The eastern shore of Maryland contains numerous state parks and private campgrounds offering rental cabins. Camping cabins near Dowell, Maryland range from basic cinderblock structures to waterfront cottages with modern amenities. The region experiences humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching 85-90°F from June through August, making air-conditioned accommodations particularly valuable during peak season.
What to do
Fossil hunting at beaches: Westmoreland State Park features accessible shorelines for finding prehistoric shark teeth. "We came from Pa/De and wanted to look for sharks teeth. It was beautiful here so we decided to stay the night," reports a visitor to Westmoreland State Park.
Kayaking water trails: Janes Island State Park offers marked paddling routes through marshlands. "The park has well-marked kayaking trails. Normally you can rent kayaks from the park, but since they were closed, we used Kayak Crisfield," notes a reviewer at Janes Island State Park Campground.
Bird watching opportunities: Point Lookout State Park provides habitat for diverse shore birds. "Again, the setting was very beautiful, but the bugs were killer. Luckily, there was a nice strong breeze blowing off the water during the vast majority of our stay," shares a camper about their experience at Point Lookout.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Endeavor Point offers direct water access for fishing and crabbing. "The pier was perfect to fish or crab off of and the beach had great views of the sunrise," states a reviewer at Endeavor Point.
Clean facilities: Martinak State Park maintains well-kept bathhouses. "Campsites and bathrooms are clean. Beautiful waterfront great for kayaking and water sports. No real hiking trails. Overall small quiet campground," mentions a visitor to Martinak State Park Campground.
Historical sites: Point Lookout combines natural beauty with Civil War history. "The park used to be a prison for Confederate soldiers, so lots of cool exhibits and memorials for history buffs," explains a camper about their visit to Point Lookout State Park.
What you should know
Bug protection essential: Biting insects can be problematic, particularly near water. "Deer flies bite from the morning sun until it's dark and they are the worst at dusk. Fire smoke doesn't keep them away and Bug spray does not help keep these flies from biting," warns a reviewer at Janes Island State Park.
Seasonal facility closures: Verify which amenities are available before arrival. "COVID-19 precautions have closed everything indoors, like the little museum, nature center, play ground and camp store," notes a visitor to Point Lookout State Park.
Local grocery options: Stock up on supplies before arrival as on-site stores have limited inventory. "Within 5 minutes there is groceries/Redbox/Dollar General and get an excellent Italian sub from Ridge Market. Historic St. Mary's city nearby," shares a camper at Point Lookout State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Scheduled activities: Some parks offer organized programs for children. "They gave us a great intro to the park as we were first timers. They informed us that they had a 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," relates a family that visited Pohick Bay Campground.
Playground access: Consider sites near play areas for convenience. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious," recommends a family that camped at Pohick Bay.
Halloween camping: Fall weekends often feature special holiday activities. "This weekend was Halloween weekend. It was quiet with a couple activities planned. We only had 2 trick or treaters," mentions a Point Lookout visitor about their October stay.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Waterfront locations offer views but may have drawbacks. "We originally hoped for something in the B Loop, but we ended up being really happy in our spot because while the B Loop was beautiful with waterfront campsites, the bugs were awful and there was no shade anywhere," advises an RVer about their stay at Point Lookout.
Leveling requirements: Site terrain varies throughout the region. "Sites are spacious and decently level (depends on the site I'm sure)," notes a camper at Pohick Bay Campground.
Hookup availability: Full utility access varies between parks and loops. "Tulip Loop has full hookups which was great, but the sites are basically in a swamp. I think we were there before the mosquitos. I'm sure with all the standing water they'd be everywhere," warns a visitor about their early June stay at Point Lookout.
