Best Equestrian Camping near Ocean City, MD

Horse Camping at Assateague Island National Seashore provides equestrian-specific sites near Ocean City, Maryland. The Horse Camping area features toilets, sanitary dump stations, and trash disposal while maintaining a primitive camping experience suitable for both tents and RVs. Located at 6633 Bayberry Drive in Berlin, this designated equestrian campground allows horses and riders direct access to beach areas and island trails. Unlike standard campgrounds, the horse camping area prohibits pets to minimize disruption to equine guests. The large, open sites accommodate horse trailers with ample space for both camping equipment and equine needs.

Trail access from the Horse Camping area connects riders to Assateague's pristine beaches and natural landscapes. Campers must bring their own water for horses as drinking water facilities are not available at the equestrian sites. The campground provides drive-in and hike-in access options with toilet facilities nearby. While fires are not permitted in the horse camping area, the location offers excellent trail riding opportunities along the shoreline and through island terrain. EA Vaughn Wildlife Management Area, located approximately 15 miles southwest, offers additional primitive camping options where pets are allowed alongside horses, though without developed facilities.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Ocean City, Maryland (10)

    1. Delaware Seashore State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Bethany Beach, DE
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (302) 227-6981

    $30 - $168 / night

    "The location (in between Dewey/Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach/Ocean City, Maryland) is PERFECT. You have close access to miles and miles of touristy beaches and uninhabited beaches."

    "The bath houses are clean and we can walk to the beach. My favorite thing is at night when the rt.1 bridge lights up blue. Love that bridge. You are close to rehobeth broadwalk or ocean city."

    2. Sun Outdoors Frontier Town

    28 Reviews
    Berlin, MD
    8 miles
    Website

    "Located about 15 min from ocean city and assateague with a shuttle to take you when you don't want to drive. Great family activities. We love the water park and Frontier town."

    "The activities are great and your only minutes away from ocean city or Assateague State Par. Where the ponies run wild. Very clean bath houses and the staff are the best around."

    3. Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground

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

    $40 / night

    "An easy drive from Ocean City, MD.   The Campground bathrooms were ok, they have a composting toilet and a cold shower, always nice to have a bit of running water. "

    "**Camping at Assateague State Park ** Assateague Island is a national park located in Maryland that offers plenty of beach camping and hiking trails."

    4. Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore

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

    $40 - $80 / night

    "If you don’t mind wild horses joining you for dinner and trekking around your campsite at night, then this is your place!! The beach is absolutely gorgeous and so is the scenery."

    "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."

    5. Trap Pond State Park Campground

    44 Reviews
    Laurel, DE
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (302) 875-5153

    $22 - $56 / night

    "The distance between sites across the loop isn’t huge or blocked by any foliage but didn’t seem to be an issue for our friends who stayed in D24."

    "It was also right near the showers, which were clean & warm, just what was needed. Tent sites are more secluded and are walk-in; our buddies tent camped the same weekend."

    6. Tom's Cove Park

    20 Reviews
    Chincoteague, VA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 336-6498

    $4200 / night

    "People driving around in golf carts cheering, people playing board games at the campsite next door...sleep was difficult."

    "Close to the Marina, Downtown, The Blvd and the Beach. Staff are helpful but also gives you space to live."

    8. EA Vaughn Wildlife Management Area

    1 Review
    Girdletree, MD
    28 miles
    +1 (410) 376-3236

    "Lots of trails. Pretty busy with Hunters during the season. Roosters here"

    9. Tall Pines / Chesapeake Bay KOA Holiday

    12 Reviews
    Bloxom, VA
    45 miles
    Website

    $35 - $159 / night

    "The seasonal weekenders had gone home, and we preferred the larger, more private area behind the site to walk our dogs."

    "We'd reserved 406, but Sun Outdoors turned into KOA, so we got a different site lucky us, 'cause the middle ones were swampy with almost no space outside with sitting water on sites."

    10. Chincoteague Bay Trails End Campground Resort

    3 Reviews
    Chincoteague, VA
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 824-3428

    "Trails end has gate with campground I.d. or sticker access."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Ocean City, MD

257 Reviews of 10 Ocean City Campgrounds


  • A
    Jul. 13, 2021

    Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground

    Windy quiet easy drive from Ocean City, MD

    We camped in Site B35 on the Bayside, it was a large site with a little bit of shade.  An easy drive from Ocean City, MD.   The Campground bathrooms were ok, they have a composting toilet and a cold shower, always nice to have a bit of running water.  We did not get a visit from the horses the night we were there, but we did see them along the roadside in and out of camp.  Even though all campsites were full the 3 sites immediately around us were empty, which made for a super peaceful quiet night to gaze at the stars.  It was breezy and surprisingly comfortable for mid-July.

  • Liz Y.
    Feb. 13, 2017

    Sun Outdoors Frontier Town

    Great for families

    My parents took us here for years. Now we take our kids. Located about 15 min from ocean city and assateague with a shuttle to take you when you don't want to drive. Great family activities. We love the water park and Frontier town. I recommend it to anyone looking for a new place to check out.

  • Dawn T.
    May. 30, 2018

    Sun Outdoors Frontier Town

    Awesome park

    This campground is the best campground I've seen for kids. They have a water park that is included in your stay. The activities are great and your only minutes away from ocean city or Assateague State Par. Where the ponies run wild. Very clean bath houses and the staff are the best around. They also have a wild West show , zip lines , mini golf , ice cream shop all this cost extra but worth it. They also have a pool for just the campground. That doesn't get as crowded as the water park. Very nice park to go to. We make sure to go there every year.

  • Anthony S.
    Jul. 8, 2019

    Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground

    Ranger Review: Ice Mule Pro at Assateague Island

    **Camping at Assateague State Park **

    Assateague Island is a national park located in Maryland that offers plenty of beach camping and hiking trails. I decided to camp on the Oceanside walk-in which is means that we had to walk from the parking lot about 200 ft to our camping area. They also offer camping areas you can drive up to as well as areas that are on the bayside of the beach. Our reserved spot on the beach included a fire ring and a picnic table and the perfect beginning to a great week of camping. 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, and enjoy the very clean facilities that the park offered. The Island is not far from Ocean City either if you wish to go to the Board walk which we did experience one night. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to camp along the water and listen to the waves hitting the shoreline however booking must be done in advance as reservations fill up very fast every season. 

    Link: https://www.nps.gov/asis/planyourvisit/marylandcamping.htm

    **Ice mule Pro XL **

    The Icemule Pro XL was great at what it was advertised for, which is keeping items cold. My Icemule was able to keep all the ice in its solid state for about 16 hours while sitting on the hot beach(90+ degree Fahrenheit) before melting to ice cold water. Once melted though the water stayed ice cold for roughly 30 hours. This was great because I didn’t have to refill the ice every day. The cooler was very popular with the crowds as multiple beach goers and friends would stop and ask me where I got it as they thought the design and concept of having a wearable backpack cooler was very neat. While the cooler did its job and the design was a good concept I found that it was very heavy when filled to its max. I do not believe that ordering the Icemule XXL would be realistic based off of this. Another issue I found was that packing drinks had to be done logistically in that you would have to put drinks, then ice, then add more drinks, and ice on top of that. Instead of a normal cooler where you would pack all of the drinks then pour the ice on top. This was an issue because many of my friends wanted to add some of there drinks to the cooler after I had already added the ice. None the less the drinks still stayed cool with the coolers cooling material. As mentioned I used this product while camping on the beach for a week and then used it again while watching some fireworks on the 4th of July and while the cooler did hold up the coolers back pack straps already had torn after about 10 uses. One final thing I found unfortunate was how the cooler closed. In my personal opinion Folding the opening of the cooler and buckling it was very tedious and many of my friends who used it wouldn’t go through the trouble of closing it. A regular cooler is easy to close in seconds where this takes a little more time and work. In the end it is a good cooler if you are looking for something portable and hands free but it is not something to use if you don’t have a strong back. 

    Link: https://icemulecoolers.com/products/the-icemule-pro-x-large

  • E
    Jun. 11, 2018

    Delaware Seashore State Park Campground

    Location, Location, Location

    Park Name-Delaware Seashore State Park

    Date of Stay-June 2018

    Site-237

    This is one of favorite local parks! The location (in between Dewey/Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach/Ocean City, Maryland) is PERFECT. You have close access to miles and miles of touristy beaches and uninhabited beaches. From the campground you can walk less than a 1/4 of a mile to get to the beach.

    Even though this park is run by The State of Delaware or a subsidiary agency the park is well maintained, the sites are level. All of the RV sites are full hook up and level. If you have a larger vehicle make sure you bring your “A” game when it comes to parking and pulling out as the interior roads are a little bit tight.

    Even though they don’t have the staffing levels of a KOA…there was always someone “official” around who could answer questions or help out if needed.

    If you are able…try to book a site on the newer side (sites 400-480)…the sites are WIDE and DEEP

  • Kelly F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2022

    Delaware Seashore State Park Campground

    Sand.Sun.Sea

    Although this is not my favorite type of camping it may be yours. Easy level sights on asphalt parking lot.Nothing separates you from others and there is no room for privacy. The bathhouses in the front are slightly cleaner and the ones toward the back are used more frequently and all could use attention-cleaning. Bike paths are easy to access and well maintained outside of the park. Ocean City, Lewes etc are a short distance.

  • C
    Jan. 30, 2019

    Sun Outdoors Frontier Town

    Great location and amenities

    Lots to do on site: waterpark, mini golf, kayaking, playground, pool, activities. Shuttle to Ocean City, MD was convenient and general store was close by and stocked well! Sites are a little close together, especially if you have an RV but great 1st time experience with our kids at a young age!

  • G
    Aug. 11, 2018

    Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground

    Life changing, beautiful, and serene.

    Whether you love camping in your RV or a tent, Assateague Island National Seashore is an incredible place to visit. From the docile wild ponies on the beach, to the gorgeous sunrise every morning, to being able to see the Milky Way with the naked eye, there is no shortage of sights to see here. The showers and bathrooms on campsite are clean and comfortable, and the rangers are amazing and helpful. At night, there are hundreds of ghost crabs to see scurrying about. 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.

  • K
    Apr. 23, 2021

    Sun Outdoors Frontier Town

    Very nice!

    First time staying there, everyone that worked their was very nice and helpful as were the other campers. Very close to Assateague and Ocean city and plenty for kids to do


Guide to Ocean City

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."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ocean City, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ocean City, MD is Delaware Seashore State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 56 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ocean City, MD?

TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Ocean City, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.