Parkton stands at the northern edge of Baltimore County with an elevation of 472 feet, creating a transitional zone between Maryland's urban areas and its rural countryside. The area receives around 44 inches of precipitation annually, making spring camping potentially muddy at some sites. Glamping accommodations close to Parkton, Maryland provide alternatives to traditional camping with more creature comforts while still offering access to the region's hiking trails and water recreation.
What to do
Fishing at multiple locations: Gifford Pinchot State Park offers various fishing spots around its large lake. One visitor noted, "I took an early morning hike on the 8.5 mile Lakeside Trail that goes around the lake and it was really awesome to see the lake from all different angles." The park has both shoreline fishing access and a fishing pond where "we caught a handful of bass and an absurd amount of bluegill from shore."
Hiking with varying difficulty: Gifford Pinchot State Park maintains multiple trails for different skill levels. A camper mentioned, "I also hiked / jogged the Quaker Race Trail and that was nice, too, but obviously much less maintained - it was a little confusing at times as it actually crossed the disc golf course in that area multiple times and it was not well blazed."
Battlefield touring: Artillery Ridge Campground provides direct access to Gettysburg's historic sites. According to one visitor, "Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded. Literally right outside the entrance of the campgrounds is where the battlefield starts."
Seasonal events and festivals: Merry Meadows Recreation Farm organizes holiday-themed activities throughout their camping season. A camper reported, "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."
What campers like
Proximity to water features: Susquehanna State Park offers campsites with creek access. One visitor shared, "We hiked back to the campground from here, which was a nice easy-to-moderate trail. There are also plenty of areas to stop along the road in the campground, with access to the creek for wading. The water felt great, but the bottom was rather pebbly."
Cleanliness of facilities: Campers frequently mention the well-maintained bathhouses at various parks. A reviewer at Susquehanna State Park noted, "Bath house was immaculate; by far the cleanest I have ever seen in a campground. Must have been recently renovated."
Spacious and private sites: Tucquan Park Family Campground provides larger sites in wooded areas. A visitor mentioned, "The primitive sites are back in the woods which kept us nice and cool on hot July nights. The location also kept us fairly bug free."
Recreational amenities: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming pools, playgrounds, and game areas. One camper at Tucquan Park stated, "This campground features an amazing playground, a pond, a beautiful pool, a rec room, a wonderful hiking trail, and a basket ball court."
What you should know
Site selection varies widely: At Codorus State Park, site characteristics differ significantly across camping areas. A camper explained, "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."
Seasonal considerations: Ramblin' Pines operates year-round, unlike many parks in the region that close for winter. According to one review, the campground is "open all year" and maintains "clean" facilities throughout all seasons.
Booking requirements: Popular glamping options near Parkton require advance planning. At Thousand Trails Circle M, "as with all thousand trails, this campground is first come best site. While the top part of the campground seemed more communal, we chose the lower, Riverside sites and we're glad we did!"
Wildlife awareness: In some parks, wildlife can affect your experience. At Gettysburg Campground, "One of the drawbacks of this campground is that a lot of the trees are black walnut trees and the squirrels do not shy away from dropping the walnuts like bombs on your head, car, or table when you're preparing breakfast."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville features extensive children's activities. A parent shared, "Hands down the cleanest, friendliest, most beautiful campground I've ever been to. We really enjoyed our trip to yogi bear. We booked another one within 3 weeks that's how much we couldn't wait to go back."
Water activities: Many campgrounds offer water features that children enjoy. At Gettysburg Campground, families appreciate the "Great spot. Nice creek with ducks. Close to battlefield."
Scheduled activities: Several campgrounds run organized events for various age groups. A visitor to Tucquan Park noted, "The family that runs the campground makes everyone feel welcome and feel like you've been their 1000 times. Bathrooms are nice and plenty of things to occupy the kids."
Budget considerations: Luxury glamping accommodations near Parkton come at premium prices. A visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park mentioned, "We do not rent a golf cart as it's dam dam expensive. So we make sure to get close spots so we can walk."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: RV campers should check site conditions before settling in. At Circle M, one camper noted, "We got pretty lucky and were assigned one of the concrete pads that was pretty level. It is absolutely beautiful out. The grounds are well-kept."
Hookup options: Different campgrounds offer various levels of RV services. Gettysburg Campground provides "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."
Connectivity considerations: For those working remotely while glamping near Parkton, internet access varies widely. At Circle M, "Excellent cell and gateway service. Cell is AT&T and our gateway is T-Mobile. Close to Lancaster for necessities and great proximity to Baltimore and Philadelphia for day trips."
Weather preparedness: Seasonal conditions can affect RV camping experience. At Tucquan Park, "There was also a nice pond — it looked pretty full of fish, but we had forgotten our fishing gear. We were originally supposed to be in the woods — which FYI is far out of the way of the main activities, and also has a pretty steep incline."
