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Best Campgrounds in Maryland

1,378 Reviews
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Maryland's camping landscape features a mix of established campgrounds and more rustic options within state parks and forests. Assateague State Park Campground on the Atlantic Ocean and Rocky Gap State Park with its lake and mountain setting offer popular options for tent and RV campers. Green Ridge State Forest provides more primitive experiences in western Maryland, with spacious sites tucked into dense woodland. Elk Neck State Park and Tuckahoe State Park campgrounds accommodate a variety of camping styles including cabins and yurts, creating accessible options for different comfort levels.

Most Maryland campgrounds have seasonal operating schedules, with the fullest services available from April through October. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for waterfront sites and during summer weekends. One camper noted, "We stayed in cabin 170 in Fir loop and the site was incredibly spacious, heavily shaded, close to the bath house, path to the beach, and well distanced from other sites." Green Ridge State Forest offers year-round access but requires high-clearance vehicles for many sites, with no reservations available—campers must arrive early to secure spots. Cell service varies significantly across the state, with more remote areas in western Maryland offering limited connectivity.

The camping experience differs substantially between Maryland's coastal and mountain regions. Along the Atlantic shoreline, Assateague campgrounds provide beach access and opportunities to observe wild horses, though one visitor mentioned that "knee-high pricker-grass" has replaced the sandy sites at some locations. In contrast, western Maryland's camping areas offer forest immersion and solitude. A camper at Green Ridge noted, "The forest is beautiful, the campsites are large and very spaced out, firewood is bountiful, the area feels very remote." Many campgrounds provide amenities including clean bathhouses, picnic tables, and fire rings, but primitive sites typically offer only basic facilities. Mixed-use campgrounds with both tent and RV sites are common, allowing for various camping styles within the same area.

Best Camping Sites in Maryland (183)

    1. Assateague State Park Campground

    64 Reviews
    Berlin, MD
    Website
    +1 (410) 641-2120

    $28 - $39 / night

    "and was well situated, with a nice open space between the edge of the site and the dunes."

    "There is an outdoor shower and sink as well as several paths to the beach. The beach is beautiful and clean."

    2. Elk Neck State Park Campground

    62 Reviews
    Perryville, MD
    Website
    +1 (410) 287-5333

    $21 - $55 / night

    "I didn't notice it when I was in my tent, but I did as I was walking around.
    The campground is well-wooded, offering reasonable privacy given the space constraints. "

    "Surrounding area
    There are lots of tails for hiking in walking distance and also a playground for kids."

    3. Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    55 Reviews
    Flintstone, MD
    Website
    +1 (301) 722-1480

    $23 - $29 / night

    "Rocky gap is one of my favorite parks to camp in Maryland! It is right along a great lake, where you can swim, fish, kayak or just lay about. The camp store is well stocked and the staff is friendly."

    "The beach at the lake is not far away for any loop."

    4. Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore

    55 Reviews
    Girdletree, MD
    Website
    +1 (410) 641-3030

    $40 - $80 / night

    "We enjoyed bike riding around the island, catching glimpses of the wild ponies and running around on the beach."

    "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."

    5. Cherry Hill Park

    44 Reviews
    Beltsville, MD
    Website
    +1 (301) 937-7116

    $999 / night

    "Metrorail is about 6 miles from campground, near University of Maryland."

    "Great camping amenities, soft cushioned sites, with power and water close by. DO NOT GET BASIC TENT SITES AS THEY ARE NEXT TO HIGHWAYS AND VERY NOISY!!! Premium tent sites would be a better choice."

    6. Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground

    42 Reviews
    Berlin, MD
    Website
    +1 (410) 641-1441

    $40 / night

    "Wild horses, wide, clean stretches of beach, safe surroundings, close to town. This is the best beach camping in all of Maryland."

    "You can also spend a day in Ocean City, Maryland or head down to Chincoteague for the best ice cream you'll ever have! Arguably the best camping trip I've ever been on."

    7. Greenbrier State Park Campground

    42 Reviews
    Boonsboro, MD
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    $23 - $29 / night

    "This park just is near enough to Baltimore and DC to allow for a quick getaway and offers a lot to do."

    "Maryland has some great state parks and this is one of them. Decent sized sites, clean bath houses. Swimming lake is excellent. Only basic amenities, but dump station."

    8. Tuckahoe State Park Campground

    31 Reviews
    Ridgely, MD
    Website
    +1 (410) 820-1668

    $21 - $70 / night

    "Tuckahoe State Park is tucked away onto the Eastern Shore of Maryland, close to the Chesapeake Bay. It features every kind of camping you can imagine."

    "Those can be found at the campground entrance. Each loop has a wood shed and clean, well-appointed bathhouse. There are water pumps along the road for refills."

    9. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    Website
    +1 (301) 344-3948

    $20 / night

    "If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."

    "The campsite is superb with walking trails, wildlife and the occasional overflying US Presidential Helicopter. Easily accessible from close by freeways, and charmingly peaceful"

    10. Green Ridge State Forest

    29 Reviews
    Little Orleans, MD
    Website
    +1 (301) 478-3124

    $10 / night

    "All are roadside, but plenty are tucked away so you feel alone in the woods. You can occupy a site as long as you register at the parks main office. $10/night."

    "My family and I have gone camping all over Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, but had never visited Green Ridge before this weekend. "

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  • SThe Dyrt Pro User
    Aug. 25, 2026

    Campsites at Watkins Regional Park

    Excellent choice for a Washington visit or local getaway

    Based on my stay 3 nights and what I read of Greenbelt Park (the other closeby to Washington campground) I would say this has to be much better and I will stay here again on a future visit. Campground sits inside of a much larger park with great trails, amenities and well maintained. Campground is quiet, lots of trees, forest and yet each space is very large with good spacing and privacy to adjacent sites. High tree canopy at your site so lots of room to spread out. Sites themselves are a little rustic - a mix of grass, gravel and dirt, but not muddy (it rained a good bit prior to my stay) - but in good condition. Shower/toilet block is clean and good hot water and good water pressure. Most sites are flat or near flat and the ones that aren't need minimal levelling blocks. Campground apparently is never full and there was only 1 other when I was there - really hard to believe. There is a neighborhood road up by the sites near the shower block but it is low speed and lightly travelled and I had no disturbance from it. Nice surrounding neighborhood. No signs of vagrants. Park police patrolled multiple times per day and report very little non-camper entry to ther facilities. I felt very safe.Easy access to Eashington - bus stop outside the campground to metro or just drive to the metro (free parking weekend, $6 midweek) and then train (about 8 per hour) into the sites - an hour or less total to get there. For more local people, this seems like a good escape "to the woods" without travelling forever.

  • Judy W.
    Jul. 31, 2026

    Smallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023

    Great Escape! Air conditioned cabins!

    What a gem!  We found this place as an alternative to staying in DC during  4th of July festivities.  Nice spacious sites, cabins were super clean and smelled great!  Did I mention they were air conditioned during the hotest week of the summer!  

    Bathrooms and showers were spotless. 

    Many things to see and do there. Historic property, big lake (no swimming), boating, fishing, hiking.  There is an Art Center with juried displays for sale.

  • Paul W.
    Jul. 30, 2026

    Woodlawn Campground

    Woodlawn Campground is a gem!

    Manager is very friendly and helpful. Lovely, peaceful place to spend a few nights. Plus it's reasonably priced and convenient to dining and shopping.

  • E
    Jul. 29, 2026

    Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    Wonderful family campground

    We had a delightful 2 night stay at Rocky Gap in the Dogwood loop. This campsite was beautiful, well maintained and clean, with great access from our area in Dogwood to both the trails and the beach. The campsite itself was a large pull-through, wooded site, that accommodated our big tent and glamping set up for a family of four. The beach was adorable, with a snack bar, playground, nature center and camp store, and I loved that it was only for the campground's use. We took the lake trail walk one day and got to see the campsites that are right across from the lake with amazing views! Minor complaints are that you can hear the roadway from the campsite (didn't really bother us, just noting it) and there's not a ton of privacy in the campground. Neither of these things detracted from our enjoyment of the park and campground though!

  • T
    Jul. 25, 2026

    Bay Shore Campground

    Fred’s bay shore

    One of our favorite places. Very well kept. No bathhouse so bring your own. A lot of shady sites. Great views of Chesapeake bay. Flat roads in the area for cycling.

  • B The Dyrt Pro User
    Jul. 24, 2026

    Susquehanna State Park Campground

    A little noisy - park stuff, not campers

    A beautiful, well maintained park with lots to do, great bathroom facilities and extremely nice people. The electric sites aren't all together, so you don't have RV's lined up but maybe annoying for folks who are tent camping. Avoid the locations in the mid-30's by the dumpster, both staff and campers start shaking the lid around 6:30. Between 5 AM and noon staff were driving big trucks and ATV's around with loud reverse horns, and slamming the fire pit grills, which they store sideways. Overall I had a really wonderful time, but that's largely down to good sound reduction inside the van. Almost zero cell service. I was able to get a couple of text messages in and out, but seemed to be a fluke.

  • Isabel Z.
    Jul. 19, 2026

    Elk Neck State Park Campground

    Great for families

    This campsite was amazing for our first tent camping experience. The park was a godsend for keeping our toddler occupied and we felt very safe overall. While the beach is pretty, be careful about the water condition. We were warned before entering and informed of the risks. They were very clear on the condition of the water that day which was a yellow, slight risk. But normally it should be okay. We would definitely camp here again.

  • J
    Jul. 18, 2026

    Ramblin' Pines

    Weak WiFi

    For $90 per night the WiFi should work better. Didn’t connect at all. Had to use the antenna pointed East to get local Baltimore news.

  • h
    Jul. 18, 2026

    Cherry Hill Park

    Like a resort

    This camp ground is like a resort with 2 pools mini golf splash pad and many other amenities

Guide to Maryland

Camping in Maryland offers a mix of beautiful landscapes, family-friendly activities, and a chance to connect with nature. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking an RV, there's something for everyone in this state.

What to do

  • Hiking: Maryland is home to numerous trails. For example, at Catoctin Mountain Park, you can explore 25 miles of hiking trails. One camper noted, “Catoctin is one of the most peaceful campgrounds I've been to, and a lot less crowded than Cunningham Falls State Park.”
  • Fishing and Boating: At Elk Neck State Park, you can fish in the Chesapeake Bay or rent kayaks. A visitor shared, “We went on a hike to check out the lighthouse... There’s also great camping and fishing throughout the area.”
  • Exploring History: Visit Fort Frederick State Park for a dose of history. One reviewer mentioned, “Super cool history to be found here for sure and really nice walking paths also right on the river.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and campsites. A visitor at Cunningham Falls State Park said, “Bathroom and shower facilities were fine, and had a big sink you could use for cleaning/dishwashing.”
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many campers enjoy the peacefulness of the sites. One camper at Owens Creek Campground remarked, “This is a great quiet little camping ground which was my son’s introduction to camping.”
  • Spacious Sites: Campers often mention the spaciousness of the sites. A review from Tuckahoe State Park noted, “The campsites are typically spacious and spaced out well.”

What you should know

  • No Alcohol Allowed: Many campgrounds, like Elk Neck State Park, have strict no-alcohol policies. A camper pointed out, “What a park! We loved it here and will definitely be back.”
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, such as McCoys Ferry, are more primitive. One visitor mentioned, “This campground is very intimate... At night you can hear the trains pass.”
  • Crowded on Weekends: Popular spots can get busy, especially on weekends. A camper at Susquehanna State Park said, “Stayed here recently for 2 nights... Lots and lots of family and multi-family groups.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Kid-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with amenities for kids. A parent at Cunningham Falls State Park noted, “My kids also LOVED the swimming lake -- especially great for small kids.”
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. One camper at Tuckahoe State Park mentioned, “There is so much to do right in this area as well. Lots of hiking.”
  • Pack Snacks: Keep the kids happy with snacks. A camper at Owens Creek Campground suggested, “Firewood is provided near the entrance with a donation box.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Brunswick Family Campground said, “Great campground as long as you select the correct site as that is incredibly important.”
  • Look for Electric Hookups: Some campgrounds offer electric hookups, which can be a lifesaver. A camper at Cunningham Falls State Park noted, “Got a last minute non-electric spot. Pad is very level.”
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Popular RV spots can fill up quickly. A visitor at Susquehanna State Park mentioned, “The sites are well kept and the tent pads are in great shape.”

Camping in Maryland is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether you're with family or exploring solo. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful scenery!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping in Maryland?

True dispersed camping is limited in Maryland due to its densely populated nature. Your best option is Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, which offers a primitive camping experience with nearby parking. The site provides basic amenities while still offering a backcountry feel. For a more remote experience, western Maryland offers limited dispersed camping opportunities in Savage River State Forest and Green Ridge State Forest, where you can camp outside of designated campgrounds. Always check with the managing authority before setting up, as permits may be required and regulations can change seasonally.

What private campgrounds are available in Maryland?

Brunswick Family Campground is a popular private option situated between railroad tracks and the Potomac River. The campground offers mesmerizing river views and helpful staff, making it a convenient getaway for those from the DC metro area while still feeling like an escape. Assateague State Park Campground offers a unique private camping experience with oceanfront sites and the famous wild horses. Other private options include Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Western Maryland, Cherry Hill Park near College Park (convenient to DC), and Bar Harbor RV Park on the Eastern Shore. Most private campgrounds offer amenities like full hookups, WiFi, and organized activities that state parks typically don't provide.

Are there free camping options available in Maryland?

Free camping is scarce in Maryland, but there are a few options. Owens Creek Campground in Catoctin Mountain Park offers some of the most affordable camping in the state, though not entirely free. It's notably less crowded than nearby Cunningham Falls State Park and features peaceful creekside sites. Some hiker-biker campsites along the C&O Canal towpath are available for free or minimal cost to cyclists and hikers. Additionally, Big Run State Park Campground in Western Maryland has some of the most affordable sites in the state park system. Always verify current fees before your trip, as rates can change seasonally.

What are the best state park campgrounds in Maryland?

Rocky Gap State Park Campground consistently ranks among Maryland's best with its lakeside camping, well-maintained facilities, and activities like swimming, fishing, and kayaking. The F and C loops are ideal for pet owners, and many sites are spacious enough for large family tents. Swallow Falls State Park Campground is another top choice, offering level tent sites in a true forest setting. The campground's proximity to multiple waterfalls makes it exceptionally scenic. Other excellent options include Deep Creek Lake for its beautiful forest setting and firefly displays in summer, and Big Run State Park for stream-side camping with excellent paddling access.

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