Is Gambrill State Park first-come first-served or reservation?

Gambrill State Park accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Gambrill State Park before I book?

Yes! Gambrill State Park has 20 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Gambrill State Park?

Yes, Gambrill State Park has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Gambrill State Park have?

Gambrill State Park has 38 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Gambrill State Park?

Yes, pets are allowed at Gambrill State Park. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Gambrill State Park?

Gambrill State Park offers: Restrooms, Showers, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Gambrill State Park?

Popular activities at Gambrill State Park include Hiking, Fishing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Gambrill State Park

4.39

76 reviews

Gambrill State Park

Top 11% in MDFall

B-Report Card

Romantic GetawayScenic ViewsGreat Hiking

Featured in:Hiking Camping Maryland#3 Mountain Camping Maryland Forest Camping Maryland +9 more

Quick Facts

1,362 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

38 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Maryland DNR Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,362 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

38 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Maryland DNR Official Website

Get Directions

Gambrill State Park

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Campground Map

Gambrill State Park

39.4646, -77.4976

Nearby places

Frederick — short drive

Middletown — nearby

Nearby supplies

No camp store on site

nearest full grocery stores are a few miles away in the Frederick area

Weather at Gambrill State Park

Best Time to Camp at Gambrill State Park

Fall delivers the best combination of clear vistas and peak foliage. Mid-to-late October brings brilliant hardwood color across the ridge, with daytime highs in the 50s–60s°F and nights in the 30s–40s°F. Winter strips the leaves for the clearest overlook views of the year. Spring and summer are humid, and the trails can be buggy in early morning or evening. The rocky, steep trails demand sturdy footwear year-round. Expect higher visitor numbers on fall weekends during peak color.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

5.0 / 5

Top 11% in MD

Fall offers peak foliage and clear vistas; mid-late October noted for brilliant hardwood color.

Planning Tips

About Gambrill State Park

Gambrill State Park sits on a wooded ridge in the Catoctin Mountains, offering 38 tent and RV sites with electric hookups and access to CCC-built stone overlooks that frame valley views. The campground is small and well-maintained, with friendly hosts and a quiet, shaded setting. There's no camp store, so bring everything you need.

Mix of tent sites, an RV loop with electrical hookups, and state park cabins.

Historical Significance

The park's stone overlooks and several other features were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. A CCC 'Iron Mike' statue stands somewhere in the park.

Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the best combination of clear vistas and peak foliage. Mid-to-late October brings brilliant hardwood color across the ridge, with daytime highs in the 50s–60s°F and nights in the 30s–40s°F. Winter strips the leaves for the clearest overlook views of the year. Spring and summer are humid, and the trails can be buggy in early morning or evening. The rocky, steep trails demand sturdy footwear year-round. Expect higher visitor numbers on fall weekends during peak color.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a ridgetop at 1,362 feet, surrounded by mature hardwoods that put on a strong fall color show. Stone overlooks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps offer sweeping views across the Frederick and Middletown valleys. Trails connect the Black Locust and High Knob areas through rocky, wooded terrain typical of the Catoctin Mountains. A small fishing pond sits near the campground. The forest canopy provides good shade, and the rocky outcrops and hollows give the place a classic Appalachian foothill character.

Geological RegionCatoctin Mountains ridge (ridge‑top setting in the Mid‑Atlantic/Appalachian foothills)

Scenic ViewsSweeping valley views from native stone overlooks (notably High Knob and other CCC‑built viewpoints); views are often best in winter when leaves are down and in fall for foliage.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsGoingToCamp; https://parkreservations.maryland.gov

Total Campsites38 campsites

Best CampsitesIn the tent loop, sites 32, 33, and 34 get frequent recommendations. Site 34 is the most secluded and sits adjacent to trailheads. Sites 32 and 33 offer flatter pads and good hammock trees. In the RV loop, site 16 is a pull-through, and site 13 has an on-site water spigot in addition to electric hookup.

Need help booking Gambrill State Park?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

GoingToCamp Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Small, wooded campground with a single bathhouse, picnic areas, and campsite electric at many sites; no on-site camp store.

Showers

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Picnic tables

Cabin Lodging

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Primarily a hiking- and sightseeing-focused park with overlooks, loop trails, picnic areas and a small fishing area/pond.

Hiking

Fishing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSeasonal insect issues at overlooks (reviewers report stinkbugs); bugs in general. Some trails are steep and rocky. Campground roads and sites can be narrow/tight for large rigs, and site flatness varies; reviewers also mention possible encounters with venomous animals and bears (reported in user reviews).

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.4

76 reviews

Recommended

Gambrill State Park is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers consistently praise the park’s hiking trails, scenic CCC-built overlooks and quiet, wooded setting; many highlight excellent views and well-marked trails. Campground users note a small, well-maintained site with electric hookups for RVs and friendly camp hosts, though sites can be tight.

Review Summaries

Based on 76 reviews

What Campers Love

Variety of trails and overlooks with excellent valley views, well-marked routes, peaceful wooded campsites, attentive camp hosts, and generally clean facilities reported by several visitors....

Based on 76 reviews

Common Concerns

• Some visitors find the park **underwhelming if they do not hike**, noting that there is no lake or beach and that without walking to the overlooks, the scenery and activities can feel limited.[1] •...

Based on 76 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring supplies (reviews note limited on-site services and no camp store) and proper hiking footwear for rocky/steep trails. Non-Maryland visitors should expect a $5 entry fee (one review mentions $5...

Based on 76 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Great camping, great trails, and great views."; "Very beautiful mountain side. Great day for a picnic and BBQ."

Based on 76 reviews

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Gambrill State Park

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Going To Camp

Provider

Go if

Fall hikers who want a quiet, shaded base camp near Frederick with electric hookups and trails connecting directly to High Knob and the valley overlooks; mid-to-late October delivers the best combination of foliage color and clear-air views.

Skip if

Campers expecting a lake, beach, or any drive-up scenery will be disappointed, the payoff here is a steep walk away, and a narrow campground road with tight sites makes anything bigger than a mid-size RV a real hassle.

Nearby Campgrounds

Highly Popular

4.4

(110)

Greenbrier State Park

Maryland State Parks, Maryland

Greenbrier State Park centers around a man-made lake with a lifeguarded sandy beach, drawing families who want easy swimming and boating access. The park has 169 campsites spread across multiple loops, plus hiking trails that connect the campground to the lake and surrounding hills. Summer weekends get crowded. Lines at the entrance can stretch long, and beachgoers compete for space on the sand.

Gambrill State Park

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Ask Camp Sage about Gambrill State Park

Campground Map

Weather at Gambrill State Park

Best Time to Camp at Gambrill State Park

Planning Tips

About Gambrill State Park

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Gambrill State Park?

Amenities available

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Get Notified When Available

Go if

Skip if

How campers graded it

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Directions

Featured in these camping guides

Ask Camp Sage about Gambrill State Park

Best Time to Camp at Gambrill State Park

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Gambrill State Park?

Amenities available

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns