Campgrounds near Waterford, Virginia provide varied accommodations within Maryland and West Virginia forests. The Potomac River marks the boundary between these states, offering water-based recreation at elevations between 250-400 feet. Fall temperatures average 45-65°F, making it ideal for late-season camping when many sites remain accessible through October.
What to do
Hike the C&O Canal towpath: The historic towpath runs for miles alongside Brunswick Family Campground, creating immediate trail access. "The C&O canal towpath cuts right through to allow for some great walks" and is "situated next to the river so half of the sites have river views," according to visitors at Brunswick Family Campground.
Explore historic sites: Within 30 miles of Waterford, multiple Civil War battlefields and historic towns await. A visitor to Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA noted its "close proximity to plenty of historic and tourist places to visit. The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Visitor Center is literally next door. Harpers Ferry Lower Town and Bolivar Heights are a few minutes by car."
Family water activities: Many campgrounds offer organized water recreation from April through October. At Bull Run Regional Park, "there's a water park type thing here. Hiking, biking, swimming, fishing" and the park has "golf frisbe course, decent water park for kids, hiking trails, small creek/river you can explore."
What campers like
River access: Direct water access ranks as a top feature for glamping near Waterford. At Harpers Ferry Campground, a reviewer appreciated that it's "right on the river so you can go swimming right from your campsite!" The riverside setting creates a peaceful backdrop with "gorgeous spot on the river. Small campground with not a lot of amenities BUT THAT RIVER IS GORGEOUS."
Privacy levels: Campgrounds vary from tightly packed to spacious sites. At Little Bennett Campground, visitors enjoy "quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded sites with 50A service, water and sewer hookup." Another camper noted "lots of vegetation between sites providing privacy from neighbors."
Fall camping opportunities: October brings special events to several glamping locations. The Houck Area at Cunningham Falls State Park offers "great campsites- whether you have a tent or a big Class A, lots of well-maintained hiking trails of varying difficulty." A visitor recommends, "If you're there around Columbus Day weekend, check out Colorfest in the town of Thurmont!"
What you should know
Train noise considerations: Several riverside campgrounds sit near active rail lines. Brunswick Family Campground "is adjacent to a very large, very busy train yard. It's not bothered me but you should be aware." Similarly, at Harpers Ferry Campground, "there are train tracks behind the campground with a train going through day and night...bring ear plugs if you're a light sleeper."
Site selection matters: When glamping near Waterford, research specific site characteristics. At Brunswick Family Campground, "select the correct site as that is incredibly important. I'm sure in peak season or holidays it can be very busy and then you'd be very tight to your neighbor especially in the A loop. Sites on the ends are by far larger than the center."
Seasonal bathroom maintenance: Facility cleanliness varies by season and campground. One camper at Brunswick Family Campground noted "Restrooms were beyond disgusting, dumpsters overflowing and dump station was muddy" during peak season, while others found facilities adequate during less busy periods.
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Many glamping sites offer organized family events on weekends. A visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park shared, "Lots to do for kids of all ages, gaga pit tournaments at night, movies, hay rides, character events tons of stuff. Big miniature golf course, it could use a little TLC but over all fun and a little challenging."
Budget considerations: Family camping near Waterford varies widely in price. At Jellystone, one camper noted it was "nice but expensive" and even for tent camping, "I still paid nearly 100 a night." For more budget-friendly options, state parks like Cunningham Falls offer lower rates but fewer amenities.
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with water features for hot days. At Bull Run Regional Park, campers appreciate that there's "a great water park, playground and bounce pad feature" making it "definitely recommend for families and/or anyone looking for easy convenience camping."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require equipment for leveling. At Harpers Ferry KOA, one RVer warned, "Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air."
Satellite and connectivity: Tree cover impacts technology needs at wooded sites. At Little Bennett Campground, "there is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy. OTA TV was descent using an external omni antenna. There is no WiFi. AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster(1 bar), 8 MB/s with it(2 bars)."
Navigation considerations: Some glamping locations near Waterford have tight access roads. Cherry Hill Park is well-developed but campers recommend getting "a site at the end of a row. The sites are pretty close together but on the ends at least you only have a neighbor on one side."
