3 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Horse Camping at Assateague Island National Seashore provides equestrian-specific sites near Ocean City, Maryland, with direct beach and trail access for horses and riders. The Horse Camping area features toilets, sanitary dump stations, and trash disposal while maintaining a primitive camping experience suitable for both tents and RVs. Located at 6633 Bayberry Drive in Berlin, this designated equestrian campground allows horses and riders direct access to beach areas and island trails. Unlike standard campgrounds, the horse camping area prohibits pets to minimize disruption to equine guests. The large, open sites accommodate horse trailers with ample space for both camping equipment and equine needs.
Trail access from the Horse Camping area connects riders to Assateague's pristine beaches and natural landscapes. Campers must bring their own water for horses as drinking water facilities are not available at the equestrian sites. The campground provides drive-in and hike-in access options with toilet facilities nearby. While fires are not permitted in the horse camping area, the location offers excellent trail riding opportunities along the shoreline and through island terrain. EA Vaughn Wildlife Management Area, located approximately 15 miles southwest, offers additional primitive camping options where pets are allowed alongside horses, though without developed facilities.
"Located about 15 min from ocean city and assateague with a shuttle to take you when you don't want to drive. Great family activities. We love the water park and Frontier town."
"The activities are great and your only minutes away from ocean city or Assateague State Par. Where the ponies run wild. Very clean bath houses and the staff are the best around."
"The location (in between Dewey/Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach/Ocean City, Maryland) is PERFECT. You have close access to miles and miles of touristy beaches and uninhabited beaches."
"The bath houses are clean and we can walk to the beach. My favorite thing is at night when the rt.1 bridge lights up blue. Love that bridge. You are close to rehobeth broadwalk or ocean city."
Available next weekend
from $35 - $352 / night
"An easy drive from Ocean City, MD. The Campground bathrooms were ok, they have a composting toilet and a cold shower, always nice to have a bit of running water. "
"**Camping at Assateague State Park ** Assateague Island is a national park located in Maryland that offers plenty of beach camping and hiking trails."
from $40 / night
"If you don’t mind wild horses joining you for dinner and trekking around your campsite at night, then this is your place!! The beach is absolutely gorgeous and so is the scenery."
"Sites were not too close to one another. We had site 13 on ocean loop 1. Just a few steps, and you’re on the beach. Nice picnic table and fire pit."
Available next weekend
from $40 - $80 / night
"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."
"It was also right near the showers, which were clean & warm, just what was needed. Tent sites are more secluded and are walk-in; our buddies tent camped the same weekend."
Available next weekend
from $27 - $65 / night
"People driving around in golf carts cheering, people playing board games at the campsite next door...sleep was difficult."
"Close to the Marina, Downtown, The Blvd and the Beach. Staff are helpful but also gives you space to live."
from $4200 / night
"Lots of trails. Pretty busy with Hunters during the season. Roosters here"
"The seasonal weekenders had gone home, and we preferred the larger, more private area behind the site to walk our dogs."
"We stopped for one night in order to see some friends and wished we would have had more time because the surrounding area looks like there is lots to do and see."
from $35 - $159 / night
"Trails end has gate with campground I.d. or sticker access."
GuidePretty easy camping trip, plenty of room to set up camp. Level spots. We stayed on south inlet campground. They have small camp store multiple laundry and bath houses. Great stay if you enjoy fishing, as. You can fish the inlet at the campground. They have a very nice playground for kids as well! Only negative is no camp fires allowed, they do have a community area you can have a camp fires allowed. Also no wifi
GuideEnjoyed the stay here June 19-21, 2026, in the tents-only section at a campground just 10 minutes from home. I've lived near this campground for 45 of my 66 years but never camped there.
The cramped campsites always turned me off but my wife and I decided to try it as a test run when we bought all new camping gear after not camping for 15 years(well, except for the 40-year-old Coleman stove that still works).
The campsites are tight and strictly BYOS(Bring Your Own Shade). The weather cooperated with temps in the low 80s and cool westerly winds. Because this campground sits adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, Indian River Inlet and Indian River Bay, it fills up on weekends for camping, beach-going, fishing, kayaking and other water activities. I'd suggest going weekdays if you can.
Even with all the people, though, it was mostly quiet. The traffic from the Indian River Inlet bridge didn't bother me much but it did keep my wife up the first night. The bridge lights up at night and looks most spectacular at sunrise.
We ate dinner at camp the first night and then went to the inlet walkway to watch the sun set. The sunsets over the Indian River Bay, serenaded by the U.S. Coast Guard station's bugle calls with the lowering of the colors at its station at the north side campground, are a must. We also got to see a green heron foraging on the rockpiles and a dolphin swimming through the inlet. Fishermen lined the walkway to add to the atmosphere.
The next morning we drove over to the north side of the inlet to the Burton's Island trail-- another first for me. The trail was probably a mile or so and took about an hour, though it looked like we could have gone further into the brush had we not been wearing shorts and t-shirts. We came across a horseshoe crab traveling along a dirt path and a turtle trying to hide itself under downed tree branches. Blue water surrounded us in the marshes.
An excellent dinner at Matt's Fish House capped off our anniversary and we returned to the campground to watch the sunset again.
The bathrooms were well-placed. They were mostly clean but the five-second" Navy shower" intervals in the showers were annoying. There's no water or electric at the tent sites but a high-powered community water tap works for cleaning dishes.
The ban on open fires at the campground did disappoint. There is a community fire pit but no one used it our two nights there.
Oh, I can't forget the Diamondback turtles. Be careful driving so you don't hit them as they wander through the campground. We saw several lay eggs on the sand volleyball court and one scurried through our campsite and under our picnic table on its way to points unknown. The picnic table at each site is heavy but movable.
The people were friendly even in such crowded conditions. Lots of kids on bikes, skateboards and scooters and at the playground. Basically, you don't come here as much for the camping as you do for the water sports and activities.
As a tent camper, I'd opt for the tent-only loops versus the Standard sites that accommodate tents and small RVs and popups. Our tent-only loops looked less congested than the Standard sites.
I'd give this campground 4.5 stars. It would be an easy 5 if not for the crowded conditions.
ScoutWe have stayed here twice and have our 3rd trip booked and we absolutely love it! The lazy river and kiddy water slide park is amazing and our kids love it!
LegendWe stopped for one night in order to see some friends and wished we would have had more time because the surrounding area looks like there is lots to do and see. This is a really beautiful area of the Delmarva Peninsula and just minutes away from Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuges and Assateague Island NS.
This campground is huge with a great selection of standard and premium RV sites that provide full hookups and spacious gravel or paved pads. Some have water views and some are back-in sites with the water directly behind them. Our site was a buddy site which worked great for our stay with our friends. It was long enough so we didn’t have to unhitch our tow car but still had enough room to maneuver into and out of the site and could reach our hook-ups. The site was perfectly level (in fact, all sites in the park are level as this is a very flat area) and the area where we parked the RV was paved and the rest of the driveway was gravel. The patio had pavers and our fire pit was raised with bricks around it. The utilities were well-placed and the 50-amp was strong and the water pressure good. Our site was in the open which we loved because it was cool when we visited so we relished the sunshine. There are plenty of other sites located under tall pines (which we really don’t like because of all the sap that gets on our coach and car). Many of the sites are rented as seasonal sites but there are plenty left for transient campers. The list of amenities is a mile long and covers the typical ones you would find at a “resort.” Some of the best ones are the zero-entry pool (which was closed while we were there) and splash park and the private beach. The sandy beach would be a nice place to bring a chair and hang out admiring the view of the bay. Most of the amenities (like the pool, recreation hall, café, and bounce pillow) are centrally located so keep that in mind when you are booking your campsite as you may, or may not, want to be in that area. The restrooms were clean and newer (keep in mind we were there very early in the season when the campground was practically empty). The laundry facilities were clean and there were plenty of machines (all but one didn’t work) and were reasonably priced. We really liked the access to water that this park provides Pocomoke Sound and the tidal pond. It’s a great place to relax in a chair, swim, or put in a kayak.
GuideParked with my class B van! Amazing you can hear the ocean at night. No electricity so be prepared. Horses will walk through your campsite. Clean and quiet. No cell service. Lots to do with hiking and beaching! Be prepared for cold outdoor showers!
GuideWasn’t sure at first… kind of a lot of money for one night with no sewer hook up, but the amenities make up for the price! The western show was so fun! Frontier town was cute and not too cheesy! Loved walking all the way around the park! Dog friendly!
GuideRight off the beach wild horses, deer, turkeys, and birds. Woke up and walked right out on the beach for some early morning beach combing, was a bit windy
ScoutWe allways have a blast everybody is so nice and lots to do
GuideFrom well spaced sites to helpful staff, Trap Pond is Delaware state parks crown jewel. The pond itself is beautiful, camp sites are well maintained and spaced apart nicely.
Horse camping options near Ocean City, Maryland provide riders with direct beach access within a short drive of the resort town. The eastern shore region offers several equestrian-friendly campgrounds with specialized facilities designed for travelers with horses. Equestrian camping in this coastal area ranges from primitive sites to locations with specific horse amenities, with most sites located within 15-30 minutes of Ocean City.
Trail riding on beaches: At Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground, riders can access pristine shoreline trails. "How first impressions don't always hold true... Assateague Island is a national park located in Maryland that offers plenty of beach camping and hiking trails," notes Anthony S., who explains further that "during our time we were able to do some hiking along the 37 mile long park, kayak on the ocean, and Bay, see some wild ponys that rove the park."
Kayaking with horses: Launch from Sun Outdoors Frontier Town for unique water-based horse viewing. "If you have canoe/kayak/SUPB it is a great point to launch off to explore the nature reserve next to camp Cove. Lots of wild horses to see," shares Tom C., who visited this campground located 15 minutes from Ocean City.
Horseshoe crab observation: Delaware Seashore State Park offers opportunities to view these ancient creatures along the shore. "This was a very nice campground close to the beach. Full hook up sites and pull-through. The only negative was how bad it smelled from all the dead horseshoe crabs," mentions William H. in his review, highlighting an interesting natural phenomenon.
Wildlife viewing: Bayside Assateague Campground offers frequent horse encounters. "A deer hung out by the campfire at night, and in the morning there were horse tracks all over the sight," writes Jodi J., who adds that the area is "hidden away yet close to the water. Having animals around is such a great feeling."
Waterfront access: Tall Pines / Chesapeake Bay KOA Holiday provides excellent water views. "We stayed in water view site 10. WV sites 1-7 have great views and some shade," shares Laure D., adding "There is a beach area to swim but also 2 pools... There are fishing piers and boat rentals."
Off-season camping: Fewer crowds and insects make fall visits optimal. "We always go during the winter or early spring months to avoid the bugs as they are awful during the spring and summer," advises Torie M. about camping at Assateague Island National Seashore, calling it a "magical spot" where she has "seen horses everytime I have camped here."
Bug preparation: Mosquitoes can be intense, especially in summer months. "Love this place but be prepared for the bugs. Even enjoyed this in the winter," warns Michael W. about Bayside Assateague. Another camper, Wendy W., elaborates: "The next problem we encountered was the mosquitoes — they were everywhere and in hoards. No matter how hard you tried, there's no keeping them out of the tent."
Horse safety protocols: EA Vaughn Wildlife Management Area offers a more remote equestrian experience. "Lots of trails. Pretty busy with Hunters during the season," notes Wayne L., indicating seasonal usage patterns to consider when planning an equestrian camping trip to this primitive site.
Weather considerations: Coastal camping means preparing for wind and storms. "Check the weather a lot because the storms roll in quickly," advises Tori V., who also suggests: "prepare for lots of wind. Facilities are simple but fine enough. The stars are night sky are gorgeous if it is clear."
Educational wildlife opportunities: Children can safely observe horses from appropriate distances. "The wild ponies are giant trash pandas. They're smart and can open latches so do bring bungee cords, kayak straps, or ratchet straps to lock all of your food in cases or coolers," advises Tony P., who recommends: "Check out the awesome views on the bayside trails. There is an app you can use to identify the ponies."
Beach activities: Tom's Cove Park offers family-friendly waterfront options. "They have a wonderful pool and are a short distance from chincoteague beach! Great place to stay with family! Sites are big we fit two large tents on one site," shares Amanda S., who adds: "They have a water park down the road and fishing off the pier."
Water recreation: Many campgrounds offer pools and beach access within walking distance. "Our site was close to the bathroom/shower houses, and across from the pool as well. The tent camping area also has some of the closest sites to the waterfront/boat launch, and crabbing piers," notes Rita M., highlighting how convenient amenities enhance family camping experiences.
Site selection: Choose sites carefully based on your specific needs. "We got a site to stay on our way through to OBX. We booked and arrived after hours, which wasn't an issue as they were like 3% occupied. Sites were pretty level (within 2 inches) and had centrally located bathhouse," shares Joe R., noting that "the winds were nuts and over 50mph. We switched sites to spare our slide side, so caution to look at windy before going."
Big rig accessibility: Trap Pond State Park Campground accommodates larger RVs with specialized sites. "Sites are fairly spacious and have an interesting semi-circle pull through layout so backing in not required. They are not level and have a sandy base so it took a bit of work to finally get the rig level, even with auto-levelers," explains Jim G., providing practical information for RV campers.
Horse trailer considerations: When camping with horses, arrive early to secure adequate space. At horse-friendly campgrounds, Lee D. observes that "all sites appeared level and some have a view of the pond," making setup easier for those with trailers, though it's important to note "there are many trees and reasonable separation between sites."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ocean City, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ocean City, MD is Sun Outdoors Frontier Town with a 4.4-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ocean City, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Ocean City, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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