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 Gibson Island, MD
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping opportunities in the Chesapeake Bay region near Gibson Island, Maryland range from established campgrounds to waterfront locations offering varied accommodation options. Washington DC/Capitol KOA in Millersville provides tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options approximately 5 miles southwest of Gibson Island. Sandy Point State Park offers youth group camping along the Chesapeake Bay shoreline with beach access and water views. Several campgrounds in the area feature picnic tables, fire rings, and basic amenities suitable for families and recreational campers.
Most campgrounds in the region are seasonal, typically operating from March through October or November. "This park is extremely crowded and very dirty during the summer season," noted one visitor about Sandy Point State Park, highlighting the importance of timing visits to avoid peak periods. Water-based activities dominate the camping experience with swimming beaches, boat launches, and fishing opportunities available at many locations. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, though visitors seeking more natural experiences may prefer locations farther from urban centers.
The Chesapeake Bay influences the camping experience throughout the region, with many campers citing bay views and water access as primary attractions. Campgrounds like Bay Shore Campground receive positive reviews for their waterfront settings, with one visitor noting "Perfect location for relaxation. No pool & not much to do for kids. But loved the view & area." Wildlife viewing opportunities include bald eagle sightings at several locations. Tent and RV sites vary significantly in privacy and shade coverage, with some campgrounds offering more secluded options in wooded areas while others feature open layouts with minimal separation between camping areas. Most established campgrounds provide electric hookups and drinking water, with shower and toilet facilities commonly available except during off-season periods.
Best Campgrounds near Gibson Island (77)
1. 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."
2. 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. 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 Availability5. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
"Camp site(Tent camping)
The camp site is what it is, just a camp site :) It's one of the bigger state parks surrounded by forest in MD.""Another negative was after the storm for the next few days we heard trees falling nearby."
from $20 - $51 / night
Check Availability6. 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
Check Availability7. 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 Availability8. Pine Tree Associates Nudist Club
"My wife and I were trying to find an RV location near the Annapolis city dock for a boat show and found Pine Tree Associates."
"Camping fees include access to a large outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a hot tub. There is room for tenting and campers."
from $30 - $55 / night
Check Availability9. 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"
10. Hollofield Area Campground
"It has 8 recreation areas and we stayed at the Hollofield Area in April- one of our first experiences in a Maryland State Park. Beautiful park with 70 miles of hiking/biking /multi use trails."
"This campground is pleasant, but the sites are situated quite close to one another."
from $19 - $27 / night
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Drive Time
- 32 min from Baltimore, MD
- 57 min from Washington, DC
- 1 hr 37 min from Dover, DE
- 1 hr 41 min from Lexington Park, MD
Recent Camping Photos near Gibson Island, MD
190 Photos of 77 Gibson Island Campgrounds
Manager P.
Pinetree Associates
Angie G.
Washington DC / Capitol KOA
Jennifer S.
Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Kristy R.
Adventure Bound Washington DC
Kelly C.
Hollofield Area Campground
Michea J.
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
David G.
Tuckahoe State Park Campground
Kristy R.
Cherry Hill Park
Candice N.
Lacy Oasis Campground
Lisa T.
Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina
Tye S.
Louise F. Cosca Regional Park
Mike L.
Martinak State Park Campground
Recent Reviews near Gibson Island, MD
612 Reviews of 77 Gibson Island 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 Gibson Island
Camping sites near Gibson Island, Maryland provide outdoor recreation opportunities within 20 miles of the Chesapeake Bay's western shore. The region sits at an elevation below 100 feet with mild winters and humid summers, creating a camping season that typically runs March through November. Nights along the shore can be surprisingly cool even in summer months, with temperature drops of 15-20 degrees after sunset.
What to do
Kayaking and fishing access: At Tuckahoe State Park, campers can launch directly into Tuckahoe Creek. "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 one visitor.
Nature trails and wildlife viewing: Patapsco Valley State Park-Hollofield Area offers hiking trails accessible directly from campsites. "We enjoyed hiking the trails directly from our campsite that led us down to the Patapsco River. There is a lot of history associated with the River and the area. You can even swim in this river," explains a camper. The park contains over 70 miles of trails through wooded terrain.
Metro access to DC attractions: Campers staying at Greenbelt Park can access Washington DC via public transportation. "There's normally a walking path from the campground to the metro station that takes you into DC (the green line takes you to the National Mall), but as of Oct 2023 the bridge is out due to a storm. So what we did was drive to the Greenbelt station about 5 miles away, parked there for the day, and took the green line into town."
What campers like
Secluded sites with privacy: The wooded setting at Susquehanna State Park creates natural buffers between campsites. "Site was very shaded, and probably the most secluded feel of anywhere we've camped. Camping pad was nice and level, although the driveway was slightly sloped. One of our bunk ends extended beyond the pad into the woods, which was just fine by me," writes a satisfied camper.
Clean, updated facilities: Many campgrounds in the region feature renovated restrooms and shower facilities. "Bath house was immaculate; by far the cleanest I have ever seen in a campground. Must have been recently renovated," noted a visitor to Susquehanna State Park. At Bay Shore Campground, campers appreciate the waterfront location: "Perfect location for relaxation. I think there's 3 loops. One is for group only. One is electric hook up and C is tent only."
Nature-focused playgrounds: Several parks feature innovative play spaces for children beyond traditional equipment. Patapsco Valley State Park offers "a 'natural' playground in the loop, and then if you drive down further to the park entrance, there is a large playground for the kids... large rocks and overturned trees. The kids loved it."
What you should know
Weekend crowding vs. weekday tranquility: Greenbelt Park Campground experiences significant differences in occupancy patterns. "Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground. Rangers keep a close eye on things, and there are monthly programs at the campfire circle that I sometimes attend even when not camping here," explains a regular visitor. This pattern holds true across most area campgrounds.
Alcohol restrictions: Several Maryland state parks prohibit alcohol completely. Patapsco Valley State Park, Susquehanna State Park, and Sandy Point State Park all enforce no-alcohol policies. One camper advises: "Remember: no alcohol or firewood can be brought into the park. Firewood can only be purchased on site due to harmful insects."
Site selection challenges: Campsite quality varies significantly. At Patapsco Valley, "Some sites with a little extra room and privacy (419 and 420 caught my eye), but for the most part they were packed in pretty tightly. If you're a tent camper and don't need electric, the sites on the outer loop were quite nice and private."
Tips for camping with families
Youth-oriented facilities: Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping offers dedicated camping areas for organized groups. "This campground is very well taken care of, and seemed safe to me. 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, but youth group camping only."
Activity planning for children: Washington DC/Capitol KOA provides numerous kid-friendly amenities. "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc). If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy," reports one family. Another notes, "We had a site near the pool, outdoor chess set, jumping pillow and gaga ball pit. Our kids (9, 10 and 14) all had fun and made friends."
Seasonal considerations: Timing your visit is critical with children. "Extremely over crowded in the summer. The park closes daily very early as it hits capacity. The best times to go are winter, spring, and fall," advises a Sandy Point visitor. Another warns, "August is the worst month to visit if you like the water. Jellyfish take over with a vengeance!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RVers should prepare for varied terrain at Cherry Hill Park. "Gravel pad, expensive," notes one RVer, though they still rated the experience highly. Another camper at Tuckahoe State Park warns, "We took out 1st trip to Tuckahoe over the 4th of July weekend. We really liked the park, but beware, the sites can be small! I watched people with 25+ footers struggle to back into the sites."
Access restrictions: Larger rigs face limitations at several parks. One camper cautions about Patapsco Valley State Park Hollofield Area: "APPROACH THIS PARK ONLY FROM THE WEST IF YOUR VEHICLE IS OVER 11 FEET HIGH. (There is a 11' bridge coming east bound into this park.)"
Utility considerations: Most campgrounds offer limited hookups. At Washington DC/Capitol KOA, sites include "50 amp hook-up, water, sewer," while Tuckahoe State Park provides "nice pads, even with rain none were flooded. I LOVE the commercial-sized washing sink for your dishes, since you don't have full hookups its a BIG deal."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Gibson Island, MD?
What camping is available near Gibson Island, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, Gibson Island, MD offers a wide range of camping options, with 77 campgrounds and RV parks near Gibson Island, MD and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Gibson Island, MD?
Which is the most popular campground near Gibson Island, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gibson Island, MD is Washington DC / Capitol KOA with a 3.9-star rating from 17 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gibson Island, MD?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gibson Island, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Gibson Island, MD.
What parks are near Gibson Island, MD?
What parks are near Gibson Island, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Gibson Island, MD that allow camping, notably Greenbelt Park and Fort Dupont Park.
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