Anonymous
Post 03/15/2013 11:31     Subject: Low key intro - best campgrounds?
Avoid Matthew's Arm in SNP. We tagged along with some friends who planned the trip - I would have not picked this one. The campsites are right on top of each other and you're camping directly behind your car. I felt I was camping in a parking lot. I prefer to have some space between us and the other campers. I like Assateague better - it's not too far of a walk from the car, but you don't see them from your campsite. You have to know how to keep the ponies out of your cooler and be ready for the mosquitos that can be bad after lots of rain.
Anonymous
Post 03/14/2013 17:56     Subject: Re:Low key intro - best campgrounds?
Thanks!
Anonymous
Post 03/14/2013 17:06     Subject: Low key intro - best campgrounds?
one campground to avoid: elk neck state park. not because it's horrible but because it's boring and not beautiful.
Anonymous
Post 03/14/2013 16:39     Subject: Low key intro - best campgrounds?
One of the tent-only sites at Big Meadows in VA. Lots of wildlife around the sites (i.e. turkey and deer) and the wash houses have flush toilets. the trails are great and you can walk to a camp store for ice cream.
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2013 16:16     Subject: Re:Low key intro - best campgrounds?
Anonymous wrote:Any campgrounds to avoid?....filthy bathhouses, party crowds, too many RVs, no shade, or campsites too close together, etc.


I have not stayed there, but from what I've seen, Big Meadows at Shenandoah is just that-- a big open meadow with lots of RVs.
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2013 16:02     Subject: Re:Low key intro - best campgrounds?
Good to hear that feedback on PA campgrounds. Never camped there but will look into it
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2013 09:18     Subject: Re:Low key intro - best campgrounds?
Except Ohiopyle State Park, every single state park in PA, has been a truly wonderful place to stay. (Ohiopyle is home to a million rafters every weekend during the season, so you can see what the problem is.)
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/index.htm
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2013 07:26     Subject: Low key intro - best campgrounds?
We have camped with our son at Shenandoah and Pohick Bay. SNP is prettier, but PB is so close. Our 3-year-old LOVES camping. Have fun!
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2013 14:33     Subject: Re:Low key intro - best campgrounds?
Any campgrounds to avoid?....filthy bathhouses, party crowds, too many RVs, no shade, or campsites too close together, etc.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2013 11:34     Subject: Low key intro - best campgrounds?
maryland state parks can be reserved online. http://reservations.dnr.state.md.us/

they actually have a lot of rules, so i would recommend always making a reservation. i've seen families turned away before, on holiday weekends.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2013 00:25     Subject: Re:Low key intro - best campgrounds?
I actually think most State Park campgrounds can be booked through Reserve America...but don't quote me on that, I could be totally wrong.
http://www.reserveamerica.com/welcome.do?topTabIndex=Home
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2013 23:55     Subject: Re:Low key intro - best campgrounds?
Anyone ever camped at Kiptopeke State Park with kids before?
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/kip.shtml
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2013 23:36     Subject: Low key intro - best campgrounds?
Anonymous wrote:I really like Elizabeth Furnace, even small kids can play in the stream that flows by the campground.
Some people love Assateague but we really didn't like it -- the ponies almost took out my then 2-year old and there was no escape from the wind and sun.
James River is really beautiful and remote. We have camped there many times but the river is big and powerful and there are snakes that do not look like your average garden snake. Also, your child is supposed to be 6 to be in a canoe on the river.
We also like Rocky Gap State Park in Western MD. There is a nice beach area for the kids but I wouldn't go there with pre-teens on up.
We camp a lot and our kids love it, even as teenagers.


I am curious about camping at the state parks-- my sense is they usually don't take reservations, but we're usually leaving on a Friday afternoon later than we planned. Do you ever have problems getting a campsite? Is it generally ok except on holiday weekends? Do you have 2 or 3 places you might try if one is full?
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2013 23:34     Subject: Re:Low key intro - best campgrounds?
Anonymous wrote:Anyone know of campgrounds that have evening programs with camp rangers?


Shenandoah NP has that at some campgrounds.
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2013 22:57     Subject: Re:Low key intro - best campgrounds?
Friends raved about a camping trip they took to Deep Creek Lake, MD last year. It's on our list of spots to try. I think they also have yurts to rent there,too.

And what about The Treehouse Camp? Anyone ever been there before. I have always wanted to spend the night in a treehouse. I know it's not technically tent camping but still might be a fun option with little ones.

http://www.thetreehousecamp.com/