Near Martinsburg, West Virginia, campsites spread across the forested hills of the Potomac Valley at elevations between 400-800 feet. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F during peak camping months. Campgrounds in this area provide varying levels of privacy, from open field settings to more wooded sites along waterways where overnight lows can drop 15-20 degrees below daytime highs even in summer.
What to do
Riverside relaxation: At Harpers Ferry Campground, campers can enjoy direct river access for swimming and fishing. "The river views were amazing... I recommend bringing a float and spending your day relaxing out on the water," notes one visitor who appreciated the water activities despite the occasional train noise.
Historic exploration: Campgrounds near Martinsburg offer convenient access to Civil War sites and historic towns. "Visiting the outlets or Gettysburg battlefield is close by," explains a camper at Drummer Boy Camping Resort, which sits just minutes from major historical attractions.
Trail adventures: The C&O Canal towpath runs near several campgrounds, providing miles of biking and hiking opportunities. A Brunswick Family Campground reviewer highlights this feature: "Situated next to the river so half of the sites have river views... Also situated on the C&O canal, so you could walk or bike for miles in either direction for hours! Harpers Ferry is only 6 miles away on the trail."
What campers like
River frontage: Many campers value sites with water views. "Gorgeous spot on the river. Small campground with not a lot of amenities BUT THAT RIVER IS GORGEOUS. Lots of activities - tubing, zip lining, fishing," explains one Harpers Ferry Campground visitor describing the appeal of waterfront camping.
Amenities for extended stays: Little Orleans Campground offers a range of facilities that appeal to campers staying multiple nights. "The RV side has all the cool stuff; store, pavilion, basketball courts, playground, etc. The tent camping side is just an open field with a pit and picnic table," notes a reviewer describing the campground layout.
Family activities: Campgrounds in the region often provide entertainment options beyond natural attractions. A visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park commented, "The pool with the slide was very clean... We have possibly considered becoming 'seasonals' ourselves at this place. Everyone here pretty much has golf carts & drives them everywhere."
What you should know
Train proximity: Several campgrounds near major waterways also sit near active rail lines. A Harpers Ferry Campground visitor explains: "What a lovely spot for relaxation and some time in nature. Too bad the Marc train runs right above your head all night. If you are looking for a relaxing camp experience make sure to bring your noise cancelling headphones."
Variable site spacing: Site sizes differ significantly between campgrounds and even within the same facility. At Round Top Campground, one camper noted: "While the site was shaded, it was also on a significant hill and had NO view of anything but other seasonal campers... this was a very crowded place and the site we had wasn't very appealing."
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the Martinsburg area have limited operating seasons. Gettysburg Campground operates "Early Apr to Mid Nov," while Drummer Boy Camping Resort runs "Apr 1 to Oct 31," making advance planning essential for off-season visits.
Tips for camping with families
Waterpark options: For families with children, Gettysburg Campground provides recreational facilities beyond standard camping. "The campground offers free mini golf, a pool and a splash pad pool area," mentions a visitor who appreciated these amenities despite tight camping spaces.
Playground access: When choosing family-friendly sites, consider campground layout and amenities. One Round Top Campground visitor pointed out potential drawbacks: "In my opinion as a mom of small kids maybe the worst part was that there was only 1 playground, it was all the way at the front of the campground (we had to drive to it) and it was very junky and run down."
Nature activities: Look for campgrounds with built-in wildlife features. Brunswick Family Campground visitors mentioned: "Nice to have a site right on the water. The site itself has a fire pit and picnic table which was great. There was also a bathroom facility very close by."
Tips from RVers
Hookup reliability: For RV sites near Martinsburg, West Virginia, electrical service can vary by campground. A Round Top Campground visitor reported: "Electric went out 3 times, once for over 24 hrs. It was in the high 90°. The sewer consisted of a storage tank less than 10 ft from our picnic table."
Road conditions: Access routes to some campgrounds require careful navigation. At Fort Valley Ranch, an RVer with a large rig noted: "I was initially concerned about the road leading into the campground, as my rig is over 50 feet in total length. However, we were surprised that the winding roads presented no issues for us."
Site leveling: Many RVers mentioned site grading as a concern. One camper at Little Orleans Campground observed: "Our site P1 is a full hook up pull through but it's really unlevel. We ran out of blocks trying to level on this site and were still off a bit. If we were staying more than a night we may have asked for a different site."
