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Best Campgrounds in Maryland

1,341 Reviews

Maryland's camping landscape features a mix of established campgrounds and more rustic options within state parks and forests. Assateague State Park Campground on the Atlantic Ocean and Rocky Gap State Park with its lake and mountain setting offer popular options for tent and RV campers. Green Ridge State Forest provides more primitive experiences in western Maryland, with spacious sites tucked into dense woodland. Elk Neck State Park and Tuckahoe State Park campgrounds accommodate a variety of camping styles including cabins and yurts, creating accessible options for different comfort levels.

Most Maryland campgrounds have seasonal operating schedules, with the fullest services available from April through October. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for waterfront sites and during summer weekends. One camper noted, "We stayed in cabin 170 in Fir loop and the site was incredibly spacious, heavily shaded, close to the bath house, path to the beach, and well distanced from other sites." Green Ridge State Forest offers year-round access but requires high-clearance vehicles for many sites, with no reservations available—campers must arrive early to secure spots. Cell service varies significantly across the state, with more remote areas in western Maryland offering limited connectivity.

The camping experience differs substantially between Maryland's coastal and mountain regions. Along the Atlantic shoreline, Assateague campgrounds provide beach access and opportunities to observe wild horses, though one visitor mentioned that "knee-high pricker-grass" has replaced the sandy sites at some locations. In contrast, western Maryland's camping areas offer forest immersion and solitude. A camper at Green Ridge noted, "The forest is beautiful, the campsites are large and very spaced out, firewood is bountiful, the area feels very remote." Many campgrounds provide amenities including clean bathhouses, picnic tables, and fire rings, but primitive sites typically offer only basic facilities. Mixed-use campgrounds with both tent and RV sites are common, allowing for various camping styles within the same area.

Best Camping Sites in Maryland (180)

    1. Assateague State Park Campground

    62 Reviews
    Berlin, MD
    Website
    +1 (410) 641-2120

    $28 - $39 / night

    "and was well situated, with a nice open space between the edge of the site and the dunes."

    "There is an outdoor shower and sink as well as several paths to the beach. The beach is beautiful and clean."

    2. Elk Neck State Park Campground

    60 Reviews
    Perryville, MD
    Website
    +1 (410) 287-5333

    $21 - $55 / night

    "I didn't notice it when I was in my tent, but I did as I was walking around.
    The campground is well-wooded, offering reasonable privacy given the space constraints. "

    "Surrounding area
    There are lots of tails for hiking in walking distance and also a playground for kids."

    3. Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore

    55 Reviews
    Girdletree, MD
    Website
    +1 (410) 641-3030

    $40 - $80 / night

    "We enjoyed bike riding around the island, catching glimpses of the wild ponies and running around on the beach."

    "Sites were not too close to one another. We had site 13 on ocean loop 1. Just a few steps, and you’re on the beach. Nice picnic table and fire pit."

    4. Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Flintstone, MD
    Website
    +1 (301) 722-1480

    $23 - $29 / night

    "Rocky gap is one of my favorite parks to camp in Maryland! It is right along a great lake, where you can swim, fish, kayak or just lay about. The camp store is well stocked and the staff is friendly."

    "The beach at the lake is not far away for any loop."

    5. Cherry Hill Park

    42 Reviews
    Beltsville, MD
    Website
    +1 (301) 937-7116

    $999 / night

    "Metrorail is about 6 miles from campground, near University of Maryland."

    "Great camping amenities, soft cushioned sites, with power and water close by. DO NOT GET BASIC TENT SITES AS THEY ARE NEXT TO HIGHWAYS AND VERY NOISY!!! Premium tent sites would be a better choice."

    6. Greenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    41 Reviews
    Boonsboro, MD
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    $23 - $29 / night

    "This park just is near enough to Baltimore and DC to allow for a quick getaway and offers a lot to do."

    "Maryland has some great state parks and this is one of them. Decent sized sites, clean bath houses. Swimming lake is excellent. Only basic amenities, but dump station."

    7. Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground

    39 Reviews
    Berlin, MD
    Website
    +1 (410) 641-1441

    $40 / night

    "Wild horses, wide, clean stretches of beach, safe surroundings, close to town. This is the best beach camping in all of Maryland."

    "You can also spend a day in Ocean City, Maryland or head down to Chincoteague for the best ice cream you'll ever have! Arguably the best camping trip I've ever been on."

    8. Tuckahoe State Park Campground

    31 Reviews
    Ridgely, MD
    Website
    +1 (410) 820-1668

    $21 - $70 / night

    "Tuckahoe State Park is tucked away onto the Eastern Shore of Maryland, close to the Chesapeake Bay. It features every kind of camping you can imagine."

    "Those can be found at the campground entrance. Each loop has a wood shed and clean, well-appointed bathhouse. There are water pumps along the road for refills."

    9. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    Website
    +1 (301) 344-3948

    $20 / night

    "If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."

    "The campsite is superb with walking trails, wildlife and the occasional overflying US Presidential Helicopter. Easily accessible from close by freeways, and charmingly peaceful"

    10. Green Ridge State Forest

    29 Reviews
    Little Orleans, MD
    Website
    +1 (301) 478-3124

    $10 / night

    "All are roadside, but plenty are tucked away so you feel alone in the woods. You can occupy a site as long as you register at the parks main office. $10/night."

    "My family and I have gone camping all over Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, but had never visited Green Ridge before this weekend. "

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1341 Reviews of 180 Maryland Campgrounds

  • Nani C.
    Mar. 11, 2026

    Owens Creek Campground — Catoctin Mountain Park

    Nice and Simple Spot!

    Booked this site about a week before just as a spontaneous one night trip towards the end of fall. Was greeted with a nicely stocked firewood hut on the way in, unfortunately most of the wood wasn't dry due to rain the day before and the wood being out from under the hut awning, but we made do with the stacks of dead wood along the outside of the site. Our site had the main area with the picnic table and fire pit and then a large level tent pad a couple of steps below it. I believe we went the last weekend of the season so it wasn't too populated, despite this being a smaller campsite. We did have neighbors on each side of us and across from us, and the sites are a reasonable distance apart. The trees were thinned out by the time we went so there wasn't much privacy, but I can imagine that when they're grown in it adds much more privacy, at least from nextdoor neighbors. Everyone there was considerate and friendly, even the camp host. The bathrooms were clean, functional, and a short walk away from the site. Would recommend if you want a quick getaway without frill.

  • Adam and Suzanne B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 2, 2026

    Assateague State Park Campground

    Walk to the beach

    No hookups but no problem with solar as there is little shade. Nice clean bathrooms. Very windy.

  • a
    Nov. 17, 2025

    Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    Great Campsite!

    The campground is well maintained. The facilities were clean, and the other campers were friendly. There was plenty of firewood (fallen tree limbs and branches on the ground to use. Overall we had a great time!

  • B
    Nov. 15, 2025

    Rvino - Ridge Rider Campground, LLC

    Quiet Little Campground

    The family and I have visited twice this year. It’s a small, quiet campground that is very welcoming. There’s not too much to do for little ones, but there is a little, homemade playground, pond for fishing, ducks/geese to feed, and a pool. It’s a quiet spot to relax away from all the fast paced noise of city life. Campground is clean and the spots are nice. Might be a little closer than other places, but I wouldn’t let that deter you! It’s a place we plan to go to yearly!

  • Laurie H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2025

    Sun Outdoors Ocean City Gateway

    Close to Ocean City and Berlin

    We love utilizing this campground for oceans calling music festival in September. It is close to Ocean City, Maryland, as well as Berlin and Assateague national park where you can watch the ponies roam.

  • Jeff L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2025

    Woodlands Camping Resort

    Great spot in the woods!!

    This place was great! We stayed here for 5 weeks while working in the area. It’s a clean, well kept space, completely surrounded by state forest, very close to shore access along the rivers/bay, hiking/biking trails right out of the campground. Half of it is long term residents, half for short term.

  • Chelsea B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Hot showers! But no dump station

    Campsite We stayed at M17 after staying at M26 for a night. 17 wasn’t as level and so we had to scrunch to one side of the site to get level. It was closer to the bath house. Overall cozy. Bath house It’s in need of some repairs but don’t let that scare you- these showers are hot and the shower wands are a really nice convenience after using cold push button showers. Lantern flies! Invasive Spotted Lantern Flies are everywhere. I squished as many as I could but keep an eye out and check your gear before leaving! Dump station This campsite doesn’t have a dump station so we went to the Cunningham falls site to dump after leaving and they let us dump no problem. Road noise Since you’re near the highway, there is constant road noise and it’s even worse on the trails but it’s quiet otherwise. Deducted one star for no dump station.

  • Amanda S.
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Washington DC / Capitol KOA

    Got bed bugs? They do.

    Stayed in cabin 202 for a Fri- Sun and on our last morning we found a bed bug on our clothing. While they gave a refund it does not come close to cover the time and energy of remediating all of our clothing, sheets, and blankets. We also had to throw out items that could not be cleaned properly and now have to replace them(pillows, shoes, etc). My husband has 23 bites over the course of 2 nights. They burn and itch very badly. I truly hope this was a hiccup for them and they go through correct methods of having the cabin treated properly. 

    UPDATE: A recount of the bites- my husband has 31 bites so far. The remediation of all of our items is exhausting. All the blankets, clothing, suit cases, all the other items we used in the cabin needs to be cleaned. We had to throw out our shoes because they shrunk in the dryer. Spent$$$ replacing shoes for a family for 4. Pillows are not cheap to replace either. I bought a new corset at the renfest this weekend that I'm hoping doesn't get ruined when it goes through the dryer. That too was expensive. So if you're looking to have to spend a bunch of extra money to replace items you didn't want to replace in the first place- I recommend staying here.

  • Chelsea B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Great non-electric site, no dumstation

    This site is at the very top of the loop so it has a great cozy vibe and is spaced well away from other sites. The only downside is that the bathhouse is a walk downhill and then a walk back uphill. Surprised there’s no place for someone to park next to the bathhouse - only trails to it- so if you have accessibility needs, consider choosing a site that’s lower in the loop. The site is level and was raked by the hosts before we got there. Really clean and quiet except for some road noise. Showers are SO nice compared to other campsite. Hot water is hot, no push buttons, and there is a shower wand in both stalls. No dump station though!! Dump before you get here. Also if you work remote and depend on service, it’s spotty. Very wooded so Starlink can’t help much. OH- Don’t bother visiting the winery down the road. Ew. Just don’t.

Guide to Maryland

Camping in Maryland offers a mix of beautiful landscapes, family-friendly activities, and a chance to connect with nature. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking an RV, there's something for everyone in this state.

What to do

  • Hiking: Maryland is home to numerous trails. For example, at Catoctin Mountain Park, you can explore 25 miles of hiking trails. One camper noted, “Catoctin is one of the most peaceful campgrounds I've been to, and a lot less crowded than Cunningham Falls State Park.”
  • Fishing and Boating: At Elk Neck State Park, you can fish in the Chesapeake Bay or rent kayaks. A visitor shared, “We went on a hike to check out the lighthouse... There’s also great camping and fishing throughout the area.”
  • Exploring History: Visit Fort Frederick State Park for a dose of history. One reviewer mentioned, “Super cool history to be found here for sure and really nice walking paths also right on the river.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and campsites. A visitor at Cunningham Falls State Park said, “Bathroom and shower facilities were fine, and had a big sink you could use for cleaning/dishwashing.”
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many campers enjoy the peacefulness of the sites. One camper at Owens Creek Campground remarked, “This is a great quiet little camping ground which was my son’s introduction to camping.”
  • Spacious Sites: Campers often mention the spaciousness of the sites. A review from Tuckahoe State Park noted, “The campsites are typically spacious and spaced out well.”

What you should know

  • No Alcohol Allowed: Many campgrounds, like Elk Neck State Park, have strict no-alcohol policies. A camper pointed out, “What a park! We loved it here and will definitely be back.”
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, such as McCoys Ferry, are more primitive. One visitor mentioned, “This campground is very intimate... At night you can hear the trains pass.”
  • Crowded on Weekends: Popular spots can get busy, especially on weekends. A camper at Susquehanna State Park said, “Stayed here recently for 2 nights... Lots and lots of family and multi-family groups.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Kid-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with amenities for kids. A parent at Cunningham Falls State Park noted, “My kids also LOVED the swimming lake -- especially great for small kids.”
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. One camper at Tuckahoe State Park mentioned, “There is so much to do right in this area as well. Lots of hiking.”
  • Pack Snacks: Keep the kids happy with snacks. A camper at Owens Creek Campground suggested, “Firewood is provided near the entrance with a donation box.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Brunswick Family Campground said, “Great campground as long as you select the correct site as that is incredibly important.”
  • Look for Electric Hookups: Some campgrounds offer electric hookups, which can be a lifesaver. A camper at Cunningham Falls State Park noted, “Got a last minute non-electric spot. Pad is very level.”
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Popular RV spots can fill up quickly. A visitor at Susquehanna State Park mentioned, “The sites are well kept and the tent pads are in great shape.”

Camping in Maryland is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether you're with family or exploring solo. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful scenery!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping in Maryland?

True dispersed camping is limited in Maryland due to its densely populated nature. Your best option is Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, which offers a primitive camping experience with nearby parking. The site provides basic amenities while still offering a backcountry feel. For a more remote experience, western Maryland offers limited dispersed camping opportunities in Savage River State Forest and Green Ridge State Forest, where you can camp outside of designated campgrounds. Always check with the managing authority before setting up, as permits may be required and regulations can change seasonally.

What private campgrounds are available in Maryland?

Brunswick Family Campground is a popular private option situated between railroad tracks and the Potomac River. The campground offers mesmerizing river views and helpful staff, making it a convenient getaway for those from the DC metro area while still feeling like an escape. Assateague State Park Campground offers a unique private camping experience with oceanfront sites and the famous wild horses. Other private options include Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Western Maryland, Cherry Hill Park near College Park (convenient to DC), and Bar Harbor RV Park on the Eastern Shore. Most private campgrounds offer amenities like full hookups, WiFi, and organized activities that state parks typically don't provide.

Are there free camping options available in Maryland?

Free camping is scarce in Maryland, but there are a few options. Owens Creek Campground in Catoctin Mountain Park offers some of the most affordable camping in the state, though not entirely free. It's notably less crowded than nearby Cunningham Falls State Park and features peaceful creekside sites. Some hiker-biker campsites along the C&O Canal towpath are available for free or minimal cost to cyclists and hikers. Additionally, Big Run State Park Campground in Western Maryland has some of the most affordable sites in the state park system. Always verify current fees before your trip, as rates can change seasonally.

What are the best state park campgrounds in Maryland?

Rocky Gap State Park Campground consistently ranks among Maryland's best with its lakeside camping, well-maintained facilities, and activities like swimming, fishing, and kayaking. The F and C loops are ideal for pet owners, and many sites are spacious enough for large family tents. Swallow Falls State Park Campground is another top choice, offering level tent sites in a true forest setting. The campground's proximity to multiple waterfalls makes it exceptionally scenic. Other excellent options include Deep Creek Lake for its beautiful forest setting and firefly displays in summer, and Big Run State Park for stream-side camping with excellent paddling access.

Keep Exploring

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