Equestrian camping near Harwood, Maryland offers access to forested trails and waterways throughout the Eastern Shore and surrounding counties. The region averages 44 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush vegetation and occasionally muddy trail conditions during spring and fall. Most equestrian camping areas sit at elevations between 50-250 feet, providing mostly level terrain suitable for riders of various experience levels.
What to do
Trail riding at Pohick Bay Regional Park: Located about 40 miles from Harwood, this park offers extensive trails for horseback riding. "Nice camping spot close to DC with hiking nearby," notes Perry A. Pohick Bay Campground also provides "beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites," according to Kathie M.
Water activities at Martinak State Park: "Beautiful waterfront great for kayaking and water sports. No real hiking trails. Overall small quiet campground," reports Laura M. The park features boat access to the Choptank River for fishing. Another camper mentions that "there is a network of river trails accessible from the park," making it ideal for combining equestrian activities with water exploration.
Explore forest ecosystems at Bull Run Regional Park: The park provides diverse terrain for horse riding. "Beautiful and quiet. Very spacious sites and awesome views of the forest," mentions Charyssa G. Another visitor notes, "There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish."
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: At Cedarville State Forest, campers appreciate the "bathrooms don't look like much from the outside, but the inside is very nice. Clean, hot water, and good water pressure," according to Ben J. The forest also features "very well maintained, nice sites that aren't right on top of one another. Multiple loops for groups or individuals," says Donald G.
Diverse wildlife viewing: "Saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits, before we even reached the gates," reports one Cedarville visitor. At Bull Run Regional Park, campers often spot various bird species, particularly eagles, along the trails and waterways.
Quiet atmosphere: Martinak State Park Campground offers a peaceful setting. "We stayed one night in a small cabin. It was cosy and warm on a cold night for fall. The cabins are clean and tidy and the campground is well run," shares Andrew M. Another camper confirms it's a "very clean, great amenities! On the water. You can rent canoes."
What you should know
Tick prevention essential: Cedarville State Forest visitors consistently report tick issues. "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers," advises one camper. At Tuckahoe State Park Campground, the wooded trails also require tick awareness, especially during summer months.
Weather considerations: Some campgrounds experience drainage issues during heavy rainfall. "We took my girlfriend car camping in Cedarville State Forest. The camping trip turned more into a stay in the tent the whole trip. We set up camp and ate dinner only to be hit by a tornado watch in the area," recounts Justin G.
Site selection matters: When booking at Tuckahoe, note that "the sites are wooded area makes you feel a little more secluded from any neighbors," according to one camper. However, another warns, "The sites can be small! I watched people with 25+ footers struggle to back into the sites."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Camp Meade RV Park offers secure camping on a military base. "Was great not to have to really worry about anything because you are securely on post," notes Elvin J. At Bull Run Regional Park, "this campground was full of stuff to do and we didn't even get to do a lot of it... The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon."
Playground options: Martinak State Park provides multiple play areas. "For kids, there's a simple swingset in the loop and a larger, newer playground," mentions a reviewer. Another visitor adds, "They have lots of easily walked trails. Bath houses are kept clean. They have quite a few playgrounds throughout the park."
Educational opportunities: Tuckahoe State Park offers junior ranger programs. "There is an extensive junior ranger program," notes one reviewer, making it ideal for families wanting to combine equestrian activities with learning. The park's lake and surrounding woodlands provide natural classrooms for children.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: At Tuckahoe State Park, "the sites are well maintained. The parking pads on the electric loop are asphalt," which provides stable parking for horse trailers. However, one camper warns about site selection: "I watched people with 25+ footers struggle to back into the sites. We booked site 21, blind. The web site does not say site 21 is extremely small."
Hookup availability: For RVers with horses, Cedarville State Forest has "a new dump station, but the hose has an anti-freeze up in the air with a pull cord valve. This means every time you pull to turn the water on, you get a shower," according to Ben J. Martinak State Park offers "water and electric on our loop" but "sites do not have sewer but does have dump."
Access considerations: Campgrounds like Bull Run provide pull-through sites that accommodate horse trailers. "The sites are all pull-through off the roads through the campground. So your camper faces the woods and you feel like you're all alone," notes Roberta K. At Cedarville, "each site had picnic table, fire ring, and pretty level parking spot."
