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Campgrounds near Upper Falls, Maryland offer tent and RV camping options ranging from primitive wooded sites to developed pads with electric hookups, all within a short drive of both Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay. Susquehanna State Park Campground offers secluded tent, RV, and cabin sites about 15 miles northeast of Upper Falls, featuring electric hookups and wooded surroundings. Elk Neck State Park Campground, approximately 20 miles east, provides year-round camping with full hookup options and waterfront views. Both state parks maintain developed campgrounds with fire rings, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails. Private options include Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina in Abingdon, which features 91 sites with modern amenities including laundry facilities and propane fill services.
Many state park campgrounds in the region require reservations, particularly during the peak season from April through October. Susquehanna State Park operates seasonally from late March to late October, while Elk Neck remains open year-round. "The campsites are separated more widely than many other parks in Maryland, and are quite secluded in comparison," noted one camper about Susquehanna State Park. Heavy rainfall can affect campsite conditions, particularly in low-lying areas of Patapsco Valley State Park where runoff creates muddy sites. Most campgrounds feature both primitive tent sites and developed RV pads with electric hookups, though not all offer full water and sewer connections. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, with stronger coverage near more developed areas.
Campers frequently mention the ability to combine outdoor recreation with urban proximity as a significant advantage. Several visitors highlighted the convenience of reaching Baltimore or Washington DC within a 30-40 minute drive while still enjoying natural surroundings. Patapsco Valley State Park receives particular attention for its extensive trail system and river access points. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "There is an electric loop with electric hookup, but no water or sewer. Those can be found at the campground entrance. Each loop has a wood shed and clean, well-appointed bathhouse." Shaded sites are highly valued during summer months when temperatures and humidity rise considerably. Wildlife sightings, particularly deer and various bird species, are commonly reported in campground reviews across multiple state parks in the region. Campers seeking more secluded experiences typically prefer the non-electric loops at state parks, which tend to have fewer neighbors and more natural buffer space between sites.
"I didn't notice it when I was in my tent, but I did as I was walking around.
The campground is well-wooded, offering reasonable privacy given the space constraints. ""Surrounding area
There are lots of tails for hiking in walking distance and also a playground for kids."
from $21 - $55 / night
Check Availability"The campsites are separated more widely than many other parks in Maryland (Cunningham Falls, Ft. Frederick, Pt. Lookout), and are quite secluded in comparison."
"I was a walk-up with no reservation and since it was a weekday the ranger gave me a great rundown of the best spots in the camp and let me drive through to check them out before going back with my decision"
from $21 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Had our kayaks with us and the water wasn’t but a few steps away. Some sites you are right on the waters edge."
"This is close to us so it was an easy trip. Full hookup but we’re told to turn off and unhook water the night it dropped below freezing."
from $75 - $115 / night
Check Availability"Camp site(Tent camping)
The camp site is what it is, just a camp site :) It's one of the bigger state parks surrounded by forest in MD.""Another negative was after the storm for the next few days we heard trees falling nearby."
from $20 - $51 / night
Check Availability"It has 8 recreation areas and we stayed at the Hollofield Area in April- one of our first experiences in a Maryland State Park. Beautiful park with 70 miles of hiking/biking /multi use trails."
"This campground is pleasant, but the sites are situated quite close to one another."
from $19 - $27 / night
Check Availability"It was a VERY dark walk to get to the bathhouse for showers. And the fire pit had no grill, so we ended up having to use the stoves of some RV camping friends for meals."
"Large campground with some good trails. Will definitely return!"
"Centrally located laundry facilities and airconditioned bath house. Playground, boat launch, beach volleyball court, disk golf, basketball court, and outdoor pool all within walking distance."
"Near an Ape Adventure park, hike around lake, and any shopping or restaurants you might want are close by. It rained heavy so we didn’t get out much but walk around camp loop is nice and flat."
"The camp loop is a nice walk but there are also trails. They were pretty muddy when we were there. Site 35 was quite spacious as were many of them."
from $27 - $45 / night
Check Availability"This campground isn't too far from our home in Maryland, so if they have room and we want to go spur of the moment, this one is a good choice. "
"The trails from Campground are ok for a short walk, not much of a lake view but mostly shaded trail. The pool is conveniently located maybe even walking distance for some. "
from $20 - $195 / night
Check Availability"They have a nice dog area for the dog to be able to run around and exercise which a lot of places we have been do not have a place for the dog to really exercise."
"The location worked for my trip but not sure it’s that convenient to DC."
TravelerCountry Acres is a lovely, well maintained campground. Sites are level and bath house facilities clean and modern. Friendly staff in the office. Dog friendly. Local to all the Lancaster attractions. A complimentary farmland tour is offered by bus and it was great. They take you out into an area of Amish farms and shops and make a stop at 2 of these. The fresh Amish pretzels are amazing!
TravelerClose to washington as we could get. Could also park our skoolie bus which was nice and had plenty of close by shower with bathrooms. Keep in mind only one shower per restroom house. We stayed at a pretty slow season so it wasn’t bad. Would recommend if visiting DC! They also have a dump station and water fill up.
GuideYou just can't beat a pennsylvania park. This one is not an exception. Nice clean restroom, plenty of room. Now, what cost a star. Yes, it rained like hell. When we broke camp and go dump. The dump station was overflowing with sewer. Go to the guard shack to tell them, and find another site. None there. Can I go to an unused full hookup to dump? No! I would have to pay for the site. Two hours later, we found a place to dump for $10.
ScoutThe advertisements for Olde Mill Campground were disingenuous. The campsite was 20 yards from a roller coaster. The NOISE of the roller coaster and children on it screaming was as relentless and unnerving as any train we have ever slept near. There was no quiet until almost midnight. The “pull-through” site left my truck almost in the road and our 25’ Airstream slightly over the road on the backside. The site was not level. The sites were close enough to hear a neighbor’s snoring.
GuideWe stayed here to go to the Hershey RV show—about 55 min drive. Right in the center of Amish country. Campground is adults only. It was very clean. The bathrooms were very clean with great water pressure. The roads are tight for getting into sites. Site 5 was not level side to side. We met great people there.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
ScoutThe campground is in excellent condition. The facilities are top notch. The excellence and care of the campground is evident. The 4 stars is only due to the road noise and many of the sites are on top of each other. You feel like your neighbor is at your camp fire.
RangerWe stayed at Redemption Springs to get relatively close to Baltimore without bringing our 30ft travel trailer into the city. Seth and the other gentlemen I spoke with were all extremely accommodating. Enjoyed learning about their approach to restorative farming and purchasing a variety of treats at the farm store. Beef, pork, chicken, seasonings, baked goods, and more. We booked on Hipcamp and recommend following his driving instructions. Our rig fit fine by tuhe main barn and they kept an eye on us going in and out to make sure we didn't have issues making any of the turns. Lots of farm life!
RangerWe stayed at Little Bennett starting on Labor Day Monday and left before the weekend, so it is hard to say how this looks when the campground is full of life. They had quite a few activities for families and a pavilion capable of concerts and such, but there was minimal activity during our stay. My biggest complaint is that the gate code changed and we didn't get any notice--so after a long day and a dinner out near Baltimore (nearly an hour away), I had to call the police to get back to my camper. Otherwise, the campsite was relatively spacious and quiet. The bugs were a little rough. Lots of whitetail running around.
Camping near Upper Falls, Maryland offers access to both freshwater and saltwater environments within the northern Chesapeake region. The area sits at the convergence of several watersheds, creating diverse fishing opportunities throughout spring and fall when average temperatures range from 55-75°F. Late summer camping often brings humidity above 80%, particularly in low-elevation sites near water.
Hiking at Turkey Point Lighthouse: Take the 1.6-mile lighthouse trail at Elk Neck State Park Campground for panoramic Chesapeake Bay views. "The lighthouse and the view are definitely worth it," notes David G., who recommends allowing 45 minutes for the round-trip hike.
Fishing from your campsite: Several waterfront sites at Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina allow fishing directly from your camp chair. "Catch them and steam them in my camper (a MD thing :-) Only bait at the camp store or with 25 miles is night crawlers. Bring your own if you're a fishing person," advises Lisa T.
Biking to local markets: Road cycling opportunities extend beyond parklands. "We really loved road biking to the nearby H Mart to have fun shopping and browsing their unique selection," reports Travyl Couple from Hollofield Area Campground, mentioning it's about a 20-minute ride to this large Korean grocery store.
Wildlife viewing: Many campsites offer regular wildlife encounters in natural settings. "Lots of wildlife. Have camped here twice now. Nice playground for the kids and plenty of park events to keep you busy. Took a nice hike out to the susquehanna and spent a few hours fishing in the pond," writes Gabrielle E. about Susquehanna State Park Campground.
Site privacy: The spacing between campsites varies significantly between campgrounds. At Codorus State Park, "There is a wide variety of sites so finding one that you like should not be difficult, there are some in wide-open park-like settings, and some that are treed. For the most part we didn't notice any that really seem to be right on top of each other," according to J K.
Swimming options: While not all water bodies permit swimming, many campgrounds offer alternative water recreation. "There is no swimming allowed in the lake but there is a pool located at the park, there is no extra cost to use the pool if you are at the campground," explains Catherine H. at Codorus State Park Campground.
Seasonal site conditions: Rain affects campsite usability differently across the region. "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," reports Alexandra T. at Patapsco Valley State Park.
Reservation timing: Competition for sites intensifies during summer weekends. "Book early because it fills up fast!" warns Ellen B. about Lums Pond State Park Campground, one of the more popular options within driving distance of Upper Falls.
Tent pad limitations: Not all sites accommodate tents equally. "The crushed stone at the sites isn't comfortable for tents, and they won't let you pitch it on the ground, so bring extra pads and alternative ways to secure the tent to the ground," advises Sean M. regarding Patapsco Valley State Park.
Playground access: Consider site proximity to play areas when booking with children. "We stayed in site 2 of the Beechnut Loop. I had chosen this site, based on two factors: 1. It was available and 2. It was close to the playground. Unfortunately, it was most likely available because it was overrun with roots and rocks (no pad for the tent)- and you also couldn't see the playground from the site," shares Jennifer S. about Susquehanna State Park Campground.
Nature play spaces: Some campgrounds offer innovative play options beyond standard equipment. Patapsco Valley State Park "seem like this area is, possibly unintentionally, geared toward children. There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center," notes Sean M.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with structured events for children. "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," writes Melissa E. about Merry Meadows Recreation Farm.
Approach routes: Some campgrounds have height restrictions on access roads. "APPROACH THIS PARK ONLY FROM THE WEST IF YOUR VEHICLE IS OVER 11 FEET HIGH. (There is a 11' bridge coming east bound into this park.)," warns Travyl Couple about Hollofield Area.
Hookup positioning: Check utility layout before selecting sites. At some campgrounds "the electric loop with electric hookup, but no water or sewer. Those can be found at the campground entrance," requires planning for water fill-up timing.
Seasonal water access: Winter camping requires attention to freezing conditions. At Bar Harbor RV Park, campers "are told to turn off and unhook water the night it dropped below freezing," according to Laure D., who noted propane is available on-site if needed during cold weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Upper Falls, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Upper Falls, MD is Elk Neck State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 62 reviews.
What parks are near Upper Falls, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Upper Falls, MD that allow camping, notably Greenbelt Park and Rock Creek Park.
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