2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Tent campsites surrounding Chesapeake Beach, Maryland provide a mix of established grounds and walk-in sites with water views, particularly along the Chesapeake Bay shoreline. Calvert Cliffs State Park Youth Group Camping offers tent-only sites with bay access and fossil hunting opportunities, while Matoaka Beach Cottages provides tent camping spots situated on cliffs overlooking the water. Sandy Point State Park, located approximately 30 miles north of Chesapeake Beach, offers additional group tent camping options for those willing to travel slightly farther.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and toilets. Calvert Cliffs State Park provides drinking water and toilet facilities, but no showers or trash collection service, making proper waste management essential for tent campers. Sites at Matoaka Beach Cottages offer beach access via walk-in paths, with drinking water and electric hookups available. Seasonality affects availability, with Calvert Cliffs operating from March 31 to October 29 and Sandy Point running from March to October. Campers should verify current reservation requirements, as most locations require advance bookings.
Tent-only sites throughout the region provide distinct advantages for those seeking direct water access. Areas close to the shoreline offer opportunities for fossil hunting, fishing, and beach exploration. Lacy Oasis Campground, while small with only six sites, provides fire rings, picnic tables, and toilet facilities in a more secluded setting. Sites at Endeavor Point allow both drive-in and boat-in access, appealing to tent campers arriving by either method. A visitor commented that "the campsites aren't dispersed and are pretty small but the pier was perfect to fish or crab off of and the beach had great views of the sunrise." Many tent campers report preferring weekday visits to avoid summer crowds, particularly at Sandy Point State Park, which can become extremely busy during peak season.
"Whether you are an adult or a child, this place will have a positive effect on you. The owners are involved and designed this space with the visitors pleasure in mind."
from $90 - $190 / night
from $55 - $95 / night
"Private campground with cabins and tent sites. Tent sites are first come, first service so call ahead to ensure the space is available."
"They have a few tent camping spots as well as cabins. Just call ahead. I just showed up and got a perfect camp spot with a view of the sunrise and access to the private beach."
"Nice and quiet, no hookups, but nice surroundings!"
"It is a very nice walk about 2 miles to the beach where you can hunt for fossils. The beach has gotten smaller over the years however the trail has gotten much better."
"There are two main beaches and there are picnic tables all over the park. There’s a popular boat launch amd small marina/bait store.
Get there early on weekends and holidays.""There are wonderful views of the water and swimming at the beach, pavilions for social gatherings, showers and bathrooms that are kept pretty very clean, and room for backpacking, hiking, picnicking,"
"Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap"
"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."
from $12 - $45 / night
"We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm and it was very wet even after the rain died down."
"There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center. There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes. The campground is on the smaller side."
from $20 - $51 / night
"Good for a day use, parking is full most of the time but have a lot of space to park you may have to walk but you will find one spot..."
"Close to me so theres nothing new"
from $15 - $18 / night
"7 or 8 tent pads. Wood for sale at the site for $4 honor system. Porta pottie right next to wood pile. You’re not supposed to setup anything outside of the “tent pads”."
"It was my first hike in primitive camping experience. We hiked for a few hours and finally got to our site which was right on the Potomac River."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $16 / night
TravelerClose to washington as we could get. Could also park our skoolie bus which was nice and had plenty of close by shower with bathrooms. Keep in mind only one shower per restroom house. We stayed at a pretty slow season so it wasn’t bad. Would recommend if visiting DC! They also have a dump station and water fill up.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
GuideSpent two nights while we saw the Avett Brothers play at Wolf Trap. Nice flat site with power. Campground was quiet and clean. The only negative is communication and signage. It took us a couple wrong turns to find our site and when we came back, after the concert around 11, the entrance gate was closed and we had to sneak in through the exit gate. Asked the next day and they said that is what campers do to access the park after 11pm.
ScoutIt was a well maintained campsite. Clean bathrooms and great hikes to fossil beach.
GuideIf you want to be near Annapolis, right on the Severn River...this is it. About 15 RV spots nestled in the woods...with full hook ups. A couple of primitive spots as well. Just a quick 5 min walk to the river...right across from the Academy. NEX, gas within 10 min walk, and 15 min drive to downtown Annapolis. Staff is always great here, and the park is clean....for a park on the woods.
TravelerBased 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.
GuideWhat 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.
ScoutThe park is very well maintained, and the campsites have clean fire pits and cooking grills. The restrooms are clean, spacious, and well maintained, and my campsite was large enough to comfortably fit a 6-person tent and a canopy.
However, there were a few concerns during our stay. Despite the campground’s quiet hours policy starting at 10:00 PM, many campers continued to make noise well past that time. I did not notice any campground staff or maintenance personnel making rounds to enforce the quiet hours.
I also felt concerned about security. One of my neighboring campers, who was visiting from South Carolina, told me that his generator had been stolen during the night. He reported the theft to the police, and an official report was filed. Incidents like this made me feel unsafe while camping.
I recommend increasing staff or security patrols, especially during the evening and overnight hours, to enforce quiet hours and improve the safety and security of campers and their belongings. With better enforcement and security, Burke Lake Campground would provide an even better camping experience.
TravelerOne 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.
Tent campgrounds near Chesapeake Beach, Maryland offer several options for outdoor enthusiasts seeking waterfront experiences along the Chesapeake Bay. Notable sites include Calvert Cliffs State Park Youth Group Camping, which provides tent-only sites with access to fossil hunting beaches, and Matoaka Beach Cottages, which maintains a limited number of private tent sites perched on cliffs overlooking the bay. Most locations are within 30 minutes of Chesapeake Beach, providing relatively easy access to town amenities while maintaining a sense of seclusion.
Most tent camping areas feature basic amenities suitable for self-sufficient campers. Sites typically consist of grassy or dirt surfaces with minimal grading, particularly at locations like Endeavor Point where tent pads are situated on lawn areas near the water. Drinking water is available at several locations including Sandy Point State Park and Calvert Cliffs, though availability varies seasonally. Fire rings and picnic tables are standard at most established sites, with restrictions on open fires during dry summer months. Campers should note that many locations require advance reservations, particularly during peak season from April through October. Restroom facilities range from vault toilets to shower buildings depending on the campground.
The waterfront setting defines the tent camping experience in this region. Sunrise views over the Chesapeake Bay provide memorable mornings, particularly from elevated sites at Matoaka Beach. Walk-in tent sites typically offer more privacy than drive-up options, with shade varying significantly between locations. Many campgrounds provide direct beach access for fossil hunting, swimming, or fishing. A camper at Matoaka Beach Cottages noted, "We tent camped at Matoka Cabins and it was a beautiful peaceful camping trip! Our spot was very private and you could see the bay and hear the waves." Wildlife viewing opportunities include shore birds and occasional deer, particularly in less developed areas. Tent campers should be prepared for summer humidity and insects, as reviews indicate these can be challenging during peak months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Chesapeake Beach, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Chesapeake Beach, MD is Lacy Oasis Campground with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Chesapeake Beach, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 tent camping locations near Chesapeake Beach, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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