Eastern Shore camping options near Grasonville, Maryland offer a mix of waterfront views and convenient access to Chesapeake Bay attractions. Most campgrounds in this region are situated between 5-30 miles from Grasonville, with varying connectivity challenges depending on location. The typically flat terrain makes for easy campsite setup, though summer humidity requires proper preparation.
What to do
Water recreation access: At Tuckahoe State Park Campground, the Tuckahoe River provides fishing and kayaking opportunities. "No swimming. There is a Bird Aviary that houses those that cannot be fully healed. We tend to use Tuckahoe as a way station while camping our way up and down the Bay," notes one visitor. The park includes a canoe/kayak launch between sites 46 and 48, with a short walk to Tuckahoe Creek.
Lighthouse hiking: Turkey Point Lighthouse at Elk Neck State Park Campground offers panoramic Chesapeake Bay views. "The lighthouse trail is a must. It is about a five minute drive to get to the trail though, but is worth it!" One camper mentioned seeing wildlife during their stay: "We saw bald eagles and great blue heron."
Urban exploration: For those wanting to visit Washington DC, Cherry Hill Park provides convenient transit options. "The best park in the DC area! Plan and reserve you DC tours right at the campground. No need to drive anywhere, the tour buses pick you up at the park!" Many campers appreciate this base for city exploration without driving challenges.
What campers like
Waterfront vistas: The waterfront sites at Bay Shore Campground in Rock Hall offer direct Chesapeake Bay views. "If you enjoy beautiful sunsets, seeing bald eagles every day, having a nice breeze, not too buggy, well kept campground this is the place to go," shares one camper. The campground formerly known as Ellendale provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
Spacious sites: Many state parks offer better spacing than private RV parks. At Martinak State Park Campground, "Campsites and bathrooms are clean. Beautiful waterfront great for kayaking and water sports. No real hiking trails. Overall small quiet campground." Another visitor notes, "Sites are level, in a loop around the bath house."
Clean facilities: Bathhouse quality varies across the region, but several parks maintain excellent standards. "The bathhouse is absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," reported one camper about Lums Pond. Similarly, at Elk Neck, "The camp host were very friendly and were actually in charge of keeping the bathrooms clean (which they did excellent at)!"
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds close or reduce services between November and April. At Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina, seasonal patterns impact availability. "Weekend was cold but the park was pretty full. Full hookup but we're told to turn off and unhook water the night it dropped below freezing." Winter camping requires additional planning for water management.
Site leveling challenges: Terrain varies significantly across campgrounds. "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," warns a camper about Elk Neck State Park. Similarly, at Tuckahoe, "Some sites not level" requires bringing additional leveling equipment.
Reservation lead times: Summer waterfront sites book 3-6 months in advance, especially for holiday weekends. "This campground is perfect for a quiet visit to the Eastern shore town of Rock Hall. The area reserved for RV campsites overlooks a bluff on the Chesapeake Bay...gorgeous." Off-season visits offer more walk-up availability.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks offer dedicated play areas of varying quality. "The park has two playgrounds that are both open and trails to hike. I LOVE the commercial-sized washing sink for your dishes, since you don't have full hookups its a BIG deal," notes a Tuckahoe visitor. These amenities make meal cleanup easier with children.
Water safety: Swimming options are limited in many waterfront campgrounds. "There is a nice pier and boat ramp. Bathrooms by the pool are nice and clean," reports a visitor to Duck Neck. Parents should verify swimming availability, as many waterfront sites allow fishing but not swimming.
Nature programs: Look for junior ranger activities at Maryland state parks. "If you're looking to learn and explore with your kids, there is an extensive junior ranger program," mentions one camper about Tuckahoe and its sister park Martinak, approximately 20 minutes apart.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Power and water connections may be positioned awkwardly at some sites. "Sites have fire rings and picnic tables. There is a dump station available," notes a camper about Martinak State Park. Before selecting a site, verify the location of hookups relative to your RV layout.
Camp store hours: Supply availability varies significantly between campgrounds. "The camp store has weird hours (I forgot to pack the bacon and ruined the trip!!!!)," warns one Tuckahoe visitor. RVers should bring essential supplies and note that the closest full-service grocery stores might be 15-30 minutes away in towns like Denton or Chestertown.
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds require driving through residential areas or narrow roads. "You have to drive through a residential neighborhood to reach Bar Harbor, so big rigs take care/caution." GPS directions may not account for low bridges or tight turns, so research your route carefully when bringing larger rigs to Eastern Shore destinations.
