Gambrill State Park

4.38

65 reviews

Gambrill State Park

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Allowed

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Maryland DNR site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Allowed

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Maryland DNR site

Get Directions

Gambrill State Park

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Going To Camp

Provider

What Campers Say

4.38

Recommended

Based on 65 reviews

1131 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewspeacefulcleansites

"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."

Read all reviews

Best Time to Camp at Gambrill State Park

Each season paints Gambrill in different colors: autumn sets the ridge ablaze with foliage that draws visitors from across the region, while winter strips away the leaves to reveal the clearest, most dramatic valley vistas of the year. Spring and summer wrap you in the full embrace of the forest, though the trails' steep, rocky character demands sturdy footwear year-round. Time your overlook visits for early morning or evening when the views are sharpest and seasonal insects less active.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

About Gambrill State Park

Perched on a wooded ridge in the Catoctin Mountains, Gambrill State Park's campground welcomes you to a tranquil forest retreat where towering trees shade your site and historic stone overlooks frame breathtaking valley panoramas. This peaceful haven attracts hikers and nature lovers seeking a genuine mountain experience, complete with well-kept facilities and friendly camp hosts ready to help you settle in. Pack everything you'll need—the park keeps things refreshingly simple with no on-site store, letting the forest take center stage.

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

Historical SignificanceSeveral overlooks and park features were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC); reviews reference CCC-built overlooks and a CCC 'Iron Mike' statue within the park.

Weather and SeasonsEach season paints Gambrill in different colors: autumn sets the ridge ablaze with foliage that draws visitors from across the region, while winter strips away the leaves to reveal the clearest, most dramatic valley vistas of the year. Spring and summer wrap you in the full embrace of the forest, though the trails' steep, rocky character demands sturdy footwear year-round. Time your overlook visits for early morning or evening when the views are sharpest and seasonal insects less active.

Natural Features and SceneryYour campsite sits nestled among mature hardwoods on a mountain ridge, where handcrafted native-stone overlooks reward short walks with sweeping views across the Frederick and Middletown valleys below. The landscape unfolds through a network of scenic loop trails connecting the Black Locust and High Knob areas, while scattered picnic spots and a quiet fishing pond near the campground offer peaceful places to unwind between adventures. This is classic Catoctin Mountain terrain—shaded hollows, rocky outcrops, and that special quality of light filtering through the forest canopy.

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

Campsite details

Total Campsitesnull campsites

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive are not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

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

Accomodation available

Cabin lodgingCabin lodging is available for campers seeking a more sheltered and comfortable experience. These enclosed accommodations offer protection from the elements and are ideal for those who prefer not to camp in tents.

Amenities available

Showers

Picnic tables

Flush toilets

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Activities you can enjoy

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

Hiking

Extensive loop trails of varying difficulty (Black Locust, Red Maple, Green Ash and others) with multiple CCC-built stone overlooks and summit views; trails range from short family-friendly loops to steeper 3-mile loops.

Fishing

Reviews reference a small lake/pond used for casual fishing near the picnic area.

Campground rules

Pets are allowed

Hazards

General hazardsSeasonal 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).

Weather at Gambrill State Park

°F

Dec 14

Sunday

Moderate snow fall

Precipitation: 1.2%

Humidity: 93%

Wind: 11.3 mph

Moderate snow fall

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Common complaintsSites in the campground can be tight with a narrow internal road; parking can be limited on busy days. A minority report concerns about bathhouse cleanliness (one review said the bathhouse was consistently dirty). Some visitors say the park feels underwhelming if you don’t hike to the overlooks.

Campground Map

Gambrill State Park

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

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.4

65 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 65 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 65 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 65 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 65 reviews