Camping spots near Chesapeake Beach, Maryland range from waterfront sites directly on the Chesapeake Bay to forested campgrounds within a 30-minute drive. Summer temperatures average 85-90°F with high humidity levels, while spring and fall offer milder conditions in the 60-75°F range. Naval air operations from nearby Patuxent River Naval Air Station create intermittent noise at most campgrounds in the region.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Cedarville State Forest offers excellent wildlife spotting within an hour's drive of Chesapeake Beach. According to one camper, "Saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits, before we even reached the gates. Moderate privacy and space, especially considering how close it is to DC."
Fossil hunting along shorelines: Beaches in the area contain prehistoric shark teeth and fossils. A visitor to Breezy Point Beach reported, "I also collected shark teeth... 178 shark teeth to be exact 🦈" making this a unique coastal activity for campers.
Disc golf courses: Several parks feature disc golf within a short drive. At Pohick Bay Campground, one visitor recommends to "take in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course" as part of your camping experience.
Metro access to Washington DC: Campgrounds north of Chesapeake Beach provide convenient access to national attractions. At Greenbelt Park Campground, "The walking path from the campground to the metro station that takes you into DC (the green line takes you to the National Mall)," though during 2023 the bridge was temporarily out of service.
What campers like
Private beach access: Many campers appreciate waterfront sites with exclusive shore access. A guest at Matoaka Beach Cottages shared, "Our spot was very private and you could see the bay and hear the waves," highlighting the sensory experience of Chesapeake waterfront camping.
Natural settings close to urban areas: Campgrounds maintain a natural feel despite proximity to cities. One visitor described Greenbelt Park as "a quiet spot in a semi-urban area" with "plenty of space between camp site clusters. The park itself is safe, quiet, permitting some nice treks through the woods."
Reliable facilities: Most established campgrounds maintain clean facilities year-round. At Cedarville State Forest, "Bathrooms don't look like much from the outside, but the inside is very nice. Clean, hot water, and good water pressure. They have a new dump station."
Family programming: Scheduled activities keep children engaged at some parks. A visitor to Pohick Bay reported, "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."
What you should know
Tick prevention essential: Several parks report high tick populations, particularly in summer months. At Cedarville State Forest, a visitor warned, "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers."
Limited shade at beachfront sites: Waterfront camping often means minimal tree cover. At Breezy Point Beach, one reviewer noted the "sites are too close to each other" and "not enough fire rings and if you don't have one and the campground is full, you're out of luck."
Sandy camping surfaces: Beach campgrounds present unique setup challenges. A camper at Breezy Point Beach advised, "I had to mark it down for the loose-sandy sites; yes, I know it is a beach but they really need to firm-up the actual RV parking spots... be sure to have some wood or other platform for your stabilizers."
Air traffic noise: The region experiences regular aircraft noise. As one camper at Cedarville noted, "It's close to a Naval base, and therefore you constantly hear airplanes, and helicopters at all times."
Tips for camping with families
Water park amenities: Adventure Bound Washington DC offers enhanced recreational options for children. A visitor shared their experience: "We had a fantastic time our 1st time at Adventure Bound Camping Resort. This camp has electric and water at each site, clean toilet and shower facilities, playground and pool."
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds feature nature programs designed for children. At Pohick Bay, "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."
Playground access: Select sites positioned near play areas. A camper at Pohick Bay recommended, "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious."
Budget-friendly day trips: The strategic location allows for economical visits to major attractions. When staying at Adventure Bound Washington DC, "Location wise, it's great to see things in area. Both Washington DC and many area's along the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, Chesapeake Beach, Solomon's Etc."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for stabilization. A visitor to Breezy Point Beach explained, "Some [sites] are worse than others, but it can be a challenge leveling and stabilizers can't get a firm footing, be sure to have some wood or other platform for your stabilizers."
Limited dump facilities: Not all waterfront parks offer complete hookups. At Breezy Point Beach, "There is no dump station and the pump-out option is only offered a couple days per week."
Water fill considerations: Note specific water station setups. At Greenbelt Park, "The water fill was a little annoying in that there's a handle you have to hold down the whole time, but we used a rock to prop the handle down."
Site selection strategy: End sites typically provide more space. At Cherry Hill Park, "Look at the park map and try to get a site at the end of a row. The sites are pretty close together but on the ends at least you only have a neighbor on one side."
