2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Tent campsites near Broomes Island, Maryland include several options along the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River. Calvert Cliffs State Park offers youth group tent camping with access to hiking trails and fossil hunting beaches, while Matoaka Beach Cottages provides tent sites with waterfront views. Both locations are within 15 miles of Broomes Island and offer different experiences for tent campers seeking natural settings.
Most tent camping areas require advance planning as facilities vary significantly between locations. Calvert Cliffs provides drinking water, picnic tables, and toilets but no showers or electric hookups. Walk-in tent sites at Matoaka Beach feature more amenities including showers and trash service, though sites are limited. Fires are permitted at Calvert Cliffs but prohibited at Matoaka Beach. Seasonal availability affects access, with Calvert Cliffs operating from late March through October, while other locations may have year-round availability but limited services during winter months.
The backcountry tent camping experience near Broomes Island offers unique waterfront opportunities. Sites at Matoaka Beach provide views of the Chesapeake Bay with direct beach access, creating a peaceful setting for tent campers. According to one visitor, "Our spot was very private and you could see the bay and hear the waves." Tent campers at Calvert Cliffs can access a 2-mile trail leading to a beach where fossil hunting is popular. The primitive tent areas at Caledon State Park across the Potomac in Virginia provide a more secluded experience with a 2.5-mile hike to reach tent pads near the river. These walk-in tent locations typically offer more solitude than drive-in campgrounds, though they require carrying all gear and supplies from parking areas.
"Nice and quiet, no hookups, but nice surroundings!"
"It is a very nice walk about 2 miles to the beach where you can hunt for fossils. The beach has gotten smaller over the years however the trail has gotten much better."
"Private campground with cabins and tent sites. Tent sites are first come, first service so call ahead to ensure the space is available."
"They have a few tent camping spots as well as cabins. Just call ahead. I just showed up and got a perfect camp spot with a view of the sunrise and access to the private beach."
from $55 - $95 / night
"Whether you are an adult or a child, this place will have a positive effect on you. The owners are involved and designed this space with the visitors pleasure in mind."
from $90 - $190 / night
from $20 - $30 / night
"7 or 8 tent pads. Wood for sale at the site for $4 honor system. Porta pottie right next to wood pile. You’re not supposed to setup anything outside of the “tent pads”."
"It was my first hike in primitive camping experience. We hiked for a few hours and finally got to our site which was right on the Potomac River."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $16 / night
from $50 - $80 / night
"Good for a day use, parking is full most of the time but have a lot of space to park you may have to walk but you will find one spot..."
"Close to me so theres nothing new"
from $15 - $18 / night
"There are two main beaches and there are picnic tables all over the park. There’s a popular boat launch amd small marina/bait store.
Get there early on weekends and holidays.""There are wonderful views of the water and swimming at the beach, pavilions for social gatherings, showers and bathrooms that are kept pretty very clean, and room for backpacking, hiking, picnicking,"
"Based on my stay 3 nights and what I read of Greenbelt Park (the other closeby to Washington campground) I would say this has to be much better and I will stay here again on a future visit."
from $12 - $45 / night
TravelerClose to washington as we could get. Could also park our skoolie bus which was nice and had plenty of close by shower with bathrooms. Keep in mind only one shower per restroom house. We stayed at a pretty slow season so it wasn’t bad. Would recommend if visiting DC! They also have a dump station and water fill up.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
ScoutIt was a well maintained campsite. Clean bathrooms and great hikes to fossil beach.
GuideIf you want to be near Annapolis, right on the Severn River...this is it. About 15 RV spots nestled in the woods...with full hook ups. A couple of primitive spots as well. Just a quick 5 min walk to the river...right across from the Academy. NEX, gas within 10 min walk, and 15 min drive to downtown Annapolis. Staff is always great here, and the park is clean....for a park on the woods.
TravelerBased on my stay 3 nights and what I read of Greenbelt Park (the other closeby to Washington campground) I would say this has to be much better and I will stay here again on a future visit. Campground sits inside of a much larger park with great trails, amenities and well maintained. Campground is quiet, lots of trees, forest and yet each space is very large with good spacing and privacy to adjacent sites. High tree canopy at your site so lots of room to spread out. Sites themselves are a little rustic - a mix of grass, gravel and dirt, but not muddy (it rained a good bit prior to my stay) - but in good condition. Shower/toilet block is clean and good hot water and good water pressure. Most sites are flat or near flat and the ones that aren't need minimal levelling blocks. Campground apparently is never full and there was only 1 other when I was there - really hard to believe. There is a neighborhood road up by the sites near the shower block but it is low speed and lightly travelled and I had no disturbance from it. Nice surrounding neighborhood. No signs of vagrants. Park police patrolled multiple times per day and report very little non-camper entry to ther facilities. I felt very safe.Easy access to Eashington - bus stop outside the campground to metro or just drive to the metro (free parking weekend, $6 midweek) and then train (about 8 per hour) into the sites - an hour or less total to get there. For more local people, this seems like a good escape "to the woods" without travelling forever.
TravelerGood spot to get away and pitch a tent. Never anyone else there too! Make sure to get a daily ($4) or annual (~$22 I forget) Access Permit on Virginia DWR, as well as special WMA camping license (free)
GuideWhat a gem! We found this place as an alternative to staying in DC during 4th of July festivities. Nice spacious sites, cabins were super clean and smelled great! Did I mention they were air conditioned during the hotest week of the summer!
Bathrooms and showers were spotless.
Many things to see and do there. Historic property, big lake (no swimming), boating, fishing, hiking. There is an Art Center with juried displays for sale.
ScoutThe park is very well maintained, and the campsites have clean fire pits and cooking grills. The restrooms are clean, spacious, and well maintained, and my campsite was large enough to comfortably fit a 6-person tent and a canopy.
However, there were a few concerns during our stay. Despite the campground’s quiet hours policy starting at 10:00 PM, many campers continued to make noise well past that time. I did not notice any campground staff or maintenance personnel making rounds to enforce the quiet hours.
I also felt concerned about security. One of my neighboring campers, who was visiting from South Carolina, told me that his generator had been stolen during the night. He reported the theft to the police, and an official report was filed. Incidents like this made me feel unsafe while camping.
I recommend increasing staff or security patrols, especially during the evening and overnight hours, to enforce quiet hours and improve the safety and security of campers and their belongings. With better enforcement and security, Burke Lake Campground would provide an even better camping experience.
TravelerOne of our favorite places. Very well kept. No bathhouse so bring your own. A lot of shady sites. Great views of Chesapeake bay. Flat roads in the area for cycling.
Tent campsites near Broomes Island, Maryland cluster within a 30-mile radius along the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay shoreline. The region sits at elevations below 100 feet and experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures averaging 85-90°F during peak camping season. Primitive camping sites often become muddy after summer thunderstorms, which typically deliver 3-4 inches of rainfall monthly from June through August.
**Fossil hunting: Calvert Cliffs State Park offers a unique opportunity to find ancient shark teeth and fossils. "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. about Calvert Cliffs State Park Youth Group Camping.
**Fishing and crabbing: Endeavor Point provides access to popular fishing spots along the Patuxent River. "The pier was perfect to fish or crab off of and the beach had great views of the sunrise," writes Ally S. about their experience at Endeavor Point.
**Hiking: Caledon State Park features a 2.5-mile trail leading to riverside camping spots. A camper named Todd explains, "Over all easy 2.5 mile hike on groomed gravel trails. No water on site and no reasonable source to filter water from so be prepared."
**Privacy: Primitive camping options provide secluded spots away from crowds. "Our spot was very private and you could see the bay and hear the waves," shares a visitor about their experience at Matoaka Beach Cottages.
**Family-friendly spaces: Many campgrounds accommodate children with dedicated play areas. "The park has a great play ground right off the main parking lot for kids to play on as well as a few bathrooms," reports Anthony S. about Calvert Cliffs.
**Waterfront access: Campers appreciate direct beach access for swimming and recreation. "Caledon was an amazing adventure that's so close to Fredericksburg. It's a nice 3 mile hike to the campsite which is right by the Potomac river! The beach is beautiful and we saw the most gorgeous sunset," notes Shelby O. about Caledon State Park Campground.
**Seasonal limitations: Many tent camping areas near Broomes Island close during winter months or have reduced services. "The best times to go are winter, spring, and fall," advises Tony P. about Sandy Point State Park Youth Group Camping, noting that "the park closes daily very early as it hits capacity" during summer.
**Campsite availability: Most tent sites require advance reservations, particularly during weekends and holidays. At Endeavor Point, "We spent part of Labor Day weekend here, and there was almost nobody else there. The second night, one other pair of campers showed up," reports Allison W.
**Water access considerations: Jellyfish can affect swimming during late summer. "August is the worst month to visit if you like the water. Jellyfish take over with a vengeance!" warns Angel G. about coastal camping spots.
**Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. "My family and I have been coming to Sandy Point my entire life. It is a great little spot on the Chesapeake river. Our favorite thing to do is to fossil hunt for sharks teeth," shares Angel G.
**Educational opportunities: Nature programs enhance family camping experiences. "Such an amazing expieriance and brings right into the eyes of child with both adult and children searching for shark teeth," enthuses Sarah F. about the fossil hunting at Calvert Cliffs.
**Group-friendly spaces: Lacy Oasis Campground accommodates larger family groups with spacious sites. "My agency took about 25 children there last week and they did not want to leave, neither did I. The rates are very economical for what is being provided on the space," reports Terrance D.
**Limited hookups: Most tent campsites near Broomes Island have minimal RV amenities. "It's just great! Nice and quiet, no hookups, but nice surroundings!" mentions Joe B. about Calvert Cliffs, highlighting the primitive nature of many camping options.
**Military options: Active and retired military personnel can access affordable camping near Annapolis. "Military campground. Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap," notes Ginny L. about the Military Park United States Naval Academy/Annapolis Naval Station Annapolis FamCamp.
**Size restrictions: Most tent campgrounds cannot accommodate large RVs. "The campsites aren't dispersed and are pretty small but that's the only downside," reports Ally S. about Endeavor Point, a consideration for those bringing RVs to primarily tent-focused areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Broomes Island, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Broomes Island, MD is Calvert Cliffs State Park Youth Group Camping with a 4.4-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Broomes Island, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Broomes Island, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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