Martinak State Park and Tuckahoe State Park anchor the camping landscape around Denton, Maryland, with several state-managed campgrounds offering a range of accommodations. Both parks provide tent and RV sites with electric hookups, while also featuring cabins and some glamping options for those seeking more creature comforts. These developed campgrounds lie within 15 minutes of Denton, creating convenient bases for exploring the Eastern Shore. Holiday Park Campground, located in nearby Greensboro, expands the local camping inventory with additional RV and tent sites, though without the cabin options found at the state parks.
Camping in the Denton area typically operates from March through November, with most campgrounds closing for winter. The relatively flat terrain makes navigation straightforward, with paved roads leading to most established sites. "This is a small state park with two loops, one with and one without electric hookups. Sites have fire rings and picnic tables. There is a dump station available. Sites are level, in a loop around the bath house," noted one visitor about Martinak State Park. While the campgrounds themselves don't require high-clearance vehicles, water access points for fishing and boating may have seasonal limitations. Cell service varies by provider, with reviews mentioning spotty T-Mobile coverage at Martinak, though adequate for most needs.
Water access stands out as a defining feature of camping near Denton, with both Martinak and Tuckahoe offering river and creek frontage. Campers report high satisfaction with sites that provide boat launches, fishing opportunities, and water views. The Choptank River at Martinak and the pond at Tuckahoe create scenic backdrops for outdoor recreation. According to reviews, many visitors appreciate the clean, updated bathhouses found at these state parks, with hot showers and well-maintained facilities. Wildlife viewing opportunities enhance the camping experience, with several campgrounds featuring nature centers and ranger-led programs. Though the campgrounds remain relatively small compared to larger destinations, this creates a more intimate atmosphere that many visitors specifically seek out when camping in the region.
$21 - $70 / night
"Park is that the Electric loop has larger back in sites on both sides ot the drive loop. The bath house is located in the center of the loop. A separate adjoining loop has a small playground."
"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."
$18 - $77 / night
"Sites are level, in a loop around the bath house. There are also a few cabins available to rent. There's a small $1 surcharge for out of state campers."
"Walking trails are level, flat, and some are paved. We stayed in the electric loop. Plenty of great playground sets and a beautiful amphitheater right in the park."
$17 - $79 / night
"The trail around the lake was awesome with some slight inclines but mostly flat. There were short spurs to scenic spots of the pond. Total walked was 4 miles."
"I’d prefer to be further away from each other campsite, which was only like ten or fifteen feet. But otherwise, the primitive campsites were very wooded and nice!"
"There is a smell due to being next to a chicken or animal farm; however, after a few minutes outside, the smell goes away."
$17 - $53 / 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."
$40 - $50 / night
"Was close to casino only like 7 min drive and shopping everywhere was a weekend full of busy even while it rained."
"We found this place by accident as us and several friends planned on attending the 45th Annual June Jam in Houston and wanted somewhere close to stay. "
$20 - $80 / night
"My group was there, on two adjacent sites, from Sunday to Tuesday, in early June. The weather could not have been more ideal! We were on sites G12 and G13, which were both really large."
"There is also a section of walk-in tent sites, each with 1 parking spot semi close by. (Bring a wagon if you stay at one of these)."
"Off the beaten path from beach noise but does require a 15-30 minute drive to popular beaches. Pros: large area for back in campers."
"Close proximity to the beach. Lots of family friendly activities. Full stocked camp store."
$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."
GuideWe 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.
ScoutThis 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.
ScoutStayed 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.
RangerLots of trails to hike. Beautiful, peaceful. Some sites not level.
ScoutWhen we saw a review of this campground on Rec.gov complaining about the amount of bugs we thought they were being ridiculous, they were not. In addition to an insane amount of bugs making the experience here uniquely miserable — it is not quiet or peaceful. A (clearly quite drunk) group nearby was singing at the top of their lungs until at least 11pm when we made the decision to bail seeing as we weren’t going to be getting any sleep between being eaten alive and serenaded.
RangerThis place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest Metro station. It's crowded but folks are quiet & respectful!
ScoutSpent one night here as we were in transit from a campground near the bottom of the Eastern Shore of Virginia to home (fortunate to get a spot that fit my camper) - spots are close together - full campground even in the middle of the week after school started- but quiet at night. Almost a mile walk to the beach - great trails for bike riding. Restrooms were clean! If you have a trailer, make sure that you input your trailer length to find a site that fits as they vary. Close to food. Staff very friendly. Tons of stuff to do - will return when we have more time. If you want the experience of driving on the beach - go for it!
GuideCheck in at the store (without reservation), went very smooth. Only the north east loop was open because it was calm. All spots are full hook up, all fine. There was a small play area for the kids and the restrooms/ shower where clean. No complaints.
Guide8/15/2025
Arrived after dark to find that I had the campground to myself. As noted in other reviews, turn right as you drive past the office/house and let yourself in through the closed (but unlocked) gate. Since the last review, it appears they've added 11 sites on a branch if you bear left after the gate. These sites (8-18) are level, packed gravel pads with benches, fire pit, grill, and picnic table. The restroom featured on the map is just a portalet, but there is plenty of overflow parking in that branch. Apparently you're not supposed to pull onto the gravel with your vehicle, just park parallel to the road alongside it.
Another note about the gravel - can't get stakes in. Plus, it's a pine forest and I didn't want to get sap on my tent so I didn't tent adjacent to the pad amidst the pine needles. I did drive around the right branch (sites 1-7) in the morning to find that they are dirt/grass sites and probably would be ideal for tenting/staking (and in case you haven't guessed, I don't have a freestanding tent). The area is densely forested with pines and is quite pleasant in that regard.
Campsites near Denton, Maryland cluster along the flat Eastern Shore with sandy soil and a climate of hot, humid summers and mild winters. Camping season runs primarily March through November, though select locations like Trap Pond State Park remain open year-round. Most campgrounds feature wooded sites with moderate spacing between neighbors.
Kayaking on bald cypress waterways: At Trap Pond State Park, paddling among unique northernmost stands of bald cypress trees creates a distinctive experience. "We walked around the pond and rented boats and kayaks for the day and rowed back to our site which the kids loved. They got to spend the day learning to paddle on the pond," noted one visitor who enjoyed the water access.
Hiking moderate woodland trails: Several campgrounds offer connected trail systems with minimal elevation changes. Tuckahoe State Park provides 20 miles of hiking trails also open for biking and horseback riding. "There are a few trails here. Nearby is the Chesapeake bay with all its amenities, an Arbouretum that is a bit over priced. And access to the Tuckahoe River for fishing and kayaking," explains one camper.
Free bike rentals: Some parks offer complimentary bicycle usage for exploring. "Bike rentals are free (donations accepted), there are several hiking/biking/horse trails, disc golf, and canoe/kayak/peddle boat rentals," reports a Trap Pond visitor. This makes exploring the Eastern Shore's flat terrain accessible without bringing personal equipment.
Bass fishing in stocked ponds: Multiple water bodies near Denton offer productive fishing. "Good catch and release ponds caught 4 bass in like 20 min big guys," reports a visitor to Adventures Await Retreat, highlighting the accessibility of fishing opportunities within campground boundaries.
Private sites with water views: Campers consistently praise waterfront sites. At Martinak State Park, "Campsites and bathrooms are clean. Beautiful waterfront great for kayaking and water sports. No real hiking trails. Overall small quiet campground," notes one reviewer, appreciating the combination of cleanliness and scenic water access.
Updated bathroom facilities: Many campgrounds feature recently renovated bathhouses. "Bathrooms were like brand new. Water and electric on our loop," reports one Martinak visitor, while another notes the "commercial-sized washing sink for your dishes, since you don't have full hookups its a BIG deal" at Tuckahoe State Park.
Animal interactions: Some campgrounds incorporate farm animals as unique attractions. "Lots of animals with personality fresh eggs for purchase and good catch and release ponds," observed a visitor at Adventures Await Retreat. These interactions particularly appeal to families with children.
Quiet atmosphere: Despite proximity to popular Eastern Shore destinations, many campgrounds maintain peaceful environments. "Very quiet, with reviews mentioning 'spotty T-Mobile coverage' at Tuckahoe State Park, where one camper noted it's "Truly off the map camping. Heavily wooden. Electric loop with central bathhouse."
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly across the region. "Cell service (T-Mobile) was spotty at times, bathhouses were fine, and the ranger was on patrol regularly. We felt very safe!" reports a Martinak visitor. Plan accordingly if remote work requirements exist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Denton, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, Denton, MD offers a wide range of camping options, with 81 campgrounds and RV parks near Denton, MD and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Denton, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Denton, MD is Tuckahoe State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 31 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Denton, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Denton, MD.
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