Camping options near Charles Town, West Virginia sit at the intersection of three states, with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,200 feet throughout the region. The area experiences four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and winter lows reaching 25°F. Most campgrounds in the region remain open from April through October, with limited winter availability at select locations offering heated accommodation options.
What to do
Tube the Shenandoah River: Access the water directly from Brunswick Family Campground, where the sites are positioned just yards from the riverbank. "The Shenandoah is just as beautiful. You can walk down into the river or go up river some to go tubing!" shares Brian S., who visited multiple times.
Explore Civil War history: Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA offers proximity to significant historical sites. "Close to Antietam battlefield, vineyards, antiques or even DC (1 hour)," notes Misty C., who considers this her "home base" when exploring the region.
Hike the Appalachian Trail: Access the famous long-distance trail from Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA, which sits adjacent to the trail. "Close proximity to plenty of historic and tourist places to visit. The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Visitor Center is literally next door," explains Matt S.
What campers like
Direct river access: Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders sits directly on the Potomac River. "It is right on the river so you can go swimming right from your campsite! The camp ground is part of river riders which offers lazy tubing, white water tubing, zip lining, and great kayaking down the river," explains Robin W.
Well-maintained trails: Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground offers extensive hiking opportunities. "Park and campgrounds are clean and well maintained. Tons of trails, wildlife and activities in and near the park. This state park is adjacent to Shenandoah National Park and is just as beautiful and rich in history!" reports Ricki F.
Water activities for children: Brunswick Family Campground provides safe water entry points for families. "Great location right next the river. Easy to walk into the river or tube down it. Lots of different activities for kids and plenty of space at each site to make your home away from home," writes Nicholas S.
What you should know
Train noise considerations: Many riverside campgrounds sit near active rail lines. At Brunswick Family Campground, "The CNO railroad runs pretty close it's not super loud just wanted to make you aware," mentions Brian S. Similarly, at Harpers Ferry Campground, "The train that comes through here almost hourly range from quick commuter MARC or Amtrak trains to long freight trains," according to Sherri C.
Limited shower facilities: Several campgrounds have minimal shower buildings. "No toilet/shower facility in FHU loop so had to hike to facilities in Loops B & E," notes a camper at Little Bennett Campground.
Site spacing varies significantly: Campgrounds range from spacious to cramped. "Get cozy, the sites are quite small and tightly packed together," warns Matt S. about Harpers Ferry KOA, while at Little Bennett Campground, "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service."
Tips for camping with families
Water-based glamping options: Families seeking glamping in Charles Town, West Virginia benefit from waterfront locations. At Brunswick Family Campground, one reviewer noted their site had "easy access to the electric and water. Plus enough room for a large tent. There was a fire pit and picnic table for every site. We had a great view of the river which was just a short walk away."
Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Williamsport MD focuses on family entertainment. "What an amazing campground for adults and kids. The kids were never bored and had so much fun. Us, as adults, were also never bored," shares Mary, who camped with five children.
Weekend scheduling advice: Reserve family glamping accommodations near Charles Town well in advance for peak times. "It was great that they provided a nice pancake breakfast free of charge," Joy P. says about Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA, which offers special weekend activities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Choose wisely when booking. "Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site (#199) had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air," warns Matt S. about Harpers Ferry KOA.
Cell service and connectivity: Coverage varies throughout the area. At Little Bennett Campground, "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. OTA TV was descent using an external omni antenna," notes Ray & Terri F.
Road conditions and access: Some campgrounds have challenging entry roads. "The road into the campground was badly in need of repair. Site was not level and infested with black flies," warns Robin about Brunswick Family Campground, highlighting the importance of researching access before bringing large rigs.
