The best camping in Cowans Gap State Park, PA

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Top-rated campgrounds

Taylors Landing Camping Club

99%
(498)
34mi from Cowans Gap State Park · 14 sites · Tents, RVs · Sharpsburg, MD
Experience the beauty of this historic property featuring a mix of woodland, grassy hilltops, and clover filled bottomlands. Enjoy the nearly direct access to the CO Canal Historic Park 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. All sites now have either 10x13, 13x20 or 16x20 shade sails available to keep the afternoon sun at bay. (check individual sites for shade sail size available and in the "extra" section) 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 on site free of charge. We have some life vests, but if you have your own, bring those along. The river's main beach located between sites 7 and 8, is shaded/filtered sun all day long while our smaller beach at site 1 is sunny most of the day and affords some of the nicest river lounging via a rock ledge that spans 4wd or All Wheel Drive are recommended. If it's been relatively dry, single wheel cars are 100% fine. We have ways to mitigate most weather events. Please pre-order firewood via a message to me or via the "extra" section for your site so I can have it waiting for you. $40 buys you a long night's ++ burn worth of well seasoned hardwood. Cash venmo paypal zelle all accepted upon arrival. If ordering firewood using the "extra" feature, 1 load is $20.00 which is a 1/2 nights supply. Order 2 if you want a full night/morning supply. I will credit unused wood. Please, no fireworks are permitted at any time.
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$33
 / night

Willows Farm

99%
(254)
48mi from Cowans Gap State Park · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · 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 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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$29
 / night

Riverside Farm by the Monocacy

97%
(280)
46mi from Cowans Gap State Park · 7 sites · Tents · 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. We HIGHLY recommend a vehicle with AWD or at least a decent ground clearance.
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$37
 / night

Scenic Altoona Camp

43mi from Cowans Gap State Park · 1 site · RV · Altoona, PA
Located between the 17th Street and Pinecroft I-99 exits in Altoona, this spot makes for an easy pit stop while traveling through. We’re about 45 minutes south of State College and 35 minutes north of Bedford. The property includes a 100-foot-long parking space below our garage. Our quiet neighborhood sits on a dead-end street, adjacent to hundreds of acres of wooded watershed land. The wide, mile-long street is a popular place for a leisurely stroll. Please note that you will hear traffic from I-99, as the lower end of the property borders the highway. Nearby Adventures Canoe Creek State Park – 911 acres of natural beauty with a 155-acre lake for fishing and boating, plus hiking trails, swimming, and picnic areas. Bells Gap Rail Trail – A multi-use trail offering both easy, flat sections for walking or biking and rugged stretches for mountain biking and hiking. Valley View Park – A 45-acre green space in Altoona with wooded paths, open fields, and family-friendly picnic spots. Chimney Rocks Park – Near Hollidaysburg, featuring striking limestone formations and overlooks with sweeping valley views.
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$25
 / night

The Byrd's Nest on the River

99%
(282)
36mi from Cowans Gap State Park · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Great Cacapon , WV
~ Awarded Hipcamp’s Best in State: West Virginia, since 2019 ~ 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 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 kayaks available for your use, 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 communal shed down at camp that contains extra camping supplies, 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. 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, I will provide all necessary information regarding projected river levels and directions. I will also offer a full refund if the bridge is impassable. If I do not respond soon after your inquiry, it's because I am without reception. if your inquiry expires in 24 hours, I will still get back to you! Thanks in advance for your patience.
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$94
 / night

Grouseland Hospitality

98%
(316)
27mi from Cowans Gap State Park · 6 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Clearville, PA
Grouseland's Private Campsites are located on top of our ridge offering a unique scenic overlook and a near virgin sky perfect for stargazing. 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 dogs must be kept on leads when on site or on leashes when on walks. There are no exceptions to this rule to ensure the safety of all of our guests. All sites include an allotted amount of free firewood, miles of hiking trails, and use of communal facilities including a hot shower and flush toilet. Tall Oaks Campsite: A small private site and is our only rustic style site, so no water or electricity, designed maximum 6 people with parking for 3 cars on site and space for 4 average size tents. This site has a picnic table, portable toilet, scenic overlook, hammock, fireplace, a bench and charcoal grill. Twisted Oak Campsite: A medium-sized luxury private site includes potable water and electricity on site, designed for maximum 8 guests with parking for 4 cars on site and has space for several tents. This site has a picnic table, portable toilet, scenic overlook, hammock, fireplace, benches, charcoal grill, and on-site string lights. Red Maple Campsite: A large luxury private site that includes potable water and electricity on site, designed for a maximum 10 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 backed into with an RV and then pulled out of. This site can handle several tents and has two picnic tables, two portable toilets, a scenic overlook, hammock, fireplace, benches, a charcoal grill, and on-site string lights. Aspen RV Campsite: A medium private luxury drive through site great for RVs, rooftop tents, pop ups or camper vans. This site includes potable water and electricity on site, designed with water and electric hookups for a single camping vehicle, maximum 6 people. This site is a drive through site, so guests don’t have to back in or out. This site also has a picnic table, portable toilet, scenic overlook, hammock, fireplace, charcoal grill, and a bench.
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$44
 / night

Fiddlers Green Farm

100%
(475)
49mi from Cowans Gap State Park · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · 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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$60
 / night

Montside Orchard Camp, Cabin&Sauna

100%
(18)
20mi from Cowans Gap State Park · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Chambersburg, PA
The Cabin, Wood-Fired Sauna, and Meadow campsites at Montside Orchard boast one of the most magical sunset views in the Cumberland Valley. You can also expect to see a daily show of wildlife—herds of white tail deer, wild turkeys and hundreds of wild birds make Montside Orchard their home! Bring your binoculars--it's a wooded wonderland! The Cabin is hugged by woodlands at the back and bucolic green hills dotted with orchards and small farms out the front. Yet within 15 minutes you will have arrived in quaint, well appointed downtown Chambersburg-- a small town bursting with good art and good food! We are also conveniently located 10 minutes from I-81, a major North/South interstate and 10 minutes from Rt 30. While we don't allow hiking on the property Rt 30 takes you into Micheaux Forest, the Appalachian Trail and Caledonia State Park within 15 min and the historic Gettysburg National Park within 35. White Tail Ski Resort is 40 minutes South and Ski Liberty is 40 miles East.
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$45
 / night

Casita Of LOVE (Panhandle WV)

99%
(38)
37mi from Cowans Gap State Park · 2 sites · Lodging · Great Cacapon, WV
Nestled deep in the heart of the forest, our cozy glamping cabin awaits—where the whispering trees, golden sunsets, and a sky full of stars create the perfect retreat. Unplug, unwind, and reconnect with nature as you sit by the crackling campfire, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and let the magic of the wilderness soothe your soul. Whether you’re seeking adventure or tranquility, this hidden gem offers the perfect escape. Come and experience the beauty, peace, and wonder of nature like never before. Our property is very secluded next to the scenic and healing waters of Cacapon River, WV. at just 2hrs. from Washington D.C, Baltimore, Virginia, Maryland or Northern VA. We are just 15 minutes away from Berkeley Springs town (First Spa of America) with restaurants, spas, antique shops and 25 minutes from Cacapon State Park. There is an abundance of local activities, hiking trails, kayaking, fishing, boating, horseback riding (Cacapon State park), paddling, mountain bike trails, wildlife watching and swimming. Check more at @InvisibleLoveHouse Book your stay now and let the forest welcome you home!
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$125
 / night

WonderWoods at Rocky Gap

99%
(80)
43mi from Cowans Gap State Park · 3 sites · Tents, Lodging · Flintstone, MD
Surrounded by the 3000 acres of Rocky Gap State Park, you have the best of all worlds -- camping with creature comforts on a 4-acre private homestead with woodlands, meadows and an orchard, with walkable access to over 20 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails and swimming, kayak/canoe/paddleboard rental on Lake Habeeb and great nature programs by park staff, plus golf course and casino at the Rocky Gap Resort. Historic downtown Cumberland, MD is just a 12-min drive away, with supermarkets, shops, restaurants, train rides and beautiful mountain views. Check out the C&O Canal Towpath and Great Allegheny Passage for hiking and biking. Please note, this is family homestead, and there are two houses on the property. FYI: - Hot-water showers, flush toilets and an equipped kitchenette with small fridge, coffeemaker and microware are available for your use. - Two campsites are available. Each includes a picnic table, fire pit, and two Adirondack chairs for your use. - A treehouse-like tiny house in the woods is available. Fully equipped with heat/AC and tiny kitchen, it is steep 1/4 mile hike perfect for those who like a little adventure. (I will bring up your luggage and supplies in the 4-wheeler). - Wifi available at all sites. - Plentiful firewood, available on a pay-what-you-will basis. Please note: From December to March, the access road to get to our property occasionally gets icy (we plow it but do not salt). 4WD/AWD and/or snow tires is recommended during those months. Enjoy your stay!
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$34
 / night

Other options near Cowans Gap State Park

The best camping in Cowans Gap State Park, PA guide

Overview

About

Gap State Park is a 1,085-acre park in the beautiful Allens Valley of Fulton County. And if you haven't heard of it, well, that suits the locals just fine.

State forest land surrounds this large lake, offering a sense of protected tranquility. In the summer, families come to swim, fish off the pier, and grab ice cream cones at the concession stands. At the lake's southern end, two boat ramps provide access to canoes, kayaks and electric motors.

Hikers find solitude and abundant wildlife on 10 miles of trails. For a challenge, the Tuscarora Trail loop winds up the Tuscarora Mountain. Paved paths provide easy terrain, and there are designated trails for mountain biking and horseback riding.

The clean campground has over 200 sites, with primitive tent sites and 30 or 50 amp hook-ups for RVs. Rustic cabins equipped with bunk beds are a great group option. Despite its many amenities, the park is rarely crowded, except at peak times like Labor Day and Memorial Day.

Notable campgrounds

  • Lakeside Campground - Wake up to the gentle lapping of lake waters at this picturesque site.
  • Forest Retreat Campground - Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the woods at this secluded spot.
  • Mountain View Campground - Offers breathtaking views and a chance to connect with nature.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Book early to secure your ideal spot, especially during peak season.
  • Consider mid-week stays for better availability and a quieter experience.
  • Keep an eye on cancellation policies for last-minute opportunities.
  • Explore nearby camping options to maximize your chances of finding a site.

When to go

The best time to visit Cowans Gap State Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the foliage is stunning. Summer offers warm days perfect for water activities, though it can be crowded. Winters are quiet but can be quite cold, so ensure you're prepared if you visit during this season.

Know before you go

  • Check the weather forecast and pack accordingly for your visit.
  • Be aware of park hours, typically from 8:30am to 5pm, and plan your activities within this timeframe.
  • Remember to practice Leave No Trace principles to preserve the park's natural beauty.
  • Some areas may be closed for conservation; respect all signage and barriers.
  • Facilities such as restrooms and picnic areas are available, but it's wise to bring essentials.
100%
4 ratings · 1 review