The Maryland coastal region near Scotland features diverse waterfront camping opportunities with direct access to the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River. Cabin accommodations range from rustic to luxury options with varying amenities depending on the season. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, with spring bringing higher water levels and fall offering milder temperatures with fewer insects.
What to do
Fossil hunting at beaches: Westmoreland State Park offers unique fossil hunting opportunities at its beaches. "The sharks' teeth display in the shop and when I was there they were working on putting bones together of a whale that was found!" notes one camper about Westmoreland State Park.
Visit historic sites: The area contains significant Civil War history sites. "The park used to be a prison for Confederate soldiers, so lots of cool exhibits and memorials for history buffs," shares a visitor to Point Lookout State Park.
Water recreation: Kayaking through water trails provides excellent wildlife viewing. "Great kayaking to Jane's Island. Very clean bathrooms. Very family oriented. Rangers are nice and so are the camp hosts," reports a camper at Janes Island State Park.
Local attractions: Explore nearby historic towns for supplies and local culture. "Within 5 minutes there is groceries/Redbox/Dollar General and get an excellent Italian sub from Ridge Market. Historic St. Mary's city nearby," recommends a Point Lookout visitor.
What campers like
Waterfront cabins: Many parks offer cabins with direct water views. "Site was very level, with a nice long driveway. Right on the water, with beautiful views. Surrounded by tall marsh grass and a few pine trees, so it felt very private," explains a camper about Point Lookout.
Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds provide well-spaced cabins. "Each site is surrounded by tall reeds and you have near total privacy. The spots are enormous," notes a visitor to Tall Pines Harbor.
Seasonal activities: Many parks offer special events during holiday weekends. "We chose Point Lookout State Park to spend Memorial Day Weekend, and were thrilled with everything but the weather, which flip-flopped from stormy to super hot and muggy," shares one camper.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses are consistently mentioned. "The bath house was very clean and well-maintained. Looks like host cleaned it several times a day. Only two shower stalls, but they were nice and roomy with fairly hot water," reports a Point Lookout visitor.
What you should know
Bug conditions vary seasonally: Biting insects can be problematic, especially during summer. "The bugs were so bad, it was nearly impossible to enjoy. No-see-ums bite all day long, bug spray helps with these. Deer flies bite from the morning sun until it's dark and they are the worst at dusk," warns a visitor to Janes Island State Park.
Site selection matters: Choose cabin locations carefully based on shade and exposure. "We weren't a huge fan of our site, site 50, because it was difficult to get into and it backed up to the marina. We basically had to do a u-turn in reverse with our 30ft travel trailer which wasn't the easiest to get in the site," notes one Janes Island camper.
Limited services: Some areas have limited cell service and amenities. "No Wi-fi. Sprint service was no good anywhere near this campground. We were an hour away before getting any kind of cell service," mentions a visitor to Point Lookout.
Weather considerations: The waterfront location means exposure to storms. "We spent Halloween here on a last minute reservation and man were we happy! This campsite is remote to the rest of VA for the most part, but hey isn't that what camping is all about?" shares a visitor to Belle Isle State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Multiple swimming options exist at several parks. "A quick drive to the other end of the park and there is a beach area for swimming (go early: it gets full in peak season with day use partiers, but it's still wonderful)," recommends a visitor to Point Lookout.
Educational programs: Nature centers offer programs specifically for children. "Inside the campground is a great nature center which rents kayaks and canoes, and offers programs for the kids," shares a Point Lookout camper.
Halloween weekends: Several parks host special Halloween activities. "It was quiet with a couple activities planned. We only had 2 trick or treaters. Our site 119 in Hoffman loop was long and very private," notes a Point Lookout visitor.
Playground access: Consider proximity to play areas when booking cabins. "We stayed in site A22 and it was away from a bit compared to other sites," mentions a Westmoreland visitor about finding quieter spots away from playgrounds.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Full hookup availability varies by loop. "Tulip Loop has full hookups which was great, but the sites are basically in a swamp. I think we were there before the mosquitos. I'm sure with all the standing water they'd be everywhere!!" warns a visitor to Point Lookout.
Site leveling: Many waterfront sites require minimal leveling. "Sites are plenty long and patio areas quite large. Showers are separate from the bathrooms. Both are clean and well maintained," notes a visitor to Belle Isle State Park.
Loop selection matters: Different loops offer varying experiences. "Only 30 sites, all which have electric/water hookup. We've been here twice now, once with an RV and once in a tent. Most sites are shady and level, with lots of space between," shares a Belle Isle camper.
Water drainage: Consider site drainage when booking during rainy seasons. "It rained the day we arrived. There wasn't a lot of rocks down, so we had mud all weekend, it never dried up," explains a Point Lookout visitor about potential flooding issues.
