Many campgrounds in the Woodstock, Maryland area sit at elevations between 300-500 feet along the Patapsco River watershed, creating varied terrain for camping experiences. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-90°F with higher humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with less precipitation. The region's proximity to both Baltimore and Washington DC provides unique access to urban amenities while maintaining wooded camping settings.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The Bush River at Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina provides excellent fishing spots directly from waterfront campsites. "You can fish from the pier or right from your site," notes Laure D., who stayed at the park during colder weather but found plenty to do. Fishing enthusiasts should bring their own specialized bait as "only bait at the camp store or with 25 miles is night crawlers."
Farm animal experiences: Families can interact with farm animals at several campgrounds in the region. "The main attraction is the animals, but there is also a cute playground for the kids," Mary H. writes about Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm. Another visitor mentions that children particularly enjoy "playing with the kids (baby goats), pigs, goats, chickens, horses and even lamas."
Historic exploration: The Gettysburg battlefield sits approximately 60 miles from Woodstock, making it an accessible day trip. "It's literally like a mile from downtown Gettysburg, which also has a lot of different things to do," explains David G. about Drummer Boy Camping Resort. Visitors can explore battlefield monuments, museums, and historic sites within a 20-minute drive from several campgrounds.
What campers like
Waterfront camping: Sites directly on the water rank among the most popular in the region. At Harpers Ferry Campground, "all spots are along the water" according to Mikala S., who paid just $29 per night. Another camper appreciated that "you can go swimming right from your campsite" and noted the campground's connection to River Riders, which offers "lazy tubing, white water tubing, zip lining, and great kayaking down the river."
Convenient city access: For those wanting to combine outdoor experiences with urban exploration, Cherry Hill Park provides direct transportation to Washington DC. "The best park in the DC area! Very nice grounds, clean, and amenities galore," writes Jason E., adding that visitors can "plan and reserve your DC tours right at the campground. No need to drive anywhere, the tour buses pick you up at the park!"
Pool amenities: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming pools that remain popular during warmer months. "The pool with the slide was very clean," notes one visitor to Drummer Boy Camping Resort. At Cherry Hill Park, Beth R. appreciated the comprehensive amenities including "50 amp hook-up, water, sewer, playground, mini golf, swimming pool, hot tub, basketball court, snack bar on site, nightly hayride."
What you should know
Seasonal occupancy impacts: Many campgrounds in the region have significant numbers of seasonal or permanent residents. At Round Top Campground, Jeremy K. observed, "While the site was shaded, it was also on a significant hill and had NO view of anything but other seasonal campers." Site selection becomes particularly important when many spots are occupied by long-term residents.
Train noise considerations: Several campgrounds are situated near active rail lines. At Harpers Ferry Campground, "the trains that come through here almost hourly range from quick commuter MARC or Amtrak trains to long freight trains. The proximity to the tracks means that if the sound doesn't wake you up, the rumbling ground will. Every hour through the night."
Site leveling requirements: RV campers should be prepared with leveling equipment as many sites in the area require adjustment. "Sites were level and needed no additional blocking," noted one camper about Gettysburg Battlefield KOA, but other campgrounds present challenges. One visitor to Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp advised to "bring plenty of leveling blocks" because "our site wasn't fully level."
Tips for camping with families
Animal interactions: Farms near camping areas provide unique experiences for children. At Gettysburg Farm RV Campground, Kasey M. reported, "We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires." Another parent noted, "The children LOVED the animals and we fed them at the allotted time every morning and went to visit at other times."
Playground access: When selecting a campground for families, check playground availability and quality. Chelsea observed at one location 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." Many campgrounds offer recreational facilities, but quality and accessibility vary significantly across properties.
Planned activities: Some campgrounds organize regular events for children. "They have themed weekend events, live music, bingo, golf cart parades, and potluck," according to one reviewer. Another mentioned that Drummer Boy Camping Resort had "a yard sale, vendor sale, golf cart parade, as well as other activities going on."
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement: RV campers should be prepared for unconventional utility hookup locations at some parks. At Bar Harbor RV Park, one camper noted "the water hookup access was on the ground. It was raining and the area was saturated with no where to drain." Another reviewer mentioned that "the sewer hookup was inconveniently placed about six inches above the ground which meant that it would not drain properly."
Site spacing: Many RV sites near Woodstock, Maryland feature close spacing between units. "The roads are very confusing and difficult to navigate. Many of the sites are on annoying slope where the table/fire pit is not level to the camper," noted Chelsea about one location. Another reviewer observed that sites were "tight with no landscaping etc. We had to be careful to ensure our slide outs wouldn't hit the electric boxes."
Transportation options: When visiting DC from RV parks, consider various transportation methods beyond personal vehicles. At Cherry Hill Park, Jennifer H. shared that "Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle. It takes about a half hour to get downtown to the monuments. Our uber rides ranged from 20-45$ for a family of 5. So $4-9 per person. We rode in all 4 days this way. Personalized, comfortable. Door to door."
