Camping in the Frederick region sits between 300 and 1,700 feet of elevation, offering varied terrain from riverside flats to mountain settings. The area gets about 43 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forests and full creeks, particularly during spring when water levels peak after snowmelt. Frederick's proximity to mountains, rivers, and historic sites makes it a central hub for diverse camping experiences.
What to do
Hike to waterfalls: At Cunningham Falls State Park, the trail system offers varied difficulty levels for seeing Maryland's highest cascading waterfall. "There are plenty of trails, including the Catoctin Trail, but all the trails I was on do not permit biking," notes one visitor who preferred exploring less crowded paths.
Mountain biking: Frederick watershed near Gambrill State Park provides technical trails for mountain bikers. "Right outside the park is the Frederick watershed where many locals take advantage of the trails for mountain biking," explains a camper who enjoyed the combination of camping and riding options.
Appalachian Trail access: Multiple campgrounds connect to sections of the AT. "Hike from visitor center to AT is steep and rocky," warns one reviewer about Greenbrier access points, suggesting preparation for challenging terrain.
Train watching: Some campgrounds offer unique opportunities to observe freight and passenger trains. "The trains that come through here almost hourly range from quick commuter MARC or Amtrak trains to long freight trains," notes a camper at a riverside location.
Historic exploration: Camp near Civil War battlefields and historic towns. "Harpers Ferry is a cute little historic town and the hiking is amazing, being right on the Appalachian Trail," mentions a visitor who appreciated the combination of outdoor recreation and historical sites.
What campers like
River access: Brunswick Family Campground offers direct river frontage. "The Shenandoah River parallels the campground. The river is beautifully clean clear and cool," according to a camper who enjoyed the water access. Sites along the Potomac provide similar experiences.
Secluded woodland sites: Many campers appreciate the forest settings. "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service," writes one RVer about their experience at a Frederick area campground, highlighting the privacy despite proximity to urban areas.
Fishing opportunities: Riverside campgrounds provide excellent fishing access. "Nice small campground WAY back in woods. Been here many times over the last 25 years," shares a loyal visitor to Owens Creek Campground, who returns repeatedly for the outdoor experience.
Night sky viewing: Some campgrounds minimize light pollution. "Great night sky viewing as no lights what so ever in camping loops except for toilet/shower buildings," reports a camper who enjoyed stargazing.
Proximity to trails: Many sites connect directly to hiking networks. "You can walk or easily drive to Harper's Ferry NP visitor center, from where you could take a bus into downtown," explains a camper who appreciated the easy access to both trails and town amenities.
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds near Frederick sit close to active rail lines. "The proximity to the tracks means that if the sound doesn't wake you up, the rumbling ground will. Every hour through the night," warns a camper at a riverfront site.
Seasonal crowding: Greenbrier State Park Campground can get particularly busy. "When we pulled the rangers where blocking traffic to the park. They said that the park was full. OMG they were right," reports one visitor during peak season.
Alcohol restrictions: Maryland state parks prohibit alcohol. "Be aware: no alcohol in Maryland parks," notes a camper who wanted others to understand local regulations.
Cell service variability: Coverage differs significantly between campgrounds. "If you work remote and depend on service, it's spotty. Very wooded so Starlink can't help much," advises a camper staying at a forested location.
Limited site privacy: Some campgrounds pack sites closely together. "The sites were small and not very private but are well defined. It's very clear where to park, set up the tent etc.," explains a visitor who found the organization helpful despite the proximity to other campers.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with activities: Little Bennett Campground offers family-oriented recreation. "My family loves this camp ground. It's conveniently located, it's quite, it's beautiful and there is plenty to do to keep the kids busy," recommends a parent who returns regularly.
Find swimming areas: Lakes provide relief during hot weather. "Lake area can be crowded on weekends, I tend to avoid," suggests one camper who prefers quieter times for water activities.
Look for kid-friendly trail options: Some parks offer shorter routes suitable for children. "The Lower Falls Trail is short but great for younger kids and we saw lots of dogs which was lovely," advises a parent who visited with young children.
Book well in advance: Family-friendly sites fill quickly. "We love going to Cunningham falls annually, however, it books up quickly during peak season!" warns a repeat visitor who recommends planning ahead for family trips.
Consider cabins for novice campers: Multiple campgrounds offer cabin options. "We rented one of the cabins here at Brunswick Family Campground," shares a visitor who found this option worked well despite some limitations in size and amenities.
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA and other campgrounds may have challenging layouts. "Heads up, big rig owners! Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air," cautions an RVer about site conditions.
Look for full hookup options: Utilities vary between parks. "Sites were level and well separated from others, though it was small. Friends joined us and set up a tent next to our RV trailer," notes a camper who found the arrangement worked well for mixed camping styles.
Consider dump station availability: Not all parks offer this service. "This campsite doesn't have a dump station so we went to the Cunningham falls site to dump after leaving and they let us dump no problem," shares an RVer who found a workaround.
Prepare for limited turning space: Older campgrounds may present navigation challenges. "Roads were very narrow and winding. We did fine with the pup, but can't imagine trying to navigate a large motorhome through there," advises a camper about access limitations.
