Eastern Shore camping near Rock Hall, Maryland offers waterfront settings between the Chester River and Chesapeake Bay. The area sits at sea level with tidal marshes and wooded campsites providing natural habitat for bald eagles and great blue heron. Summer temperatures average 85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall months bring more moderate conditions with fewer insects.
What to do
Lighthouse trails: Hike to Turkey Point Lighthouse at Elk Neck State Park Campground for spectacular Bay views. "The lighthouse and the view are definitely worth it. It's about a five minute drive to get to the trail though, but is worth it," reports one visitor.
Kayaking: Launch directly from sites at Tuckahoe State Park Campground where there's "a kayak launch between sites 46 and 48. The walk to Tuckahoe Creek from the parking area is very short, and the creek leads to Tuckahoe Lake with more of the creek on the other side of the lake."
Wildlife viewing: Eastern Neck Wildlife Sanctuary sits just 7 minutes from town. Campers report regular bald eagle sightings: "We saw bald eagles and great blue heron" and "if you enjoy seeing bald eagles every day, having a nice breeze, not too buggy, well kept campground this is the place to go."
What campers like
Sunset views: Waterfront sites provide memorable evening skies. "We loved the sunsets each night. Amazing colors," notes one camper at Bay Shore Campground. Another adds, "The waterfront sites are pricy but right on the water with great views."
Small-town access: Duck Neck Campground provides access to Chestertown's historic district. However, as one camper notes: "You have to drive at least 20 minutes to find food and things to do."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing directly from campsites. One camper at Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina describes it as a place where you can "fish from your camp site. Beautiful family owned campground. Kinda small but has a lot to offer."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Several campgrounds close during winter months. Duck Neck Campground operates from "Apr 15 - Nov 1," while Tuckahoe State Park runs from "March 25 to November 27." Year-round options include Bay Shore Campground.
Site spacing varies significantly: At Cherry Hill Park, "sites were level, spacious, spaced apart, with packed gravel surface," while at Duck Neck, one camper warned they were "packed in like sardines! Campers are packed in so closely most can't open their awnings."
Bathroom facility quality: Conditions range widely between campgrounds. One camper noted bathhouses at Elk Neck were "nothing fancy but I was impressed with the cleanness," while at Duck Neck, reviews mentioned "bathhouses have toilets and showers that are very dated and NOT CLEANED OFTEN."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. One camper notes that Bay Shore has "a small playground and a dog park, and a small pond for fishing," while Bar Harbor includes "a fenced dog area and play set."
Swimming options: Military Park United States Naval Academy/Annapolis Naval Station Annapolis FamCamp offers a "cheap and close to Annapolis" option, though reviewers note it's "very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground."
Activities for children: Some campgrounds offer more amenities than others. Cherry Hill Park features "mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry," making it a standout for families. Another camper observed "a splash pad, paved roads for scootering. Just awesome!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Bar Harbor RV Park, "some of the trailer sites are a tough back in but worth the trouble." Another camper warns that "sites are paved, pretty level and just a bit close."
Power reliability: Prepare for potential outages during storms. One camper at Tuckahoe State Park reported: "We lost power during a rain storm" which can be particularly challenging for RV campers relying on hookups.
Hookup availability: RV sites near Rock Hall, Maryland typically offer electric and water, with fewer full hookup options. At Elk Neck State Park, "there's a ton of camping, including a loop with full hook ups. In the full hook up loop pay close attention to the lengths specified. The actual pads are fairly level but some of the driveways to them are very sloped."
