Maryland is home to a variety of state parks, campgrounds, and camping resorts that are sure to satisfy committed glampers and hardcore campers alike. Camping in Maryland offers outdoors experiences that you won’t be able to find in any other state, and through our list, you can find the perfect one for you!
Keep reading to find out all about our favorite Maryland camping destinations.
State Parks
1. Cunningham Falls State Park
Cunningham Falls State Park is a hidden gem when it comes to camping in Maryland! This state park is nestled in the middle of the Catoctin Mountains and features two distinct sites within the one park.
This Maryland camping spot is home to all sorts of exciting recreation opportunities, including boating, fishing, and swimming.
For those who prefer to take part in some landlocked activities, Cunningham Falls State Park features a diverse array of camping trails that differ widely in terrain and length.
At this state park, the fun doesn’t stop just because summer ends! In March, Cunningham Falls State Park celebrates its annual Maple Syrup Festival. This event features two weeks of fun, educational activities, with syrup-making demonstrations and pancake breakfasts.
Cunningham Falls State Park is also home to a number of other exciting off-season events, including a Fun Run/Walk every fall as well as First Day Hikes that take place every year on New Year’s Day.
This state park offers campsites at both of its campuses from early April to late October. William Houck Campground, the larger of the two campgrounds, has 106 basic campsites, 36 electric campsites, and four mini cabins.
The Manor Area Campground, on the other hand, is a bit smaller and more intimate, with 20 basic campsites and seven electric campsites.
2. Assateague State Park
For some truly one-of-a-kind camping in Maryland, head to Assateague State Park! This state park is the only park in Maryland that directly borders the Atlantic Ocean.
Assateague State Park is also most well-known for its equine residents! This state park is home to approximately 80 wild horses who roam the park and enjoy its wilderness. As long as you keep a safe distance, encountering some of these horses on the beach or in the marshes is a truly amazing experience.
In addition to its most unique attraction, camping at Assateague State Park features all the hallmarks of a great Maryland camping destination. For example, this state park has two different beach areas for fishing and swimming.
The park’s day-use area beach has all the amenities you’ll need for a successful day of swimming. This space boasts a bathhouse and a restaurant, and lifeguards are on duty to ensure a safe swimming experience from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
If fishing is more your thing, you’ll want to check out the fishing beach or the marina. Here, you’ll be able to do some serious surf fishing, bay fishing or even clamming. You can also rent a boat for the day if you want to go out into the water but don’t have your own.
Assateague State Park offers 342 campsites, all with similar amenities. The only major difference among these campsites is that if you’re looking for an electric hook-up, you’ll need to book a stay in either the G-Loop or the I-Loop.
3. Tuckahoe State Park
Tuckahoe State Park is another idyllic spot for a phenomenal Maryland camping experience. Situated beside the Tuckahoe Creek, this park also gives you access to a serene lake that’s 60 acres large.
Whether you’re new to the great outdoors or have been camping for years, Tuckahoe State Park has activities for you! Consider taking a hike on one of the park’s stunning trails, including the Lake Trial, the Natural Trail, and the Physical Fitness Trail.
If you’d rather have some fun in the water, this state park offers canoe and fishing rod rentals. For campers who are less experienced with canoeing and fishing, park rangers offer Canoeing 101 and Fishing 101 classes to help you get the hang of things.
One unique feature about Tuckahoe State Park is that it has its own equestrian center. The park hosts events like horse shows, jousting matches, and 4-H exhibitions. The only downside is that horses aren’t included, so you’ll need to bring your own horse if you want to use these facilities.
Camping in Maryland at Tuckahoe State Park is an enjoyable experience for campers of all needs and preferences. Tuckahoe State Park offers 54 campsites, 33 of which have hookups for electricity. As an added bonus, all of these campsites are pet friendly as long as you keep your furry friend on a leash!
To upgrade your camping amenities, you can also stay at one of the seven camper cabins, complete with air conditioning and electricity.
4. Rocky Gap State Park
Rocky Gap State Park is home to a variety of natural wonders that will make camping in Maryland an incredibly beautiful experience. For example, you can gaze at Evitts Mountain or take a swim in Lake Habeeb, 243 acres of some of the bluest water in Maryland. Nearby you’ll find Rocky Gap Run, a gorge that contains all sorts of stunning flora and fauna.
In addition to all the swimming and hiking activities that Rocky Gap State Park has to offer, there are hundreds of acres of land open for hunting. Both bow hunters and general hunters have plenty of room in the state park to take part in this recreational activity.
Camping in Maryland at Rocky Gap State Park is fun and easy, with plenty of lodging options of all shapes and sizes! There are just under 300 available campsites that range from basic sites to spots equipped with electric hookups for cars and campers.
If you’re looking for something a little more substantial, mini cabins and yurts are also available to rent. These spaces fit up to eight people at a time but can be booked together with surrounding camp pads to increase their capacity.
For groups of campers looking to really level up their stay at Rocky Gap State Park, the Easter Hill Chalet is the perfect fit. Staying in the Easter Hill Chalet is a truly luxurious camping experience, with gas fireplaces, a full kitchen, and a wrap-around deck.
Campgrounds
5. CAMPMD
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect beachfront spot for camping in Maryland, look no further than CAMPMD! Located in St. George Island, Maryland, CAMPMD provides a rustic environment with all the modern-day conveniences you’ll want.
All the campsites and cottages at CAMPMD are just a short walk away from private beach access. You can spend hours boating, kayaking, splashing around or just hanging out at the beach!
Lodging options at CAMPMD will make your time beach camping in Maryland both comfortable and enjoyable. If an authentic camping trip is what you’re looking for, this campground offers over a dozen single beach campsites as well as one group campsite.
On the other hand, if proximity to the great outdoors with the benefit of indoor amenities is more your speed, CAMPMD’s cottages are the way to go. These cottages range a lot in size from a one-bedroom cottage that can fit two people to a five-bedroom cottage that can house up to 12.
6. Ridge Rider Campground
Secluded by the forests that surround the Potomac River, the Ridge Rider Campground is the ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This Maryland camping spot is chock full of old-timey charm while offering all sorts of twenty-first century amenities.
Ridge Rider Campground features fun activities for even the smallest campers, including a swimming pool, playground, game room, and rec hall. If you’re tired of planning and want someone to take care of your trip itinerary for you, the campground also schedules group activities like themed weekends, hayrides, and karaoke nights.
Car campers, RV owners, and cabin dwellers alike will love the lodging choices that Ridge Rider Campground has to offer!
This campground caters to every kind of RV enthusiast, with back-in, pull-through, and pop-up RV sites. They even offer a camper cabin for guests who want the best of both worlds!
Rider Ridge Campground also has a variety of cabins, many of which are even pet-friendly. They’re available in a variety of occupancy sizes between a cozy two-guest cabin and a spacious ten-guest cabin.
7. Bayshore Campground
At Bayshore Campground, you’ll find a classic Maryland camping experience located along the Chesapeake Bay. This campground is the perfect spot for fishing, hiking, and bird watching, and it’s close to attractions of all kinds in nearby Rock Hall.
In addition, Bayshore Campground offers activities all year round, so you definitely won’t miss out on all the fun if you can’t camp here in the summer! Come back in October for the Rock Hall-O-Ween and Witches Weekend or book a trip for the Rock Hall Annual Plant Sale in May.
Campsites at Bayshore Campground are plentiful, and they’re lined up right near the Chesapeake Bay, so you can have some quality beachfront time whenever you want.
Depending on how long you want your Maryland camping experience to last, Bayshore Campground provides both transient and seasonal campsites. The transient rental campsites also have a range of electric hook-up capacities based on what you’ll need power for during your stay.
Glamping Resorts
8. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park
Camping in Maryland doesn’t have to be just for hardcore campers! A glamping resort like Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park is a fantastic option for campers of all comfort levels and amenity needs.
There’s so much going on at Williamsport’s Jellystone Park to take advantage of during your stay. This resort’s attractions, like the waterpark, ninja obstacle course, and arcade, just to name a few, are truly next-level.
Weekends are also jam-packed with games, arts and crafts, and other planned activities to keep you busy every day of the week.
Even though Jellystone Park is technically a resort, the cabins, RV sites, and tent sites where you can stay make it feel like an authentic camping experience in the best way possible! The resort offers an incredibly wide range of accommodations so that you can choose the combination of amenities that’s best for you.
Don’t feel like staying another night but want to get in on another day of fun? Jellystone Park offers park passes that give you access to lots of the attractions you enjoyed as an overnight guest.
9. Sun Outdoors Frontier Town
Staying at Sun Outdoors Frontier Town is a great way to get the full Maryland camping experience at half the price! This resort is located in Berlin, Maryland right near the picturesque Sinepuxent Bay.
If the name didn’t give it away already, Sun Outdoors Frontier Town is a Wild West-themed camping experience that will transport you back in time. You should definitely check out all the restaurants and shops located in the replica of an 1880s Western town or stick around for a Texas Trick Riders horse show.
Looking to spend some quality time in nature instead? Along with the typical hiking and fishing opportunities, Sun Outdoors Frontier Town offers fun and unique ways to get outdoors, like their ropes course and chartered fishing trips.
There are many ways to stay at Sun Outdoors Frontier Town in tent sites, RV sites, cabins, and cottages that are customizable according to your preferences. For example, if you really want to lean into the Wild West theme, consider staying in the Conestoga Wagon, a three-bed sleeping space that’s shaped like an old covered wagon.
10. Sun Outdoors Ocean City
Just like its Frontier Town cousin, the Sun Outdoors Ocean City is a high-quality Maryland camping experience! This Sun Outdoors location is all about making the most of your proximity to the stunning waterfront of the adjacent bay.
Take advantage of your precious beach time and give paddle boarding or kayaking a try! Your furry friend is even welcome to enjoy the sand and sun at the nearby bark park and dog beach.
While there are plenty of kid-friendly activities at this resort like a mini golf course and an arcade, adults will be happy to find multiple opportunities to unwind, including the Frozen Sun Tiki Bar and the Poolside Bar.
As with the Sun Outdoors Frontier Town, the Sun Outdoors Ocean City boasts a diversity of lodging choices for groups of every size. One particular upside about the campsites, RV sites, and cottages at Ocean City is that most of them are pet friendly. Now you can really bring your entire family on your next Maryland camping trip!
Exploring Camping in Maryland
Whether you’ve lived in the state for years or have never even stepped foot in Maryland, our round-up of the best camping in Maryland has something for everyone! The next time you’re planning a trip to the great outdoors, give one of our hand-picked camping spots a try.
If you enjoyed learning all about the ins and outs of the Maryland camping scene and want to find out more, check out our Campground Guides page for tons of additional resources!