Gambrill State Park
Gambrill State Park
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tojojijo
Frederick, MD221 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Low key campground, with the cleanest bathhouse I've ever seen for campgrounds. Good for chilling and relaxing, but if you are looking for activities, this might not be the campground for you. Some hiking trails, a small fishing pond/park is about all that is on site. However, if you aren't opposed to leaving in your car, there are so many tourist options. Downtown Frederick is a great place to spend the day shopping, eating, or touring. So much history here.
Also so close to Washington, DC, or Baltimore, which are both probably about and hour away. You can even drive over the state line to Virginia/West Virigina close-by, or take a trip to Pennsylvainia and spend the day at Gettysburg National Battlefield.
The location of this place is phenomenal if you want to spend a few days touring. So close to everything.
Also so close to Washington, DC, or Baltimore, which are both probably about and hour away. You can even drive over the state line to Virginia/West Virigina close-by, or take a trip to Pennsylvainia and spend the day at Gettysburg National Battlefield.
The location of this place is phenomenal if you want to spend a few days touring. So close to everything.
Written 9 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CasaSweety4
cartagena, colombia26 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
Was looking for an alternative to Shenandoah National Park camping when the government shut down and found Gambrill State Park. We had been camping at Catoctin National Park just a few months beforehand, and really loved the area, so we decided to check out this part of the park. Gambrill is a 34-site park that is well-maintained and quite nice. While it wasn't as nice as Catoctin (Owen's Creek campground), it was what we were looking for- quiet, wooded area super close to a trail that meets up with several others that circle the High Knobb area and Rock Run area. Our campsite #34 was probably the most secluded. The site was flat, although we noticed several other sites were not. And, llke another reviewer warned, a few of the sites are in the sun, but not all of them and certainly not ours. I don't know what Cunningham State Park campgrounds look like, but I chose this one because it sounded less crowded and it was. There were only a two other tent campers there Wed-Friday. There were 3 other RV couples. The site has about 20 RV sites with electric hook-ups, about 4 cabins, and about 10 strictly tent sites. The women's bathroom was great- very nice and clean compared to Owen's Creek more rugged bathroom. I had a hot shower and the bathroom with flush toilets to myself every time i went in. Each campsite has a fire ring with a removable grate overtop, a lantern post, and a picnic table. Firewood can be purchased for $5, or just bring your own small axe and go to town on the dead wood. There's plenty of kindling laying around. There's no campstore here like at Cunningham state Park, but I didn't really want nor need a campstore...I think people have different opinions on what camping should be like. Regardless, the site is just 5 mins up from Rte 40, which has a Kmart, grocery store, Home Depot, liquor stores (although it's prohibited in the park), every fast food spot known to man, gas stations, diners, etc. For Maryland residents, drive-in fee is $23. Bring cash.
The hiking is great. Our camping site #34 was right next to the trailhead that led up to all the other trails, which offer great views of the area from native-stone overlooks. Unfortunately, the lookouts were overrun with those pesky stinkbugs. I recommend the Black Locust trail if you're looking for a workout through the beautiful woods. The High Knobb area has plenty of tables, so bring a picnic and feast on your goodies after one of the long, beautiful hikes. Enjoy!
The hiking is great. Our camping site #34 was right next to the trailhead that led up to all the other trails, which offer great views of the area from native-stone overlooks. Unfortunately, the lookouts were overrun with those pesky stinkbugs. I recommend the Black Locust trail if you're looking for a workout through the beautiful woods. The High Knobb area has plenty of tables, so bring a picnic and feast on your goodies after one of the long, beautiful hikes. Enjoy!
Written 4 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ClaireWithLove
Germantown, MD2,065 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
If you are looking for a little place to picnic or camping with hiking trails, Gambrill is only 10 minutes from Frederick (CVS, Bob Evans, etc) and 30 minutes from Hagerstown. We drove to Schmankerl Stube (wonderful German restaurant) for dinner.
If you camp and are going to be out of the campgrounds after sunset, make sure you ask the camp host or call the number on the bathhouse/bathroom door to get the combination to the gate or you will be locked out. Camping registration is at the bathhouse/bathroom. If you are driving to Gambrill, take the left fork to the campground vs the right fork to the park.
There are 34 campsites with a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern post.
- 4 mini-log cabins for about $50 a night that fits 4 (one bunk and one full size bed). Bring your own linens and fan or electric heater (no propane allowed): 4, 5. 6, 18
- 4 - 6 with electric hook-ups: 1, 12, 13, 20, 22, 23
- 1 site with full hook up: 29
- the rest are tent or drive-in sites. There are 4 tent-only sites (30 - 34) on the back loop with a water pump. You can drive-up. It is quieter here but there are no trees between the sites. It is a long walk to the bathroom to the lower loop. I was lazy and drove down and parked in front of the recycle and trash dumpsters, next to the bathhouse/bathroom. Sites 32 and 33 had a few trees in front that you could put up a hammock. 30 had a nice little field to the side. 33 had a relatively flat grassy area for the tent and a nice flat rock to sit on. 34 has a small gravel area for the tent. The other sites didn't look as flat for a tent.
Tips:
1. If you are coming from the tent site or looking for the bathhouse to register, go past the one way out sign, and turn in the next road (brown sign that has campsites and registration) and a one way sign pointing in to the left of sign.
2. It is easier to park if you pull up to camp host site 28 and then back up to the dumpsters so you are not trying to do a 3 point turn to get out later.
At the bathhouse/bathrooms, there is running water (no washing dishes or place for the water to drain). The women's bathroom had 4 stalls (one of them handicap) and I didn't see any bugs. Bring your own toilet paper; they do have one ply toilet paper but the big rolls don't roll around very easily so you end up with little pieces. One soap dispenser with a tiny bit of soap in it. One nice, warm hand dryer. Two handicap shower stalls (no quarters needed). No soap but it had a bench in the shower and outside the shower and some hooks in addition to doors for privacy while changing.
Call for camping reservations at 1-888-432-CAMP between 8 am - 8 pm Monday - Friday or reserve on-line in the summer.
There are 5 hiking trails for 1 - 2 hours+ hikes. All have some amount of rocks. The Red Maple trail is the easiest. The Yellow Poplar trails is popular for hiking and mountain biking. If you bike on it, you need to be really good on rocks since my husband who loves biking (and has already broken his hand twice from biking) said there was no way he would ride on it.
There are no ranger programs and no alcohol allowed. The fishing pond was very small and probably didn't have many fish.
If you camp and are going to be out of the campgrounds after sunset, make sure you ask the camp host or call the number on the bathhouse/bathroom door to get the combination to the gate or you will be locked out. Camping registration is at the bathhouse/bathroom. If you are driving to Gambrill, take the left fork to the campground vs the right fork to the park.
There are 34 campsites with a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern post.
- 4 mini-log cabins for about $50 a night that fits 4 (one bunk and one full size bed). Bring your own linens and fan or electric heater (no propane allowed): 4, 5. 6, 18
- 4 - 6 with electric hook-ups: 1, 12, 13, 20, 22, 23
- 1 site with full hook up: 29
- the rest are tent or drive-in sites. There are 4 tent-only sites (30 - 34) on the back loop with a water pump. You can drive-up. It is quieter here but there are no trees between the sites. It is a long walk to the bathroom to the lower loop. I was lazy and drove down and parked in front of the recycle and trash dumpsters, next to the bathhouse/bathroom. Sites 32 and 33 had a few trees in front that you could put up a hammock. 30 had a nice little field to the side. 33 had a relatively flat grassy area for the tent and a nice flat rock to sit on. 34 has a small gravel area for the tent. The other sites didn't look as flat for a tent.
Tips:
1. If you are coming from the tent site or looking for the bathhouse to register, go past the one way out sign, and turn in the next road (brown sign that has campsites and registration) and a one way sign pointing in to the left of sign.
2. It is easier to park if you pull up to camp host site 28 and then back up to the dumpsters so you are not trying to do a 3 point turn to get out later.
At the bathhouse/bathrooms, there is running water (no washing dishes or place for the water to drain). The women's bathroom had 4 stalls (one of them handicap) and I didn't see any bugs. Bring your own toilet paper; they do have one ply toilet paper but the big rolls don't roll around very easily so you end up with little pieces. One soap dispenser with a tiny bit of soap in it. One nice, warm hand dryer. Two handicap shower stalls (no quarters needed). No soap but it had a bench in the shower and outside the shower and some hooks in addition to doors for privacy while changing.
Call for camping reservations at 1-888-432-CAMP between 8 am - 8 pm Monday - Friday or reserve on-line in the summer.
There are 5 hiking trails for 1 - 2 hours+ hikes. All have some amount of rocks. The Red Maple trail is the easiest. The Yellow Poplar trails is popular for hiking and mountain biking. If you bike on it, you need to be really good on rocks since my husband who loves biking (and has already broken his hand twice from biking) said there was no way he would ride on it.
There are no ranger programs and no alcohol allowed. The fishing pond was very small and probably didn't have many fish.
Written 8 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JustCho
8 contributions
Mar 2021
We were expecting a nice park based on the high reviews. We drove in and saw a few tent campers and hikers. No water area except for the ducks. Did not see a nice view since we did not hike up. I was expecting more.
Written 29 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DillonM1905
Laramie, WY458 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
Gambrill is not a bad park for a local hike, although many of the trails are relatively non-descript. There is plenty of parking and good signage. The green and blue trails are not bad; the yellow is the longest but it is also the least interesting. Furthest out on this trail there are endless switchbacks and loops in the trail that add plenty of distance, for better or worse. On the day we hiked we ran into two couples enjoying 'other than hiking' activities, including one wrapped in the blanket right on the trail and the other shacked up in a hammock. Not something you expect to see during a late morning hike!
Written 23 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
noreenj31
Manahawkin, NJ51 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
I rented one of the mini camper cabins for two nights (Fri and Sat). Very simple set up. Two beds, one bunk, one double. Stayed with my husband and brother as we were in town for a wedding nearby. The sites are clean and so are the bathrooms. When you get there, go to the bathroom area to sign in. The host's site is right next to the bathroom (#28). He will give you the lock combo for the cabin and you can also buy firewood from him. I reserved online, which was very quick and easy. Any cooking is to be done outside of the cabin. They have a fire ring, picnic table and lantern post. It was a nice campground, no hassles from anyone (host, rangers, etc.). Alcohol is prohibited, so if you plan to imbibe, keep it on the downlow and use a Solo cup or other container. I would definitely go back to see more of the park.
Written 16 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ella P
1 contribution
May 2017 • Family
As a typical state campground, it's better than many, but the Kelly's as camp hosts make it wonderful. They keep an eye on things, and just run a very tight -- and tidy -- ship. They're not here long so don't know what it will be like when they move on to the next campground, but I sure hope I end up wherever they are!
It's also nice to see MD park vehicles throughout the day -- lets me know they care.
It's also nice to see MD park vehicles throughout the day -- lets me know they care.
Written 28 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jehenson81
Washington DC, DC24,923 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
If you want to park for free go to the trailhead parking which is midway between the larger parking area. Also you need to get there early and park closely to the other cars. I got there just before ten and there were no legitimate spots left but I found a sort of spot right before the road. If some people had parked a little closer there would have been more spots. This parking area is free. I opted to do the Red Maple Trail which was a moderate 1 mile hike. I did this so I wouldn't get towed. The trail was easy until about the end where you walk up a steep incline to get back up to the end of the trail to the parking. You do have to cross the road twice on this trail as a warning. But overall all not too hard and nice time with nature.
Written 20 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joe w
fredrock28 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
Popular park right outside of Frederick with well marked, rugged trails open to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. The terrain is steep and rocky with several great overlooks. The Tea House, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps is a great rental for parties or weddings. Camping is available as well as paviliion rentals.
The park is popular on weekends when it is nice, but if you want to experience it at it's best, go in the winter when there is snow. You'll have the park to yourself and the snow really brings out the beauty of the place
The park is popular on weekends when it is nice, but if you want to experience it at it's best, go in the winter when there is snow. You'll have the park to yourself and the snow really brings out the beauty of the place
Written 21 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annacanna_70
Dover, DE137 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
Went to Gambrill State Park for 2 nights in a mini-cabin this week. Being mid-week in October, the campground was pretty empty. On Tuesday night, we were the only ones in our loop, but several other people came on Wednesday night. The mini cabin was sparse but adequate – just beds, a light bulb lighting fixture, and electrical outlets. You are permitted to take a portable electric heater. A picnic table, fire ring and lantern hooks were included on the site outside.
Arrival was confusing and a little frustrating. We had registered in advance online. We went to the cabin around 5 pm, entering the park but passing no one. The cabin was padlocked with no further instruction. The state park office was closed; the phone number on the office door was not answered. The “emergency” number went to a different park, causing confusion. Just as we were pulling out of the office lot, the ranger pulled in. He was just coming on duty, so I don’t know if anyone was on duty prior to that. Turns out that I think you can also ask the firewood guy at campsite 28 for help (he changes all the locks regularly), but we didn’t know that.
We very much enjoyed the hiking trails, generally following the hike from midatlantichikes.com, although we left from the campsite rather than the parking lot described in the hike (red trail has a trailhead from campground). We come from a pretty flat and rockless coastal area, so this was a nice step up from our regular trails.
The bathhouse did not have hot water when we were there. Other than that, it was fine.
Even though I outlined a couple of issues, we really did enjoy our time in this beautiful park. We would love to hike more trails in this area.
Arrival was confusing and a little frustrating. We had registered in advance online. We went to the cabin around 5 pm, entering the park but passing no one. The cabin was padlocked with no further instruction. The state park office was closed; the phone number on the office door was not answered. The “emergency” number went to a different park, causing confusion. Just as we were pulling out of the office lot, the ranger pulled in. He was just coming on duty, so I don’t know if anyone was on duty prior to that. Turns out that I think you can also ask the firewood guy at campsite 28 for help (he changes all the locks regularly), but we didn’t know that.
We very much enjoyed the hiking trails, generally following the hike from midatlantichikes.com, although we left from the campsite rather than the parking lot described in the hike (red trail has a trailhead from campground). We come from a pretty flat and rockless coastal area, so this was a nice step up from our regular trails.
The bathhouse did not have hot water when we were there. Other than that, it was fine.
Even though I outlined a couple of issues, we really did enjoy our time in this beautiful park. We would love to hike more trails in this area.
Written 18 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dreamer01181824133
Hyattsville, Maryland
Are we able to use the grills in the park???
Written 19 June 2020
Do the camper cabins have mattresses on the beds? I read that the cabins have a double bed and a twin bunk beds. But will I need to bring an airbed or sleeping bag? or are mattresses provided and I just bring the sheets/pillow cases. Thanks, Cooks.
Written 8 July 2019
do you have any sites that can hold a 40 foot fifth wheel
Written 13 June 2016
: re Gambrill State Park...I have a campground reservation for mid July site #16, I have a 22 foot Travel trailer( Airstream) pulled by a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Is this site #16 of adequate size, or would I be better served selecting another site. The campground photo does not show great detail. A footnote says small RV or Pop Up. ? Thanks in advance/ Dave: in NJ
Written 13 June 2016
Sorry for delay. I did a drive through the sites yesterday. #16 is one of the larger sites and is a pull through. Very nice.
I don't drive an rv, but it looks like a 22 wouldn't be a problem
Written 2 July 2016
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