Campgrounds near Woodstock, Maryland offer diverse accommodation options throughout the forested Patapsco Valley. Several campgrounds lie within 25 miles of Woodstock, with elevations ranging from 300-800 feet above sea level. Many local campgrounds remain open year-round with seasonal activities, while specialized yurt camping provides a middle ground between tent camping and cabin stays.
What to Do
Hiking trails: Little Bennett Campground connects to over 25 miles of well-maintained trails suitable for various skill levels. "There is a very nice network of trails, most if not all were leashed dog friendly," notes a visitor from Little Bennett Campground.
Water activities: Take advantage of lakes and ponds during warm months. "We hiked to the falls but with little rain, there was no falls. A very crowded hike with people everywhere," reports one camper at Cunningham Falls State Park, indicating seasonal water fluctuations.
Historical exploration: Camp near significant historical sites within driving distance. "The campground is approximately a 3 minute drive from everything in the town of Gettysburg. The battlefields are very close as well," mentions a visitor at Artillery Ridge Campground.
Seasonal festivals: Time your visit around local events. "If you're there around Columbus Day weekend, check out Colorfest in the town of Thurmont!" suggests a camper from Cunningham Falls State Park.
What Campers Like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer sites with good separation. At Little Bennett Campground, campers appreciate that "the sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup."
Clean facilities: Bathhouses and amenities receive regular maintenance. "Bathroom and shower facilities were mediocre large cracks in the fiberglass leaking water but they did provide an area to wash dishes," mentions a Cunningham Falls State Park visitor, showing varying quality between locations.
Family activities: Kid-friendly features abound across multiple campgrounds. One camper at Ramblin' Pines notes, "This is our local campground and our second time here and we really like it. It has a pool, jump pillow, mini golf, fishing pond, barnyard with goats, and multiple playgrounds."
Year-round options: Some campgrounds remain open throughout winter. "Clean," stated a reviewer simply about Ramblin' Pines, also mentioning it stays "open all year," providing yurt camping near Woodstock for those seeking off-season accommodations.
What You Should Know
Reservation timing: Popular weekends book quickly, especially for specialized accommodations. "We were advised it normally sells out on weekends, so securing a site in advance is wise," mentions a visitor about Cunningham Falls State Park.
Site privacy varies: Expect different levels of seclusion between campgrounds and loops. At Washington DC / Capitol KOA, "If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy."
Check-in procedures: Some campgrounds have specific requirements. "The keycard entry system is pretty inconvenient though ($40 cash only deposit!) and the hours are inconvenient as well. You can only check in between 2 and 4!" notes a Ramblin' Pines visitor.
Campground rules: Management enforcement varies by location. At Merry Meadows Recreation Farm, one visitor complained, "The campers behind us said they kick people out all the time and that you have to walk on eggshells there just to be able to stay there in peace."
Tips for Camping with Families
Activity planning: Schedule around specific recreation hours. As one camper at Washington DC / Capitol KOA mentions, "We did not like that non potty trained kids are not allowed to swim in their pool," showing the importance of checking age restrictions.
Choosing loops: Some areas cater better to children. At Little Bennett, "D Loop is for RVs, A, B, C & E are tents only," providing guidance for families with specific accommodation needs.
Budget for extras: Additional activities may have separate fees. One Codorus State Park visitor noted, "It was a shock we had to pay to swim when we camped there," highlighting the need to plan for extra costs.
Yurt options: For families seeking yurt camping around Woodstock, Maryland, multiple campgrounds offer these structures with varying amenities. They provide a middle ground between tent camping and cabins, especially appealing during shoulder seasons.
Tips from RVers
Site characteristics: Many campgrounds offer varying hookup options. At Cherry Hill Park, RVers appreciate the "50 amp hook-up, water, sewer" but note the "gravel pad" as a con.
Leveling requirements: Prepare for site topography. "Site#D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back," reports a Little Bennett Campground visitor.
Cell service: Connectivity varies significantly. Another Little Bennett camper notes, "AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster(1 bar), 8 MB/s with it(2 bars). There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy."
Access limitations: Some locations have specific entry procedures. "Entrance gate required entry code. Instructed by staff via gate phone to proceed to campsite as check-in at camp store is at dead end with insufficient turning space for pickup towing 28ft bumper pull," explains one detailed reviewer.
