Crisfield sits on the Chesapeake Bay's eastern shore at only 3 feet above sea level, making it Maryland's southernmost city and a gateway to water recreation. The area's marshy terrain creates unique camping conditions with consistently warmer temperatures than inland locations, staying 5-10 degrees hotter during summer months. Most campgrounds near Crisfield maintain moderate humidity levels even during July and August.
What to Do
Kayaking trails: Janes Island State Park offers over 30 miles of marked water trails through marshlands and estuaries. A camper noted, "We kayaked north to Snow Hill, Md, south to Milburn Landing, west up Nassawango Creek, and Corkers Creek at the campsite. All these kayak trails are wonderful! Plenty to see, no bugs, no mosquitoes..some biting flies if you go into the lily pad areas."
Beach exploration: Tall Pines / Chesapeake Bay KOA Holiday provides beach access with swimming areas. One visitor mentioned, "There is a beach area to swim but also 2 pools. The original pool from when this was Tall Pines Harbor is a traditional rectangle. The new one is larger and also has a large splash pad."
Wildlife viewing: Access Assateague Island from nearby campgrounds to observe wild horses. According to one camper at Assateague, "A deer hung out by the campfire at night, and in the morning there were horse tracks all over the sight. We chose to stay in October with less people and less bugs."
Historical sites: Visit the nearby Civil War museum and Point Lookout Lighthouse. A visitor shared, "Nearby is the Pt. Lookout lighthouse and a Civil war museum, as well as Fort Lincoln. There were piers to fish and crab from in Green and Hoffman loops as well as a huge pier just a short drive or bike ride away."
What Campers Like
Water access: Roaring Point Waterfront Campground provides direct water access with views of Tangier Sound. A camper shared, "Nothing fancy but beautiful setting... Get up close to the water if you can. Clear beautiful nights you will see awesome star shows!"
Clean facilities: Shad Landing at Pocomoke River State Park Campground maintains excellent bath facilities. A reviewer noted, "Bathhouse is in very nice condition. The bathrooms were nicer than my bath at home and sparkling clean. Staff was amazingly pleasant and helpful."
Spacious sites: Most campgrounds offer well-spaced sites, especially during weekdays. One camper mentioned, "Our site had over 10 people and we all fit. Very quiet but maybe due to COVID."
Entertainment options: Many campgrounds offer scheduled activities. A visitor at Roaring Point commented, "Fun! Live music/bands every weekend. Right on the water. Kids activities. Adult fun. Campstore and bathrooms."
What You Should Know
Insect preparedness: Bring appropriate bug protection, especially for summer camping. A visitor at Assateague National Seashore cautioned, "The mosquitoes — they were everywhere and in hoards. No matter how hard you tried, there's no keeping them out of the tent. We left a day later covered in bumps, most from throughout the night."
Water levels: Many campgrounds have sites that may flood during heavy rain. One camper noted, "It had rained just before getting there. A few sites were flooded but most were okay. We stayed on Acorn loop."
Seasonal considerations: For pet friendly camping near Crisfield, Maryland, timing affects crowds and wildlife. A visitor advised, "We were there before the mosquitos. I'm sure with all the standing water they'd be everywhere!! We didn't have much cover from trees, so we were in the sun most of the time."
Reservation timing: Book well in advance for summer months. One reviewer warned, "We were last minute campers on Memorial Day Weekend, so we didn't have many sites to choose from."
Tips for Camping with Families
Look for dual swimming options: Tom's Cove Park offers both pool and beach access. A parent shared, "they have a wonderful pool and are a short distance from chincoteague beach! Great place to stay with family! Sites are big we fit two large tents on one site."
Pack for varied activities: Many locations offer multiple recreation options. A family camper noted, "There is a jump zone and a rec room. There are fishing piers and boat rentals. They also have vacation rentals if you don't have your own. They have laundry and a cafe and of course playgrounds."
Choose shoulder seasons: For dog-friendly camping near Crisfield, consider visiting during spring or fall. A visitor suggested, "If you go before June or after September, you're more likely to have a good time."
Plan for wildlife encounters: Prepare children for appropriate wildlife interactions. One camper recalled, "A small herd of them (around 8) decided to hangout in our campsite waiting for their meal. This meant we couldn't get ours. As soon as any food would come into 'nose-shot,' they would start advancing on us."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites carefully based on hookup needs. An RV camper advised, "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!!"
Length considerations: Many campgrounds have size limitations. One RVer noted, "RV sites are very tight. Anything over 35' in my opinion will be hard to get into sites."
Utility planning: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. A camper shared, "Had electric but no water or sewage. With that said I knew this going in. Had a nice spot with walking paths, bike trails and kayaking. Wasn't far from town but you would've never known it."
Dump station timing: Plan dump station use strategically. One RVer cautioned, "The black tank clean out is near site WV15 so avoid that area. They pump it out daily."
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