Camping spots near Thurmont, Maryland sit at elevations between 800-1,400 feet in the Catoctin Mountains, a region known for its fall foliage that typically peaks in mid-October. The area receives about 44 inches of precipitation annually, creating humid summer conditions when most campers visit the region's mixed hardwood forests. Summer temperatures average in the mid-80s during the day but can drop into the 50s overnight.
What to do
Creek exploration: Owens Creek Campground offers a shallow stream perfect for warm-weather wading. "After setting up camp, we went for a walk along the creek and played in the water. We had a great trip," wrote one visitor who appreciated the accessible water feature at this Owens Creek Campground.
Mountain biking: Gambrill State Park maintains several multi-use trails suitable for intermediate riders. "There are trails in the park you can hike, run and bike; the lake is small but you can paddle and fish; and, nearby you'll find some great sections of the Appalachian Trail," notes a reviewer of Gambrill State Park.
History tours: Gettysburg Battlefield KOA serves as an excellent base for Civil War explorations. "This campground is about a 5 minute drive to downtown Gettysburg," explains a camper, making it convenient for battlefield tours that typically run 2-3 hours.
Swimming: Greenbrier State Park offers a beach area on its 42-acre man-made lake. "The beach by the lake is PACKED every weekend with day trippers," warns one camper who advises weekday visits for less crowded swimming conditions.
What campers like
Forested sites: Owens Creek provides heavily wooded camping areas with natural screening. "Nice small campground WAY back in woods. Been here many times over the last 25 years," states a long-term visitor who appreciates the secluded setting.
Family activities: Houck Area at Cunningham Falls State Park offers numerous recreational options. "Great campsites- whether you have a tent or a big Class A, lots of well-maintained hiking trails of varying difficulty, lots of activities and amenities, there's just SO much here!" enthuses a reviewer of Houck - Cunningham Falls State Park.
Water features: Greenbrier State Park combines camping with swimming opportunities. "Big, immaculately groomed tent pads, mostly tent campers, almost all sites were nice and shaded, clean bathrooms with free showers were close by," reports a camper at Greenbrier State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Gambrill State Park offers good bird watching opportunities. "Visit in May and the forest will be filled with songbirds. If you are lucky, you may see foxes and bears along with the standard woodland creatures," notes an experienced visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Greenbrier State Park operates on a limited schedule. "We love this campground. The staff really make sure the traffic is circulating and organized during the weekend when it's crazy busy!!" explains a camper about the high-traffic periods, particularly during the April-October operating season.
Site conditions: Manor Area at Cunningham Falls offers widely spaced campsites compared to other local options. "I haven't seen this much space between campsites in a long time. The place was clean, paved roads, great price and very quiet," reports a camper at Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park.
Booking requirements: Owens Creek requires advance planning. "You have to reserve online. You can do it once you find a spot or before you arrive. Campsites are well maintained," advises a visitor familiar with the reservation system.
Terrain challenges: Gambrill State Park features uneven surfaces at some sites. "We camped here in early April 2021... Sites were generous, and equipped with a good fire pit, and space for parking two cars at our site (12). The parking/tent site was gravel," notes a camper describing the physical layout.
Tips for camping with families
Trail selection: Houck Area offers family-friendly hiking options. "We brought the grandkids out for a few days of relaxing and unwinding in the woods. The 3-yo had no issues on the trails," shares a visitor at Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA, highlighting the accessibility of paths for young children.
Swimming options: Greenbrier State Park provides a beach area suitable for supervised water play. "A good, comfortable place with a lot to offer. The nearby trails are great and the lake is a good place to swim or laze on a warm day," explains a visitor describing the swimming amenities.
Historical education: Gettysburg Campground offers opportunities for youth-friendly history lessons. "Not far to go anywhere walking. Porta potties were cleanest I have ever seen even with a ton of recent rain. Lots of history nearby," reports a family who appreciated the convenient access to educational sites.
Nature programs: Cunningham Falls State Park hosts ranger-led activities. "During peak season, there are nature programs going on," mentions a camper who found these structured activities valuable for keeping children engaged.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Artillery Ridge Campground provides spaces for various RV sizes. "Nice pull through site for out 21ft popup. Site was pretty level. Pool, mini golf and live music were great. Also amazing location to the battlefield and all the tourist attractions," shares a camper at Artillery Ridge Campground.
Hookup availability: Gettysburg Campground offers full-service RV sites. "The amenities of Gettysburg Campground are quite good: full hookups with cable, all working as expected. Level sites, friendly and efficient staff, decently sized sites long enough for my 32' coach and a toad," explains an RVer who found the electrical, water, and sewer connections reliable.
Maneuvering considerations: Caledonia State Park requires careful vehicle positioning. "We chose to go camping here for our honeymoon. The campground offered a lot of hiking trails and swimming. Our campsite wasn't very well maintained as it had a lot of rocks throughout," warns a camper about potential challenges for larger vehicles.
Seasonal access: Owens Creek Campground accommodates medium-sized RVs but with limitations. "Really great for tents and small rvs," notes a camper about the site configurations that work best for compact recreational vehicles under 25 feet.
