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Camping near St. Leonard, MD
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Campgrounds near St. Leonard, Maryland cluster along the Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River, providing water-oriented camping experiences with varying levels of amenities. The area features a mix of state parks, county facilities, and private camping areas like Matoaka Beach Cottages and Endeavor Point, where campers can enjoy beachfront and waterside accommodations. Tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin rentals are available throughout the region, with most developed campgrounds concentrated within a 20-mile radius of St. Leonard. Calvert Cliffs State Park offers youth group camping with hiking trails leading to fossil-rich beaches, while Breezy Point Beach provides direct Chesapeake Bay waterfront access.
Many campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October when temperatures are most favorable for outdoor recreation. According to one visitor, "The campground is operated by Calvert County Parks. Alcohol and pets are prohibited in the day-use area but are allowed in the campground, so don't let the signs scare you when you first enter." Waterfront sites at places like Breezy Point Beach can present challenges with sandy terrain that makes leveling difficult. Several campgrounds lack dump stations or have limited pump-out services, requiring additional planning for RV campers. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though specific campground amenities vary significantly between primitive sites and fully-developed locations with electric hookups, showers, and potable water.
The Chesapeake Bay shoreline provides the defining experience for many campers in the St. Leonard area, with fossil hunting at Calvert Cliffs being particularly popular. A camper noted, "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." Waterfront sites typically receive higher ratings but fill quickly during summer weekends and holidays. Campsites at Matoaka Beach Cottages offer privacy and direct views of the bay, while military-affiliated campers have access to Solomons Navy Recreation Area with additional amenities. Reviews consistently mention the tranquility of waterside camping and the accessibility of water activities including fishing, crabbing, and kayaking. Campgrounds closer to population centers tend to be more developed with facilities like showers and electric hookups, while those in more remote settings offer greater seclusion but fewer amenities.
Best Campgrounds near St. Leonard (81)
1. Calvert Cliffs State Park Youth Group Camping
"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."
"Also right off the parking lot is a little fishing pond which leads you to the main trail to get down to the beach which is about a mile - a mile and 1/2."
2. Matoaka Beach Cottages
"I just showed up and got a perfect camp spot with a view of the sunrise and access to the private beach."
3. Breezy Point Beach
"There is additional space behind each site leading onto the beach that houses a table and fire ring. It feels like each site has loads of room out to the beach."
from $60 - $70 / night
Check Availability4. Endeavor Point
from $55 - $95 / night
Check Availability5. Westmoreland State Park Campground
"The sites we have stayed at have all been super clean and close to bathrooms and water. They include a fire ring, picnic table and a hook for your trash. The bathrooms are clean and have hot showers."
"The park is well off the beaten path, but has plenty of historic and other attractions near by."
from $27 - $134 / night
Check Availability6. Solomons Navy Recreation Area
7. Cedarville State Forest
"We picked up the camping registration outside the office at the entrance, no need to speak with anyone. Then we just drove down to our campsite in the family camping loop."
"Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC."
from $30 / night
Check Availability8. Patuxent Camp Sites
9. Point Lookout State Park
"The land was initially used as a resort then made into a hospital followed by a prison due to its ideal location. It is at the tip of Southern Maryland. The location of the campground is ISOLATED."
"This is the southern most point on Maryland’s western shore, where the Chesapeake and Potomac converge. Bring a fan and some bug spray and you’ll be just fine."
from $21 - $50 / night
Check Availability10. Final-Lee Here
"CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Nestled within the beautiful greenery of Huntingtown, Maryland, this campground offers heart, scenery, and access to numerous adventures."
from $40 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 22 min from Lexington Park, MD
- 53 min from Washington, DC
- 1 hr 9 min from Baltimore, MD
- 2 hrs 15 min from Salisbury, MD
Recent Camping Photos near St. Leonard, MD
141 Photos of 81 St. Leonard Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Matoaka Beach Cottages
Endeavor Point
Lacy Oasis Campground
Take It Easy CampgroundD
Dennis Point Marina and Campground
Cedarville State Forest
Blackwater Snakehead CampsiteL
Adventure Bound Washington DC
Westmoreland State Park Campground
Louise F. Cosca Regional Park
Point Lookout State Park
Thousand Trails Harbor View
Recent Reviews near St. Leonard, MD
471 Reviews of 81 St. Leonard Campgrounds
- AAl L.Scout
Westmoreland State Park Campground
Nice end of summer retreat
It was a well maintained campsite. Clean bathrooms and great hikes to fossil beach.
- Jason
GuideAnnapolis MWR Academy RV/Campground
Great spot for Retirees/Active
If 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.
- SSean D.
TravelerCampsites at Watkins Regional Park
Excellent choice for a Washington visit or local getaway
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. 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.
- BBrian H.Traveler
Pettigrew WMA
Pettigrew WMA - great dispersed camping
Good 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)
- Judy W.Guide
Smallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023
Great Escape! Air conditioned cabins!
What 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.
Kat E.ScoutBurke Lake Park Campground
Amenities good
The 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.
- TTrevorTraveler
Bay Shore Campground
Fred’s bay shore
One 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.
- hheather B.Scout
Cherry Hill Park
Like a resort
This camp ground is like a resort with 2 pools mini golf splash pad and many other amenities
Guide to St. Leonard
St. Leonard, Maryland camping sites sit along the Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River, with most facilities located at elevations near sea level and elevations rarely exceeding 150 feet. The region experiences humid subtropical climate conditions with average summer temperatures between 75-90°F and mild winters. Sandy soil conditions at waterfront camping sites can present challenges for tent stakes and RV leveling, especially during the region's average 44 inches of annual rainfall.
What to do
Fossil hunting at beaches: At Calvert Cliffs State Park, visitors can search for prehistoric shark teeth along the shoreline. "Such an amazing expieriance and brings right into the eyes of child with both adult and children searching for shark teeth. Not only is searching for shark teeth a blast, but, the views are beautiful and walkin thru the woofs Is very calming!" notes visitor Sarah F. about Calvert Cliffs State Park Youth Group Camping.
Water activities on the Patuxent: Endeavor Point offers kayaking and canoeing through tidal marshlands. One camper shared: "the pier was perfect to fish or crab off of and the beach had great views of the sunrise. definitely would recommend!" according to Ally S. who stayed at Endeavor Point.
Historical exploration: Point Lookout State Park features Civil War sites and a lighthouse. A visitor mentioned, "Historic St. Mary's city nearby," noting the additional historical attractions within driving distance of the Point Lookout State Park.
What campers like
Private beachfront sites: Matoaka Beach Cottages offers secluded camping with water views. Camper Courtney K. states: "We tent camped at Matoka Cabins and it was a beautiful Peaceful camping trip! Out spot was very private and you could see the bay and hear the waves." Many visitors appreciate the Matoaka Beach Cottages for their direct water access.
Clean facilities: Westmoreland State Park receives high marks for maintenance. "Bath houses are heated which is amazing. We had a large group so we rented B49 and B48," noted reviewer RL about winter camping at Westmoreland State Park Campground.
Accessible outdoor recreation: Cedarville State Forest offers trails within 60 minutes of Washington DC. A visitor reported: "Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC. If you've forgotten anything you can pop on by the Target or Costco right outside the forest."
What you should know
Seasonal bug activity: Mosquitoes and biting insects become prevalent from late spring through summer. "We stayed here a few times just to get out for a bit. It's quiet, but not too dark, as the lights from DC interfere with the night sky here. The camping loop is small and is shared by tent and RV. I've never left this park without at least one tick," reports Bill G. about Cedarville State Forest.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. "We have AT&T and had two bars pretty consistently," reported Nurse N. about Cedarville State Forest, while another camper noted, "It's a complete dead spot for Verizon" at Point Lookout State Park.
Weather considerations: Afternoon storms can develop quickly during summer months. "Dark clouds began rolling in and we paddled back to the boat launch, texting the Lee's to meet us for boat pick up. We had planned to hike and swim while at the park, but instead headed for our tent during the storm surges," shared Kelly M. about Final-Lee Here.
Tips for camping with families
Nature center programs: Several parks offer structured activities for children. "They do have a nice park for the kids by the entrance and a very well kept pond at the beginning of the hike to fish from," writes Anthony S. about Calvert Cliffs State Park.
Beach safety awareness: Water conditions can change rapidly with tides. "They have renovated the beach and per my friends, the fencing protecting the area is new, but needed," notes Heather about Breezy Point Beach, indicating safety improvements at the facility.
Off-season camping benefits: For fewer crowds and bugs, consider spring or fall trips. "We went in March 2018 for my birthday, when it was still VERY cold, but had a wonderful time. The beaches and trails seem so much more peaceful and untouched this time of year," shares RL about Westmoreland State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Choose carefully based on campground layout. "We had site 68 which had plenty of space for the TT, truck and car to park. The sites have plenty of separation and the park was very quiet," explains Nick E. about Point Lookout State Park.
Ground conditions: Sandy soil can make stabilization difficult. "I had to mark it down for the loose-sandy sites; yes, I know it is a beach but they really need to firm-up the actual RV parking spots. Some are worse than others, but it can be a challenge leveling and stabilizers can't get a firm footing, be sure to have some wood or other platform for your stabilizers," advises William S. about Breezy Point Beach.
Limited pump-out services: Plan waste management carefully. "FYI there is no dumping station or site sewer connection. Apparently there is a twice weekly pump out service. That was not available to us on Sunday before departing," warns Scott T. about Breezy Point Beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near St. Leonard, MD?
Which is the most popular campground near St. Leonard, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near St. Leonard, MD is Calvert Cliffs State Park Youth Group Camping with a 4.4-star rating from 5 reviews.
What parks are near St. Leonard, MD?
What parks are near St. Leonard, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near St. Leonard, MD that allow camping, notably Fort Washington Park and George Washington Memorial Parkway.
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