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The Susquehanna River corridor surrounding Conowingo, Maryland features a mix of state parks and private campgrounds within a 30-minute drive. Susquehanna State Park Campground, located just south of Conowingo Dam, provides tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins with seasonal operation from March through October. Nearby Elk Neck State Park offers year-round camping options with waterfront views on a peninsula between the Chesapeake Bay and Elk River. Several private campgrounds like Pequea Creek Campground and Muddy Run Recreation Park extend the camping options across the Pennsylvania border, creating a tri-state camping region that spans Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
Reservations are essential during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly, particularly at Elk Neck and Susquehanna State Parks. Many campgrounds in the area maintain seasonal operations, with limited winter availability outside of Elk Neck. According to one camper at Susquehannock State Park, "There's a great bike trail to the Conowingo dam which is a nice place to visit, and a great place to see lots of eagles." The dam area attracts wildlife enthusiasts, particularly during winter months when bald eagles congregate. Road access varies throughout the region, with some campgrounds requiring navigation of narrow country roads that can be challenging for larger RVs.
Waterfront sites receive consistently high ratings from visitors, with campers noting the opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The Susquehanna River and its tributaries provide numerous water recreation options, though swimming access is limited in some areas. Bathhouse facilities vary widely between campgrounds, with state parks generally offering more recently renovated facilities. One reviewer of Pequea Creek Campground noted, "Beautiful picturesque campground with large spots and a lot of trees. Very quiet and close enough to Lancaster for shopping." Site privacy differs significantly between campgrounds, with some offering well-spaced, shaded sites while others place units in closer proximity. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though some valley locations may experience limited coverage.
"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"We stayed here in November with beautiful weather which meant the large farm behind the campground was spraying manure over their fields. We could smell it."
"The site was covered and it was cool around 4:30pm when the sun went behind the trees. It didn’t look like all sites had that much cover so be careful."
"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 $29 - $51 / night
Check Availability"The large lake is great for a day of kayaking and fishing with supplies readily available for rent at the boat dock store."
"The observatory is open to public once a month, we recommend you plan your trip around this."
"Highly recommend staying here with lots of close hiking trails within driving distance."
"There was a lot of space so walking our dogs was great. The smaller bathroom stalls are pretty small but got the job done. Playground and pool were both nice and clean. Wonderful place for a family."
"Covered bridges and road side shopping are close by. Enjoyed river tubing which is close by to this campground. Music bingo on Saturday night was so much fun. Owners are very nice and helpful."
"The wife & I stayed in site 22 for three nights and bicycled 14 miles, some along the Susquehanna, on nearby Enola Low Grade Trail . "
"Some walk in tent sites. There are lots of long scenic hiking trails down to Deer creek and to the Susquehanna River."
"The camping area is small but worth it. a short walk from the scenic overlooks and other hiking trails."
from $28 - $72 / 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"Just down the road about a mile or so was the Indian Steps Museum which is owned by York Conservation Society."
"Its close proximity to the Susquehanna River, Otter Creek, and the Mason Dixon Trail is absolutely ideal! Sites are spacious and nice! Restrooms clean!"
GuideMary & her crew run a great campground. Full hookup. Slow schedule during the week-camp store & pool mainly. Saturdays always have activities planned from bingo to quarter auctions, picnics & music. Each Saturday is different. Clean grounds. Nice playgrounds. Kiddie pool & nice size pool from 3-5’ deep. 2 cabins also available.
TravelerThe owner is kind and knowledgeable a lot of live in / snowbirds . Some are very kind but some of the live in’s are crude .
TravelerOne of our favorite places. Very well kept. No bathhouse so bring your own. A lot of shady sites. Great views of Chesapeake bay. Flat roads in the area for cycling.
GuideA beautiful, well maintained park with lots to do, great bathroom facilities and extremely nice people. The electric sites aren't all together, so you don't have RV's lined up but maybe annoying for folks who are tent camping. Avoid the locations in the mid-30's by the dumpster, both staff and campers start shaking the lid around 6:30. Between 5 AM and noon staff were driving big trucks and ATV's around with loud reverse horns, and slamming the fire pit grills, which they store sideways. Overall I had a really wonderful time, but that's largely down to good sound reduction inside the van. Almost zero cell service. I was able to get a couple of text messages in and out, but seemed to be a fluke.
ScoutThis campsite was amazing for our first tent camping experience. The park was a godsend for keeping our toddler occupied and we felt very safe overall. While the beach is pretty, be careful about the water condition. We were warned before entering and informed of the risks. They were very clear on the condition of the water that day which was a yellow, slight risk. But normally it should be okay. We would definitely camp here again.
LegendPros- Pool is sparkling clear and new. Mini golf is awesome. Nice people, nice store.
Cons- further from Hershey Park than ideal, lots of seasonal campers leaving for work before dawn in loud trucks, not much privacy, some road noise.
GuideBASE ACCESS REQUIRED!
Electric/Water/Sewer hookup sites for $56 a night! (2 night minimum) Which is a great full hookup price, even though it's gone up $6 since last year. Weekly and monthly pricing available as well.
The sites are neat, well maintained, level, and sunny with concrete pads and paved campground roads. 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. Other base amenities include: commissary, gas station, bowling, BBQ, Dunkin', and Greek restaurants, and golf. (I'm sure I'm forgetting something.)
Note: in July it is very buggy - the biting flies are the worst. So bring bug spray or a screened in tent to eat in.
The downside: the reservation system is a major PITA. You have to download a PDF packet, fill it out, and EMAIL it in. When you get your confirmation, it doesn't include a specific site number. You get assigned one when they call you the week of your scheduled check-in for payment completion.
Don't miss out on: the water! My advice would be to reserve one of their boats at the same time you reserve your campsite. The water in this area is great - no jellyfish, low waves. You can SUP, kayak, pontoon boat. Whatever your preference. There are large flats of grasses - which you'd want to avoid with a motor but are so much fun to paddle over. Also check out the Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge island. You can't go inland, but you can anchor off shore, jump in and wade around the shallows.
Also very driveable to an off-base movie theater, Baltimore, and Havre de Grace.
ScoutWe stayed only one night in primitive tent site which was massive with a turnaround. It was great. There are fire pits and picnic tables and level ground. Very serene. We walked down to the river, breathtaking. Not sure of other amenities as we didn’t use them.
TravelerNice campground, maintained very well and clean. Laundry room and Propane fill on site so that was nice. RV Site was fairly level and easy to get into. Some sites are a bit close together and not long enough to keep your tow vehicle hooked up. A bit inconvenient if you’re only there for 1 night.
The Conowingo area sits at the lower Susquehanna River, where the river widens before entering the Chesapeake Bay. This region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 85°F and mild winters with occasional snow. Camping sites near Conowingo, Maryland remain popular year-round due to their diverse ecosystems and access to both river recreation and nearby hiking trails.
Kayaking at Otter Creek: Paddle from Otter Creek Campground where the boat launch provides direct river access. "The boat launch is in great shape and with the close islands makes it great to put the kayaks in this huge gorgeous river! Then throw in Otter Creek... it's a great adventure paddling up the creek," notes Sean M.
Hiking the Mason Dixon Trail: Several campgrounds connect to regional trail networks within a 10-minute drive. "There is a hiking trail that will take you all around the parameter of the large 144 acre park with plenty of wildlife to be seen as well as small trails easily marked near the campground," explains Alanna M. about trails near Muddy Run Recreation Park.
Bald eagle viewing: Winter months bring concentrations of eagles to the dam area. Birdwatchers can access multiple observation points near Susquehanna State Park Campground, where one reviewer mentioned, "This is a state operated park with camping and primarily draws Eagle watchers and photographers."
Spacious waterfront sites: Campers consistently praise the water-adjacent options at Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina. "The daily waterfront sites are pricy but right on the water with great views. Some of the trailer sites are a tough back in but worth the trouble," reports George L.
Clean bathhouse facilities: Modern bathroom facilities rank high in camper satisfaction. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," according to Mark.
Creek access for cooling off: During hot summer months, creek access provides welcome relief. At Tucquan Park Family Campground, visitors appreciate the water options. "Our 3 young kids enjoyed the playground the most — there were lots of fun things for the kids on the playground. There was also a nice pond — it looked pretty full of fish."
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill up months in advance, especially waterfront sites. "Book early because it fills up fast!" warns Ellen B. about Lums Pond State Park.
Seasonal operations: While some parks remain open year-round, many have limited winter availability. At Pequea Creek Campground, operations run from "Early March to Late November" with seasonal activities peaking in summer.
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds require navigation through residential neighborhoods or narrow roads. "You have to drive through a residential neighborhood to reach Bar Harbor, so big rigs take care/caution," notes Craig Z.
Hookup inconsistencies: Water and electric hookup locations can vary significantly between sites. "Bring 50 ft of hose for water hook up and an extension cord with a converter. The water hook ups are randomly placed, ours was 2 sites away," advises Chris G. at Muddy Run Recreation Park.
Playground accessibility: When booking with children, check proximity to play areas. At Susquehanna State Park, a camper noted: "As I mentioned, we stayed on a busy weekend in September and on Sunday morning, I found that there was no toilet paper in the ladies bathroom. Luckily, some generous camper had some and left a roll for the rest of us."
Kid-friendly water features: For summer camping with children, prioritize campgrounds with splash pads or swimming areas. "There is a ton of camping at Elk Neck, including a loop with full hook ups. There's a camp store, boat ramp, swimming, fishing and lots of great hiking," mentions David G.
Family event scheduling: Many campgrounds host regular activities for children. At Jellystone Park™ Quarryville, "Our first year we did a birthday package where they brought a cake to the camp with Booboo for my daughter. They have the pools and playgrounds and fishing," shares Mya M.
Leveling challenges: Many campsites throughout the region require significant leveling. "In the full hook up loop pay close attention to the lengths specified. The actual pads are fairly level but some of the driveways to them are very sloped. Long rigs will have issues in a few of the sites," warns David G. about Elk Neck State Park.
Full hookup availability: For extended stays, research hookup options in advance. "Finished the season at this state park in MD with full hook up (20, 30, and 50 amp, water and sewer) and the water was still on in November. Bathhouses were open with hot water. Nice clean bathhouses. Sites were level, spacious, spaced apart, with packed gravel surface," reports Laure D.
Cell service considerations: While most campgrounds near Conowingo offer reasonable connectivity, some low-lying areas have spotty coverage. "I camp there multiple times a year! It's dog and family friendly, close to resources, but far enough that it's quiet and feels remote! No cell signal in the campground so the family is forced to disconnect," notes Megan S. about Elk Neck State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reserve a camping spot at Susquehanna State Park near Conowingo?
To reserve a camping spot at Susquehanna State Park near Conowingo, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reservation website or call their reservation line. Similar to Susquehannock State Park Campground, which features two camping loops (one with electric sites and cabins), Susquehanna offers various site options. Reservations are typically available up to six months in advance, and it's advisable to book early, especially for summer weekends and holidays. For alternative options in the area, Otter Creek Campground is nearby and offers drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in access with similar reservation procedures through their dedicated system.
What amenities are available at Conowingo campground?
For camping near Conowingo, Pequea Creek Campground offers picturesque sites with large, wooded spots providing plenty of shade and privacy. The campground features quiet surroundings with convenient access to river tubing, covered bridges, and roadside shopping. Amenities include weekend activities like music bingo. Alternatively, Muddy Run Rec Park - PPL provides boat-in, drive-in, and walk-in access with water hookups, toilet facilities, and sites that can accommodate big rigs. Both campgrounds are located in the scenic area surrounding Conowingo and offer convenient bases for exploring the natural beauty of the Susquehanna River region.
What camping is available near Conowingo, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, Conowingo, MD offers a wide range of camping options, with 114 campgrounds and RV parks near Conowingo, MD and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Conowingo, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Conowingo, MD is Elk Neck State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 62 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Conowingo, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Conowingo, MD.
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