Tuckahoe State Park Campground delivers varied year-round outdoor experiences within a 400-acre forest setting, located 17 miles from St. Michaels on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The park features a 60-acre lake and creek system that supports diverse wildlife. Fall visitors encounter colorful foliage along hiking trails while summer campers benefit from shaded sites that remain noticeably cooler than surrounding areas.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: The extensive trail system at Susquehanna State Park accommodates various skill levels with routes along the river and through wooded areas. "We hiked over a bridge and stream which was full of fish I could see! Turned around after I got to the Susquehanna itself. The river was running pretty high and fast, pretty cool to see," notes one visitor who enjoyed the water views.
Water recreation: At Martinak State Park, visitors can access multiple water activities within a compact park setting. "Campsites and bathrooms are clean. Beautiful waterfront great for kayaking and water sports. No real hiking trails. Overall small quiet campground," reports one camper who appreciated the water access.
Beach access: For waterfront camping near St. Michaels, Matoaka Beach Cottages offers sites with water views and private beach access. "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," shared one tent camper who enjoyed the shoreline setting.
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Campers at Trap Pond State Park consistently mention the comfortable site layouts. "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 one RVer who appreciated the site design.
Free recreational equipment: Some parks provide complimentary gear loans that enhance the camping experience. "Bike rentals are free (donations accepted), there are several hiking/biking/horse trails, disc golf, and canoe/kayak/peddle boat rentals (in season)," reports a camper who explored the various activities available.
Clean facilities: Many glamping options close to St. Michaels, Maryland maintain well-kept restroom facilities. "Bath house was immaculate; by far the cleanest I have ever seen in a campground. Must have been recently renovated," notes a Susquehanna State Park visitor who was impressed with the maintenance standards.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most glamping facilities near St. Michaels operate on limited schedules. "August 1, 2021, the boat ramp will close for a year; that will likely diminish the appeal of this park for those who want to get out on the river for fishing or boating," a Martinak State Park camper advised about facility closures.
Site selection matters: At Roaring Point Waterfront Campground, location within the campground significantly impacts experience quality. "Get up close to the water if you can. Clear beautiful nights you will see awesome star shows! Older campground...great people and clean!" recommends a regular visitor who prefers waterfront sites.
Wildlife encounters: Evening wildlife activity requires awareness, especially during water recreation. "The only thing is, when the sun goes down the snakes come out on the water, we had a few encounters and just decided to hang back at our campsite," warns a Roaring Point camper who adjusted evening plans accordingly.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Cherry Hill Park offers extensive facilities designed specifically for families. "They have a nice area for kids (pool, playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts, giant chess, etc). If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy," advises a family who appreciated the recreational options.
Playground access: When booking family camping trips, consider proximity to play areas. "There seemed to be a lot of campers in the surrounding lots and still, everyone was quiet between the quiet hours. We loved that our site had a path directly to the bathhouse," notes a camper who appreciated the convenient facilities.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer structured learning activities. "For kids, there's a simple swingset in the loop and a larger, newer playground. If you're looking to learn and explore with your kids, there is an extensive junior ranger program," mentions a camper who took advantage of educational programming.
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: Electrical service varies between campgrounds. "Sites have fire rings and picnic tables. There is a dump station available. Sites are level, in a loop around the bath house," reports an RVer at Martinak State Park describing the practical layout.
Site leveling challenges: Many wooded campgrounds feature uneven terrain. "Our site was #3, it had a nice huge concrete pad and fire ring. We set-up our new tree tent behind the actual campsite and it worked perfectly," notes a camper who found a creative solution to site layout.
Dump station access: For self-contained units, waste disposal facilities are essential. "Good dump station and potable water fill. Spigots throughout the campground," mentions an RVer who appreciated the practical amenities at Tuckahoe State Park.
Ranger
