How much does camping cost at Owens Creek Campground?

Camping fees at Owens Creek Campground range from $30/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Owens Creek Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Owens Creek Campground 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 Owens Creek Campground before I book?

Yes! Owens Creek Campground has 10 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.

What is the best time to visit Owens Creek Campground?

Owens Creek Campground is open From April 25 to November 2.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Owens Creek Campground?

Yes, Owens Creek Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Owens Creek Campground have?

Owens Creek Campground has 48 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Owens Creek Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Owens Creek Campground. 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 Owens Creek Campground?

Owens Creek Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Owens Creek Campground?

Popular activities at Owens Creek Campground include Hiking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Owens Creek Campground

Q: Can I have a campfire at Owens Creek Campground?

Fire policies at Owens Creek Campground: Campfires are allowed but must not be left unattended. Firewood must be purchased onsite or collected from downed wood within the park.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.46

320 reviews

15882 Foxville-Deerfield Rd., Sabillasville, MD 21780

Scenic ViewsStargazing

Featured in:Spring Camping Maryland#1 Fall Camping Maryland#2 Group Camping Maryland#2 +6 more

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

1,289 ft

Price

$30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

48 campsites

Season

Open from April 25 t...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

1,289 ft

Price

$30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

48 campsites

Season

Open from April 25 t...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Owens Creek Campground

$30.00 - $30.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The nightly fee for standard nonelectric campsites is $30.00 during the reservable peak season from April 25 to November 2. Fees do not include...

Standard Site Fee$30.00

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

Get Notified When Available

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

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

301-663-9388cato_superintendent@nps.gov

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What Campers Say

4.46

Recommended

Based on 320 reviews

68 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanrestroomsspacioushiking

Some mention

noise

"Owens Creek Campground is widely praised for its natural beauty, cleanliness, and accessibility to nearby trails. However, issues such as wet, unburnable firewood and noisy campers have been noted by some users."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

15882 Foxville-Deerfield Rd., Sabillasville, MD 21780

Owens Creek Campground

15882 Foxville-Deerfield Rd., Sabillasville, MD 21780

Nearby places

Thurmont (5 miles, ~10 minutes), Frederick (22 miles, ~30 minutes), Gettysburg (20 miles, ~30 minutes), Hagerstown (30 miles, ~40 minutes)

Nearby supplies

Supplies available in Thurmont (~5 miles away) include groceries, camping essentials, and fuel stations. Firewood is available onsite at the campground.

Driving directionsFor GPS Use Only: The street address is 15882 Foxville Deerfield Road, Sabillasville, MD. This is not the mailing address. From Washington DC: Take the George Washington Memorial Parkway north to I495 to I270 north 27 miles to Frederick, MD. Take Route 15 17 miles north to Thurmont, MD. Take Route 77 West, the exit sign is marked Catoctin Mountain Park. Travel approximately 6 miles west on 77 (you will pass Park Central Road and the park Visitor Center) and turn right onto Foxville-Deerfield Road. As the road forks, keep left and continue on Foxville-Deerfield Road for approximately 1 mile and turn left into Owens Creek Campground. From Baltimore, MD: Take I695 beltway to I70 West to Frederick, MD. Take Route 15 North to Thurmont, MD. Take Route 77 West (the exit sign says Catoctin Mountain Park.) Travel approximately 6 miles west on Route 77 (you will pass Park Central Road and the park Visitor Center) and turn right onto Foxville-Deerfield Road. As the road forks, keep left and continue on Foxville-Deerfield Road for approximately 1 mile and turn left into Owens Creek Campground. From Hagerstown, MD: Take I70 East to Route 66 North for 7 miles. Turn right onto Route 64 (East) for 1 mile then turn right at a traffic light onto Route 77 East for approximately 4 miles. Turn left onto Foxville-Deerfield Road. As the road forks, keep left and continue on Foxville-Deerfield Road for approximately 1 mile and turn left into Owens Creek Campground. From Gettysburg, PA: Take Route 15 South. In Thurmont, MD, exit onto Route 77 West (the exit sign says Catoctin Mountain Park.) Travel approximately 6 miles west on 77 (you will pass Park Central Road and the park Visitor Center) and turn right onto Foxville-Deerfield Road. As the road forks, keep left and continue on Foxville-Deerfield Road for approximately 1 mile and turn left into Owens Creek Campground.

Access is straightforward from major highways with paved roads leading to the campground. Seasonal closures may occasionally restrict access, particularly around Park Central Road.

Best Time to Camp at Owens Creek Campground

Fall delivers the best camping here. Daytime highs in the 50s and 60s through October, nights in the 30s and 40s. The hardwood color peaks mid-to-late October, making ridge hikes and streamside trails especially rewarding. No summer humidity to deal with. Weekdays stay peaceful even during leaf season, though weekends see moderate traffic from photographers and day hikers. Spring brings wildflowers and cool evenings. Summer stays comfortable under the forest canopy, though humidity can be present. The campground closes for winter.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 22% in MD

Highly praised for colorful foliage and quiet; seasonal highlight in reviews.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: From April 25 to November 2.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open from April 25 to November 2; closed during the off-season.
Current Alerts: Park Central Road closures may occur with little notice. Seasonal weather advisories such as wildfire smoke may affect usability.

About Owens Creek Campground

Owens Creek Campground sits at 1,289 feet in Catoctin Mountain Park, offering 48 sites for tents, RVs, and primitive camping. Sites run $30 per night and include flush toilets, hot showers, and potable water. The campground gets high marks for cleanliness and trail access, though weekends can be noisy and some sites feel closer together than others.

Owens Creek Campground accommodates various camping preferences, including tent and RV camping in a natural, primitive setting. Cabins and group sites are not available.

Historical Significance

The Browns Farm Trail passes archaeological remnants of early mountain settlers. Gettysburg National Military Park and Antietam National Battlefield are both short drives from the campground.

Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the best camping here. Daytime highs in the 50s and 60s through October, nights in the 30s and 40s. The hardwood color peaks mid-to-late October, making ridge hikes and streamside trails especially rewarding. No summer humidity to deal with. Weekdays stay peaceful even during leaf season, though weekends see moderate traffic from photographers and day hikers. Spring brings wildflowers and cool evenings. Summer stays comfortable under the forest canopy, though humidity can be present. The campground closes for winter.

ElevationPerched within the gentle rises of Maryland's mountain country, the campground offers that perfect mountain atmosphere without extreme altitude challenges, making it accessible for campers of all ages and abilities.

Natural Features and SceneryOwens Creek threads through the campground, its clear water tumbling over rocks you can hear from most sites. Hardwood forest provides good shade cover in summer and puts on a color show in fall. The rolling Appalachian terrain creates small valleys and ridges without requiring serious elevation gain. White-tailed deer appear at dawn, songbirds are active throughout the day, and fireflies light up summer evenings. The forest floor stays lush with ferns in warm months, and spring brings trilliums and other wildflowers.

Geological RegionCradled within the ancient Appalachian Mountains, Owens Creek Campground showcases the timeless beauty of Catoctin Mountain Park's rolling terrain. These weathered peaks, carved by millennia of wind and water, create a landscape of intimate valleys and gentle ridges perfect for exploration. The varied topography supports an incredible diversity of plant and animal life, while offering trails that range from leisurely streamside strolls to heart-pumping ridge climbs. This geological wonderland serves as nature's playground, where every twist in the trail reveals new vistas and hidden grottos waiting to be discovered.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

Check-out

Check-out must be completed by 12:00 PM.

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay is 14 nights per visit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Up to 5 persons or an immediate family per site.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutSites spread across loops with tent pads covered in wood chips. Spacing varies. Some sites have vegetation between them, others sit closer together. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. The three pull-through sites accommodate larger rigs, but most sites work better for tents or small campers.

Reservation PlatformsReservations must be made via Recreation.gov up to 6 months in advance.

Walk-in AvailabilityNo walk-in sites are available; reservations are required.

Cancellation PolicyCancellations incur a $10 fee plus forfeiture of the first night's fee if canceled the day before or day of arrival. Late cancellations for single-night reservations forfeit the entire amount paid.

AccessibilityAccessible campsites are available. However, there are mixed reviews regarding accessibility; for example, some tent pads involve significant height differences, which may challenge wheelchair users despite the presence of grab bars.

Site SizeThe campsites are described as spacious and well laid out. Tent pads are covered with wood chips, and the size accommodates small to medium-sized tents comfortably.

PrivacyUser reviews indicate mixed privacy levels. Some campsites are well-separated with vegetation, while others are closer together, offering less privacy.

Total Campsites48 campsites

Recommended SitesLook for sites with elevated tent pads during rainy conditions. Sites near Owens Creek provide a serene atmosphere. Site #30 and #49 are ideal for privacy.

Need help booking Owens Creek Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Showers

Potable water

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Activities you can enjoy

Owens Creek Campground offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, wildlife viewing, and cultural programs. The proximity to nearby attractions like Cunningham Falls State Park and historic sites enhances the camping experience.

Hiking

Wildlife viewing

Cultural and Educational Programs

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include falling tree limbs due to old-growth forest conditions, as noted by campers. Seasonal wildfire smoke and weather-related closures may also occur.

Active AlertsPark Central Road closures may occur with little notice. Seasonal weather advisories such as wildfire smoke may affect usability.

Fire PolicyCampfires are allowed but must not be left unattended. Firewood must be purchased onsite or collected from downed wood within the park.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

Emergency ServicesThurmont Emergency Services (~5 miles away), Frederick Memorial Hospital (~22 miles away), Sabillasville Volunteer Fire Department (~2 miles away).

Trash & RecyclingTrash collection is available within the campground. Recycling facilities are not mentioned in the source materials.

Water FeaturesOwens Creek runs through the campground, offering soothing sounds of water nearby.

Camp HostCamp hosts are typically friendly but not always responsive, as noted in reviews. Some seasons have seen complaints about uncleaned sites.

Weather at Owens Creek Campground

Trip Planning Tools

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

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.5

320 reviews

Recommended

Owens Creek Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Owens Creek Campground is widely praised for its natural beauty, cleanliness, and accessibility to nearby trails. However, issues such as wet, unburnable firewood and noisy campers have been noted by some users.

Review Summaries

Based on 320 reviews

What Campers Love

Common praise includes well-maintained facilities, clean restrooms, spacious campsites, and the availability of firewood. The surrounding forest setting and proximity to hiking trails are frequently...

Based on 320 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include wet or difficult-to-burn firewood, noisy neighbors, limited privacy between sites, and occasional maintenance issues with restrooms and other facilities.

Based on 320 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Many users recommend bringing an axe to split firewood, arriving early to secure preferred campsites, and exploring nearby trails such as the Deerfield Nature Trail. Several reviewers also suggest...

Based on 320 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is highly praised in the fall for its colorful foliage and quiet setting. Summers can be noisy and crowded, especially on weekends. Spring visits are appreciated for the blooming...

Based on 320 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The bathrooms and showers were clean and had hot water." "The hiking trails around the park are easy to access and pleasant." "Firewood provided by NPS was clutch! Be sure to bring a splitting maul...

Based on 320 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #30 is frequently mentioned as a favorite due to its proximity to a creek and seclusion. Site #49 is also praised for its spaciousness and cleanliness. Sites near restrooms receive both positive...

Based on 320 reviews