Family-friendly campgrounds dominate the region around Westminster, Maryland, situated between the Piedmont Plateau and Appalachian foothills. Most sites sit at elevations between 500-800 feet with hot, humid summers and mild spring and fall seasons. Tent camping options remain limited compared to RV sites, with most campgrounds closing from November through March due to freezing temperatures and occasional snow.
What to Do
Explore historic Gettysburg: Just 25 miles from Westminster, the Gettysburg National Military Park offers educational opportunities. "Visiting the outlets or Gettysburg battlefield is close by. I would stay here again," reports a visitor at Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Feed farm animals: Several campgrounds feature working farms with interactive experiences. "We enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires," noted a camper at Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, where morning animal feeding sessions happen at scheduled times.
Water activities: Rivers and lakes provide swimming, fishing and boating opportunities from May through September. "Beautiful water front sites and good location right off 95. Cute little dock, fishing from your campsite if waterfront and an area to put in small boats or kayaks," according to a visitor at Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina.
What Campers Like
Waterfront sites: Premium spots along rivers or ponds cost more but offer direct water access. "Sites are right on the water with great views. Some of the trailer sites are a tough back in but worth the trouble," notes one camper at Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina.
Seasonal events: Halloween weekends prove particularly popular across local campgrounds from late September through October. "We spent Halloween weekend here. The kids loved it! They had Halloween every weekend of October and we spent Halloween weekend here," shared a full-time RVer at Circle M RV and Camping Resort.
Swimming pools: Many larger campgrounds maintain pools open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. "The pool with the slide was very clean. We would definitely go back to this place again despite the couple of cons," wrote a visitor about Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
What You Should Know
Trains impact sleep: Several campgrounds sit near active rail lines with frequent train traffic. "When the train comes barreling by at 1am, 2am and 3am you either laugh or you cry depending on how tired you are," warns a reviewer at Harpers Ferry Campground.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds close completely during winter months. "Season: Apr 1 to Oct 31" is common across most listings, though Ben Franklin RV Park in York operates year-round.
Site spacing varies significantly: Particularly in older campgrounds, sites may offer minimal separation. "The sites are close but there were all sizes of RVs there, even large class A. Many sites are on the water," noted a camper at Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina.
Tips for Camping with Families
Multiple pools available: Some campgrounds offer separate swimming areas for different age groups. "2 pools which is a bonus. Many folks have golf carts, as the campground is huge—and you can get turned around easily," reports a visitor at Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Playgrounds vary widely: Inspect playground options before booking if traveling with small children. "In my opinion as a mom of small kids maybe the worst part was that there was only 1 playground, it was all the way at the front of the campground (we had to drive to it) and it was very junky and run down," noted a camper at Gettysburg Campground.
Bathroom access: Consider site location relative to facilities when tent camping with children. "Only downside is the walk to the bathrooms if you tent camp. A long walk if you really got to go," warned a reviewer at Western Village RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Water connection locations: Hookups may be inconveniently placed at some campgrounds. "The sewer hookup was inconveniently placed about six inches above the ground which meant that it would not drain properly (even with a slinky placed under it)," noted a visitor at Round Top Campground.
Interior roads condition: Navigation can be challenging in older facilities. "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," observed a camper at Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Utility reliability: Some campgrounds experience periodic power issues. "Electric went out 3 times, once for over 24 hrs. It was in the high 90°," reported a camper at Western Village RV Park about reliability challenges during peak summer months.
