Tent camping near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania often means exploring neighboring Maryland, with many sites within a 30-60 minute drive. The elevation across these campgrounds varies from riverside locations at around 400 feet to Appalachian Trail sites at 1700 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during day with cooler nights, while spring and fall bring more variable conditions.
What to do
Water activities along the Potomac: At Antietam Creek Campground, campers can enjoy swimming, paddling and tubing directly from their sites. One visitor noted, "The Potomac is mostly flat with some 'swirlies' for experienced paddlers. I also saw some people tubing."
Historical exploration: Many campgrounds serve as bases for exploring Civil War sites. Patapsco Valley State Park puts you within 30 minutes of Baltimore's historical attractions. "Very short drive in to Baltimore- around 30 minutes. Getting in to the park was a little difficult. We missed the entrance and had to turn around," a camper reported.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Access points near camping areas provide day hike opportunities. The campgrounds along the AT offer varying difficulty levels. One camper at Dahlgren Backpacker Campground mentioned, "This is a stop on the AT open only to multi-day backpackers. I've heard it is sometimes enforced."
What campers like
Natural water features: Many sites offer direct river access. At Lower Allen Community Park, "Cute site in a local township park that not many people know about. There actually three total. You just need to call the township to reserve. The sites sit right along the Yellow Breeches creak so you can put in a few miles up and float down to your site."
Strategic overnight stops: Hikers appreciate the Gettysburg-area campgrounds as rest points during longer journeys. As one camper at Dahlgren Backpacker Campground stated, "I only stopped here for a night while I was hiking the AT, but it was a welcome relief to get to a spot where I could wash off and have indoor plumbing for a night."
Scenic overlooks: Many sites feature elevated viewpoints. A camper at Annapolis Rock Campground described the view: "Beautiful view. About a dozen campsites to choose, and several group sites. Some fairly private. No camp fires allowed."
What you should know
Limited site privacy: Most tent campgrounds in the region have open layouts with little separation between sites. At Antietam Creek, "The campground itself is just one big field along the canal towpath, so you have no privacy from other campers."
Variable bathroom conditions: Facilities deteriorate quickly during busy periods. "When we got there, they were okay, but by the 3rd night they were really gross. We were at the site next to them and could smell them."
Parking logistics: Many sites require walking gear from parking areas. At Antietam Creek Campground, "You have to park on the road and walk about 75 feet to your site. Not much traffic on that road and a trail with many cyclists and runners."
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for local fauna. At Annapolis Rock, a camper warned, "The view is great but you can't have a campfire due to restorations. Also, be careful for the copperheads that come warm up on the rocky overlook."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature excellent play areas for children. At Patapsco Valley State Park, "The Hilton entrance of Patapsco Valley Park is perfect for keeping the kids entertained. There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park."
Child-friendly hikes: Look for shorter trails with engaging features. "This park has a wide range of activities for kids. The hike I did was not very long but was well worth it. The trail was well marked but there was some confusion at one point on where we were supposed to go."
Prepare for weather impacts: Rain can significantly affect the camping experience. "One negative was that when it rains it really flushes through the grounds. We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm."
Tent setup surfaces: Some sites have challenging terrain for tents. "The crushed stone at the sites isn't comfortable for tents, and they won't let you pitch it on the ground, so bring extra pads and alternative ways to secure the tent to the ground."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Most campgrounds near Gettysburg have limited RV accommodations. At Mulehalla, sites are primarily designed for tents but offer "Tons of open spaces for tents, and sites are spaced far apart."
Alternative cabin options: For those seeking more comfort without an RV, several parks offer cabin rentals. Patapsco Valley features "neat mini cabins. Small one room cabins that have electricity and heat. They are a nice touch for those that want to camp, but not completely 'rough it.'"
Resource limitations: Many sites lack RV hookups or dump stations. Check ahead for amenities and prepare accordingly for self-contained camping.