Best Tent Camping near Swanton, MD

Tent Camping Reviews near Swanton, MD

914 Reviews of 30 Swanton Campgrounds

• 

  Jennifer B.

  Legend

  Oct. 27, 2019

  Red Creek Campground

  Allegheny Plateau and Dolly Sods Wilderness

  Small, primitive campground with 12-sites.  There were a surprising number of trailers and small RVs when I visited, especially when you consider visitors have to drive about 10-miles on a graded dirt road to get there.

  There are some walk-in tent sites for more privacy and you have the option of pure wilderness camping in the surrounding 17,400 acres of Dolly Sods as long as you use existing campfire rings, or use a backpack stove when you can't find one.

  No cell phone service or Internet… No electricity, pit toilets, and a busted water pump, but there is a fresh-water spring. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and lantern pole. 

  The camp hosts are super mellow and also lead the volunteer bird-banding that takes place just across the road from the Red Creek Campground.  

  The plant life and weather at Dolly Sods are similar to Northern Canada, so bring some extra layers. It was at least 15-degrees cooler than the valley when I reached the peak of the Allegheny Plateau. Add the wind and I had to put my sweatshirt after sweating in a T-shirt at Seneca Rocks that same day. 

  Bring a backpack and good hiking boots so you're prepared to experience some of the most amazing scenery and wildlife you’ve ever seen! 

  First-come, first-serve only and often full on weekends.

  *Word of caution: Dolly Sods was used for military training during WWII, so there are artillery and mortar shells still being found in this wilderness. Don’t touch any shells you might find, note the location and report to authorities.

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• 

  Jean C.

  Legend

  May. 31, 2021

  Horseshoe Recreation Area

  Fish, hike, relax or seek river adventures

  This is a remote riverside campground with great fishing opportunities for catch and release(check the requirements for license/stamps; I included a picture of a sign). One loop comes with water/electic hookups($7 more) the others are primitive. If you use solar, ironically, the sites around the loop/with electric, are your best bet as there is a large open field in the middle; a second loop contains more primitive sites and some walk-in sites with parking near the bathroom. Parking pads are large and generally level. There are vault toilets and some flush toilets. No cell service(Verizon). Sites are equipped with a picnic table, fire ring with grate, and lantern post. The prices for firewood are among the highest I’ve seen at$10/bundle. Camp store has limited hours, but ice and firewood are available. 

  You may have day visitors here to fish, swim, or picnic at one of the two pavilions. In addition to fishing, you may find it refreshing to swim/wade in the river, but I would definitely want water shoes to protect my feet. Interested in more adventure on the river? Head about 15 minutes down the road to St George where outfitters can set you up for both flatwater and whitewater activities on the Cheat River, depending on your preference, age, and water level.

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• 

  Britt B.

  Ranger

  Oct. 27, 2020

  Kooser State Park Campground

  Small Shaded Park

  Kooser State Park is a small campground nestled in the Laurel Highlands, close to Hidden Valley and Seven Springs ski resorts. The park has great amenities just a short walk from all sites. All sites have fire rings, with grills, however note they are double walled so do not expel a lot of heat outward. Great for cooking however. 

  Most sites are not level, but very grassy. Firewood is available at the entrance for$5 bundle supporting a local club. A beautiful walk through the park leads you to the Kooser Lake, great for fishing. It is also close to the Laurel Hill State Park which is great for hiking and water activities. The park is close to the road so you will experience some road noise. 

  The park is 15min from Somerset. No phone reception at this one! They welcome all furry friends!

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• K

  Kathryn G.

  Scout

  Jul. 27, 2022

  Swallow Falls State Park Campground

  Great camping near falls

  Clean, beautiful and quiet (occasional barking dog or children playing loudly). The basic tent sites each have a picnic table, fire pit w/ grill, and lantern post. The trails to the beautiful falls are a short walk from the campgrounds.

• 

  Jennifer B.

  Legend

  Oct. 26, 2019

  Seneca Shadows

  Perfect Location!

  If you're a fan of hiking and rock climbing at Seneca Rocks, Seneca Shadows is absolutely the best campground near this fantastic rock formation. 

  It’s located in the Monongahela National Forest near the North Fork South Branch of the Potomac River with nearby peaks ranging from 1,000 feet to nearly 5,000 feet above sea level. Seneca Shadows campground offers a view of the famed Seneca Rocks and puts you within walking distance of the visitor’s center, hiking and climbing trails, plus the quaint town of Seneca Rocks where you buy gas, food and gifts. 

  Make sure you visit Harper’s Old Country Store, a 4th generation family run business, operating since 1902. The visitor’s center has a nice collection of Native American artifacts and a cool video of the Army soldiers who trained here before WWII. 

  Seneca Shadows Campground is a modern campground with paved parking, flush toilets, showers and an amphitheater. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and lantern post. Seneca Shadows is part of a growing trend where a private concessionaire is a running a public camp-ground. I’m not a huge fan since it often mean higher fees, but I must say that the campground was spotless and well-run by a delightful couple who obviously enjoyed their summer job. 

  Seneca Shadows Campground has three loops to chose from: 

  The A& B Loops are for tents or RVs with no electric service. 

  The C-Loop has electricity. 

  There's also a group camping area and a "tent-only" camping area with walk-in sites from a nearby parking lot.

  Spruce Knob and Dolly Sods are nearby and both deserve a spot on your outdoor adventure“bucket list” in West Virginia.

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• 

  Evan C.

  Guide

  Aug. 18, 2025

  Robert W. Craig - Jennings Randolph Lake

  Great Tenting, Little Busy

  8/14/2025

  USACE-managed campground with hosts who are on-site all season. Nice sites (easy staking) with picnic tables and fire pits, plus a camp store for firewood and other supplies (got there too late to check it out though). A little crowded with what seemed like folks who stay there for a hefty chunk of the season, and the sites are pretty close together, but there weren't any issues with rowdy folks - it seems like the hosts keep things in order/enforce quiet hours if necessary. 

  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.

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• 

  Napunani

  Legend

  Jun. 25, 2022

  Pioneer Park Campground

  Close to Flight 93 Memorial

  PROS 

  Able to reserve 129 days prior to arriving 

  Melissa at check-in was very friendly and helpful 

  Good overnight stop to visit Flight 93 Memorial 22 miles from campground 

  Site #391 level 

  Gravel site surrounded by grass 

  Moveable wooden picnic table 

  Large concrete fire ring 

  Clean toilet-shower building that are heavily used 

  Mostly quiet except for road noise 

  Firewood for sale in Park

  CONS 

  No discount 

  Site #391 no shade 

  Park cable connection failed 

  Sewer connection“up hill” 

  Never found trash dumpster and wasn’t marked on campground map 

  Very loud radio station blaring in the toilet/shower building that could be heard outside the building 

  2 bars Verizon 

  No WIFI

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• 

  Dave V.

  Legend

  Oct. 31, 2019

  Red Creek Campground

  Far from the hectic pace!

  Red Creek Campground is positioned a decent drive down gravel National Forest roads, so it does not see the amount of traffic that easier, closer campgrounds get.      https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mnf/recreation/natureviewing/recarea/?recid=7003&actid=63

  With a season of Mid-April through the beginning of December, be assured that weather is always a factor. Family has been thwarted at Thanksgiving by unpassable snow without a 4x4. Rain is almost certain, as the varied elevation nearly creates its own weather patterns.  So my first recommendation is to always add rain gear and cold weather garments for insurance.

  We ordinarily visit during the month of August and being a "fly by the seat of my pants" type of roaming tent camper...I have arrived to see Red Creek Campground full...as these sites are non-reservable. 

  Keep in mind, Red Creek Campground is "primitive"...no modern facilities, no showers, no electric...and the only running water accessible, is a small spring pipe (that I highly recommend filtering before use even though it does not post that).

  Sites on the outer portion of the loop are fairly concealed from one another by trees and undergrowth...the inner loop sites are a little more exposed.  Gravel parking at sites and each site offers a picnic table a fire ring and lantern post. All sites are a short distance to the two individual unisex pit lantrines in the center of the campground.

  With no ambient light, the night skies are amazing...though cloud cover always seem to plague my visits at night. Though one evening we drove down toward Bear Rocks and laid in an open field to stargaze one evening to enjoy a wonderful light show from shooting stars. We were so quiet, several deer passed between us within arms reach...a little disconcerting but we survived.

  Trails are abundant and some leave directly from the campground deeper into the Wilderness Area. Choose footwear wisely, as the trails are strewn with sharp rocks (on certain trails), various stream and river crossings, shoe-swallowing mud bogs along with the regular ol' dirt trail.  Bring a trail map, water...and/or a water filter...and raingear.

  Nearby Bear Rocks is a fun scamper for "kids" of all ages and the views eastward share WV and Virginia mountain ranges.

  We were thrilled to visit when "Bird Banding" is taking place and enjoyed searching for migrating birds caught in the netting on the east side of the road opposite the campground.

  For a peaceful, relaxing camping experience that offers great hiking, and some of the most amazing flora and fauna...its a family favorite!

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• 

  Olivia M.

  Ranger

  Jul. 31, 2019

  Coopers Rock State Forest

  Beautiful Mountains

  We often do dispersed, leave no trace, primitive camping throughout the state forest. There are wonderful, well maintained trails throughout. If you want to dive into nature within a 30 minute drive from Morgantown, this is your place to go. Take the scenic hike to raven’s rock for views that will not disappoint.