Best Campgrounds near Harpers Ferry, WV

Where the Potomac meets the Shenandoah River, Harpers Ferry camping spots combine outdoor recreation with Civil War history. River Riders G Z sits close to both rivers, making it convenient for kayakers and rafters who want to get on the water. Greenbrier State Park Campground connects to the Appalachian Trail for good hiking, though you should check if it's open before planning a trip there. Little Bennett Campground has bigger sites that work well when camping with kids or several tents. The best times to camp around Harpers Ferry are May-June and September-October when the weather stays comfortable and bugs aren't as bad. Some of the back roads to campsites can be tight or rough in spots, so larger RVs might have trouble at certain locations. Most campgrounds don't require special permits, but always check about current fire rules, especially during dry spells. Stay within posted time limits at each site and pack out all trash to keep these camping areas in good shape for future visitors.

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Best Camping Sites Near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia (146)

    1. Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA

    39 Reviews
    Harpers Ferry, WV
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (304) 535-6895

    $40 - $80 / night

    "We set up camp at Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA Holiday as our launchpad to visit the historic sites in and around Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and Frederick, Maryland. "

    "close to the AT. harpers ferry is breathtaking. fun trip."

    2. Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders

    24 Reviews
    Harpers Ferry, WV
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 535-2663

    "Harper's Ferry is a little town in WV nestled right next to the Potomac River. It's also a convenient halfwayish point on the Appalachian Trail."

    "The hike that leads to the lookout about harpers ferry was fantastic. This hike takes you well above the town settled in West Virginia."

    3. Greenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    41 Reviews
    Boonsboro, MD
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    $23 - $29 / night

    "We also didn't make it down to the lake. Easy check in and out and they sold us wood at check in. Close to the AT and only about an hour from Harper's Ferry where we spent the day."

    "We hiked from Harper's Ferry to Pen Mar on the AT and used this fabulous campground as a base station the entire 5 days. "

    4. Brunswick Family Campground

    12 Reviews
    Brunswick, MD
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 834-9950

    $10 - $90 / night

    "Picked this location because it is close to our home in Silver Spring, MD but far enough to make us feel like we were leaving town."

    "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."

    5. Antietam Creek Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

    11 Reviews
    Sharpsburg, MD
    6 miles
    Website

    $20 / night

    "All the sites are very open and run along the multi-use trail. People are constantly walking, running, and biking by."

    "Pretty standard campground—the perks are it’s location to nearby attractions and the river/creek. It depends on what you’re looking for—easy camping and proximity to Antietam and Harper’s? Golden."

    6. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Williamsport MD

    23 Reviews
    Williamsport, MD
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 223-7117

    $99 - $471 / night

    "There is a food court in the swimming pool and a camp store right next to it.

    They play movies every night at the outdoor theater near the pool."

    "This campground has tons of nice cabins and tent sites, all in wooded surroundings. There is a small creek to play in and a nice little hiking trail within the campground."

    7. Gambrill State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Middletown, MD
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    $18 - $50 / night

    "The site was very level, nicely shaded, and positioned a short distance from the bath house. There was also a water spigot located right at the entrance of the site."

    "There was a walking path to the bathhouse between 13 and 14. Sites 8-11 were on a nice open field, with some smaller trees."

    8. Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA

    19 Reviews
    Williamsport, MD
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 223-7571

    "Set right next to the river and you fish if you want to. DO NOT follow your GPS. Follow the directions on the KOA Website."

    "Beautiful campgrounds situated near a creek. The campgrounds have a homey feel and were decorated nicely for fall & Halloween. The staff & hosts were incredibly nice & helpful."

    9. Brunswick City Campground

    1 Review
    Brunswick, MD
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 695-5177

    "This location is very welcome with the friendly staff and large sites for tents or RVs. We had easy access to the electric and water. Plus enough room for a large tent."

    10. Houck - Cunningham Falls State Park

    24 Reviews
    Thurmont, MD
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 271-7574

    $21 - $65 / night

    "Camp next to the president."

    "There are a few vineyards and breweries nearby. Gettysburg, PA is close as is Frederick, MD. Our site was level and had a good view of the woods. Family was staying in site next to us, site 12."

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Recent Reviews near Harpers Ferry, WV

1128 Reviews of 146 Harpers Ferry Campgrounds


  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders

    Awesome views on the Potomac

    Very cool spot. Amazing sites right on the Potomac. There is a Ale House above the office that delivers for free to your site (2.5 miles away), just tip the driver

  • Lindsay C.
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Little Fort Campground

    Nice secluded campsite

    There are 9 campsites, each with at least one fire ring, a tent pad and a picnic table, and there is a vault toilet in the middle. I arrive at 7:30pm on a Saturday in late August and thought I might be too late to get a spot but there were only two other groups there so I had my pick of most of the sites. 

    Overall it's a nice secluded spot, although I had a couple of complaints. The picnic tables at most of the sites had seen better days and I'm not sure if I would have wanted to sit at them if I had stayed at the site for any meals. Also, I could hear some cars drive by and some dogs barking while I was trying to sleep, which was a bit disruptive. Otherwise, I would recommend this campsite. 

    Note: this page says that Verizon has limited service but I have a Verizon prepaid plan and I had no service at all starting from about 20 minutes away from the site, so I wouldn't count on having any reception.

  • eThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Round Top Campground

    I camped and worked here.

    I’m a shamanic energy healer and health enthusiast exploring a new life and hunting for healthy. While this campground has some nice features. This certainly is not a health conscious facility. Lots of smoking, drinking and unhealthy food. There was also evidence of mice in the main store and definitely issues with the water.

  • Erin W.
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Lake Fairfax Campground

    Nice for a quick weekend

    This campground is nice for a quick weekend and does have pretty trails next to the campground. The sites are largely in more of a meadow and not many are very wooded. Our site, 41, was level and nicely spaced from other sites but many tent sites were not level at all. Many tents were on a full slant. There is a waterpark that is an extra cost which is fun for kids. Bathrooms are well maintained and huge.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Cherry Hill Park

    Can’t beat it

    Proximity to DC and surrounding areas can’t be beat. 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. We saw tons of stuff. No one can say they saw everything. We took the train from Union station to Penn station. Saw the nationals, the orioles. So fun. The park itself has more than most. Mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry, a store and office open early!! And late!!! Wow! Just can’t be beat. Great sites. So many other things in the park. Splash pad, paved roads for scootering. Just awesome!

  • John B.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA

    Overcrowded with upkeep

    I hate leaving bad reviews, but I think people should be aware of this campsite. First thing we noticed when we arrived at the campsite was that it was very tight. We had a pull through campsite, but on the camp side it was all dirt and grass that look like it hadn’t been mowed in over two weeks. With the heat and humidity we have been having for the last couple weeks, I knew this was gonna be a buggy site. Then the rains came and everything turned into mud. We had a rug laid down, but the mud and water worked its way through that. We couldn’t enter the RV without tracking mode through it. On days it was raining we spent a lot of time in the camper. That’s when we discovered another issue. On almost all occasions there was no Internet. We had a strong Wi-Fi signal, but no Internet. Upon talking to some of our neighbors who frequented this campsite, they said they had never seen it this bad. The other thing too, was that there was hardly any trash receptacles. Ending this on a good note, we loved how close it was to historical Harpers Ferry, and how convenient it was to be able to walk to the visitor center and catch a ferry. It really is a beautiful area. I would hope that the management of this KOA would address these issues, because I’m sure I’m not gonna be the only one to leave a negative review about this campground.

  • Josey F.
    Jun. 30, 2025

    Greenville Farm Family Campground

    Wonderful!

    We are repeat customers and come here with our troops. Nice mix of RV and tent campers. Quiet. Trails, creek, pool, fishing ponds (back end), batheooms, etc, great rates. No firewood- need to bring your own.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2025

    Candy Hill Campground

    Horrible rude and mean staff. Wish I could leave a minus 10.

    Terrible experience. Very, very noisy. So loud couldn't sleep. Just wanted to rest for a night. Was awakened by extremely rude staff when I just wanted to rest. All those bad reviews are true. Never had such a bad experience. As I was filling the fresh water for travel it overflowed and revealed the huge amount of septic black water which really smelled. Looked pretty but that revealed their true nature, turd with a ribbon on it. The staff was so rude and really had a mean demeanor, just as other reviews have stated. I will never stay there and though I usually only give good reviews, I felt compelled to warn others. This place has park nazis in golf carts that harass people. I saw it happen to others who cut their stay short. No wonder the park was almost empty.

  • C
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Granite Hill Camping Resort

    It'll Do

    Not a bad campground, probably better for RVs not a tent like us. None of the buildings (including the office and bathhouse) are accessible. Lots of overgrowth (we had to move the picnic table due to the amount of growth), and not every site has a fire ring.


Guide to Harpers Ferry

Campers visiting Harpers Ferry, West Virginia can explore where the Blue Ridge, South Mountain, and Catoctin Mountain ranges meet at an elevation of approximately 300 feet. The area features diverse terrain with riverside camping areas that are frequently subjected to train noise, as multiple rail lines converge near the historic town. Weather conditions vary dramatically between seasons, with summer temperatures often reaching the high 80s with significant humidity.

What to do

Tube down the Shenandoah River: Brunswick Family Campground provides direct river access for tubing and swimming. "The Shanandoah is just as beautiful. The showers could use a good cleaning but they are typical Campground showers perfect for the campground life," notes Brian S., who returned for multiple visits.

Fish at multiple spots: Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders offers shoreline fishing access. "There is great fishing right from you campsite as well," writes Robin W., adding that the riverside location provides "great water, sunshine, and wonderful company."

Hike to lookout points: Elevation gains provide scenic views of the historic town. "The hike that leads to the lookout about harpers ferry was fantastic. This hike takes you well above the town settled in West Virginia," reports Anthony S., who recommends watching for decorative locks left on the bridge by other hikers.

Visit Civil War sites: Several campgrounds provide access to historic battlefields. At Antietam Creek Campground, "you can walk to Shepherdstown, WV for some fun. Antietam creek is very close by and is perfect for tubing," according to Shawn W.

What campers like

Easy access to the Appalachian Trail: Greenbrier State Park Campground connects directly to this famous long-distance trail. "Nice hiking. Connect to AT. Campground's are well kept," states Butch B., adding that the "hike from visitor center to AT is steep and rocky."

Riverside camping spots: Many campers appreciate waterfront sites despite the occasional noise. "Nice river front sites, and pool in the campground. Close to historic Harpers Ferry and lots of great hiking," explains Beth C. about her stay at Harpers Ferry Campground.

Well-maintained tent pads: Campsite quality varies across locations. Sarah K. appreciated Greenbrier State Park's "Big, immaculately groomed tent pads" and the fact it had "Mostly tent campers!" She added, "Almost all sites were nice and shaded" with "Clean bathrooms with free showers were close by."

Swimming opportunities: Cunningham Falls State Park offers a lake beach area popular with families. "The beach area at the lake was fantastic! My kids loved it plenty of areas to grill and dogs are allowed," shares Casey L., though she noted the campsite itself had some drawbacks including "paths to the bathroom through many sites."

What you should know

Train noise affects many sites: CSX and passenger trains run frequently near some campgrounds. Kristen M. at Harpers Ferry Campground warns: "When the train comes barreling by at 1am, 2am and 3am you either laugh or you cry depending on how tired you are."

Weekend crowding: Some areas become extremely busy during peak times. At Brunswick City Campground, Nicholas S. found that "The Shanandoah is just as beautiful" despite the crowds, and praised the "friendly staff and large sites for tents or RVs."

Bathroom facilities vary widely: Quality and cleanliness fluctuate between locations. At Antietam Creek Campground, Casey L. observed that "the one thing we had to complain about were the bathrooms. When we got there, they were okay, but by the 3rd night they were really gross."

Seasonal closures: Check operating dates before planning trips. M J. at Gambrill State Park noted: "We camped here in early April 2021. The first weekend open of the season. This is a smaller campground, only 34 sites, but it had all you needed."

Tips for camping with families

Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly activities: Jellystone Park in Williamsport offers extensive children's programming. "We were looking for a camping ground more geared kids. Jellystone was amazing in every way possible. The kids were never bored and had so much fun," shares Mary.

Choose sites away from walkways: Heavy foot traffic can disrupt family camping. At Cunningham Falls State Park, Casey noted "There are paths to the bathroom through many sites so people walk through your site to get to the bathhouse," which can disturb privacy and setup.

Consider cabins for easier family camping: Several campgrounds offer cabin options. Sherri C. at Brunswick Family Campground rented a cabin called "Onward" and appreciated the "Great Potomac river views" and "Weather-proof cabin with comfy bunks," though she noted it was "TINY" with "essentially four beds (two bunks) and some space between them."

Ask about swimming areas: Water features vary by location. Raymond H. reported that at Cunningham Falls, "The park was gorgeous and staff were friendly. There are a few spots to get away and do some fishing. The beach was too crowded for my liking."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven sites that require extra equipment. At Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA, one reviewer warned: "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."

Site spacing varies significantly: RVers should check site dimensions before booking. Brian P. notes that at Harpers Ferry KOA, "Only thing I didn't care for is the sites are pretty close together and some of the back-in sites are not very level."

Check road conditions: Access roads present challenges for larger vehicles. At Gambrill State Park, a reviewer noted: "Site host and ranger came by - and were very nice - though all things considered I like parks when you don't really see anyone."

Bathroom distance matters: Consider proximity to facilities when selecting sites. In Houck Area at Cunningham Falls, Amanda W. shares: "My family and I have been coming here every year since I was young and it is my absolute favorite place to camp. Great campsites- whether you have a tent or a big Class A."

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds near Harpers Ferry for tent camping?

Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders is excellent for tent camping with its riverside sites and convenient access to hiking trails and the historic town. The campground offers tent sites with picnic tables and grills, plus amenities like a swimming pool. For a free option, consider Huckleberry Hill Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite along the C&O Canal towpath. This small, primitive site accommodates 3-4 tents and offers beautiful views of the Potomac River. It's especially convenient for hikers and cyclists traveling the C&O Canal or connecting to the Appalachian Trail.

How much does camping cost at Harpers Ferry Adventure Center?

Harpers Ferry Adventure Center (now known as Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders) offers camping at varying price points. While specific rates aren't detailed in recent reviews, prices typically range from $30-50 per night for tent sites, with riverfront locations commanding premium rates. The campground offers both standard and premium tent sites as well as RV options. For a budget alternative near Harpers Ferry, Nahkeeta Campsite provides a more affordable option with convenient highway access, making it easy to explore the historic area without paying premium prices.

Is there a KOA campground in Harpers Ferry and what amenities does it offer?

Yes, the Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA offers extensive amenities including a large swimming pool and numerous kid-friendly activities. This KOA provides typical campground facilities with some shaded sites, though they tend to be close together as with most KOA locations. The campground serves as an excellent base for exploring historic sites in Harpers Ferry and nearby Frederick, Maryland. Visitors can also enjoy convenient access to river activities including float trips and whitewater rapids adventures. Rates average around $114 per night including fees and taxes, which some campers consider somewhat pricey given the amenities provided.

Are there RV campgrounds with full hookups in Harpers Ferry?

Brunswick Family Campground offers RV sites with hookups just a short drive from Harpers Ferry. Located along the river at the end of a quiet road, this campground provides a peaceful setting while still being accessible to the historic area. For those wanting more amenities, Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA is within driving distance and offers full hookup sites that can accommodate big rigs, along with typical KOA facilities like water, toilets, and other amenities. Both options make excellent bases for exploring the Harpers Ferry region while enjoying the comforts of full RV services.