T
Trevor 
Traveler
TravelerBay 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.
Camping near Chester, MD
74 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds near Chester, Maryland cluster primarily along the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding waterways, offering both tent and RV camping opportunities. Tuckahoe State Park Campground provides well-maintained sites with electric hookups about 30 miles east of Chester, while Bay Shore Campground in Rock Hall offers year-round waterfront camping with views of the Chesapeake. The region includes various accommodation types from primitive tent sites to full-service RV facilities, glamping options, and cabin rentals. Several state parks feature improved campgrounds with centralized amenities, while military installations like Annapolis FamCamp provide specialized options for qualified personnel.
Most developed campgrounds in the Chester region operate seasonally, with peak availability from March through November. Bay Shore Campground remains open year-round, but many facilities like Tuckahoe State Park (March-November) and Sandy Point State Park (March-October) close during winter months. Campsite reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for summer weekends when waterfront locations fill quickly. Electric hookups are common at larger campgrounds, though full-service sites with sewer connections are limited. Cell service varies throughout the region, with stronger coverage near Annapolis and weaker signals in more remote Eastern Shore locations. A camper at Tuckahoe noted it offers "quiet state park camping with limited cell reception. Truly off the map camping. Heavily wooded with electric loop and central bathhouse."
The Chesapeake Bay waterfront dominates camping experiences near Chester, with many campers specifically seeking bay views and water access. Sandy Point State Park receives mixed reviews, with visitors praising the waterfront location but noting significant crowding during summer months. Several campers mentioned Tuckahoe State Park's exceptionally clean facilities and diverse recreational opportunities despite being located farther inland. "The bathrooms and showers are the cleanest I've ever seen," wrote one reviewer about Tuckahoe. Bay Shore Campground receives consistent praise for its sunset views over the Chesapeake, though some visitors noted limited amenities for children. Campgrounds on the Eastern Shore like Tuckahoe provide a more secluded experience with fewer visitors, while locations closer to Annapolis tend to be more developed but also more crowded during peak seasons.
Best Campgrounds near Chester (74)
1. Tuckahoe State Park Campground
"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."
from $21 - $70 / night
Check Availability2. Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping
3. Bay Shore Campground
"We spent a week at Bay Shore Campground to explore Rock Hall, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. What stands out about this campground? The view! "
"We spent one morning walking the various trails at the Eastern Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, which is only 7 minutes away. Campground also close to the restaurants in Rock Hall for seafood. "
from $42 - $82 / night
Check Availability4. Washington DC / Capitol KOA
"They have a nice dog area for the dog to be able to run around and exercise which a lot of places we have been do not have a place for the dog to really exercise."
"The location worked for my trip but not sure it’s that convenient to DC."
5. Martinak State Park Campground
"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."
from $18 - $77 / night
Check Availability6. Wye Island Natural Resources Management Area
"I would LOVE this area to be opened for public primitive camping, but I do not see this occurring in the near future."
from $12 / night
Check Availability7. Military Park United States Naval Academy/Annapolis Naval Station Annapolis FamCamp
"Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap"
8. Elk Neck State Park Campground
"My kids (ages 8 and 6) made friends with kids at other sites and they enjoyed running around playing together."
"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. "from $21 - $55 / night
Check Availability9. Cherry Hill Park
"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."
from $999 / night
Check Availability10. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
"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"
from $20 / night
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Drive Time
- 39 min from Baltimore, MD
- 45 min from Washington, DC
- 56 min from Dover, DE
- 1 hr 27 min from Lexington Park, MD
Recent Camping Photos near Chester, MD
143 Photos of 74 Chester Campgrounds
Manager P.
Pinetree Associates
Jen V.
Tuckahoe State Park Campground
Angie G.
Washington DC / Capitol KOA
Laure D.
Martinak State Park Campground
Kristy R.
Adventure Bound Washington DC
Candice N.
Lacy Oasis Campground
Jennifer S.
Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Nick C.
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
Lisa T.
Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina
Kelly C.
Hollofield Area Campground
Artemis A.
Cherry Hill Park
Courtney K.
Matoaka Beach Cottages
Recent Reviews near Chester, MD
511 Reviews of 74 Chester Campgrounds
B
GuideSusquehanna 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.
ScoutElk 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.
- JJohn S.Scout
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.
- hheather B.Scout
Cherry Hill Park
Like a resort
This camp ground is like a resort with 2 pools mini golf splash pad and many other amenities
- HHolly B.Guide
Cherry Hill Park
My All Time Favorite…so far
This park is top notch. The grounds are immaculate. The staff is friendly and helpful. They have a lovely gift shop. We were in the 400 sites and it was nice and shady. Though you are close to highways I don’t recall hearing and noise. I love that they have shuttles to DC., walking trails and a large dog park. This is my all time favorite park so far and I need to go back.
- TTroli R.Guide
Aberdeen Proving Ground RV Park
Bougie sites; AWFUL reservation system
BASE ACCESS REQUIRED!
Electric/Water/Sewer hookup sites for $56 a night! (2 night minimum) Which is a great full hookup price, even though it's gone up $6 since last year. Weekly and monthly pricing available as well.
The sites are neat, well maintained, level, and sunny with concrete pads and paved campground roads. Centrally located laundry facilities and airconditioned bath house. Playground, boat launch, beach volleyball court, disk golf, basketball court, and outdoor pool all within walking distance. Other base amenities include: commissary, gas station, bowling, BBQ, Dunkin', and Greek restaurants, and golf. (I'm sure I'm forgetting something.)
Note: in July it is very buggy - the biting flies are the worst. So bring bug spray or a screened in tent to eat in.
The downside: the reservation system is a major PITA. You have to download a PDF packet, fill it out, and EMAIL it in. When you get your confirmation, it doesn't include a specific site number. You get assigned one when they call you the week of your scheduled check-in for payment completion.
Don't miss out on: the water! My advice would be to reserve one of their boats at the same time you reserve your campsite. The water in this area is great - no jellyfish, low waves. You can SUP, kayak, pontoon boat. Whatever your preference. There are large flats of grasses - which you'd want to avoid with a motor but are so much fun to paddle over. Also check out the Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge island. You can't go inland, but you can anchor off shore, jump in and wade around the shallows.
Also very driveable to an off-base movie theater, Baltimore, and Havre de Grace.
Jeremy G.TravelerJoint Base Andrews Military FamCamp
Could be a great campground but......
There are some good things about this Famcamp. It's like a diamond in the rough. If the military would spend some time and money on it, it could be a great campground. One of the greatest points about this campground is its location. You are so close to downtown D.C.! Every RV site (as far as I saw) was a level concrete pad. All sites, except for tent sites, have full electricity. Most sites have sewer and water. Sites 12-18 should be mainly used for the smaller travel trailers. I had an interesting time getting my 35' 5th wheel into the site. Even though I got my RV into the site, I don't have much room for my truck. My site has a picnic table, fire pit, and a grill. Everything is rusted beyond repair. My grill was filled with cigarette butts and my fire pit had trash in it. There is some shade. My site has two trees at the front of the pad on both sides of the RV. My bedroom stays nice and cold and I have a good view for my Starlink in the rear. The sites are close to each other, but there is some space. The good thing is that we are surrounded by the golf course. You don't get much noise from the base, because of the location, and because the FamCamp is surrounded by trees. You can hear the busy road outside the fence but I don't hear it much inside the RV. Every once in a while you'll hear an aircraft... but this is an air base, it's expected. We were told the community laundry was not working and to use the base laundry mat. Finally, one of the best parts about the campground, is the lady at outdoor rec that is in charge of the Famcamp. She is very nice and helpful. She will try to assist you with anything you need from directions to useful tips.
- AAimee K.Traveler
Washington DC / Capitol KOA
Good location
Nice campground, maintained very well and clean. Laundry room and Propane fill on site so that was nice. RV Site was fairly level and easy to get into. Some sites are a bit close together and not long enough to keep your tow vehicle hooked up. A bit inconvenient if you’re only there for 1 night.
Guide to Chester
Camping near Chester, Maryland offers a mix of inland and waterfront sites, with diverse terrain across the peninsula. Many campgrounds require early bookings for summer dates, especially those with water access points that accommodate kayaks and canoes. Most Chester-area camping spots sit between 10 and 50 feet above sea level, creating distinct microclimates that impact camping conditions throughout the season.
What to do
Kayaking at Martinak State Park: A dedicated kayak launch between sites 46 and 48 provides direct access to Tuckahoe Creek. According to one camper at Martinak State Park Campground, 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."
Disc golf and hiking: Several parks offer well-maintained trail systems with disc golf courses. At Tuckahoe State Park Campground, one visitor noted there are "20 miles of hiking trails also open for biking and horseback riding" plus "archery range" and "disc golf" facilities.
Fossil hunting: The Chesapeake Bay shorelines offer opportunities to search for prehistoric shark teeth. A visitor to Sandy Point mentioned, "My family and I have been coming to Sandy Point my entire life. It is a great little spot on the Chesapeake river. Our favorite thing to do is to fossil hunt for sharks teeth."
Historic sites: Several campgrounds connect to historic preservation areas. Susquehanna State Park includes "a historic area in the park, with a working grist mill, mansion and other little buildings to view," according to a recent camper who found it was "pretty neat" with "nice views of the river."
What campers like
Private, secluded sites: Many campers appreciate the sense of isolation despite proximity to urban areas. At Susquehanna State Park Campground, visitors praised the "very shaded, and probably the most secluded feel of anywhere we've camped" with a "nice amount of space in between sites."
Chesapeake Bay sunsets: Waterfront campgrounds provide exceptional evening views. One camper at Bay Shore Campground noted it's "perfect if you enjoy beautiful sunsets, seeing bald eagles every day, having a nice breeze, not too buggy, well kept campground."
Wildlife viewing: The Chester region offers diverse habitat for bird watching. A visitor to Bay Shore Campground shared they experienced "gorgeous" views from the campground that "sits conveniently between the village of Rock Hall and Eastern Neck sanctuary" with many campers spotting eagles daily.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain well-serviced amenities. A Susquehanna visitor noted the "bath house was immaculate; by far the cleanest I have ever seen in a campground. Must have been recently renovated."
What you should know
Seasonal jellyfish: Late summer swimmers face increased jellyfish populations. A regular visitor to Sandy Point advised, "August is the worst month to visit if you like the water. Jellyfish take over with a vengeance!"
Varied cell coverage: Signal strength changes dramatically across short distances. A Cherry Hill Park visitor noted, "Spotty Wi-Fi" while a camper at Bay Shore mentioned "our Verizon signal was very weak," recommending visitors "check your coverage" before purchasing campground Wi-Fi.
Site accessibility challenges: Some campgrounds have terrain issues requiring careful selection. At Washington DC / Capitol KOA, one visitor warned their "camp site wasn't level at all. I was actually kind of worried that it would slide into the woods."
Crowding at water access points: Waterfront parks can reach capacity quickly. Multiple Sandy Point reviewers mentioned it "is extremely crowded and very dirty during the summer season" and that "the park closes daily very early as it hits capacity."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: When booking sites, consider distance to play areas. A camper at Tuckahoe noted the playground "is in the middle of the Acorn and Beechnut loop" which is "great if you want to be away from the playground, as you can book one of the sites further off and not have kids running about."
Swimming restrictions: Check pool policies before arriving with young children. A reviewer at Washington DC/Capitol KOA highlighted, "I didnt like that non potty trained kids are not allowed to swim in their pool" which created challenges for families with toddlers.
Budget-friendly alternatives: Consider state parks for lower costs and natural settings. A visitor to Cherry Hill Park acknowledged it was "a little steep" in price but balanced this with amenities, noting "with all the amenities you get, it is well worth it."
Cabin options: For families new to camping, cabins provide comfort with outdoor access. At Martinak State Park, a visitor stayed "one night in a small cabin" and found it "cosy and warm on a cold night for fall," noting cabins were "clean and tidy."
Tips from RVers
Site sizing accuracy: Check actual pad dimensions before booking. A Tuckahoe camper warned, "We booked site 21, blind. The web site does not say site 21 is extremely small. We have a 25' camper, and it barely fit, length and width were an issue."
Utility connections: Many campgrounds offer partial but not full hookups. At Martinak, a camper noted, "Sites do not have sewer but does have dump" station, while another pointed out the campsite has "water and electric on our loop."
Off-season advantages: Consider shoulder-season visits for better availability. An RVer at Elk Neck mentioned, "Finished the season at this state park in MD with full hook up (20, 30, and 50 amp, water and sewer) and the water was still on in November. Bathhouses were open with hot water."
Entry road challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult approach roads. A camper at Elk Neck noted, "The road on the FHU loop is narrow and hilly. Our site was uphill and at a difficult angle" though they observed "plenty of bigger TTs and 5th wheels were camping" successfully.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Chester, MD?
What camping is available near Chester, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, Chester, MD offers a wide range of camping options, with 74 campgrounds and RV parks near Chester, MD and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Chester, MD?
Which is the most popular campground near Chester, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Chester, MD is Tuckahoe State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 31 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Chester, MD?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Chester, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Chester, MD.
What parks are near Chester, MD?
What parks are near Chester, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Chester, MD that allow camping, notably Greenbelt Park and Fort Dupont Park.
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