Horse camping options near Ocean City, Maryland provide riders with direct beach access within a short drive of the resort town. The eastern shore region offers several equestrian-friendly campgrounds with specialized facilities designed for travelers with horses. Equestrian camping in this coastal area ranges from primitive sites to locations with specific horse amenities, with most sites located within 15-30 minutes of Ocean City.
What to do
Trail riding on beaches: At Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground, riders can access pristine shoreline trails. "How first impressions don't always hold true... Assateague Island is a national park located in Maryland that offers plenty of beach camping and hiking trails," notes Anthony S., who explains further that "during our time we were able to do some hiking along the 37 mile long park, kayak on the ocean, and Bay, see some wild ponys that rove the park."
Kayaking with horses: Launch from Sun Outdoors Frontier Town for unique water-based horse viewing. "If you have canoe/kayak/SUPB it is a great point to launch off to explore the nature reserve next to camp Cove. Lots of wild horses to see," shares Tom C., who visited this campground located 15 minutes from Ocean City.
Horseshoe crab observation: Delaware Seashore State Park offers opportunities to view these ancient creatures along the shore. "This was a very nice campground close to the beach. Full hook up sites and pull-through. The only negative was how bad it smelled from all the dead horseshoe crabs," mentions William H. in his review, highlighting an interesting natural phenomenon.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Bayside Assateague Campground offers frequent horse encounters. "A deer hung out by the campfire at night, and in the morning there were horse tracks all over the sight," writes Jodi J., who adds that the area is "hidden away yet close to the water. Having animals around is such a great feeling."
Waterfront access: Tall Pines / Chesapeake Bay KOA Holiday provides excellent water views. "We stayed in water view site 10. WV sites 1-7 have great views and some shade," shares Laure D., adding "There is a beach area to swim but also 2 pools... There are fishing piers and boat rentals."
Off-season camping: Fewer crowds and insects make fall visits optimal. "We always go during the winter or early spring months to avoid the bugs as they are awful during the spring and summer," advises Torie M. about camping at Assateague Island National Seashore, calling it a "magical spot" where she has "seen horses everytime I have camped here."
What you should know
Bug preparation: Mosquitoes can be intense, especially in summer months. "Love this place but be prepared for the bugs. Even enjoyed this in the winter," warns Michael W. about Bayside Assateague. Another camper, Wendy W., elaborates: "The next problem we encountered was the mosquitoes — they were everywhere and in hoards. No matter how hard you tried, there's no keeping them out of the tent."
Horse safety protocols: EA Vaughn Wildlife Management Area offers a more remote equestrian experience. "Lots of trails. Pretty busy with Hunters during the season," notes Wayne L., indicating seasonal usage patterns to consider when planning an equestrian camping trip to this primitive site.
Weather considerations: Coastal camping means preparing for wind and storms. "Check the weather a lot because the storms roll in quickly," advises Tori V., who also suggests: "prepare for lots of wind. Facilities are simple but fine enough. The stars are night sky are gorgeous if it is clear."
Tips for camping with families
Educational wildlife opportunities: Children can safely observe horses from appropriate distances. "The wild ponies are giant trash pandas. They're smart and can open latches so do bring bungee cords, kayak straps, or ratchet straps to lock all of your food in cases or coolers," advises Tony P., who recommends: "Check out the awesome views on the bayside trails. There is an app you can use to identify the ponies."
Beach activities: Tom's Cove Park offers family-friendly waterfront options. "They have a wonderful pool and are a short distance from chincoteague beach! Great place to stay with family! Sites are big we fit two large tents on one site," shares Amanda S., who adds: "They have a water park down the road and fishing off the pier."
Water recreation: Many campgrounds offer pools and beach access within walking distance. "Our site was close to the bathroom/shower houses, and across from the pool as well. The tent camping area also has some of the closest sites to the waterfront/boat launch, and crabbing piers," notes Rita M., highlighting how convenient amenities enhance family camping experiences.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites carefully based on your specific needs. "We got a site to stay on our way through to OBX. We booked and arrived after hours, which wasn't an issue as they were like 3% occupied. Sites were pretty level (within 2 inches) and had centrally located bathhouse," shares Joe R., noting that "the winds were nuts and over 50mph. We switched sites to spare our slide side, so caution to look at windy before going."
Big rig accessibility: Trap Pond State Park Campground accommodates larger RVs with specialized sites. "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," explains Jim G., providing practical information for RV campers.
Horse trailer considerations: When camping with horses, arrive early to secure adequate space. At horse-friendly campgrounds, Lee D. observes that "all sites appeared level and some have a view of the pond," making setup easier for those with trailers, though it's important to note "there are many trees and reasonable separation between sites."
