Best Equestrian Camping near Chesapeake Beach, MD

Chesapeake Beach area equestrian camping options are limited, with none of the campgrounds in the dataset featuring dedicated horse corrals or specifically advertising as horse-friendly. Cedarville State Forest offers the most potential for equestrian use, with hiking trails that connect to equestrian areas and sufficient space for camping. The family campground loop accommodates both tent and RV campers on mostly level sites with 30-amp electric hookups. Campers report seeing and smelling horses near the campsites, indicating some equestrian activity in adjacent areas of the forest.

Trail systems throughout Cedarville State Forest include designated equestrian paths that can be accessed from the camping area. These trails are well-maintained with excellent signage, though tick prevention is essential during warmer months. The forest maintains multiple water spigots throughout the camping loop, which can serve for horse watering needs. While the campground itself doesn't advertise specialized equestrian facilities, the proximity to horse trails makes it functional for riders looking to camp with their horses. For more extensive equestrian camping facilities, travelers may need to venture beyond the immediate Chesapeake Beach area to parks with dedicated horse amenities.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Chesapeake Beach, Maryland (7)

    1. Cedarville State Forest

    17 Reviews
    Brandywine, MD
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 888-1410

    $30 / night

    "We picked up the camping registration outside the office at the entrance, no need to speak with anyone. Then we just drove down to our campsite in the family camping loop."

    "There are some abandon camp loops around the open campground which makes for some cool walks with your dog. Very pretty area with lots of trails and overgrown roads to walk."

    2. Pohick Bay Campground

    38 Reviews
    Lorton, VA
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 339-6104

    $37 - $170 / night

    "We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids."

    "We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."

    3. Andrews AFB Military FamCamp

    2 Reviews
    Clinton, MD
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 981-4109

    $18 - $30 / night

    4. Tuckahoe State Park Campground

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

    $21 - $70 / night

    "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."

    "We were looking to explore Maryland's Eastern Shore and picked Tuckaho because they had electric sites available. We were so pleased with our stay."

    5. Martinak State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Denton, MD
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    $18 - $77 / night

    "Though I live in Texas now, Maryland will always be home for me. Whenever I get the chance to head back, I almost make sure to check out some of the local fishing spots."

    "Park is that the Electric loop (B) has all of the sites on the outside of the drive loop so you are not looking across the road at other campers."

    6. Camp Meade RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Odenton, MD
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 722-4237
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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Chesapeake Beach, MD

1 Photos of 7 Chesapeake Beach Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Chesapeake Beach, MD

114 Reviews of 7 Chesapeake Beach Campgrounds


  • Wendy W.
    Jul. 4, 2020

    Tuckahoe State Park Campground

    Perfect First Family Camping Trip

    Tuckahoe is a hidden gem on Maryland’s mid-Eastern Shore region. With many of your standard amenities and a quiet atmosphere, it was a great spot for my first time camping with my kids.

    Our campsite was on the non-electric loop. We had a small creek and trail back up to our campsite. We only had a handful of neighbors and foot traffic at the time was almost nonexistent, so we practically had the park to ourselves.

    There is an electric loop with electric hookup, but no water or sewer. 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.

    There are 4 basic cabins on each loop and most sites are designed for RV and/or tent use. There are 3 sites that are tent-only on the non-electric loop.

    Multiple trails in the area are widespread. Wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring a map! They also have equestrian trails with an equestrian center nearby. The lakefront boasts a picnic area with individual tables and grills, recycled tire playground, and kayak rentals (for a fee). Fishing is allowed, but no swimming (which was a bummer for us, but exploring some of the local creeks helped provide some relief from the summer heat).

    Nearby is Atkins Arboretum. Their 5 mile trail system covers around 400 acres. There are woods, “grasslands,” and “wetlands” to explore the various ecosystems of the Eastern Shore. They also had a goat area and garden play area for children. There is a fee through the Visitor’s Center which supports the center, but some of the trails can be accessed via other Tuckahoe trails.

    Centrally located, you’re still within easy access to a local town center (Denton), supplies, and dining. I can’t recommend Tuckahoe enough if you just want a quiet spot or you’re new to camping!

  • R
    Oct. 4, 2021

    Cedarville State Forest

    Peaceful

    We picked up the camping registration outside the office at the entrance, no need to speak with anyone. Then we just drove down to our campsite in the family camping loop. We could hear and smell horses when we got to our campsite, but it didn't last forever. 

    The site was mostly clean, had a few pieces of small trash scattered around when we arrived. The sites were decently spaced out from one another, it didn't feel like we were right on top of the people across and next to us. Our site was close to the restroom, it had a little path leading to the restroom, and it looked like there was little trail paths all around leading to the restrooms from the different parts of the loop. The path leading to the restroom from our site was gravel and easy to walk on. The restrooms were clean, but the floor was wet almost the entire time we were there (likely due to the showers).

    If you need to buy wood it is $5 for 8 pieces and you call a number given to you in your registration packet. The ranger will then drive by and drop off the wood at your campsite. The inner ring of this loop has electricity, and the electric box was just on the far side of the picnic table in the corner.

  • V
    Sep. 16, 2024

    Tuckahoe State Park Campground

    A Gem of a State Park

    We were looking to explore Maryland's Eastern Shore and picked Tuckaho because they had electric sites available. We were so pleased with our stay. The campground is well maintained and the sites are great. We have a small travel trailer and our site was pretty level and nicely private. We backed up to a hiking trail which was nice. There's lots to do here. There's a disc golf course and the camp store has discs available to use. We've never played before but had a blast learning, now we're hooked. We also enjoyed kayaking on the lake. If you enjoy birding this park is great, we saw so many cool birds. There's an arboretum and horse riding trails. We will definitely be going back!

  • Melissa C.
    Mar. 2, 2017

    Tuckahoe State Park Campground

    Really nice to kayak

    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. RVs, tents, youth group, etc. while I was only there for one chilly April night, my partner and I were looking forward to kayaking along the lake and creek. I was new to the sport and it was windy so the lake was a bit scary to kayak but the creek was perfect. With all the vegetation growing back, it felt like you were in Florida. There were interpretive signs all along the creek to teach about the birds, amphibians, and even beavers one might see. One of the downsides to the campground was that the bathrooms were small and far away from the campsites. That is, if we went to the right ones. Could have been user error.

  • Ben J.
    Aug. 31, 2019

    Cedarville State Forest

    Pretty cool for so close to DC

    Saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits, before we even reached the gates. Moderate privacy and space, especially considering how close it is to DC. There are some abandon camp loops around the open campground which makes for some cool walks with your dog. Very pretty area with lots of trails and overgrown roads to walk. Equestrian trails go deep into the woods if you want a longer trail. Bathrooms don’t look like much from the outside, but the inside is very nice. Clean, hot water, and good water pressure. The have a new dump station, but the hose has an anti-freeze up in the air with a pull cord valve. This means every time you pull to turn the water on, you get a shower. It was hot, so it was OK. Hahaha. They sell firewood, but they were huge pieces and getting them to start burning was tough. LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers. Each site had picnic table, fire ring, and pretty level parking spot.

  • Kasey M.
    Aug. 26, 2020

    Cedarville State Forest

    Mosquitos, Overgrown & Quiet

    We chose this campground based on proximity to work. This campground was priced fairly, however, it does come with its downfalls.

    PROS

    Let me start with the positive, we were 1 of 3 campers in this loop during our week-long stay. This made it peaceful and quiet. 

    CONS

    It's close to a Naval base, and therefore you constantly hear airplanes, and helicopters at all times. 

    Other than the daily bathroom cleaning, this campground lacks maintenance on sites and walkways. They are both overgrown. 

    Playground, fishing, archery all seem blocked off at this time. 

    Trails seem open but are across and through hunting areas. They are also muddy from the rain. There is even standing water around our site which brings us to...the MOSQUITOS! We tried fans, tiki torches, and many deet free or light deet products before having to buy 100% deet so we could be outside. These things are awful!

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 29, 2024

    Pohick Bay Campground

    Good trip

    We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids. The waterpark is new and loud so we avoid but nice if you have young kids. Careful low bridge on Route 1 exit ramp little warning when taking ramp off I95. Go around to next exit. The check in at the cap store is crowded and narrow even with renovations but our 34 ft makes it okay. Bring bikes. Long bike trail along road. Farmers markets in Lorton and things to do in DC. Park at Huntington or Springfield metro. Short boat ride straight across from Ft Belvoir new family campground. Ice cream shop in season by water docks. Bathrooms clean always hot water three stalls each. Sink outside for dishes. Playground buts up against inner circle which are the only sewer sites. Others are electric water. Careful some near steep drop off. Stick to main road or inner circle or first circle if in big unit. Must go round circle to get to those spots which can be annoying. Two speed bumps. Camp store sells smores ingredients, limited candy, no eggs or bacon get those off Rte 1. Past entrance on Rte 1 is a Food Lion, McDonalds. Gas stations along Rte one are tight so fill up before exiting to campground. If you are desperate there is gas 7/11 at corner of Pohick and Rte 1 but its sketchy. Up the road off Rte 1 is Fort Belvoir Access w a drivers license however cant shop without military sponsored ID. Great bbq at Telegraph Rd and greek at Olympians family restaurant. Movie theater on Telegraph is nice. Springfield Mall close. Take Onville Rd which is a backroad by Pohick Church to shortcut to Rte 1. Pohick Rd past camping turn deadends into private neighborhood. Do not pass camp entrance. Hard to turn around if you do. Near End of Pohick is a small walk with overlook. See birds at point. Drive a car not RV. Park at lot on right before road split deadend. Gunston Hall on left can see from campground and water. Tours are nice.

  • Sam D.
    Aug. 29, 2016

    Martinak State Park Campground

    Great Fishing

    Though I live in Texas now, Maryland will always be home for me. Whenever I get the chance to head back, I almost make sure to check out some of the local fishing spots.

    This is a great place to catch some good action fish. I've always had some success whenever I've been here. It's a fun place to spend a night or two and relax.

  • moonbeans
    Oct. 15, 2022

    Cedarville State Forest

    Great beginner’s campground

    Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC.

    If you’ve forgotten anything you can pop on by the Target or Costco right outside the forest.

    Also, you can purchase wood while checking in and the Rangers don’t mind if you take a bit extra. Just bring your own starters and kindling (or a small hatchet/saw).

    Planes do occasionally fly over the area so consider bringing earplugs if you are a sensitive sleeper. The noise wasn’t really noticeable when I went on a Saturday (the neighboring campsite’s dogs were louder).


Guide to Chesapeake Beach

While Chesapeake Beach, Maryland offers limited dedicated equestrian camping facilities, the surrounding area provides options for horse owners. The region sits in Maryland's coastal plain with elevations generally below 100 feet and a humid subtropical climate. Summer temperatures average 87°F with high humidity, while spring and fall bring milder conditions ideal for trail riding and camping.

What to do

Horseback riding trails: Cedarville State Forest maintains designated equestrian paths accessible from camping areas. The forest features "multiple loops for groups or individuals" with trails that are "well-maintained with excellent signage," according to Donald G. who stayed at Cedarville State Forest.

Disc golf course: Pohick Bay Regional Park offers an 18-hole disc golf course that draws visitors year-round. Rachel L. calls the park "a hidden gem in the area" and specifically recommends "taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course" at Pohick Bay Campground.

Kayaking and canoeing: Tuckahoe State Park provides water access for paddlers with a dedicated kayak launch area. Jessica K. notes the park has "great hiking, biking, kayaking and fishing" and that "if you stay on the tent side there is a kayak launch" at Tuckahoe State Park Campground.

What campers like

Spacious, shaded sites: Many campers appreciate the forested sites that provide privacy between neighbors. According to Mary S., Tuckahoe State Park offers "spacious, wooded sites" with "lots of shade and trees on large sites and space between sites make this a pleasant campground."

Clean facilities: Cedarville State Forest maintains well-kept bathrooms and showers despite heavy use. Nurse N. reports that "restrooms were clean, closed daily for cleaning between 1 pm - 3 pm" and notes the "two showers were included" at Martinak State Park Campground.

Ranger services: Park rangers at Cedarville State Forest provide firewood delivery to campsites upon request. Nurse N. mentions that "the ranger delivers firewood to your site within about 10-15 min of calling, which was very convenient. Cost was $5 for 8 logs."

What you should know

Tick prevention essential: Multiple parks in the region have significant tick populations, especially during warmer months. Ben J. warns that at Cedarville State Forest there are "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers."

Limited equestrian facilities: While there are horse trails near Chesapeake Beach, most campgrounds lack dedicated horse corrals. Camp Meade RV Park and other area campgrounds require horse owners to bring portable corrals or high-lines.

Variable site sizes: Some campgrounds have restricted spaces that may challenge larger rigs or multiple tents. Buck P. cautions about Tuckahoe State Park: "The web site does not say site 21 is extremely small. We have a 25' camper, and it barely fit, length and with were an issue."

Tips for camping with families

Playgrounds and activities: Several campgrounds feature family-friendly amenities and structured activities. Ben G. found Pohick Bay Campground ideal with their "scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend, they had an outdoor movie scheduled for Friday night, a campfire story time scheduled for Saturday night and crafts scheduled for Sunday morning."

Junior Ranger programs: Parks like Tuckahoe State Park offer educational opportunities for children. Jean C. notes that "if you're looking to learn and explore with your kids, there is an extensive junior ranger program" at Lichtman Camp 1.

Water recreation options: Families enjoy the water features available at many parks. Anne K. points out that Pohick Bay offers "Pirate's Cove waterpark" which is "definitely a highlight in summer" along with "boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats."

Tips from RVers

Electric hookup availability: Most campgrounds near Chesapeake Beach offer electric service, but amperage varies. Joe C. found at Cedarville State Forest there was "30 amp electric. No issues there" and noted it's "next to one of the water spigots. The idea is to use it to fill up tanks."

Dump station quality: RVers should note the condition of sanitation facilities. Ben J. observed that Cedarville "have a new dump station, but the hose has an anti-freeze up in the air with a pull cord valve. This means every time you pull to turn the water on, you get a shower."

Site levelness: Horse campgrounds near Chesapeake Beach Maryland typically have varying terrain. At Tuckahoe State Park, Mary S. noted "parking pads on the electric loop are asphalt" while the non-electric loop has "very finely crushed rock" on both parking and tent pads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Chesapeake Beach, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Chesapeake Beach, MD is Cedarville State Forest with a 3.8-star rating from 17 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Chesapeake Beach, MD?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Chesapeake Beach, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.