Martinak State Park Campground offers year-round glamping close to Denton, Maryland, with peaks in summer when temperatures reach the 90s. Located in Maryland's Eastern Shore region with elevations rarely exceeding 80 feet above sea level, the flat terrain makes for easy campsite access but can contribute to drainage issues during spring rains. Nearby Tuckahoe State Park provides similar accommodations while expanding options within a 15-minute drive.
What to do
Hiking through forest trails: At Tuckahoe State Park Campground, visitors can explore extensive hiking options. "Lots of trails to hike. Beautiful, peaceful. Some sites not level," notes Shawn in their review. The park maintains 20 miles of hiking trails also open for biking and horseback riding.
Kayak on calm waterways: Paddle the water at Trap Pond State Park Campground. "My sons and I spent four nights on the island site and loved it. We walked around the pond and rented boats and kayaks for the day and rowed back to our site which the kids loved," shares Lucia B. The park offers pontoon boat tours on weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Free bike rentals: Bring the family for cycling at some parks. "Bike rentals are free (donations accepted), there are several hiking/biking/horse trails, disc golf, and canoe/kayak/peddle boat rentals (in season)," writes Lee D. about the amenities at Trap Pond State Park. The free bike program includes options with baby seats and trailers at some locations.
What campers like
Secluded sites: Campers appreciate privacy at Redden State Forest Campground. "This is a great place to camp alone and feel very safe. The campsites are small and close together. A total of 7 campsites. Firewood, fire pit, grill, and park bench available," explains Tiffany M. The campground offers a quieter alternative to busier parks in the region.
Clean facilities: Modern amenities make glamping close to Denton comfortable. "The bathhouse had the same dirt on the floor for 3 days," notes Mary B. at G&R Campground, highlighting how cleanliness can vary. In contrast, Jean C. found "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease" at Martinak State Park Campground.
Water activities: Swimming and boating options abound. "Campsites and bathrooms are clean. Beautiful waterfront great for kayaking and water sports. No real hiking trails. Overall small quiet campground," describes Laura M. about Martinak State Park. Water access ranges from calm ponds to larger rivers across the region's parks.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Some parks now require advance booking. "This is no longer a first come, first served campground. Reservations must be made in advance at bookyoursite.com, only 3 days consecutive allowed," warns BA K. about Redden State Forest Campground. Most state parks in the region fill quickly during summer weekends.
Site conditions vary: Level sites can be hard to find in some parks. "Sites are fairly spacious and have an interesting semi-circle pull through layout so backing in not required. They are not level and have a sandy base so it took a bit of work to finally get the rig level, even with auto-levelers," reports Jim G. about Killens Pond State Park Campground.
Seasonal closures: Many facilities operate on limited schedules. "At Trap Pond, we missed being able to rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboat by a week," notes Lee D. Most parks in the region operate from March through November, with limited winter camping options.
Tips for camping with families
Look for ranger programs: Children enjoy educational activities at many parks. "They have a Nature Center, very nice campground and clean bath houses. Has events for children for Easter and at the Nature Center," mentions Penny K. about Trap Pond State Park. Programs typically run weekends during peak season.
Select sites near playgrounds: Some loops offer better access to play areas. "If you have kiddos, try and get a site in Loop A – there is a nice and educational play area (plus a game I'd never heard of– Gaga ball)," recommends Lee D. about Trap Pond State Park Campground.
Consider cabin options: For families new to camping, cabins offer comfort with outdoor access. "We stayed 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. about his experience at Susquehanna State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: Many campgrounds have size restrictions. "Nothing over 25 ft allowed," cautions BA K. about Redden State Forest. At G&R Campground, "There are a lot of nice spots, and a good mix of the monthly/seasonal folks and us weekenders," notes William C.
Power options vary: Electric hookups differ between parks. "Sites have 30A electric and water with a nearby convenient dump station," explains Jim G. about Killens Pond State Park. Some locations offer 50-amp service while others limit to 30-amp or provide no hookups at all.
Reserve early for holiday weekends: Popular times fill quickly at most parks. "We were there for Halloween so all sites full," says Gary D. about Trap Pond. State parks typically allow reservations up to one year in advance for holiday weekends.