Cabin accommodations near Chester, Maryland range from rustic mini cabins to deluxe options with more amenities. Most state park cabins operate seasonally from March through November, though Elk Neck State Park Campground offers year-round cabin rentals. The cabins typically provide basic furnishings and electricity, with many featuring outdoor amenities such as fire rings and picnic tables for cooking and dining.
What to do
Water activities: Tuckahoe State Park Campground offers access to Tuckahoe Creek and Lake for paddling. "There is a canoe/kayak launch between sites 46 and 48. The walk to Tuckahoe Creek from the parking area is very short, and the creek leads to Tuckahoe Lake with more of the creek on the other side of the lake," notes a camper.
Hiking trails: Tuckahoe State Park Campground maintains 20 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. One visitor mentioned, "Excellent for hikers. Lots of trails to hike. Beautiful, peaceful. Some sites not level."
Nature exploration: Killens Pond State Park Campground in nearby Delaware offers diverse ecosystems. "The woods are full of nature and diverse species. We counted over 17 different species of fungi in a 25 foot stretch," reported one camper who stayed in the cabins.
Boat rentals: Rental options are available at several parks. At Killens Pond, "we rented a paddle boat, which was $6 for a half hour. Each paddle boat holds 4 and are easy to use. They also have canoes and kayaks to rent."
What campers like
Cabin comfort: Martinak State Park Campground offers cabins with heating for year-round comfort. A visitor noted, "We stayed one night in a small cabin. It was cosy and warm on a cold night for fall. The cabins are clean and tidy and the campground is well run."
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness is frequently mentioned in reviews. At Susquehanna State Park Campground, "Bath house was immaculate; by far the cleanest I have ever seen in a campground. Must have been recently renovated."
Playground access: Families appreciate play areas for children. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area features "a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park," according to one review.
Water park: Killens Pond State Park offers a water recreation area that campers enjoy. "The water park is great and had something for everyone. The area for the younger kids has two small pile and various slides and water features," one camper explained.
What you should know
Site selection: Some campgrounds have challenging sites. At Elk Neck State Park Campground, "In the full hook up loop pay close attention to the lengths specified. The actual pads are fairly level but some of the driveways to them are very sloped. Long rigs will have issues in a few of the sites."
Water restrictions: Swimming policies vary by location. At Killens Pond, a camper mentioned, "Can't swim only in water park but only 20/40 minutes to beaches."
Cabin supplies: Most cabins require visitors to bring their own linens and supplies. No paper towels, soap or kitchen utensils are provided at some locations. Killens Pond cabins were described as: "The cabins are tiny on the inside but that porch really provides very useful space."
Camp store hours: Store schedules can be limited. One camper at Tuckahoe noted, "The Camp store has weird hours (I forgot to pack the bacon and ruined the trip!!!!)."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Washington DC/Capitol KOA in Millersville offers multiple play facilities. "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc)," according to one visitor.
Water features: Children enjoy splash areas and water activities. Killens Pond State Park has "various types of boats to rent and well marked trails" and a water park with areas designed for different ages.
Nature programs: Some parks offer educational activities. At Elk Neck State Park, a visitor recommended, "Definitely drive to, and then hike to the lighthouse (open most weekends) the lighthouse and the view are definitely worth it."
Wildlife viewing: Children can observe native species. At Susquehanna State Park, a visitor "Scared a bunch of deer (ok they scared me!!) and checked out the giant old growth trees, hiked over a bridge and stream which was full of fish I could see!"
Tips from RVers
Full hookups: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area provides electric hookups but limited services. "The campground is on the smaller side. You get a fire pit and cooking crate, and a picnic table. The crushed stone at the sites isn't comfortable for tents, and they won't let you pitch it on the ground."
Site drainage: Weather can affect camping conditions. At Patapsco Valley, "One negative was that when it rains it really flushes through the grounds. 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."
Proximity to attractions: Washington DC/Capitol KOA offers convenient access to major cities. "Close to DC but they didn't let us know ahead of time that the shuttle wasn't working. That was super disappointing. Sites are close and need service."
Dump station access: Several state parks provide sanitary dumps. Tuckahoe has a "good dump station and potable water fill. Spigots throughout the campground."