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Camping near Swanton, MD

167 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    Western Maryland's Swanton area features several state parks and forests with diverse camping options within the Appalachian highlands. Deep Creek Lake State Park, located directly in Swanton, offers tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts with seasonal availability from April 15 to December 15. Nearby Big Run State Park provides more primitive tent-only camping year-round, with sites positioned along streams and near the reservoir for paddling access. Within a short drive, campers can reach Swallow Falls State Park with its level, forested sites and proximity to Maryland's highest waterfall, Muddy Creek Falls. Savage River State Forest extends the camping options with more secluded sites spaced far apart along park roads, offering a more remote experience.

    Most campgrounds in the region require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. As one camper noted, "Remember Western Maryland is bear country, but also deer, eagle, hawk, and plenty of fish." Winter camping is limited, with many facilities closing between December and April. Poison ivy is common throughout the area, requiring caution when walking through vegetation. Maryland's "can't bring your own firewood" policy applies to most state parks to prevent pest introduction. Cell service varies by location but is generally reliable near developed campgrounds. Summer temperatures typically remain moderate with highs rarely exceeding 85°F, while afternoon rain showers are common in the mountains.

    The waterfront camping experiences receive consistently high ratings from visitors, particularly for family outings. "The lake is absolutely beautiful and perfect for all types of water sports. It's great for all ages," reported one Deep Creek Lake camper. Bathhouses at most developed campgrounds are well-maintained, with several reviewers noting their cleanliness. Site privacy varies considerably, with some campgrounds offering well-spaced sites separated by vegetation while others place campsites closer together. Fishing opportunities abound, with bass being commonly caught in Deep Creek Lake. Hiking trails connect many campgrounds to natural features, with Swallow Falls offering easy trails suitable for children leading to multiple waterfalls and swimming holes along the Youghiogheny River.

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    Best Campgrounds near Swanton (167)

      1. Swallow Falls State Park Campground

      4.8(24)10mi from SwantonRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Thirdly, the campground was so close to the nature that we wanted to see. We went to see the falls and they were within walking distance from our campsite. Overall, it was an awesome place to camp."

      "Camp ground was just a few minute drive away from the entrance to the trail. Trails were easy enough for kids. Camp site itself was nice and clean but felt a little too close to each other."

      from $22 - $33 / night

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      2. Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground

      4.6(16)6mi from SwantonRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Camp site(Tent camping) Camp site was pretty small and close to each other. The forest where the camp site was situated was beautiful."

      "The lake is absolutely beautiful and perfect for all types of water sports. It's great for all ages as well, with things to do to keep everybody entertained. The fishing was a lot of fun as well."

      from $21 - $65 / night

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      3. Savage River State Forest

      4.6(18)13mi from SwantonRVs, Tents

      "This was a beautiful state forest, with two state parks sort of bordering it (Big Run & New Germany). The roads were all paved which was nice."

      "Very remote western Maryland Appalachia. Sites are right off park road, are huge, rustic, and spaced very far apart from other sites. River runs along the sites."

      4. New Germany State Park Campground

      4.2(13)13mi from SwantonRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "New Germany State Park is a pleasant location with a small lake for swimming and kayaking, as well as numerous trails in the wooded mountains of western Maryland."

      "New Germany State Park is situated in Garrett County Maryland. The park has a small lake, a few trails, and two camping loops."

      from $18 - $117 / night

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      5. Robert W. Craig - Jennings Randolph Lake

      4.4(7)7mi from Swanton68 sitesRVs, Tents

      "General: Smallish (68 sites) campground near Jennings Randolph Lake, which is not directly accessible from the campground (you need to drive there)."

      "Drinking water right next to the site (37) as well as a trail to a restroom - I think there's a shower on the other loop/section.  22 for a basic (non-electric) tent site."

      from $22 - $60 / night

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      6. Big Run State Park Campground

      4.5(6)8mi from SwantonTents

      "This is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds."

      "You have to know what you're getting here - there ARE campsites with amenities, near water and bathrooms, but not all of them have the amenities. "

      from $10 - $55 / night

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      7. Blackwater Falls State Park Campground

      4.4(55)27mi from SwantonRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "Like many state park campgrounds, each of the campsites are not that dispersed, so you will be right next to everyone else."

      "Our site was near the edge of the campground, which is basically a large grassy area with a bathroom in the middle of the loop."

      from $50 / night

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      8. Middle Ridge Campground

      4.8(26)23mi from Swanton16 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "It is not near a main highway unless you call Route 50 through Romney a main highway. It is west of town up a curved mountain road. It is on the top area of "Middle Ridge" mountain. "

      "Very positive experience."

      9. Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park

      4.5(84)32mi from Swanton242 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Very close to two Frank Lloyd Wright properties– Kentuck Knob and the more widely known Falling Waters."

      "Options to get there include the steep walking trail where bikes are allowed to be walked but not ridden, riding the 3.5 miles along the road, also very steep, or taking a shuttle from downtown Ohiopyle"

      from $24 - $80 / night

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      10. Wallman/Laurel Run - Potomac State Forest

      5.0(2)8mi from SwantonRVs, Tents

      "Far enough away from the next campsite to enjoy peace and seclusion. Next to a crik for those nighttime lullabies"

      from $5 - $20 / night

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    Recent Reviews near Swanton, MD

    998 Reviews of 167 Swanton Campgrounds


    • E
      Jul. 29, 2026

      Rocky Gap State Park Campground

      Wonderful family campground

      We had a delightful 2 night stay at Rocky Gap in the Dogwood loop. This campsite was beautiful, well maintained and clean, with great access from our area in Dogwood to both the trails and the beach. The campsite itself was a large pull-through, wooded site, that accommodated our big tent and glamping set up for a family of four. The beach was adorable, with a snack bar, playground, nature center and camp store, and I loved that it was only for the campground's use. We took the lake trail walk one day and got to see the campsites that are right across from the lake with amazing views! Minor complaints are that you can hear the roadway from the campsite (didn't really bother us, just noting it) and there's not a ton of privacy in the campground. Neither of these things detracted from our enjoyment of the park and campground though!

    • CThe Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 25, 2026

      Brooklyn Heights Riverfront Campground

      Peaceful and spacious

      Stayed with friends at RV6. Non electric spot but huge with a nice fireplace and benches. No picnic table but great views of the river and the peaceful sounds of flowing water. Only toilet facility is an outside port-o-potty but they have spray, tp, hand sanitizer and seems well kept.

    • PThe Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 22, 2026

      Laurel Hill State Park Campground

      Nice weekend getaway.

      We had a great stay. Well manicured grounds. Lots of fallen trees from recent weather. Bathrooms could be cleaner. The camp hosts are awesome people. The area is quiet and peaceful. Lots of bike trails. Lake nice with swimming. Not crowded. Very family oriented. Playgrounds scattered around the campground in really good shape. We stayed at site 173. I loved it. Private. Had a little stream that ran behind it which would have been great for kids to play in. I loved the sound of running water. The fire pit and picnic table were in a little area above the stream surrounded by trees. It was so pretty and felt protected. They sell wood and awesome fire starters on site. Well priced. $5 for big bundle of split wood and $1 for each large fire starter. The Fire starters were so good, I bought extras to take with me. Definitely good quality. Not like the small ones you buy at the store. All in all, I loved it and will go back. I’ll take the grandkids next time. The lake, stream, biking, playground will keep them busy.
      I have TMobile and had no cellphone service at my site. But could get service in other areas.
      Site 225 looked like a great site. Up on a hill with a view, full hook up, playground close, and cell service.

    • Benji H.
      Jul. 21, 2026

      Smoke Hole Canyon

      Very remote and beautiful place

      This campground is very basic. The area is very remote. Make sure you bring supplies. Going out to eat is at least a 30-minute drive. Floating the loop at Big Bend is one of the best things you can do without traveling away from the camping area. Seneca Rocks, Smoke Hole Caverns, and Seneca Caverns are all within an hour drive.

    • AThe Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 20, 2026

      Rhododendron Camping Area

      Pretty Basic Campsite

      I stayed at the non electric campsite area and it was nice. Very wooded and lots of trails to explore

    • A
      Jul. 19, 2026

      Yough Lake Campground at Tub Run

      Awful place

      I wish I could give this campground zero stars. Like the reviews below us stated, we were also verbally attacked by the little man on the golf cart. This campground should be embarrassed by the way it treats families. We were supposed to stay Thursday through Sunday with our best friends and our six children. Instead, we packed up and left Saturday after returning from our planned trip to Ohiopyle with our kids. What was supposed to be a fun, relaxing family camping weekend turned into an experience that left us shocked, disappointed, and completely disrespected. We are experienced campers and have spent years creating memories with our children at campgrounds. We are respectful guests, we follow rules, and we have never had an experience like this. Unfortunately, this campground chose poor communication, intimidation, and selective enforcement over basic customer service. During our stay, we had a truck briefly drive down to the swimming area to unload and later reload chairs, coolers, and supplies for our six children. There are no signs stating that vehicles are prohibited on the grass. In fact, there were multiple golf carts in the same area throughout the day, including staff members and seasonal campers, which led us to believe this was permitted. We understand vehicles are heavier than golf carts, but there were zero signage stating no cars allowed. To preface, there was zero damage done to the grass area due to our truck, we took photos prior to leaving the campground to protect ourselves since management is so emotionally unstable. Mind you: this is an army corp engineers campground, by Under federal law(36 CFR§ 327.2), motorized vehicles, including golf carts, UTVs, ATVs, and standard cars, must remain strictly on designated paved or gravel roads and parking lots. We found this rule after we got home and did our research. There were about 5 golf carts AND a gator in and out of the beach area through out the day. If someone had simply approached us and kindly explained that vehicles were not allowed there, we would have apologized. Instead, staff chose to sit back after someone complained, watch my children swim for hours, wait for us to clean up and bring the truck down to reload, then turn a simple misunderstanding into a confrontation. A staff member approached the truck in a golf cart, speeding up and hopping out(this is all on video) while my minor daughter was inside, reached into our vehicle and took our tag then proceeded to yell at us to pack our“shit” and prepare to leave. The way this was handled was completely unnecessary and unprofessional. Our children were present, witnessed this, and were left scared and confused over a situation that could have been resolved in less than a minute with a respectful conversation. We were also told there is a strict 5 mph speed limit and that radar is used because of a serious incident involving a child in the past, He was hit and life flighted. Yet seasonal campers continued driving golf carts around at unsafe speeds while drinking. Rules and safety expectations should apply equally to everyone, not only when management decides to enforce them against certain guests and not their buddies who pay for a seasonal spot. We went to the office in good faith to discuss what happened and believed the situation had been resolved. We stayed another night, only to be told the following morning that we were no longer welcome back. To permanently ban a family over a first time issue involving a rule that was never communicated is absolutely unacceptable. A well run campground understands that communication and respect go both ways. Instead, this campground made paying guests feel unwelcome and disposable. Management needs to take a serious look at how they handle conflicts because this was not customer service, it was an unnecessary escalation. We will never return to this campground, and after this experience, we strongly encourage other families to think twice before booking a stay here. Especially with young children.

    • Julie P.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 7, 2026

      Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground

      great for families!

      check in was easy. there’s lots to do for families kids- there’s ponds to fish, swimming pool, mini golf. golf cart rentals. playground. they also have events like family olympics and outdoor movies. site was also very nice and spacious

    • Meagan S.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jun. 30, 2026

      Eagle Rock Campground

      Totally ruined our holiday

      Honestly I would not go here. Its a beautiful spot great for fishing and swimming. I wish it was doable. But no. We been here for 4 days for the holiday. We wanted something affordable and full of nature. We really thought this place would be like other campsites. But other than taking out trash (which most people just burn making it stinky the entire time and every single fire pit you probably shouldnt cook on) there are no rules no regulations. People can be in your site looking into your tent and they do not care here. People just go where they want and fish around kids swimming rather than going somewhere else. Music can be blared so loud theres nowhere to go without hearing it. Dogs do not have to he on leash despite the sign at the entrance. (Told essentially to get over it) the dogs will roam everywhere. Its completely taken over by "locals" who aren't actually locals at all. They are just people from other states that stay here all the time and take over during the holidays. If youre already established at this camp you are good to go. But if you are highly respectful people who respect nature and want the peace of real camping. Do not go here. We are packing and leaving 5 days early and will not be back.

    • Shianna R.
      Jun. 29, 2026

      Camp Cacapon

      Nice Campground

      From a family of tent campers, it was perfect.  We rented the river sites. The location was great and the kids had a blast playing in the river and fishing.  We brought our own kayaks and enjoyed the easy paddling. The bathrooms were very nice and clean.


    Guide to Swanton

    Swanton, Maryland features a cluster of developed campgrounds centered around the Deep Creek Lake region, with both state and federally managed options ranging from basic to full-service facilities. The Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground provides tent and RV sites along with cabin and yurt accommodations, operating from April through December with electric hookups and modern amenities. Nearby Swallow Falls State Park Campground offers similar accommodations with access to old-growth forests and waterfalls. Between these established campgrounds and the nearby Savage River and Potomac State Forests, camping options span from rustic tent sites to glamping experiences.

    The camping season in western Maryland generally runs from spring through late fall, with several campgrounds closing during winter months. A visitor commented, "We were lucky enough to witness a spectacular light show put up by thousands of fireflies at night." Road access is generally good to most developed sites, though some primitive areas in the state forests require more careful navigation. Most campgrounds in the region provide standard amenities including potable water, restrooms, and picnic tables, while bears are common throughout the area necessitating proper food storage. Each campground has specific regulations regarding pets, alcohol, and fire restrictions, with state park campgrounds typically prohibiting alcohol consumption.

    Campers regularly highlight the natural beauty of the Deep Creek Lake area, with its mix of mountain forests and water recreation opportunities. The region draws visitors seeking both developed campgrounds with amenities and more secluded forested sites. One camper wrote, "The lake is absolutely beautiful and perfect for all types of water sports. It's great for all ages as well, with things to do to keep everybody entertained." While some mixed-use campgrounds can become crowded during peak summer months, particularly near water access points, the surrounding state forests offer more solitude. Campground options vary considerably in site spacing, with some offering more privacy than others. Many campgrounds provide bear-resistant storage containers at each site, reflecting the active wildlife in the region.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where can I find camping in Swanton, California?

    Western Maryland offers several excellent camping options near the Swanton area. Big Run State Park Campground provides beautiful wooded sites adjacent to streams, with some spots offering reservoir access perfect for canoes and kayaks. The campground is clean and well-maintained. Another great option is Savage River State Forest, which provides a more remote camping experience with access to pristine wilderness areas. For those seeking additional options, New Germany State Park and Swallow Falls State Park are within reasonable driving distance.

    What outdoor activities are available near Swanton campgrounds?

    The Swanton area is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground offers a beautiful lake perfect for fishing, swimming, kayaking, and various water sports. Bass fishing is particularly popular here. At Swallow Falls State Park Campground, you can enjoy hiking through beautiful forests and accessing spectacular waterfalls. Other activities in the region include mountain biking on numerous trails, wildlife viewing, photography, and during winter months, nearby access to skiing and snowshoeing opportunities.

    When is the best time of year to camp in Swanton?

    Late spring through early fall (May-October) offers the best camping conditions in the Swanton area. Rocky Gap State Park Campground is particularly beautiful during summer months when you can fully enjoy the lakeside activities. Summer visitors might witness spectacular firefly displays at night. Red Creek Campground is open from April through December, with the roads closing during winter months. Fall brings spectacular foliage colors to the region, making September-October ideal for photographers and hikers, while spring offers wildflower blooms and moderate temperatures.