin Mountains with elevations ranging from 300-600 feet, experiencing hot summers and mild springs with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Proximity to three major rivers—the Potomac, Monocacy, and Shenandoah—creates unique riverside camping opportunities with varying terrain conditions.
What to do
**River activities: Access fishing spots along the Potomac River at Brunswick Family Campground, located 20 miles from Buckeystown with direct river access. "The river view was nice... Site was not level and infested with black flies," reports one reviewer who stayed in a Potomac river view site with water and electric hookups.
**Historical exploration: Visit Civil War sites within 30 minutes of most campgrounds in the region. According to a visitor at Gettysburg Campground, "The proximity to Gettysburg National Park can't be beat," noting their site was "level" with "full hookups with cable, all working as expected."
**Hiking options: Access the C&O Canal towpath directly from Brunswick Family Campground for flat, easy walking or biking. A camper mentioned, "Situated on the C&O canal, so you could walk or bike for miles in either direction for hours! Harpers Ferry is only 6 miles away on the trail."
What campers like
**Water access: Many campgrounds feature river frontage for swimming, fishing, or simply enjoying waterfront views. At Harpers Ferry Campground, sites are positioned along the water. "Wonderful tent campground. It is right on the river so you can go swimming right from your campsite!" notes one camper.
**Site spacing: Some parks offer wooded separation between campsites for increased privacy. At Drummer Boy Camping Resort, one visitor appreciated that "Our site was separated from our neighbors site with nice foliage," though they noted "It was pretty full and everyone seemed to have a golf cart."
**Family amenities: Swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities are available at several campgrounds. A visitor to Drummer Boy remarked, "There is a large seasonal section and lots of activities. A yard sale, vendor sale, golf cart parade, as well as other activities going on. The campground offers free mini golf, a pool and a splash pad pool area."
What you should know
**Train noise: Several campgrounds in the region are situated near active train tracks. At Harpers Ferry Campground, a reviewer warned, "The trains that come through here almost hourly range from quick commuter MARC or Amtrak trains to long freight trains. The proximity to the tracks means that if the sound doesn't wake you up, the rumbling ground will. Every hour through the night."
**Tight spaces: Many RV sites require careful maneuvering. At Round Top Campground near Gettysburg, a visitor noted, "Sites are small and tight and some are at strange angles. They do have FHU and 30/50 amp. There are many amenities and a large swimming pool which is great for families."
**Utility placement: Hookup placement may require extensions or special configurations. One camper at Round Top Campground reported, "Septic dump was about 20 feet away and we had to use a extension to get to it."
Tips for camping with families
**Pool access: Several parks feature swimming pools to keep children entertained. At Bull Run Regional Park in Virginia (60 miles from Buckeystown), a visitor mentioned, "They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides. Great family friendly campground."
**Educational opportunities: Combine camping with historical learning at Gettysburg-area campgrounds. "We were looking for a semi-local final fall get-a-way near us. What better location for that than Gettysburg," shared one camper who stayed at Round Top Campground.
**Off-site activities: Multiple attractions within short driving distances provide rainy-day alternatives. A visitor at Bull Run Regional Park explained, "The park has golf frisbe course, decent water park for kids, hiking trails, small creek/river you can explore, playgrounds."
Tips from RVers
**Urban access: For RV camping near Buckeystown with easy access to Washington DC, consider Cherry Hill Park in College Park. "Great for camping if you want to go into Washington DC... No need to drive anywhere, the tour buses pick you up at the park!" according to one camper.
**Leveling requirements: Bring extra leveling blocks for sites with uneven terrain. A visitor to Brunswick Family Campground noted, "Sites on the ends are by far larger than the center," suggesting positioning matters when selecting a site.
**Seasonal considerations: Most RV parks near Buckeystown have limited winter availability. One RVer staying at Drummer Boy Camping Resort in Gettysburg noted they "camped here in May for Memorial Day weekend," mentioning it was "pretty full" suggesting advance reservations are needed for holiday weekends.
