Cunningham Falls State Park offers tent and RV sites across multiple camping loops in the Catoctin Mountain region. The William Houck Area provides five camping loops with 149 sites that wind up the mountain, while the Manor Area offers more secluded camping with well-spaced sites. Visitors staying at these state park campgrounds can access numerous trails, fishing spots at Hunting Creek Lake, and the popular falls that give the park its name. Temperature swings between day and night can be significant in this area, sometimes exceeding 30°F difference even in summer months.
What to do
Fishing at the pond: Artillery Ridge Campground includes a catch-and-release fishing pond where visitors can try their luck. As one camper noted, "My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site." The campground is surrounded by Gettysburg National Park and connects directly to historical areas.
Halloween celebrations: Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA transforms during fall with special festivities. A reviewer shared, "At Halloween they have a great haunted house." Another camper mentioned, "Fall is the best at this campground with the trick or treating and haunted house."
Winter camping options: Unlike most campgrounds that close for colder months, some locations remain open year-round. Granite Hill Camping Resort operates throughout winter, making it ideal for off-season getaways. The resort offers mini golf, fishing ponds, and weekend events regardless of season.
Historical explorations: Camp near significant Civil War sites for immersive history experiences. One visitor explained, "We camped at Artillery Ridge Campground, which served as an artillery storage/staging area for the Union during the battle. Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded."
What campers like
Spacious camping areas: The Manor Area at Cunningham Falls State Park offers notably well-spaced sites. A visitor remarked, "I haven't seen this much space between campsites in a long time. The place was clean, paved roads, great price and very quiet." Another noted, "Lots of foliage and sites were well spaced."
Quality bathhouse facilities: Gettysburg Campground maintains clean bathrooms and showers. A camper mentioned that the "porta potties were cleanest I have ever seen even with a ton of recent rain." Others consistently rate the bathroom facilities positively in their reviews.
Creek-side camping: Several campgrounds offer sites along creeks or streams. One camper at Gettysburg Campground recommended to "get a site by the creek" and noted it's a "cool laid back staff and clean bathrooms nice playground for kids." Another visitor enjoyed "the tent sites which felt bigger than most and were right by river."
Extensive trail systems: Cowans Gap State Park features multiple hiking options, including a trail that encircles the entire lake. A reviewer shared, "A walking trail wraps around the whole lake. There's lots of hiking trails, a real sand beach and swimming area, pedal boat and canoe rentals."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the region. A camper at Cowans Gap State Park Campground noted having "reliable (but low) signal with T-Mobile at my site" while another location reported "no cell or wifi to stress us out." At Cunningham Falls Manor Area, visitors reported "1-2 bars of service on AT&T."
Seasonal water features: Waterfall flow varies dramatically based on recent rainfall. A visitor reported, "We hiked to the falls but with little rain, there was no falls." Plan accordingly and check conditions before making the waterfall your primary destination.
Limited campground stores: Pack thoroughly as some parks lack on-site supplies. One camper warned about Cowans Gap: "There's NO CAMP STORE. No place to buy bags of ice, extra batteries, lighters, or any other supplies that people usually need when camping. And this campground is in the middle of nowhere."
Highway noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience road noise due to proximity to major routes. A camper at Cunningham Falls Manor Area mentioned they "could appreciate the site's natural setting albeit near the highway" with notable traffic sounds from nearby Route 15.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for different ages: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Williamsport MD offers extensive water features beyond what's mentioned at other parks. A parent shared, "We recent went camping for the first time at Jellystone in Maryland. 5 of our 6 kids came with us, so we knew we needed to find a camping ground more geared kids. Jellystone was amazing in every way possible." The park includes "multiple pools and a great little water park."
Evening entertainment options: Look for campgrounds with organized nighttime activities. A visitor to Jellystone noted, "Lots to do for kids of all ages, gaga pit tournaments at night, movies, hay rides, character events tons of stuff."
Child-friendly hiking routes: The Lower Falls Trail at Cunningham Falls is particularly suitable for younger hikers. A parent reported, "The Lower Falls Trail is short but great for younger kids and we saw lots of dogs which was lovely."
Campsite selection for playground access: When booking with children, consider proximity to play areas. One camper at Granite Hill advised, "We stayed in the 'C' row site. Great shade and access to the playground. You can let the kids play all day while sitting at your campsite cooking and just hanging. It's only 15 yards for the play set."
Tips from RVers
Electric site availability: At Cunningham Falls State Park, electric hookup options are limited to specific areas. A camper noted, "There are very few electric sites on the three lower loops, the fourth loop is all electric sites, but water is relegated to water spigots...3 to 4 spaced out in each loop."
Leveling requirements: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring additional preparation. A visitor at Gettysburg Battlefield Resort advised, "Make sure to bring your leveling blocks, some sites do have a slope to them of 3-4"." Another camper at Granite Hill mentioned "it took 2 hours to get our camper set up because of the very uneven stone lot."
Hookup configurations: RVers should note the layout of utilities at each site. A visitor to Granite Hill observed, "The hookups are oddly spaced and you need to ensure you have extensions handy." This preparation prevents frustration upon arrival when setting up connections.
Site length considerations: For larger RVs, checking site dimensions is crucial. A camper at Gettysburg Campground mentioned having "decently sized sites long enough for my 32' coach and a toad." Be sure to verify your specific site can accommodate your rig before booking.
