The Catoctin Mountains near Thurmont, Maryland rise to approximately 1,600 feet in elevation, creating a varied terrain for camping with seasonal temperature fluctuations that can drop 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands. RV camping near Thurmont provides access to mountainous landscapes within Catoctin Mountain Park and Cunningham Falls State Park. The region experiences periodic fog in valley areas that can affect morning visibility at campgrounds.
What to do
Battlefield exploration: 10 miles from Gettysburg Campground where you can access historic sites and monuments. "Very fun family friendly getaway for the weekend. Close to Gettysburg Battleground," notes Matthew K., who visited the area.
River activities: Fish directly from campsites at riverside locations. "Gorgeous spot on the river. Small campground with not a lot of amenities BUT THAT RIVER IS GORGEOUS. Lots of activities - tubing, zip lining, fishing," explains Darcy S. from Harpers Ferry Campground.
Farm animal interactions: 25 miles away at Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm. "We came amidst COVID-19, so the many activities and events this location usually holds are down, BUT there is still fun to be had here! We chose a non-sewage site, the loop is quiet and large and they have the honey wagon 3x a week (free sewage dump service). We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires," shares Kasey M.
National Park hiking: Access C&O Canal towpath for extended hiking or biking trips. "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," reports Susan K. who stayed at Brunswick Family Campground.
What campers like
Direct water access: Multiple campsites offer immediate river frontage. "Great location right next the river. Easy to walk into the river or tube down it. Lots of different activities for kids and plenty of space at each site to make your home away from home," notes Nicholas S. from Brunswick Family Campground.
Spacious sites with privacy: Some campgrounds feature separated camping areas. "Our site was clean and wooded. We had friendly couples from out of state on either side of us. Florida and New Hampshire," reports Dave R. who stayed at Round Top Campground.
Convenient location: Short drives to multiple attractions. "This park is a huge Thousand Trails owned resort with lots of campsites and tons of amenities. In fact, the park is so large (over 95 acres) that if you are camping with friends make sure you get sites nearby them or else you will need to drive to their site," shares Nancy W. who visited Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Historical significance: Camp on former battlefield land. "We camped at Artillery Ridge Campground, which served as an artillery storage/staging area for the Union during the battle. Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded. Literally right outside the entrance of the campgrounds is where the battlefield starts," explains MJ B.
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds along water routes have nearby train tracks. "A friend and I chose this campground because of its right-on-the-river sites and its close proximity to the tubing we'd be doing on the Shenandoah River through the same company as the campsite, River Riders. When we arrived we noticed that the campsites are one on top of the other in a row along the access road and the river. There is no separate between the sites (kids ran through ours a few times ripping out our guy lines) and you can hear all radios and all the conversations of your neighbors," reports Sherri C.
Water hookup placement: Some RV sites have inconvenient utility locations. "The biggest complaint about our site was that the sewer hookup was inconveniently placed about six inches above the ground which meant that it would not drain properly (even with a slinky placed under it)," notes Nancy W. about Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close during winter months. "Brunswick Family Campground operates from Mar 25 - Nov 1," with limited winter options in the region.
Pricing variations: Weekends cost significantly more than weekday stays at most parks. "This could be a beautiful place with some upgrades and maintenance. To add insult to injury, they charged $60 per weeknight and sold us wet wood for $8," mentions Robin who stayed at Brunswick Family Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select sites near play areas for convenience with small children. "There is a nice little store with hand dipped ice cream — I believe normally there's a game room, but it had flooded so it wasn't open. There is also mini golf for a very small fee, though it was a little rough — covered in leaves and twigs (makes for a challenging game!) Also there was small playground," shares melissa from Gettysburg Farm.
Bathroom proximity: Check distance from tent sites to restrooms when booking. "Only downside is the walk to the bathrooms if you tent camp. A long walk if you really got to go," warns Emily about Western Village RV Park.
Pool availability: Verify open status before booking summer trips. "The pool with the slide was very clean. We would definitely go back to this place again despite the couple of cons," shares Sabrina H. who stayed at Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Wildlife preparation: Pack for insects common in wooded areas. "Sweat bee's were almost unbearable at times. So you better bring the bug spray," warns Jeremy K. about his stay at Round Top Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campgrounds in the region have sloped sites requiring additional equipment. "Sites have reasonable spacing with gravel pads, mostly level. Trees between sites with sloping hills, not just a big open field," notes John L. about his stay at Round Top Campground.
Utility sharing: Some parks have shared water hookups between multiple sites. "We shared 1 water source with 2 other campers. In order to hook anything up, you had to be in your neighbor's space," cautions Michelle S. about Western Village RV Park.
Power limitations: Check amperage before using multiple appliances. "The fuse on the (campsite) panel kept blowing every time we ran the air and microwave together," reports Michelle S. about Western Village RV Park.
Site selection: Request spots away from high-traffic areas for quieter stays. "What better location for that than Gettysburg. We defaulted to RoundTop Campground since a majority of campgrounds in the area were booked at the time of our planning. No disparagement to RoundTop. I would guess the main reason for that being - it's the campground furtherest out from town but not by much. The drive in and out was never an issue or annoyance," shares Dave R.
