Equestrian camping options within an hour of Glen Burnie, Maryland remain limited despite the area's network of multi-use trails. While dedicated horse facilities are scarce, several state parks accommodate trail riding with varying levels of amenities. The eastern shore parks typically maintain trails open to horses year-round, though seasonal hunting closures may restrict access from September through January in certain areas.
What to do
Trail riding access points: Cedarville State Forest offers multi-use trails across its 3,510 acres where equestrians can ride alongside hikers and cyclists. According to one visitor, "There's a great bit of light pollution at night here due to its approximation to DC. Minimal noise except for planes overhead. There are decent trails to hike here too. Equestrian trails go deep into the woods if you want a longer trail" (Cedarville State Forest).
Waterways for post-ride relaxation: After riding, cool down near the water at Martinak State Park Campground where one reviewer noted, "Campsites and bathrooms are clean. Beautiful waterfront great for kayaking and water sports. No real hiking trails. Overall small quiet campground" (Martinak State Park Campground). The park's river access provides a pleasant way to unwind after a day of riding in the area.
Guided trail experiences: Riders seeking structured experiences can find outfitters near Tuckahoe State Park Campground. A camper shared, "Small by some State Park standards, Tuckahoe offers two loops: a tent/cabin site, and an electric site for RVs. The sites are well maintained... There is opportunity to see a great night sky if the clouds stay away" (Tuckahoe State Park Campground).
What campers like
Spacious, wooded campsites: Riders appreciate the privacy at many Eastern Shore campgrounds. One camper at Tuckahoe reported, "It's super close to home and I love the small feel to it. People keep to themselves and you feel kinda like your by yourself even though the park is usually full. Which I love."
Well-maintained facilities: Clean amenities matter when returning from dusty trails. Pohick Bay Campground, though further from Glen Burnie, earns praise for its upkeep: "We stay here at least 6 trips a year. Nice layout, not all sites are level (half). Staff are always nice and go out of their way to help" (Pohick Bay Campground).
Proximity to other attractions: The central location allows for mixed recreation beyond riding. A Cedarville visitor mentioned, "Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC. If you've forgotten anything you can pop on by the Target or Costco right outside the forest."
What you should know
Limited dedicated equestrian facilities: No campgrounds within an hour of Glen Burnie offer horse-specific amenities like corrals or wash stations. Riders must bring portable containment systems and water buckets.
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts trail conditions significantly. A Tuckahoe camper observed, "The campground is wooded and only has electric hookups available. The sites are well spaced. The bathhouse is dated and was clean enough to use. There isn't much to do in the park but it was an ok jumping off point to visit St. Michaels."
Tick prevention essential: Many wooded areas present tick hazards. One Cedarville camper warned, "We arrived on a Sunday. Very quiet, many open RV spots around us. We had site 18. Which is next to one of the water spigots. The idea is to use it to fill up tanks. Ranger let us know not to stay hooked up to it. 30 amp electric. No issues there. Lots of trails but in June at least the ticks were waaaay too plentiful" (Camp Winery).
Tips for camping with families
Multiple recreation options: Families balancing riders and non-riders need diverse activities. At Martinak, "We had a great time with our 3 little ones. They have lots of easily walked trails. Bath houses are kept clean. They have quite a few playgrounds throughout the park, which was a major plus for us."
Well-designed facilities: Look for campgrounds with family-friendly layouts. One visitor to Pohick Bay noted, "We had a great time here over a long weekend in August. The check in is a breeze and the staff is super nice and helpful. They gave us a great intro to the park as we were first timers. They informed us that they had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend."
Playground access: Children need options while adults tend horses. A Martinak camper shared, "Easy to navigate through with a trailer. Nice trails and playground. Bathrooms were like brand new. Water and electric on our loop."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for horse trailers: Equestrians with living quarters trailers should research specific sites. At Tuckahoe, one camper advised, "We took out 1st trip to Tuckahoe over the 4th of July weekend. We really liked the park, but beware, the sites can be small! I watched people with 25+ footers struggle to back into the sites."
Electric and water access: Most sites provide basic hookups but limited sewer connections. A reviewer at Camp Meade RV Park mentioned, "Did stay here after visiting Vicksburg. Nice clean restrooms and showers. Friendly hostess and we had a nice shady spot, what was great with a heat of 94F."
Trailer maneuvering challenges: Narrow access roads can complicate arrival with horse trailers. One Cedarville visitor noted, "The small loop here accommodates both tent and RVs, which is fine but some of these damn things are so huge, I have trouble believing they could wedge themselves here."
