The Maryland-Pennsylvania border region around Stevenson features rolling hills, hardwood forests, and river valleys at elevations between 300-900 feet. Camping options typically remain open from April through October, with some year-round facilities available during milder winters. Summer temperatures average 80-90°F, making water access particularly valuable at riverside campgrounds.
What to do
Historic exploration: 10 minutes from Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm provides easy battlefield access. "We haven't traveled into historic Gettysburg yet, but it's not too far from here," notes one camper, who also mentions enjoying fishing and mini-golf on-site.
Kayaking and fishing: Direct water access at waterfront sites makes outdoor recreation simple. A visitor at Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina noted, "Camped here at the end of summer, really loved it. Had our kayaks with us and the water wasn't but a few steps away. Some sites you are right on the water's edge."
Tubing on river bends: Campgrounds situated along river curves offer natural water recreation. At Thousand Trails Circle M, a camper reported, "The campground sits in the center of a horseshoe curve of the river, bring tubes and kayaks! We didn't know but went and bought a tube and spent the day on the river!"
What campers like
Farm animal interaction: Morning feeding sessions provide educational opportunities. A family at Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm shared, "We came amidst COVID-19, so the many activities and events this location usually holds are down, BUT there is still fun to be had here! We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires."
Clean swimming facilities: Multiple pools at some locations extend swimming seasons. A visitor at Drummer Boy Camping Resort commented, "The pool with the slide was very clean," while another mentioned, "2 pools which is a bonus."
Evening community activities: Scheduled events create social opportunities throughout camping seasons. "They have themed weekend events, live music, bingo, golf cart parades, and potluck," reported a camper, noting organized activities that continue throughout summer and fall weekends.
What you should know
Site selection timing: Reservations fill quickly for premium locations. A visitor at Cherry Hill Park recommended: "Look at the park map and try to get a site at the end of a row. The sites are pretty close together but on the ends at least you only have a neighbor on one side."
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds require careful driving through residential areas. A guest at Bar Harbor RV Park noted: "It's a gated park and nestled at the back of a quiet neighborhood. It's located about 40 min. from Baltimore Harbor, Ravens and Orioles stadiums."
Site proximity varies: Space between campsites differs significantly between locations. One camper observed: "Sites have reasonable spacing with gravel pads, mostly level. Trees between sites with sloping hills, not just a big open field."
Seasonal pricing fluctuations: Rates increase during peak summer months and special events. "We paid $675 for 8 days. It was to include W,E,S, and cable," reported one camper about an off-season rate at a full-service campground.
Tips for camping with families
Year-round children's activities: Choose campgrounds with indoor and outdoor recreation options. A visitor at Round Top Campground noted: "The good parts of the trip were definitely the pool. It was clean and roomy. We enjoyed hours hanging out there. They had activities for kids."
Multiple playground access: Look for locations with varied play equipment for different ages. One family mentioned: "Nice playground and open fields," while another noted limitations: "In my opinion as a mom of small kids maybe the worst part was that there was only 1 playground."
Accessible nature walks: Flat paths near water provide easier hiking for younger children. "It was an easy hike as suggested on the map to circle around and through the cornfield, you get a great view of the farms nearby and the river."
Seasonal Halloween events: October brings special activities at many area campgrounds. "We were there around Halloween and they had decorated the park so nicely. The sounds of the farm animals all around was fun and amusing for us."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling needs: Many campgrounds in this region feature sloping sites. A reviewer at Gettysburg Campground shared: "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."
Water and sewer placement: Hookup locations vary significantly between campgrounds. One RV owner noted: "The biggest complaint about our site was that the sewer hookup was inconveniently placed about six inches above the ground which meant that it would not drain properly."
Road quality considerations: Internal campground roads may present challenges for larger rigs. "Roads through the park are fairly narrow with potholes. Some roads are one-way but people don't pay much attention to that and went whichever way they wanted, especially those in golf carts."
Seasonal utility reliability: Weather events can affect power reliability during summer storms. "Electric went out 3 times, once for over 24 hrs. It was in the high 90°," reported an RV camper during a summer heat wave.
