Located about 15 miles southeast of Annapolis, Mayo, Maryland offers camping options along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The area features a mix of forested and coastal terrain with summer temperatures regularly reaching the high 80s and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Spring and fall typically provide the most comfortable camping conditions with moderate temperatures and fewer insects.
What to do
Kayaking access points: Tuckahoe State Park Campground has a convenient kayak launch between sites 46 and 48. As one camper noted, "The walk to Tuckahoe Creek from the parking area is very short, and the creek leads to Tuckahoe Lake (no gasoline motors) with more of the creek on the other side of the lake."
Trails for multiple uses: Tuckahoe State Park Campground maintains 20 miles of trails open to various activities. According to a visitor, "Lots of trails to hike. Beautiful, peaceful. Some sites not level."
Disc golf course: The park includes a disc golf course for those seeking recreational activities beyond hiking. One camper mentioned, "We really liked the park, but beware, the sites can be small!"
Urban wilderness hiking: Greenbelt Park Campground offers trails through wooded areas despite its urban location. A visitor observed, "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground."
What campers like
Convenience to Washington DC: Many campgrounds serve as bases for exploring the capital. One camper at Cherry Hill Park shared, "Proximity to DC and surrounding areas can't be beat. Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle. It takes about a half hour to get downtown to the monuments."
Quiet weekday stays: Campgrounds are significantly less crowded Monday through Thursday. A camper at Greenbelt Park noted, "We tend to use Tuckahoe as a way station while camping our way up and down the Bay. I wish it had more to offer."
Clean facilities: Despite high usage, many campgrounds maintain good standards. At Cherry Hill Park, a visitor remarked, "You get what you pay for. This campground has so much to offer. We loved it."
Natural wildlife viewing: Despite being in developed areas, wildlife sightings are common. One camper at Cedarville State Forest shared, "Saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits, before we even reached the gates."
What you should know
Site size limitations: Many campgrounds have tight spaces for larger rigs. At Tuckahoe State Park, a camper warned, "I watched people with 25+ footers struggle to back into the sites. We booked site 21, blind. The web site does not say site 21 is extremely small."
Seasonal crowding: Summer brings intense crowds to waterfront areas. At Sandy Point State Park, a visitor noted, "This park is extremely crowded and very dirty during the summer season."
Tick prevalence: Forested areas require precautions against ticks. A camper at Cedarville State Forest advised, "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers."
Long-term residents: Some campgrounds feature many permanent or semi-permanent campers. At Adventure Bound Washington DC, a visitor observed, "Lots of long term residents in dirty rundown campers. Trash dumpsters are always full. Bathrooms and showers are always clean. Full hookups at most sites."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer extensive recreation options. At Cherry Hill Park, a camper shared, "Mini golf, swimming pool, hot tub, basketball court, snack bar on site, nightly hayride, gated, on-site camp store."
Playground accessibility: Several parks feature play areas away from camping loops. One camper at Tuckahoe State Park mentioned, "The state park has two playgrounds that are both open and trails to hike."
Swimming restrictions: Pool policies vary by campground. A visitor to Washington DC / Capitol KOA shared, "I didnt like that non potty trained kids are not allowed to swim in their pool. Luckily we only have a 9 month old currently that isn't potty trained."
Pet exercise areas: For pet friendly camping near Mayo, Maryland, look for dedicated spaces. A reviewer noted that Washington DC / Capitol KOA "has a nice dog area for the dog to be able to run around and exercise which a lot of places we have been do not have a place for the dog to really exercise."
Tips from RVers
Water access points: Many campgrounds have spigots throughout rather than site hookups. A camper at Pine Tree Associates Nudist Club shared, "Camping fees include access to a large outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a hot tub. There is room for tenting and campers."
Dump station quality: Facilities for waste disposal vary widely. At Tuckahoe State Park, a camper noted, "The pump out station was very nice."
Electrical reliability: Some parks experience outages during storms. One visitor to Tuckahoe State Park mentioned, "We lost power during a rain storm."
Leveling challenges: Many sites require significant adjustment. A camper at Cherry Hill Park noted, "Gravel pad" as a con, while another at Cedarville State Forest mentioned, "Each site had picnic table, fire ring, and pretty level parking spot."