St. Leonard, Maryland camping sites offer varied terrain at the intersection of forests, river watersheds, and Chesapeake Bay access points. Located along the western shore of the bay, the area maintains a humid subtropical climate with warm summers that average 87°F and mild winters rarely dipping below freezing. Campsites range from sea level waterfront spots to wooded inland areas with elevation gains of up to 100 feet within park boundaries.
What to do
Fossil hunting at beaches: The shoreline at Calvert Cliffs State Park provides designated areas for finding prehistoric shark teeth and fossils. "This park is awesome! I have been going here for years... Finally the beach is very beautiful even though every year it gets smaller and smaller. The park staff are very friendly, and are very informative on the many fossils you may find on your visit down there," notes Anthony S.
Kayaking through marshlands: Paddle through scenic waterways near Final-Lee Here Campground for wildlife viewing opportunities. "We kayaked the river and creek through beautiful marshlands where we saw caterpillars walk on water, a heron and bald eagles soaring above, turtles, a cove where thousands of tadpoles were amidst metamorphosis scampering through and atop the water, and a multitude of dragonflies," shares Kelly M.
Historical exploration: Visit Civil War sites and historic landmarks around Point Lookout State Park. "There is also a full-service boat launch with a fish-cleaning station and a park store with provisions, including bait... Other attractions include the original Point Lookout Lighthouse, which was built in 1830, a Civil War and nature museum, kayak and canoe rentals, and a nature trail," explains Tara S.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Westmoreland State Park Campground offers prime locations along the Potomac River with direct access to beaches. "The park is well off the beaten path, but has plenty of historic and other attractions near by... The trails are ok, and the rest of the park has the unkept feal," reports Anthony D.
Well-maintained facilities: Campers appreciate the regularly cleaned amenities at many locations. "Bath house was very clean and well-maintained. Looks like host cleaned it several times a day. Only two shower stalls, but they were nice and roomy with fairly hot water. There was also a dishwashing nook in the bath house with nice double-sink, which is always a bonus," notes Jen V.
Privacy between sites: Endeavor Point offers spacious camping areas with natural buffers. "We spent part of Labor Day weekend here, and there was almost nobody else there... The camping areas were all on the lawn, and the owners were a bit uptight about which site we could choose," shares Allison W.
What you should know
Seasonal bug concerns: Insect activity increases dramatically during warmer months. "Mosquitoes, gnats, biting flies, you name it. If they were this bad in April, I can only imagine how awful they would be in the middle of summer," warns Jen V. about Point Lookout State Park.
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have spotty connectivity. "We were an hour away before getting any kind of cell service," reports Laure D.
Water conditions vary: Solomons Navy Recreation Area provides multiple water access options. "We have been here 2 myths. I love it here. Military campground & one of the best! Beach, 3 pools, marina, what else do you need. Oh yes, it has spacious sites!" exclaims Sharon F.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly recreation areas: Many parks feature designated play spaces for children. "The park has a great play ground right off the main parking lot for kids to play on as well as a few bathrooms. Also right off the parking lot is a little fishing pond which leads you to the main trail," explains Anthony S.
Educational opportunities: Look for ranger programs that teach about local ecology. "Such an amazing expieriance and brings right into the eyes of child with both adult and children searching for shark teeth. Not only is searching for shark teeth a blast, but, the views are beautiful," shares Sarah F.
Quieter weekday visits: For pet friendly camping near St. Leonard, Maryland with fewer crowds, avoid weekends. "If you're anything like me, traveling for peace and quiet and solitude, I highly recommend Sunday and Monday nights if you have flexibility with jobs etc. It was SUPER quiet during my stay," recommends RL.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Choose outer loop sites at Cedarville State Forest for more privacy. "The small loop here accommodates both tent and RVs, which is fine but some of these damn things are so huge, I have trouble believing they could wedge themselves here," mentions Bill G.
Weather preparation: Low-lying campgrounds may experience standing water after rain. "This campground was priced fairly, however, it does come with its downfalls... Other than the daily bathroom cleaning, this campground lacks maintenance on sites and walkways. They are both overgrown... There is even standing water around our site," notes Kasey M.
Hookup availability: Electric options vary significantly between campgrounds. "We had site 68 which had plenty of space for the TT (33ft), truck and car to park. The sites have plenty of separation and the park was very quiet," shares Nick E. about his experience at Point Lookout State Park.