Cedarville State Forest sits about 30 miles from Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, offering wooded campsites and trails through 3,510 acres of mixed forest terrain. The area experiences warm summers with high humidity and mild winters, while spring and fall offer comfortable camping conditions with occasional rainfall. Most campgrounds in this region operate from April through October, with a few sites available year-round.
What to do
Hunting for fossils: At Calvert Cliffs State Park, visitors can search for prehistoric shark teeth and fossils along the beach. "Such an amazing expieriance and brings right into the eyes of child with both adult and children searching for shark teeth. Not only is searching for shark teeth a blast, but, the views are beautiful and walkin thru the woofs Is very calming," shares Sarah F.
Kayaking local waterways: Endeavor Point offers direct water access for paddlers. "The pier was perfect to fish or crab off of and the beach had great views of the sunrise," notes Ally S., who visited during Labor Day weekend. The campground provides convenient boat launch access to explore the river and surrounding marshlands.
Disc golf courses: Several parks near Chesapeake Beach feature disc golf courses, including Pohick Bay Regional Park. "I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," suggests Rachel L., who considers this her "go-to weekend camping spot" just outside DC.
What campers like
Natural wildlife encounters: Pet friendly camping areas near Chesapeake Beach often feature abundant wildlife. At Final-Lee Here, one camper reported seeing "caterpillars walk on water, a heron and bald eagles soaring above, turtles, a cove where thousands of tadpoles were amidst metamorphosis (having both tails and legs) scampering through and atop the water, and a multitude of dragonflies" during their kayaking trip.
Accessibility to DC attractions: Greenbelt Park Campground offers a unique combination of wooded camping with easy access to Washington DC. "There is plenty of space between camp site clusters. The park itself is safe, quiet, permitting some nice treks through the woods. The other great thing about it that you can spend entire days at the always-free Smithsonian museums and still fall asleep in the woods," explains one reviewer.
Kid-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds near Chesapeake Beach offer family activities. "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc). If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy," notes Elise M. about camping at Washington DC/Capitol KOA.
What you should know
Tick prevention essential: Ticks are prevalent in Maryland forests, especially during warmer months. "Lots of trails but in June at least the ticks were waaaay too plentiful," warns Joe C. at Cedarville State Forest. Pack plenty of insect repellent and perform regular tick checks.
Waterfront site limitations: Beachfront access points are often limited. "The beach is very beautiful even though every year it gets smaller and smaller," notes Anthony S. about Calvert Cliffs State Park. Many beaches require hiking to reach them.
Urban noise factors: Despite forest settings, some campgrounds experience noise from nearby development. "It's quiet, but not too dark, as the lights from DC interfere with the night sky here," explains Bill G. about camping at Cedarville State Forest. Aircraft noise can also be present, with one camper noting "You constantly hear airplanes, and helicopters at all times" due to proximity to a Naval base.
Tips for camping with families
Safety features: Look for campgrounds with family-oriented amenities. "Clean place and very quiet," reports erwin S. about Greenbelt Park Campground, which maintains well-monitored facilities and ranger-led programs.
Educational opportunities: Lacy Oasis Campground receives praise for its educational value. "My agency took about 25 children there last week and they did not want to leave, neither did I. The rates are very economical for what is being provided on the space," shares Terrance D., highlighting the positive impact on children.
Bathroom facilities: When camping with kids, clean restrooms matter. At Endeavor Point, "the bathrooms don't look like much from the outside, but the inside is very nice. Clean, hot water, and good water pressure," reports a visitor who appreciated the facilities despite the rustic appearance.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Cherry Hill Park near College Park, choosing the right site matters. "Look at the park map and try to get a site at the end of a row. The sites are pretty close together but on the ends at least you only have a neighbor on one side," advises Scott C., noting how strategic placement can increase privacy.
Leveling challenges: Many RV sites in the area require leveling equipment. "Sites vary in levelness, some are fairly level and some are on a mini hill. Driveways are all very narrow," reports Laura M. about Greenbelt Park Campground. Bring leveling blocks and check site details when booking.
Utility considerations: When camping with RVs near Chesapeake Beach, check specific hookup details. "Full hookups at most sites with electric, water, and sewer connections available," is common at larger campgrounds like Adventure Bound Washington DC. However, Pohick Bay offers varied options where "not all sites are level (half)" according to a regular visitor.
Ranger
