Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Thurmont, MD has a lot to offer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Thurmont, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
"Annapolis Rock Campground is right off the Appalachian Trail just about 1/5 of a mile before Annapolis Rock overlook."
"great primitive campsite that has undergone major restorations and preventative measures to reverse the damage from huge camping crowds of the past. no fires, but there are two privies and a really nice"
"This is a stop on the AT open only to multi-day backpackers. I’ve heard it is sometimes enforced."
"Backpacker campground with bathrooms and showers. Close to the South Mountain Inn, a hiker friendly restaurant. Big field."
$20 / night
"All sites are walk-in only, which means you park on the street, cross the bridge over the C&O and towpath, and then down a little hill to your site."
"Small campground with a pit toilet right on the Potomac river picnic table and fire ring with a few nice trees throughout the camp area. Easy to get to and not far from the towns."
$140 / night
"There is a porta potty, water pump, and picnic table. Wonderful spot on the river."
$30 - $65 / night
"We're excited to welcome these friendly and helpful hosts to our platform. Tons of open spaces for tents, and sites are spaced far apart."
$12 / night
"Gorgeous spot just off the trail and 50 meters from the Potomac"
LegendRanger Review: Firebiner and Fiber Light Fire Starter at Greenbrier State Park
**Campground Review: **
We were here one week before this campground closed for the season (open April through October) and it was so quiet that it was hard to imagine what it is like in the summer when the beach is open and the campground is likely full. There are four loops; two with no hookups and no pets allowed, one with no hookups that allow pets and one with electric sites that allow pets. Each site is clearly defined, and the sites all appeared level with gravel pads. The bathrooms were reasonable. There are several trails in the campground plus it is close to several AT day hikes.
There is a large day-use area and beach with lots of picnic tables. While the beach was closed for swimming, we saw a kayaker and two people fishing from a boat. Many hiking trails and this is an excellent place to camp if you’d like to do AT day hikes.
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Product Review:
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I have the opportunity to test products. At this campground, we tested the Firebiner and Fiber Light Fire Starter by Outdoor Elements. I’m reviewing both products since they can be used together, and we had much more luck with one than the other.
Upon unpacking my box from Outdoor Elements, my first experience was that it took a sharp knife to free the Firebiner from its cardboard backing, which was not an auspicious start. Once at our campground, we were able to use the safety blade to easily open the plastic packaging on our firewood. Unfortunately, it took several tries by two men trying the Firebiner to get a spark; they had to really crank on it, and it was not enough to light a fire. I’m guessing that with more patience and practice, it would have worked. Admittedly, we are car campers and not backpackers (and have the luxury of being able to carry/use a butane lighter), but I was looking forward to trying a new method.
We did use the Fiber Light Fire Starter and using our tried and true fire-starting methods, we got a roaring fire started very quickly. So, we had a 50% success! Packed in a small tin, you only need a pinch to easily get a fire started so we will use this in the future.
We also used the cutting tool on the Firebiner a few days later to remove the wristband from an activity we participated in and also used it to hang our lantern on a hook; this little tool is very strong (did not test but appreciate the 100-pound weight limit). I appreciate that it can also be used as a screwdriver, so the Firebiner is truly a multi-use tool!
TravelerStayed one night on 8/9.
This is such a nice little spot right along the Potomac River. All sites are walk-in only, which means you park on the street, cross the bridge over the C&O and towpath, and then down a little hill to your site. When my dog and I arrived, someone was still there, but after letting them know I had this spot reserved, they promptly packed out. There were no camp hosts on-site and nowhere to check in.
There isn't much privacy between you and your neighbors (or the C&O towpath so be prepared to see bikers, walkers, and runners). Each site has a grill, fire pit, and picnic table. I stayed at Site 11 which had its own path down to the Potomac River. It was quite steep for my bum knees and ankles, but I saw kids easily run up and down it. The Potomac is mostly flat with some "swirlies" for experienced paddlers. I also saw some people tubing.
There's one bathroom area- 2 pit toilets and 2 portapotties. There is nowhere to leave trash, so be sure to follow Leave No Trace principles and pack everything out with you. The sites are fully or mostly shaded. Be prepared to make friends with bugs, but they shouldn't bother you. Also great news- no mosquitoes!
I have Verizon and had better service by my car on the road than at the actual campsite. At the site I could make calls but couldn't check the internet. Other than a few check-in calls to family, I was looking to unplug for the night.
I ended up not sleeping overnight due to a personal health issue, but I am looking forward to coming back when it's a little cooler.
TravelerWalk in sites have picnic table and fire ring. Tent pads are level and smooth. Showers and restrooms are close to sites. Strongly recommend...
GuideThe sites are very clean but close to each Other. You can hear the kids and families and all that. The sites have a nice mulched tent pad, fire ring / grill grate, lantern pole and picnic table. There is a firewood hut at the entrance and you can take what you need - just leAve a donation. The bathrooms are very clean and there’s some trails around the creek (dry creek/ nothing impressive)
GuideWe had a wonderful stay at Gifford Pinchot State Park!
The camping area at GP is separated into A loop and B loops with approximately 300 sites. All sites had a paved pad, varying in size depending on the location, with tent site being smaller. Most sites have electric and there are 22 full hookup sites in the camping area. Both loops are peninsulas into the lake, which is convenient to launching boats directly from many sites. Loop A is closer to the designated swimming area with a sandy beach and playground. B loop is closer to many of the hiking trails and also several boat launch areas. It is nice that the camping area and amenities are separated from the public day use area. At the entrance to the camping area there are three dump stations.
During our stay we were at a full hookup site which was very spacious and often hard to find in PA State Parks. Our site was#299 and for some reason the entire site was paved/blacktop, which was different than all the other sites where the pad was paved and the picnic table area was gravel/grass. While this site made it easy to level our camper, it became quite hot in the afternoon/evening after the sun had baked it all day.
Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed GP and couldn’t believe we hadn’t visited before because it is a great state park. Wood is available for purchase at the campground hosts’ sites and ice at the park office. As with most PA state parks, quiet hours are at 9:00PM, which is a bit early, and there is no alcohol allowed in the park. We look forward to returning to GP in the future.
LegendOwens Creek Campground :
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer)
Overall Rating: 4.5
Price: $15/night w senior pass
Usage during visit: very low including Fri night
Site Privacy: understory trees, filter l e of site in many sites.
Site Spacing: most very nicely spaced
Site surface: blacktop
Reservations: Yes
Campground Noise: Very quiet
Road Noise: Only a bit in first few campsites
Through Traffic: no problem
Electricity: No
Water: Spigots at bathhouses
Sewer: No
Dump: No
Generators: 6 AM to 10 PM
Bathroom: Old but very clean.
Showers: Yes. Double curtains
Pull Throughs: Some
Cell Service (Verizon): Very good
Setting: A thick deciduous forest
Weather: nice. Cooler because of shade
Bugs: A few. Will probably increase as month moves on
Solar: Too much shade for fixed solar panels
Host: Yes
Rig size: Not all sites will accommodate a 22’ trailing.
Sites: Pictures are of some of the best sites. My favs: 14 nice woods view , (28 & 29 hear creek,)37. 45, 46
RangerCamp site (Tent camping)
Camp site was pretty spacious. We set up our tent on gravel. No hookups to electricity or water. Rangers deliver firewood for your convenience.
Facilities / Amenities
Huge pool divided into two sections, one for mainly kids and the other for swimming and water slides. There is a food court in the swimming pool and a camp store right next to it.
They play movies every night at the outdoor theater near the pool.
There is a basketball court, playgrounds, and jumping pads.
During the day, we did tie dying t-shirts at the pavilion.
There is a 18-hole mini golf course as well.
RangerNice small campsite in MD not too far from DC. One negative was that when it rains it really flushes through the grounds. We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm and it was very wet even after the rain died down. Another negative was after the storm for the next few days we heard trees falling nearby. Where we were hiking. 😬 The positives are as others have pointed out there is a huge park for kids- it’s not within walking distance for little kids but it’s a very short drive by the entrance to the park. There’s also another small park on the loop. The restrooms were central and well maintained. We found a small river and swimming hole at the bottom of the hill off to the side opposite the cabins/park. All sites had a picnic table and fire ring. Firewood available from camp host. Hiking poles would have been good for the trails when we had a kid in a pack on our back. Overall a nice close small campground.
LegendPROS
Very nice small Montgomery County Park
No reservation fee to make on-line reservations
Reserved 137 days prior to arriving
Entrance gate required entry code Instructed by staff via gate phone to proceed to campsite as check-in at camp store is at dead end with insufficient turning space for pickup towing 28ft bumper pull; complete check-in after camper was unhooked at site
Great night sky viewing as no lights what so ever in camping loops except for toilet/shower buildings
Lots of vegetation between sites providing privacy from neighbors
Site#D69 shady
Very quiet campground
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
Wooden/metal picnic table that was moveable
Metal fire pit with cooking grate
Toilet/shower facility very clean
3 washers and 3 dryers, along with folding tables in the basement of the check-in building. Accepted credit card for $1.75/load
Harper’s Ferry National Historical park 35 miles from Park
Walmart and Wegman’s 5 miles from Park
CONS
Out-of-state campers pay higher camping fee than Maryland residents,$66/night
No senior or veteran discount
Trees falling on Park power lines caused power outage for hours
No toilet/shower facility in FHU loop so had to hike to facilities in Loops B & E
No camp host
No ranger patrolling thru campsite
No WIFI
1 bar Verizon
Nestled in the scenic landscapes of Maryland, Thurmont offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and relaxation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Thurmont, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Thurmont, MD is Annapolis Rock Campground — Appalachian National Scenic Trail with a 4.4-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Thurmont, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 27 tent camping locations near Thurmont, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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