Best Glamping near Assateague Island National Seashore, MD

We don’t always pick campgrounds for their spacious sites and scenic views. BUT we do pick them based on the outdoor activities we can do from the campground itself via bike riding or walking. Since we don’t bring a car location is very important to us.

This private campground is in a fantastic location. Waking distance to stores, water slide park, kayaking, fishing/crabbing from bridges and Biking distance to Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge & Assateague Island National Seashore . There is even a complimentary trolley that will take you to the beach during the “in season”.

You can rent kayaks and bikes from this resort. There is a pool, jumping pillow, and playground. The water park adjacent cost an additional fee. They have 3 day passes and after 3pm packages. (You May also get a discount from KOA front desk)

The campground- tight and efficient with a lot of options for staying here from little cabins safari style tent cabins, rental Rv’s, grassy tent area to full hook up rv sites. We had a premium RV site and since we were here off season in late April- the campground was not super busy. Just expect that you will be in very close proximity of your neighbors and it will be loud and boisterous in the evening. Our solution?? Hike and Bike all day so you are exhausted. That way after dinner and a couple of glasses of wine... you really don’t care.

We came here specifically to experience the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague Island VA National Seashore and the parks did not disappoint. We biked and hiked the the parks but you can easily enjoy a lot of the sites via car. Just know that pets are NOT allowed. There are Ubers in this area. Here is a link to the trail and park map.
https://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Region_5/NWRS/South_Zone/Chincoteague_Complex/Chincoteague/Chincoteague%20Refuge%20Trail%20Map%20(1).pdf

There is a fee of $10 per car for 7 day pass. Bikers and Pedestrians get in free. (The fee gets you into both parks).

Happy Camping! Pamela and Keith

Very clean camp with all the amenities! Friendly and knowledgeable staff and plenty to do in the area!

This camp offers sites for everyone! There is Cabins, Spots for Tents, xxl RV’s, and more. Close to Ocean City, Assateague and the coolest little town Berlin!

There is a big pond to fish there with bass and bluegill lurking inside and a little camp store for all your basic needs!

Not a bad place for a family getaway or a stop along the way! Prices have gone up but that’s expected with glamping spots.

We started camping for the first time in 2020 and were extremely new.  We jumped right into the Class A and went to Castaways for the first trip.  While there we had many problems with the Class A.  Not mechanical problems but "never having camped" problems.  The staff at Castaways bent over backwards to help us out the entire weekend.  Never did I see a frown or " here they go again" face but always asking if there is anything else they could do for us.  Because of them we have fallen in love with camping or glamping as we know it.  We made several trips to Castaways last year and in 2021 our first inaugural trip was there again. We had no problems this year but it is very reassuring to know that if we need help we can ask.  The staff remembered us from last year (hopefully that is a good thing) and we will definitely go back.  Thank you Castaways for giving us the "Love of Camping" .

Just wow. We made an impromptu visit and camping trip. The walk-in tent sites are BEAUTIFUL!! It’s really great to be able to set up camp and be in nature without the sound of someone charging their phone or blowing up their mattress in the site next to you. All the wall in tent sites on loop E are HUGE!! You can easily fit two tents plus all the glamping extras! The bathrooms are short walk away and are lovely. Clean and big with free showers. The wheelbarrows provided are great for the drop off of equipment. The first night it rained (literal buckets). The site was under 3 inches of water within a half hour!! Once the rain stopped though the puddles were gone just as fast! The hiking is always beautiful and easy to access. The flat trails are wide and loop across to the national park side. The camp store is also a huge plus! They have everything you need for emergency’s and then some! The bikes, ice, and firewood are easy to access. The only complaint is that although there is boating a place to cool off was missed greatly. A pool or splash pad would make a great addition to an almost perfect campground! An added note, during the storm a branch from a tree became loose and we went to the check in to let them know. They gave us expedited care. The checked out the tree and decided for our safety we needed to change sites. They were able to give us a new site right away and even offered to help move us!! Customer camper care is definitely number 1!

For this visit, I stayed in one of their two yurts. The views were just gorgeous.

The yurts have a bunk bed with a queen mattress on the bottom and a twin on top, as well as a futon that folds out into a queen. The bunks were very comfortable, but the futon was so hard we didn't even use it to sit on. The yurts also have electricity, heat and air, and are well equipped with other items such as: a trash can, broom and dustpan, standing lamp, two chairs, two small tables, a fire extinguisher, and two fly swatters.

The views should be the huge selling point of this campground. When you walk out of the yurt, you walk onto your own raised wooden deck to beautiful views of Trap Pond. There are plenty of trees around for shade, but not so many that you can't enjoy the view. The trees also seclude you somewhat from your neighbors in the cabins, but you could interact if you wish.

The closest restrooms to the cabin and yurt area are port-a-potties but they are currently prepping to build a bath house in this area.

The cabins and yurts are walk up and wheelbarrows are provided. The walk is also pretty close. There is no running water, but there is a centrally located water pump.

The campground offers a lot to do and quite a bit of it is free: free bike rentals, free horseshoes and ladder ball, two huge playground area and a nature center. They also have boat rentals and a boat tour available.

We will definitely be visiting again!

We were able to get a yurt as a walk up after the office closed thanks to the help of a kind staff member. The yurt was cozy and had a waterfront view of the pond. They fit up to 5 people and are air conditioned, but you’ll need your own sheets, pillow, & blankets! The campground was well kept with some trails, views of the pond all around, a small play ground, several bath houses, and an activity spot with cornhole and ladder ball set up. Pets are allowed except in the cabins and yurts.

If you like privacy the cabins and yurts provide plenty of it, and they do offer secluded island tent spots as well. The Reginald spots were a bit open and close to gether but they had electric and non electric available. There were canoe and kayak rentals for $10 an hour. Overall a fun place for the family. The only reason I gave it a 4 outta 5 is the fact that the bathrooms and showers were a bit dirty but other than that it was a great stay!!!

Stayed in Yurt 1 waterfront. It may be the most beautiful campsite I’ve had the pleasure of staying at. Stayed in early June. There was plenty of tree cover, and the breeze coming off the pond was wonderful. It was such a lovely surprise. The Yurt had electric and AC! Big cozy inside with a small table and two beds. There is water Spickets close by and the bathrooms are close as well. It’s nice that the cabin area is walk-in only so no worries about loud trucks all times of day. The bathrooms are shared individual and free clean showers!! There is a park and boat launches everywhere. DO NOT MISS OUT ON THE HIKING! Such beautiful trails all over. Could spend a whole weekend doing a separate trail each day. Long and short ones.

I’ve only ever camped here in the spring. Summertime will be extra buggy so bring spray. If you own a kayak  or a canoe you have to bring it. Getting out on the pond and being one with the  bald cypress is amazing! You can roll in with your RV, tent camp, or rent  a cabin or a yurt. Our last visit here we stayed in a cabin and it was so much fun. It’s a little on the small side and the mattress was less than stellar, but we didn’t mind at all. It’s a perfect little shelter for when you’re not outside enjoying all the beautiful nature. I highly recommend checking it out.

One of our go-to camping sites near Laurel, DE. Situated on Trap Pond and an old cypress swamp. Multiple sites a short distance to the pond and most have at least a view of the water. Sites are water and electric. Some loops have 50 amp service, so check the reservation system for your specific needs. Some pull through sites, tent hike-in area and yurts available. Small camp store at the check-in cabin. Small boat launch area also for canoeing and kayaks. Believe there is a group camping area as well and a group picnic pavilion.

Have been there for several July 4th's and they had an Elvis impersonator in concert across the pond at the swimming/picnic area!

Trap Pond is wonderful, we camp there a lot. It's great for kayaking and canoeing, freshwater fishing, birding, biking and hiking. There are miles of well maintained trails for bicycles, and free bike rentals from the campground bike shed. There are also loads of well marked water trails, one of which leads to a really nice cypress swamp with active beaver dam. Pontoon boat tours and kayak and canoe rentals are available for a reasonable fee. There is a nice play area for children in the campground that's just been upgraded, and a larger one across the pond in the public area. A lovely nature center is available for visiting during the day at no charge. It's fairly quiet and great for families and children.

Campsites are wooded and well kept, with fire rings and picnic tables at each, and there are a range of scheduled activities for all ages from free to a small fee. Staff and volunteer hosts are friendly and courteous, and there is a camp store and laundry facilities. Bath houses, while a bit dated, are kept clean and neat. Pets are welcome. Cabins and Yurts are available, (And adorable).

General: 129 sites with water and electricity, eight tent sites, one island site, two yurts, and eight cabins. 

Site Quality: All are level and sand/grass. There are many trees and reasonable separation between sites (although you can easily see your neighbors). A large picnic table and fire ring complete the site. Our site had a water view and was peaceful. 

Bath/Shower house: Bathhouses are located in the A and C loops plus additional ones by the tent camping area. All seemed to be reasonably clean and were cleaned on a rolling basis, starting at 10 am for the A loop. The shower had immediate hot water, but you only get about 30 seconds of water before you have to push the button again. A little clunky but a good way to save water. 

Activities/Amenities: So much to do! Bike rentals are free (donations accepted), there are several hiking/biking/horse trails, disc golf, and canoe/kayak/peddle boat rentals (in season). 45-minute Pontoon boat tours are available on weekends Memorial Day– Labor Day. There are several boat docks if you bring your own boat. There is a small camper store/office that closed shortly after our arrival. There is a single washer/dryer in Loop C. I was mystified that you could only use liquid detergent (I use laundry sheets). Because there is only one for the entire campground, I wouldn’t count on doing laundry. If you have kiddos, try and get a site in Loop A – there is a nice and educational play area (plus a game I’d never heard of– Gaga ball). There is an additional playground in the day-use area, plus a volleyball net. There is also a nature center. Recycling and dumpsters between Loops A and B and another between Loops C and D. 

We camped here several years ago but in the off-season, and wanted to kayak among the bald cypress trees (I highly recommend this). Glad we came back!

One of the most well maintained camp grounds I’ve been to in Maryland.

Camp hosts and Rangers are friendly.

Kayaking definitely was an extra fun for the kids.

Last family trip of the year and it didn’t disappoint. We stayed in site D25 again just as we did 2 yrs ago. It’s a pull through site as are all sites in loop D. This is pet friendly and has electric and water. Dump station is across from loop D. There are 5 loops with Loop E being tent and cabins/hurts only. That Loop also has island tent sites. We couldn’t walk into that area. Each loop or area has its own bathhouse which appear to all be individual family style bathrooms.

The layout of the sites in loop D is not typical. All sites in this loop are pull through and parallel to the road, so the left drivers side of your camper faces the road and the right side faces your camp area. If you stay in an inside loop site you will be facing the camper on the other side of the loop. For instance D11 and D14 face each other. The distance between sites across the loop isn’t huge or blocked by any foliage but didn’t seem to be an issue for our friends who stayed in D24. If you stay on the outside of the loop you will either face the woods (higher numbered sites) or loop C through the trees ( lower numbered sites). Our site is pretty level as are most sites. This is Delaware which is flat land.

The one issue with most every site are the trees. Most every site has a tree to watch out for. Other loops are all back in sites and many of those have trees to keep an eye on as well. This is a shaded campground. At the end of each loop is a pier on the pond which is large and beautiful. There are playgrounds in each loop and bike rentals at the camp store.

The tent area is walk in but they provide wheelbarrows or carts to haul your stuff. These sites are very private and well spaced off the walk-in path and from each other. The cabins and yurts are also walk-in but again you have the use of carts. Some of the cabins are facing the pond and offer gorgeous views.

There is a primitive group camp area complete with bathhouse, screened in pavilion, open air pavilion, numerous picnic tables, horseshoe and volleyball courts and sits at the point so the views of the pond are plentiful.

There is a disc golf course within walking distance and the weekend we were there a competition was happening. There is a day use area with boat rentals and lots of trails for hikers or horses to use.

The town of Laurel nearby has a few stores. I found This and That Country Store which was so cute. The owner was super nice. The beach areas of Delaware are not too far away if you want a beach day.

This has become one of our favorite campgrounds in DE.

Beautiful camping spot with all the amenities. Loops with electric or no electric, Pet-friendly loops and non-pet friendly loops. I have been camping there off and on for 40 years first as a kid and now with my family. I love to go there every year at all seasons of the year. The best campground I've ever found in Maryland. Close proximity to both Ocean City and Assateague Island.

Ranger Review: HeadSpin Convertible Light System at Trap Pond State Park

Campground Review: 

We enjoy camping in the off or shoulder season more than peak because the campgrounds are quieter, however, sometimes this means we cannot enjoy the full amenities a place has to offer. At Trap Pond, we missed being able to rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboat by a week. Free bike rentals were still available (donations accepted) so we were able to take a ride around the pond (about 4.5 miles). There are four loops plus cabins and yurts. All sites appeared level and some have a view of the pond. Bathhouses were very clean, including the showers. When we were there, they were delivering a new bath and shower facility to one of the loops. Although I did not check it out, there is also a laundry facility. The camp staff was extremely friendly and helpful and there is also a small store for t-shirts and essentials. We only stayed for one night but would definitely consider returning at a time when we could rent a boat to be able to see the Cypress trees up close.

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**Product Review: **

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I have the awesome opportunity to occasionally test products. At this campground, we tested the HeadSpin Convertible Light System by Headspin Outdoors. The first thing I noticed when I unboxed my HeadSpin was how compactly it was fit into its semi-hard, zippered carrying case. That said, however, if packing space is at a premium, you may want to decide which elements you want to use before taking a trip to reduce what you pack. Although intuitive to figure out how to use, there were no instructions (maybe missing from mine?). Because of this, I was not sure when the unit was fully charged (the green light was flashing and did not change to solid, but the unit seemed to be charged). We travel in a campervan, so we have USB and electric charging capabilities while camped but if you are tent camping, make sure everything is charged before you leave home (or, if you are driving a distance to your campground, you can charge it in your car using the USB port). Assuming the flashing green light indicates it is charged, this process did not take very long. 

There is one light that can be attached to three base options: flashlight, headlamp, and bicycle mount. There are three light strength options, as well as a wide or narrow beam, and a strobe setting. The light is attached via magnets and I found it very easy to attach and detach the light from the different mounts. We also used the light as a stand-alone magnetic mount on our van door and on the metal lantern post; making the magnet system very versatile.

I have a favorite flashlight I have used for over 10 years, so it was going to take a lot to convince me to change. I was very pleased with the HeadSpin flashlight– it is very lightweight and easy to hold, however, a strap would be helpful. My husband thought the strap was necessary since the handle was so slender (this was a plus for my smaller hands!). Also, there was a warning in the packaging about how strong the light is and not to place it face down while on. Because of the design of the flashlight, I would likely have done this, so this warning was good to include. 

We had recently used headlamps on a guided trip and had considered buying them to add to our supplies, so I eagerly looked forward to trying this one out. Although it worked fine, it was a bit bulkier/heavier than the headlamp I recently used. I used it to go to the restroom and to cook dinner and wash dishes in the dark; the more I used it, the more comfortable I became with it. 

We don’t travel/camp with bicycles, so we were not able to try this mount. I rarely bike at night (if I can help it!) so not sure I would use this option, but it is a good addition, as I know many do bike in the dark. 

Overall, I really liked giving the HeadSpin a try. I loved the flashlight, and the packaging is top-rate, however, it is pricey, so it is an investment. Picking up a battery-operated flashlight to find the batteries were dead would convince me it is worth the price! I think campers who like gadgets will like this product very much.

We tent-camped for two nights in Loop C, site 87 in early June 2020.

This is a beautiful state park in water-lover’s paradise on the eastern shore of Maryland. The entire campground was very well kept and run, even though we were there just as it was reopening from the COVID crisis. There are three loops for camping. “A” loop has very public sites with roads, parking, day use areas (playground, store, observation tower, ramps and docks) all nearby. “B” loop is fully electrified so popular with trailers and RVs, though the sites are nice and very usable for tents as well. “C” loop is mostly without power so has a higher concentration of tent camps. The park store and visitor’s centers were both closed, and check-in was by telephone from our site (cell service was fine). Camp staff was excellent.

The sites are vary in size but are a bit tight, especially since they ask you to keep everything on the gravel area. We have a fairly large tent (REI Kingdom 6) and, combined with the van, it would have been a tight fit to get another tent or car into the site. On the loop near the water (where we were), the sites were also somewhat close together. It gives the campground a bit of a social feel since you’re all fairly close, but the 10 PM quiet time was well-respected and there was more of a family than a party atmosphere. The sites on the roads leading into the loops have a bit more isolation. Overall, it still had a peaceful feel and the full-height trees provide ample shade. Bathrooms were well-kept with good, private shower facilities and there was easy access to fresh water spigots sprinkled throughout the sites. I read a lot about bugs here and we didn’t find them very bad. At sunset near the water, the biting flies could be annoying but they didn’t seem to affect the sites which are wooded (like ours). I suspect as summer progresses, they get worse.

The park has well-marked kayaking trails. Normally you can rent kayaks from the park, but since they were closed, we used Kayak Crisfield. Kayak Crisfield met us at the marina with all the paperwork and made it an easy alternative. At the end of the day, we just left the boats there and called to let them know. The water trails have a big variety from large channels to narrow marsh routes and bird watching is excellent. There’s a beach that’s an easy 1-mile paddle away with lots of room to spread out and have a private space to yourself. Allow yourself some time to explore since it is easy to accidentally head down dead-end channels, but the kids loved that part of it. You’re also in a part of Maryland with many other nearby boating spots and if you bring your own boats, you won’t get bored in a week.

Overall, this is a great campground where we’ll return. I knocked one star off just for the size and closeness of the sites but the rest of the experience was fantastic.

Nice, clean campground. We have stayed in the cabins and it was really nice. Also, brought our pop up. The pop up sites are nice, shaded and secluded but it’s kind of swampy so there were bugs and there was no view of the lake. However, there are many sites with a view of the lake. They don’t look like they get shade though. Great spot within a short drive to OCMD and Asateague.

Family owned and run. Wonderful people. Very quiet and peaceful. Close to Ocean City if that is your thing. Great kayaking trail,deep freshwater lake. Great fishing. Nice pool and pavilion areas. Nice camp store. Miss Judy is the best. Perfect to relax

We camped at Frontier Town 3 years ago on a weeknight in August and had a great experience. Camp sites aren’t isolated or private, but the water park admission for free, closeness to ocean city, and other on site amenities are phenomenal. We camped again during Memorial Day weekend in 2019 and had a very troubling experience - the neighbors were loud and rude staying up all hours using foul language and smoking. Also, the bathroom facilities had to be constantly cleaned due to people clogging toilets, putting toilet paper all over the floor, and getting dirt and water everywhere. I apologized to the poor cleaning ladies whenever I saw them for the rudeness of the campers. So disappointing! We probably won’t camp there again unless smoking and noise restrictions are put in place. The free water park admission is somewhat worth it still as we have 3 kids. Would have to heavily consider a potentially horrible repeat.

Advice, go during a weekday when it may not be as crowded and hope and pray your neighbors are polite and the bathrooms are treated properly!