The best camping near South Mountain State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next South Mountain State Park adventure.

Discover the allure of South Mountain State Park's natural splendor.

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Top-rated campgrounds near South Mountain State Park

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Bears Den Campground

5 sites · Tents66 acres · Bluemont, VA

Set up your tent in our remote but easily accessible campground, 100 yards off the Appalachian Trail. Roast marshmallows by the fire pit and watch the sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. Individual site capacities are varied! Please take note of this when selecting your site upon checkout. Site #1 is on a hilly slope and accommodates 4 campersSite #2 accommodates 8-10 campersSite #3 accommodates 4 campersSite #4 accommodates 6-8 campersSite #5 accommodates 6-8 campers About the property Located on a 66-acre plot just five miles from the Shenandoah River, our property offers amazing access to hiking and the outdoors while also keeping civilization within striking distance. Bear Chase Brewery is just a half mile walk across the street, and we are 15 miles from Purcellville. The land and lodge used to be the summer home of a trained opera singer, whose singing could be heard throughout the mountain. Your Host lives onsite in the stone house that also acts as a hostel for hikers on the Appalachian Trail. Built in the 1930's all from locally sourced hand-hammered stone, the house is open every night from 5pm - 9pm. Note that we offer several campsites relatively close to each other, so you should expect to see and hear other campers on the property during your stay. About the listing Pitch your tent in a forested area just a short walk up from where you’ll park your car. Enjoy unbeatable proximity to hiking and panoramic views while still having basic amenities that ensure a comfortable stay. You’ll have access to a composting pit toilet, and can access potable water from the tap in the lodge. That’s also where you can access hot showers. As noted above, we host Appalachian Trail thru hikers on the property, so you may see them hanging around or sleeping in the bunkhouse near the shared facilities. so please be respectful of hours when you come in for a shower. No showers after 10 pm For meals, we have picnic tables, and you are encouraged to cook over the fire pits that accompany each site. Please practice Leave No Trace practices during your stay, as the property has raccoons and other critters who will be drawn to any food scraps that are left behind. Pets are allowed! Please keep them on leash during your stay. Trash can be disposed of in dumpster up the hill Additional details to note Expect to see and hear other campers on the property during your stay. No kitchen equipment is provided, so campers must bring their own supplies if they'd like to cook. We do not offer WiFi, but there is good cell reception for all common carriers.

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Taylors Landing Camping Club

13 sites · RVs, Tents42 acres · Sharpsburg, MD

ONLY use 16869 Taylors Landing Rd, Sharpsburg Md for your GPS directions. UPON BOOKING, PLEASE CHECK THE "ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS" FOR YOUR SITE'S SELF CHECK IN INSTRUCTIONS. Experience the beauty of this historic property, featuring a mix of woodland, grassy hilltops, and clover filled bottomlands. Come and enjoy the near direct access to the C&O Canal Historic Park and Towpath and the kid friendly, serene stretch of the Potomac River we border. Choose from 11 similar sites available for your camping pleasure in our clover filled bottomland as well as our Hilltop sites for maximum privacy, exclusivity and star gazing potential. The natural Shade/Privacy nooks will keep the midday sun off of tents and the surrounding old growth forest makes for a great hike up to a very accessible and kid friendly cave to explore. Whether you stay for a day or a month, immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the tranquil waters of the Potomac River. Throughout the summer, the river offers a user-friendly experience as water levels recede. Embark on float trips, kayaking, excellent fishing, swimming, cave exploring, or visit the historic towns and the Antietam Battlefields nearby for a touch of civilization during your stay. We have two kayaks and 4 SUP's, and numerous inner tubes on site free of charge. We have some life vests, but if you have your own, bring those along. Explore the endless miles of easy biking, hiking on the C&O Canal Towpath. Whether looking for adventure or just chill, down time, this location is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. There is limited shade in the camping areas after 2-3:00 PM depending on the time of year. We're working on large area sun shelters but haven't gotten there just yet. The river's beach is shady or filtered sun all day long. 4wd or All Wheel Drive are strongly recommended. If it's been dry, single wheel drive is fine, but if we get a hard rain the day before or during the stay, I'll possibly be pulling you up the hill a short distance to exit. Please pre-order firewood via a message to me if at all possible, so I can have it waiting for you. $30.00 buys you a long night's burn worth of all seasoned hardwood. Cash venmo paypal zelle all accepted upon arrival. PLEASE READ ARRIVAL INSTRUSTIONS CAREFULLY AFTER BOOKING!! We share a driveway with the Shepherds Springs Outdoor Ministry and want to make sure you don't pass our entrance as the only place to turn around is up at their lodge.

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Fiddlers Green Farm

3 sites · RVs, Tents107 acres · Taneytown, MD

When you come here you are experiencing the rebirth of farming in this country while getting to connect with the natural world. This historic piece of preserved farmland has been in our family for 5 generations. The property is just over 100 acres with about half in forest conservation. We have two streams that join one another and create an amazing habitat for all kinds of wildlife. Our farm has always been a fun and healing place for our friends and family to gather. We love sharing the peaceful seclusion here with folks who enjoy and respect nature. We are a certified organic farm in the early stages of transforming it into a fully regenerative, permaculture operation. We grow hemp, medicinal herbs, and small grains as well as keep bees and a small tribe of goats. We'd love to have you!

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Riverside Farm by the Monocacy

7 sites · Tents30 acres · Walkersville, MD

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE DESCRIPTION BEFORE BOOKING... 30 acres of mostly reclaimed farmland. We are located where Glade Creek flows into the Monocacy River. There is evidence of civil war activity here and the old river ford is on our property. Creek and river access make this a beautiful, peaceful place that is full of life. The energy here is overwhelmingly positive. Our house was built in the 1850s and the neighboring farm was built shortly after—lots of history on this property. You will be able to camp right next to Glade Creek which is always cool, clean, and refreshing. Our goal with opening the land up for camping is to eventually phase out commercial farming on the property and transform it into woodlands using native plants and trees. We've already started by planting hundreds of native tree species along the creek and river banks. Each camper gets us closer to that goal! Thanks for your support! See our map in the gallery for a complete overview of our property including site locations. Please note that you will need to drive back through the crossing to access the portable toilet. Property occasionally floods. Zero flash floods, just slow river overflow. Check this site for flooding info. https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?gage=fdkm2 Flood stage is 15 feet.

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The Byrd's Nest on the River

2 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents3 acres · Great Cacapon , WV

~ Voted West Virginia's No. 1 HIPCAMP, three years in a row!! ~ The Byrd's Nest is a river front, primitive campsite on the scenic Cacapon River in Great Cacapon, WV. The property is very secluded, but only 2 hrs from D. C. and Baltimore. The space can accommodate 5 tents comfortably or a few very small campers (w/o hookups). Please note- I only book one group at a time. You'll have plenty of privacy. Spend your day bird watching on the river deck, put up your hammock and chill, go hiking or mountain biking at Cacapon State Park, take the kayaks out and paddle around, go fishing, or take a float trip. I can provide info on put in/take out spots depending on how long you'd like to float. I have 3 tubes available for your use, and 3 kayaks, or BYO if you'd like to venture further outside of the property lines. There is one big fire ring for cooking and/or bonfires, along with a large stationary stand up charcoal camp grill. There is also a small shed down at camp that contains rope, tarps, shovel, shade tent, tackle box, extra torch fuel etc.. feel free to use use and put back and or/ contribute to it. :) This spot is close by to Berkeley Springs, Paw Paw Tunnel, Cacapon State Park, and other nature preserves. More hiking, biking, restaurants, spas, antiquing- all within a beautiful 20 minute drive if you wish to venture out. If I do not respond soon after your inquiry, it's because I am without reception. Even if your inquiry expires in 24 hours, I will still get back to you! Thanks in advance for your patience. There is a cabin on the property. I will more often be home than not, I will communicate with you about that around your stay. Sometimes I"ll come down to the river frontage if I drop in for a float. Also, we all get around on four wheelers and UTV's. So you will hear them from time to time. If I am home, please feel free to come up if you have any concerns/questions or to say hi! :) *Please note, you can normally get to this site without a 4 wheel drive vehicle. However, when the river is high it will sometimes flood the low water bridge where it crosses the Cacapon. If this is the case during your stay, there is a back way in over the ridge. You will absolutely need 4 wheel drive with clearance and it takes about 30 minutes longer and a sense of adventure- but you'll be rewarded with beautiful views and waterfalls at the switchbacks:) This route in is only an option when the bridge is flooded, as it is a private road that has many gates. I will provide all necessary information before your stay regarding projected river levels and directions. I will also offer a full refund if the bridge is impassable and you decide not to come. Sadly, the floating dock you see in the older pictures did not make it through the river ice last winter. However, the deck is now turned into another tent platform! In addition to that, there is now a 9x14 pavilion and a porta john for your use! *Please visit Cacaponriver.org prior to your stay for more info on our beautiful river:)

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Smith Ridge Harper's Ferry

6 sites · Lodging, Tents5 acres · Bolivar, WV

Surrounded by tall Oak and Poplar trees 1mile off the Appalachian trail. Cars do fine driving into the spot to park. There is some wood around to burn to forage for. Lots of trails l, breweries, wineries, rivers and such nearby. This is not good for toddlers but kids 6 and up will be fine. Thank you and enjoy

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Beespoke Farms

11 sites · Lodging25 acres · Sabillasville, MD

A small, startup farm focused on regenerative agriculture and producing environmentally friendly products through environmentally friendly processes. With roughly 15 acres of grazing and forested space, and another 9 acres developing projects and orchard planting, we're located along the Blue Ridge Mountains. There is both A-frame camping and 'pitch your own tent' camping space available.

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Sacred Roots Herbal Sanctuary

10 sites · Lodging, Tents32 acres · Shepherdstown, WV

Looking for a personal retreat or get away ? Escape to our beautiful, RUSTIC 32 acre wild homestead / farm. We are 10 minutes from the Potomac River, 10 minutes from Opequon Creek, 20 from Antietam Creek and 30 minutes from the Shenandoah River. Harper's Ferry is 30 minutes way and downtown Historic Shepherdstown is just down the road. We are also close to several state parks. - What do we mean by "RUSTIC" ? The camping experience we offer is about unplugging from the modern world , getting back to basics, slowing down and re-connecting with the land. Simply put, this is CAMPING .... not glamping. (Our Cosmic Cottage is also rustic, despite the amenities that come with it). - CAMPSITES and TREEHOUSE - No electricity or wifi on the land. Campsites and TREEHOUSE are nestled in the woods. So although your vehicle will be parked within 50 ft or so from site, you cannot pull directly up to the site and get any closer because of the trees. - SHOWER and PORTA POTTY - roughly a 5 minute or less walk from sites to shower and / or porta potty. Shower hours are 8 am- to 8 pm. The shower has hot and cold running water . You can drive to the shower if you need to. - RESPONSE TIME - This is a working herb farm/ sanctuary and we so do not always have our phones on us. We will make every effort to respond to you within a few hours. Please be patient and you will receive a response. -BOOKING - If you are interested in booking and / or availability, go to the HIPCAMP BOOKING CALENDAR and enter the dates you are interested in. for the most up to date accurate info on availability. - Feel free to wander through the herb gardens, eat your meals in the garden pavilion (we have picnic tables there and hammocks), get your Zen on in the meditation hut , and stroll through the woodland medicine path where we grow endangered and at at risk plant plants. (heads up.. the woodland medicine path goes to seed by the Fall and is usually munched down by the deer by then, but is still a nice short stroll in the woods).

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Stegan Farm

1 site · RV, Tent18 acres · Highland, MD

Our property is in Howard County, Maryland, and is super convenient to I-95, I-295, Hwy 32, and I-70. It is centrally located between Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD, and Frederick, MD. We are located right off of Highway 32 down a long, private paved driveway. What makes our property unique is all that it has to offer--it's an 18 acre oasis with mature woods protected by a conservation deed, lightly rolling hills, beautiful fields, wetlands, and a pond. It is not surprising to see deer and our local great blue heron on the property throughout the day. There is also a fire pit, which you are free to use. Firewood is free.

Willows Farm

2 sites · RVs, Tents165 acres · Union Bridge, MD

Willows Farm is a beautiful 165 acre, regenerative, cattle farm, raising 100% grass finished beef and high quality hay. We are excited to announce that we have our first 100% grass finished beef ready and waiting (May 2023) for your purchase here at the farm. Give Curtis a call at 301.252.1122 or visit our website https://willowsfarmbeef.com to see what we have to offer. Our farm is family owned and operated and is located in the beautiful rolling hills of northeast Frederick County in Union Bridge Maryland, just off route 75 on a quiet, country road. Please note the farm entrance address is 11935 Simpsons Mill Road, Keymar, MD, but the farm is technically located in Union Bridge. Enjoy the peace and quiet of nature and relax near the campfire with your wood fired dinner. This site has electric and water hookup and firewood is available for a small fee. The campsite is situated at the highest point of Willows Farm, offering tranquil farm views, gorgeous mountain vistas and spectacular sunsets. Soak up the beautiful countryside during your stay on the farm and hike our 25 acres of wooded property and chase a few bunnies and spot a herd of deer. Take a brisk walk to the cattle pastures and chat with our curious and friendly Black Angus heifers, Eleni, Lola and Maggie and say hi to our horse Albe. All of the fencing at Willows Farm is electric to keep our cattle and horse in and you will get shocked if you touch it. Please be mindful of this with your pets and children. If you are fortunate enough to have the timing right, you can even watch an airplane take off and land on our farm grass strip — "Willows Landing", which is just to the north (cardinal direction) of the campsite. Just 30 minutes to Gettysburg battlefields, historical downtown Frederick, and many other exciting places for exploration, Willows Farm is a great location for fun! Spend an evening watching Bull riding and barrel racing at J Bar W Ranch just a few minutes down the street in Johnsville. If vineyards and breweries are your thing we are just 15 - 30 minutes from many fine establishments. A few of our favorites are Black Ankle Vineyards, Linganore Winecellars and Attaboy Beer. Antique shopping abounds in the nearby charming, little town of New Market. So you're hungry and have a hankering for local cuisine? Take a five minute drive to the quaint downtown of Union Bridge and visit one of the three delicious family run restaurants. You can even take a few minutes to give your truck a bath at the Union Bridge Car Wash in the middle of town. Enjoy your stay and please contact us if we can help with anything.

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Grouseland Hospitality

5 sites · RVs, Tents100 acres · Clearville, PA

We have 4 sites ready for you here at Grouseland! Please read their descriptions and book the one best for you! We encourage guests to bring dogs, however we do ask that you clean up after them, waste can be thrown into the trash can at the sites. Also all dogs must be kept on leads when on site or on leashes when on walks. No exceptions to this rule to ensure the safety of all of our guests. Tall Oaks Campsite: Tall Oaks Campsite is a private site, great for families and friends and is our only rustic style site, so no water or electricity, designed for 1-6 people with parking for 3 cars on site and space for 4 average size tents. This site has a single 8-foot picnic table, portable toilet, scenic overlook, hammock, fireplace, and charcoal grill. Only a short walk from our tree house where guests can relax and enjoy forest bathing. Guests are given an allotted amount of free firewood, miles of hiking trails, and use of communal facilities including a hot shower and flush toilet. Twisted Oak: Twisted Oak Campsite is a private site great for families and friends. This medium sized luxury site includes water and electricity on site, designed for 1-10 guests with parking for 4 cars on site and has space for 16 average sized tents. This site has a 10-foot picnic table, portable toilet, scenic overlook, hammock, fireplace, charcoal grill, and on-site lights. Guests are given an allotted amount of free firewood, miles of hiking trails, and use of communal facilities including a hot shower and flush toilet. Red Maple Campsite: Red Maple Campsite is a private site great for large groups. This large luxury site includes water and electricity on site, designed for 1-12 guests with on-site parking space that is 90ft long and 20ft wide, for an RV or 6-8 cars and overflow parking for several more cars. It is designed to be pulled or backed into and then backed our pulled out of. This site can handle several tents and has two 6-foot picnic tables, two portable toilets, a scenic overlook, hammock, fireplace, a charcoal grill, and on-site lights. Guests are given an allotted amount of free firewood, miles of hiking trails, and use of communal facilities including a hot shower and flush toilet. Aspen RV Campsite: Aspen RV Campsite is a private site great for a family in their RV. This medium sized luxury site includes water and electricity on site, designed for a single RV number of guests is dependent on RV size, maximum 6 people. This site is a drive through site, so guests don’t have to back in or out. The site can also handle a couple of tents and extra cars. This site also has a 10-foot picnic table, portable toilet, scenic overlook, hammock, fireplace, charcoal grill, and bench. Guests are given an allotted amount of free firewood, miles of hiking trails, and use of communal facilities including a hot shower and flush toilet.

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Cosey Cabin

2 sites · Lodging2 acres · Greencastle, PA

This is a 160 square foot tiny house/cabin in a small wooded area at the rear of my 2 acre property. A separate 90 square foot bath house is also provided. Both are primitive, ie, no electric or running water. The are some solar lights and candles for nighttime. Enjoy laying in the hammocks with a nice camp fire in the evening. The house is heated with a small wood stove but there is no air conditioning. Cook either on the wood stove or over the fire outside. In the summertime it is nice and private with the surrounding vegetation

The best camping near South Mountain State Park guide

Overview

About

Escape to the beauty of South Mountain State Park. With its sweeping vistas, wooded trails, and peaceful campsites, this park offers a perfect retreat in nature. Hike to stunning overlooks, bike along scenic paths, or simply relax amidst the natural beauty that surrounds you. It's a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and camping enthusiasts alike.

When to go

The ideal time to visit South Mountain State Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the foliage is vibrant. Summer offers lush greenery but can be quite warm, while winter presents a stark, quiet beauty, albeit with potential for cold temperatures. Avoid weekends if you prefer solitude, as parking lots tend to fill quickly, especially during peak hiking months.

Know before you go

Ensure you have a valid hunting license and are aware of Maryland hunting seasons if you plan to hunt in the park's designated areas.
For rock climbing at Annapolis Rocks, secure a special use agreement in advance.
Parking is only permitted in designated lots to avoid fines or towing.
Accessibility information is available for those requiring additional assistance.
For more details on park activities and guidelines, contact the South Mountain Recreation Area.