Camping options near Hampstead, Maryland span across central Maryland and southern Pennsylvania, with sites positioned within the Piedmont region at elevations between 300-800 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with moderate humidity while fall camping season brings temperatures ranging from 45-65°F. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October with limited winter availability at select locations.
What to do
Hiking trails to waterfalls: At Cunningham Falls State Park, campers can access numerous waterfall trails within walking distance of campsites. "The trail is an easy six mile loop to and from the falls," notes one visitor. Another camper mentions, "The trails are well-kept and the scenery remains as natural as possible."
Fishing opportunities: Several lakes and ponds provide fishing access throughout the region. At Gifford Pinchot State Park, anglers catch various species from the shoreline. "We caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore," reports one camper. The 8.5-mile Lakeside Trail circles Pinchot Lake with multiple fishing access points.
Historical tours: Located within 30 minutes of Hampstead, Gettysburg offers numerous historical activities. A camper at Artillery Ridge Campground explains, "The national park is mostly dog friendly. My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site." Another visitor notes, "Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathhouses at many campgrounds. At Gettysburg Campground, visitors appreciate the facilities: "Paved sites, modern, clean bathrooms," writes one camper. The campground also offers "playground and mini golf available. Close to battlefields."
Water features: Multiple campgrounds provide lake access for recreation. Codorus State Park receives praise for its lake setting: "The park is located on a beautiful lake. We picked loop A to stay in the woods. Campgrounds are nicely spaced and clean." At Cunningham Falls, visitors appreciate having "a small lake with beach the kids can swim at."
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds organize regular events throughout the camping season. A visitor at Ramblin' Pines mentions, "Great campsites with friendly staff. Lots of free activities for children and it's close to home." Another camper notes, "They even have an arcade and laundromat on the premises."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the region require advance bookings, especially during summer and fall weekends. One camper advises, "This is a very busy campground and I was advised it normally sells out on weekends, so securing a site in advance is wise."
Site conditions: Campsites vary widely in size, privacy and terrain. At Granite Hill Camping Resort, a visitor notes: "The sites are shaded with mature trees. They have a pool, put put golf, a good general store, and a café/snack shack. The hookups are oddly spaced and you need to ensure you have extentions handy."
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds operate from April through October. Cunningham Falls State Park offers camping from "April 1 to October 31," according to their information. One visitor notes, "During peak season, there are nature programs going on." Some campgrounds like Ramblin' Pines remain "open all year," offering winter camping options near Hampstead.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Several campgrounds provide organized children's events. At Merry Meadows Recreation Farm, a camper recalls, "We stayed here this past Easter and they had plenty of activities for kids and adults. Easter egg hunts for kids, adult scavenger hunts for alcohol. Wonderful experience for the whole family."
Playground access: When booking sites with children, check proximity to play areas. At Granite Hill, campers recommend specific areas: "We stayed in the 'C' row site. Great shade and access to the playground. You can let the kids play all day while sitting at your campsite cooking and just hanging. It's only 15 yards for the play set."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming facilities for children. Cunningham Falls provides both natural and constructed swimming areas. "There's a lake, boating, playgrounds, hike to the falls. So much scenery and nature. The electric 'A loop' is paved so it's great for bike riding," writes one visitor.
Tips from RVers
Hookup configurations: Several campgrounds have unusual utility layouts requiring extra equipment. At Granite Hill, campers mention: "The hookups are oddly spaced and you need to ensure you have extentions handy. My electric hookup didn't work on 30A."
Site leveling: Prepare for uneven sites at some campgrounds. One RVer at Granite Hill explains, "It took 2 hours to get our camper set up because of the very uneven stone lot, thankfully we had enough wood to get the jack up without having to over extend it."
Size restrictions: While glamping near Hampstead, Maryland offers numerous options for large RVs, some campgrounds have limitations. Gettysburg Campground provides "level sites, friendly and efficient staff, decently sized sites long enough for my 32' coach and a toad. The two drawbacks are that the sites are quite packed together."
