Best RV Parks & Resorts near Oldtown, MD

Site was very large and private, surrounded by beautiful forest. Plenty of room for our pup, TV, pop-up gazebo, and gear. Each site had a fire ring with grill grate, and a nice, large, composite picnic table. We were right in front of the bath house, which was convenient, but the light was pretty bright at night. We were also the closest site to the loop entrance, so we could hear some traffic along the main park road. Didn’t bother us too much, but I imagine it would have been pretty noisy if we’d been there during peak summer season. Camping loop overall was nice and quiet, though; we had two neighbors while we were there, and barely saw nor heard anything from either of them.

Simply put, this park is absolutely gorgeous. Easily the most beautiful MD State Park we’ve visited. Everything, from the forest, to trails, to lake, to Meadow Mountain, is a camper/outdoor enthusiast’s dream. The fall foliage made everything even more beautiful. Apparently, the park is very popular amongst cross-country skiers in the winter, especially since they have full-service cabins and a warming hut by the lake. I’m not into cold weather at all, but I imagine I would love to spend a day by the lake in the summer time. Said lake area also has a concession stand, boat rentals, swimming beach, rec hall, and nature center, but these were all closed since we were there out of season.

Bath house in our loop was old and small, but kept very clean. I never used the shower, as it was too cold, but it looked adequate. LOTS of spiders, which don’t really bother me, but definitely a nightmare for arachnophobes.

We drove through the two other, non-pet-friendly loops, which were also beautiful. Sites were spacious and private, just like in our loop, but with the addition of tall pines. Saw mostly tent campers, and a few small TTs. The roads were very narrow, with a decent incline, so not big-rig friendly.

Note that there is very little to no cell phone reception in the park, so combined with the lack of hookups, this is definitely an unplugged, “connect with nature” type of camping experience.

Overall, I absolutely loved this park, and can definitely see why it’s referred to as Maryland’s “hidden gem.” The only negative was the lack of hookups, as it got pretty cold at night, and our battery was unable to sustain the needs of our heater. It would have been fine if it had been just me and my husband, but I think it was just too cold for our small kids, especially with the wind and rain we encountered. I would love to return in the summer though, especially since the area doesn’t experience the same type of extreme humidity as the more central and eastern parts of Maryland. Highly recommended!

This campground is huge, and very crowded. We were there in the days leading up to 4th of July, and there was not a single empty site. Our section had mostly pop-ups and mid-size travel trailers, so the sites were all grass and gravel. However, the area with pull-through sites for big rigs was just a huge RV parking lot. All roads were very narrow and winding. We did fine with the pup, but can’t imagine trying to navigate a large motorhome through there. Crowding/space issues aside, this is a really nice (albeit expensive) campground. Almost everything, from the grounds, to rec halls, to pool and laundry, was sparkling clean and beautifully maintained. Bathrooms were reasonably clean as well, although they could certainly use some TLC and updating (most MD state park bathhouses are nicer).Staff was very friendly, as well. Tons of stuff to do here, especially for families: arts & crafts, indoor movie theatre, games, civil war reenactments, wine tastings, etc. We were certainly never bored, and the kids thought they had died and gone to heaven. Our site was extremely close to our neighbor's site, but still surprisingly roomy and decently shaded. We were right next to the pancake hut (free daily pancake breakfast included during the on-season) and playground, and very close to other activities. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is just a stone's throw away, with great hiking, sight-seeing, and cute little shops.

Overall, this is a really nice place, but much more of a resort than a campground in my opinion. The kids loved it, but I’ll always prefer the wooded seclusion of a state or national park. However, if I was looking for a more action-packed, activities-filled “glamping” experience, I wouldn’t hesitate to return.

I loved this campground. It is not a large campground in number of sites but has huge open fields for lots of outdoor fun. It has tent sites and level rv sites with 30 amp and water. No sewer. And one 50 amp site. Most sites have partial shade from the tree line. Each site has a fire ring and plastic picnic table. It has a creek for swimming or wading at your own risk. It also has horseshoes, playground, large outdoor picnic area, as well as a clean bathhouse with showers. There is a dump station and trash dumpster for your convenience on the way out of the campground.

Ugh, this was one of the worst campgrounds we have stayed at in our twelve years of full-time RVing. First of all, the sites are very close together. Our site (which was#20 on the map but the number at our electric post was#102, go figure!) was supposed to be a pull-thru but we had to unhook the car because the site was so short and hard to get into due to narrow roads and tight turns with trees. The park is definitely not big-rig friendly, and all the sites are very close. There are many seasonals with old, dilapidated campers with lots junk around them. 

We assume they call themselves a “resort” because there is a swimming pool, mini-golf, pavilion, playground, rental cabins, ball fields, dog park and a fishing pond, but it didn’t live up to the standards we consider for a resort. The mini-golf was in horrible condition. Everything was old and run-down. The “chalets” where super outdated, there was trash everywhere in the campground. Lots of seasonal sites with junk everywhere at their site. Behind us was a family who left their mean-looking barking dog chained to the tree all the time. The bathrooms are super outdated, and we wouldn’t even go in. Luckily, we had a full hook-up site. The nicest looking area of the park is the 8,000 square-ft Clubhouse which has a café, game room, adult lounge, wide screen tv, fitness center, and jacuzzi. We were there early in the season so some amenities were closed. There are farm animals on the property and a petting zoo with pigs, horses, ponies, goats, ducks, etc. They have a busy summer schedule of events which I’m sure entertains the kids and adults, but we weren’t staying long enough to participate. 

Inside the brochure you get when you check-in are two-pages of guidelines and rules (which I doubt anyone reads). One of rules (#8) states that you have to clean up your area prior to departure, but since the seasonals weren’t departing I guess all the trash around their site was acceptable. That rule also states that fire pits have to be clean to fire pits but there were many fire pits full of trash.  

I was a little nervous plugging into our electrical post which was completely wobbly and barely attached to anything and literally held together with packing tape– visions of an unpleasant electrocution experience flashed in my head. There is no cable but we were able to get seven over-the-air antenna channels (only one major network– ABC). All the utilities were at the back of our site and it took me a few minutes to find the sewer outlet which was near our neighbors designated parking spot. I suppose the only good thing was that Skyline Ranch Resort is a Passport America park and we only paid $35+tax/night for a 50-amp FHU site (which would have been the ridiculous high price of $70 otherwise). The only reason the campground gets two stars is because it was cheap for FHU. We would NOT stay here again.

Canal Tunnel River Campground, Nov 2023 : This is a 1 3/4 mile walk along the C &O Canal Trail to the outskirts of Cumberland. We happened upon this empty campground while walking this trail. A fantastic museum is near that 1 3/4 mile point. The National Park Visitor Center is there as well which is very informative.
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer). I rate based on desire for at least a moderate wilderness type experience w at least some camp site privacy. Usage during visit: Empty Site Privacy: No vegetation screen between sites. Site Spacing: Close, but more spacing than many private campgrounds. Site surface: Grass Reservations: I noticed Agee box at the entrance. Road Noise: This campground is not near a highway. Through Traffic in campground: No reason for through traffic.
Electric Hookup: I concluded the only sites with electricity are host sites. Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: No Potable Water Available: Yes Bathroom: I did not see any, but probably removed for the season.
Showers: No. Pull Throughs: Some Cell Service (AT&T): Good Setting: Open grassy area with minimal shade along the Potomac River Weather: Sunny . Highs 60s and lows 30s during our stay in the area.
Bugs: Too cold. Solar: Great solar. Rig size: Seems that there would’ve no issue for larger rigs. Sites: Sites along the river are best in my opinion.

So this is my second time at Happy Hills Campground in Hancock, MD from June 25th-28th. It being relatively close to the home is the reason for choosing it because of doctor appts for the kids.

The site I was in (F1) was really small and very close to the neighboring site. We got lucky no one was camping next to us. It had full hook-ups (30amp/water/sewer) and a pull thru site with picnic table and fire ring. It was $40/night. This campground is mainly for monthly site rentals with more than 3/4 of them permanent sites.

Lots of golf cart and ATV traffic with no quiet hours that I am aware of. We weren't informed the pool would be open and you had to sign up for two hour timeslots to get in. This must have been information only available to the regulars here. Also cell service (Sprint roaming most of the time) is terrible and the campground wifi is spotty at best. The camp store was closed due to COVID so if needed anything you had to go to town.

Bathrooms were clean. Never checked out the showers but heard they were free.

Overall, I wasn't a happy camper. I don't think I will be back.

We set up camp at Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA Holiday as our launchpad to visit the historic sites in and around Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and Frederick, Maryland. 

We paid$114/night(average per night, including fees and taxes) for Site# 94. A bit pricey considering a lack of elbow room, but it’s a great location and everything is well-kept. 

THINGS I LIKED: 

• Location, Location, Location! Close proximity to plenty of historic and tourist places to visit. The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Visitor Center is literally next door. Harpers Ferry Lower Town and Bolivar Heights are a few minutes by car(or shuttle from the Visitor Center). Frederick and Antietam are each barely 30-minutes by car. Gettysburg, Baltimore, and DC are about an hour’s drive. 

• Clean and level gravel site with well-maintained utility hook-ups. 

• Great campground store filled with food, drinks, camp supplies, souvenirs, and essentials you may need while away from home. 

• Friendly staff in the office& store. 

• The whole park is quiet and well-maintained. 

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH: 

• Heads up, big rig owners! Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site(#199) had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45’ motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air. The nice staff kindly moved us to a FHU site without the patio and furniture. And refunded the difference in price for the lesser site. Thanks for providing the move but ‘premium’ sites should be somewhat level, am I right? 

• Get cozy, the sites are quite small and tightly packed together. 

• A $3 per night“Pet Fee” for our small, mostly-indoor dog felt a bit like nickel-and-diming. I realize it only amounted to an extra$12, but he didn’t need any extra gravel. 

WOULD WE COME BACK? 

• Absolutely, this is a nice campground with lots of great places nearby including Harpers Ferry, Antietam, Frederick, Washington DC, Baltimore, and more.