Camping sites near Martinsburg, West Virginia offer diverse experiences in the Appalachian foothills, where elevations range from 400 to 1,600 feet. The region experiences distinct seasons with warm summers reaching 85°F and cool autumn nights dropping to the 40s. Most campgrounds in this area operate from April through October, though several sites maintain limited winter availability with reduced services and higher rates during this off-season period.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 15-mile creek connects to the Potomac River and provides easily accessible fishing spots. At Brunswick Family Campground, campers appreciate the convenient river access: "Nice bathrooms in the rv portion of the campground, reasonably priced wood and a great well-stocked camp store. Field tent spaces have little cover, but have all the essentials as well as porta potties nearby."
Historical exploration: Civil War sites within 15-30 minutes of most campgrounds offer educational day trips. Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA serves as an ideal base camp as one reviewer notes: "Close to Antitiem battlefield, vineyards, antiques or even DC (1 hour)."
Target practice: Outdoor shooting range available for campers looking for this specific activity. The Cove Campground maintains a shooting facility on-site with additional recreation options: "This was our first time camping here and it will NOT be our last. This Campground had everything I wanted. Shooting range, ATV trails, fishing, hiking and great campsites."
What campers like
Proximity to multiple rivers: The area features accessible waterways for paddling and swimming. At Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders, sites offer direct water access: "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."
Budget-friendly tent camping: Several sites offer lower-cost options compared to the glamping accommodations. One camper at Harpers Ferry Campground reports: "My family stayed here for two nights during the middle of the week, about half the campground was occupied. Our campsite was right along the water (all spots are along the water)... We got a discount for staying 2 nights so it was only $29 a night."
Free food delivery services: Some campgrounds have partnered with local restaurants. A reviewer at Harpers Ferry Campground notes: "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."
What you should know
Train proximity at riverside sites: Railroad tracks run alongside several campgrounds near waterways. A reviewer at Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA mentions: "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."
Site levelness issues: Many reviews mention challenges with uneven spots, particularly for larger RVs. One camper noted: "Heads up, big rig owners! 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."
Internet connectivity limitations: Several campgrounds advertise WiFi but actual service varies greatly. A reviewer observed: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Off-season booking for glamping close to Martinsburg, West Virginia: Families should consider scheduling glamping trips outside peak summer weeks. At Jellystone Park™ Williamsport, seasonal operations can impact expectations: "We stayed at Jellystone in Hagerstown in June. My daughter was excited about the little water park. Because it was early June, I emailed prior to booking to make sure that the water park would be open during the week and was assured that it would be. When we got there, it was not open."
Budget planning for luxury tent sites: Family glamping experiences have significantly higher costs than traditional camping. A visitor observed: "It was a nice place to stay for kids, lots to do for them. But very expensive for tent camping. I still paid nearly 100 a night."
Bring backup entertainment: Weather can impact planned water activities. One family recommended: "Multiple pools and a great little water park. Store was well stocked, they also had a ice-cream / quick food store attached to the pool area and staff super friendly. Lots to do for kids of all ages, gaga pit tournaments at night, movies, hay rides, character events tons of stuff."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: RVers report tight spacing at most popular campgrounds. A reviewer at Houck - Cunningham Falls State Park recommends: "You can divide up the ground into two locations, the big-rig park with no trees and the smaller-rig area in the woods. We have a 34' travel trailer and although the site was narrow, it was easily long enough to fit our needs."
Electricity reliability checks: Not all campgrounds with electric hookups provide consistent service. Check amperage details when booking: "We were camping with friends so knew the people in the sites on both sides so didn't mind the closeness, but otherwise that wouldn't have been great."
Water hookup planning: Many campgrounds have limited water access points shared between multiple sites. One RVer noted: "There are 4 water spigots in camp 1. However all the travel trailers hooked up, which means you either had to make friends or disconnect their water in order to have access."
