Campgrounds near Ocean Pines, Maryland primarily cluster along the coast, with notable options including Assateague State Park Campground and Sun Outdoors Ocean City. The camping landscape features a mix of beachfront and bayside developed campgrounds providing options for tent camping, RV sites with full hookups, and cabin rentals. Several facilities offer direct access to beaches along the Atlantic Ocean or Sinepuxent Bay, with Assateague Island National Seashore providing both oceanside and bayside camping experiences approximately 15 miles south of Ocean Pines.
Most mixed-use campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months when occupancy reaches capacity, particularly at waterfront locations. Sun Outdoors Ocean City typically operates from March through October, while Assateague Island National Seashore's Oceanside Campground is available from mid-May to early October. Weather conditions can be unpredictable with coastal storms possible throughout the camping season. Some camping areas have limited shade, particularly in beachfront locations. "This is a nice campground but it is crowded! The sites have more living space than some we've been to but don't come here for privacy," noted one camper about Sun Outdoors Ocean City.
Waterfront camping represents the primary draw for visitors to the Ocean Pines area, with both oceanfront and bayside options available. Assateague Island National Seashore offers the unique experience of camping near wild horses in a more natural setting. Several visitors mentioned the convenience of shuttle services that run between campgrounds and nearby attractions. "They run a complimentary hourly shuttle van back and forth to the boardwalk which is a great reason to stay here," explained one camper about Sun Outdoors Ocean City. Campers frequently note the variety of amenities at developed campgrounds in the region, with many featuring swimming pools, beaches, entertainment, and convenient access to Ocean City attractions. For those seeking more natural surroundings, the national seashore campgrounds provide fewer amenities but greater immersion in coastal ecosystems.
$28 - $39 / night
"and was well situated, with a nice open space between the edge of the site and the dunes."
"There is an outdoor shower and sink as well as several paths to the beach. The beach is beautiful and clean."
$40 / night
"Wild horses, wide, clean stretches of beach, safe surroundings, close to town. This is the best beach camping in all of Maryland."
"Assateague National Seashore on the Maryland side offers an incredible experience. Along with soft sand, balmy breezes and coastal views, wild horses wander the park at will."
"Due to the location near Ocean City, this campground is primarily a resort for people staying 1 or more weeks."
"Shuttle to Ocean City, MD was convenient and general store was close by and stocked well!"
$65 - $350 / night
"The location is amazing. You are a stones throw away from the boardwalk at Ocean City Maryland. The resort is very nice."
"An awesome campground located on the east coast near Ocean City, MD and the Atlantic Ocean. This was our first visit to Castaways. Lots to do and loads of fun. We love it!"
$42 - $425 / night
"The location (in between Dewey/Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach/Ocean City, Maryland) is PERFECT. You have close access to miles and miles of touristy beaches and uninhabited beaches."
"We stayed in a full hook up site, and we found the campground to be clean, well maintained and so close to the beach."
$22 - $56 / night
"The distance between sites across the loop isn’t huge or blocked by any foliage but didn’t seem to be an issue for our friends who stayed in D24."
"It was also right near the showers, which were clean & warm, just what was needed. Tent sites are more secluded and are walk-in; our buddies tent camped the same weekend."
$40 - $80 / night
"We enjoyed bike riding around the island, catching glimpses of the wild ponies and running around on the beach."
"If you don’t mind wild horses joining you for dinner and trekking around your campsite at night, then this is your place!! The beach is absolutely gorgeous and so is the scenery."
"It is close to Ocean City, Maryland, as well as Berlin and Assateague national park where you can watch the ponies roam."
"It’s a close distance to Salisbury (20 mins), ocean city (20 mins) and assateague (20 mins). Also close to Delaware for someone looking to explore there."
"Close to the beach, restaurants and Ocean City. Nice playground and well stocked store. The only issue was if your bathroom isn’t working, they need more bath houses."
"five with young children, we were thrilled to find a campground that offered an abundance of activities and conveniences to keep everyone entertained and happy, and with restaurants and activities nearby"
"It’s also close to the other ocean beaches. The only downsides are sites are very close together and its a very expensive about double the cost of other near by non-waterfront campgrounds."
"**Â Located on Rehoboth Bay, this resort was a great place to spend a long holiday weekend. Our paved site was just a few steps to a private beach which was really nice and clean."
TravelerRight off the beach wild horses, deer, turkeys, and birds. Woke up and walked right out on the beach for some early morning beach combing, was a bit windy
TravelerNice campground. Way bike trails to the nearby fort and museum, site E11 was right on top of site E9 so you get to know your neighbors other sites were less crowded
LegendIf you want to be close to the water, this is a great place to camp. There are lots of amenities and various ways to “camp” at this resort. In addition to full hook-up RV sites, there are cottages and glamping tents. Some cottages have a cool rooftop deck with furniture which would be a great place to watch the sunset.Â
This campground is in a nice location for exploring the area, but a bit pricey. It might be worth it if you use the amenities, but we did as we spent more time offsite. Since this campground is new, some sites look pretty rustic and it would be nice if there was more grass. Overall, we found the sites to be pretty close together. If you want to pay more, you can get a waterfront site or one with a paved patio and table and chairs, otherwise, you get a picnic table on a gravel pad. All utilities worked well and we were glad we had 50 amp since there was an unseasonable hot spell. The park is big-rig friendly and getting in and out was easy and not low hanging branches to avoid.Â
Some of the amenities include a food truck(not open when we were there), playground, pickleball courts, camp store, and more. There is a nice pool with a large deck but since we were early in the season it was not open. Along the water is a nice boardwalk and there is a long pier for fishing or to tie up your boat. (We took advantage of the free fishing. Saltwater anglers in VA can fish for free if you register for the Fisherman Identification Program, no license required.) If you have a large group gathering there is a large pavilion with charcoal grills and picnic tables open to campers for free.Â
The reason we came to the area was to visit Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and see the wild ponies. The refuge is fifteen minutes away and definitely worth it. Stop in at the visitor center to browse the exhibits before setting out to see the ponies. There is a nice viewing deck off the Woodland Trail that is a great place to see the ponies. Also stop at the Assateague Lighthouse to see the iconic red and white striped lighthouse. One more stop to make is at the Island Creamery (voted one of the 50 best places to eat in Virginia).
GuideThis is such a perfect way to hang by the ocean. Some sites are close but tenting is key. Showers and outdoor showers are my favorite. There isn’t much to dislike if anything? Oh, ai know. Light pollution. There is no light pollution and we always bring our telescope and then rvs will keep their leds on, but unless that is enforced. There isn’t much that can be done. 🤷🏼‍♀️
ScoutWe allways have a blast everybody is so nice and lots to do
TravelerWe had a nice visit. Sun is in the process of fixing the place up. The swim up bar was being restored. My only negative was the site two places up played there stereo live music loud. BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM. They did get called out for it by management.
GuideFrom well spaced sites to helpful staff, Trap Pond is Delaware state parks crown jewel. The pond itself is beautiful, camp sites are well maintained and spaced apart nicely.
TravelerTrap Pond SP is a lovely park that has everything you need. Electric/water hookups, docks on the pond at each loop, clean bathhouses, and the "day" side of the park on the other side of the pond! A few miles of walking trails, and an incredible, prehistoric feeling paddle trail through gorgeous bald cypress trees. Reasonable camp store. Sites are a wee bit close, but comfortable and level.
GuideWebsite says RV Resort and cabins. Turns out 75%+/- of camping area is made up of Tiny Homes, owned by people, and some for rent, plus cabins.
In fairness, this isn't our type of camping. Many RV's were season with no one there. Thursday was dead, but Friday campers came in for Mother's Day weekend. We went to the bathhouse only to find out it was closed (seasonal). So a nice easy walk to do laundry turned into a lengthy walk or drive. Made no sense. Then on Friday, I was outside reading a book and an employee rolled into our site on a riding mower kicking up dirt all over me and into the trailer, with rocks kicked up into the picnic table. Lucky, no broken windows. Lippert no longer makes the window, so they would have been buying five (5) ones
This is a great place for families with young children. Just not our cup of tea
Camping sites near Ocean Pines, Maryland provide a mix of island, coastal, and inland experiences with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F during peak season. Most campgrounds in the area lie at or near sea level, creating flat, easy-to-access campsites. Mosquitoes tend to be most intense from June through August, especially in bayside camping areas where marsh vegetation provides breeding grounds.
Kayak explorations: At Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground, visitors can explore coastal waters. "We camped in the Oceanside loop B. Right on the beach, but big dunes between sites and the ocean. Wild horses meandering through daily. Some sites are more private than others... Amazing stars, beach and bay," shares camper Danielle.
Fishing opportunities: Fishing is popular throughout the region in both salt and freshwater. "This is a popular fishing spot on the inlet," notes a visitor about Delaware Seashore State Park Campground, located about 30 minutes from Ocean Pines. Bass and bream fishing is available at some inland locations, with one visitor noting they "enjoyed fishing in the stocked lake, caught some bass and large brim" at Treasure Beach RV Park.
Biking trails: Multiple campgrounds offer biking opportunities. "Bike rentals are free (donations accepted), there are several hiking/biking/horse trails, disc golf, and canoe/kayak/peddle boat rentals," mentions one camper about Trap Pond State Park Campground. The Bob Trail was specifically recommended as a good biking option with ample shade.
Wild horse encounters: The wild horses at Assateague are a major attraction. "The horses were magestic!!" exclaims Catherine S. about her stay at Assateague State Park Campground. However, campers must exercise caution around these animals. One camper warns, "Be prepared and you will have a great time, the horses are not shy and will be all up in your space if they like what they smell."
Waterfront camping: Direct waterfront access is highly valued. "Assateague State Park is a very well run campground with a prime location by a lovely wild beach," reports camper Melanie. Many sites allow for immediate beach or water access, with some campers noting they set up "hammocks on the edge of the water."
Proximity to attractions: The central location allows day trips to various destinations. "This campground is about 20 minutes to Ocean City boardwalk and about 25 minutes to Assateague Island, where the wild horses roam," explains a camper at Sun Outdoors Ocean City Gateway. Many campgrounds offer shuttle services to nearby attractions.
Insect intensity varies: Bug presence can be extreme, particularly in marshy areas. "It's beautiful here, horses are cool, beach is great, but the bugs stink! Bring some deet it's the only thing that works!" advises Kirsten J. about camping at Assateague. Several campers recommend fall camping to minimize bug encounters.
No privacy at some sites: Many oceanfront and bay campsites lack privacy. "There is zero privacy/separation between sites, but this is the price you pay for easy and close beach access," explains a visitor to Delaware Seashore State Park. Inland campgrounds typically offer more separation between sites.
Seasonal operating schedules: Many campgrounds operate limited schedules. Some facilities at Bayside Assateague Campground run "mid april - mid oct," while others may extend into November. Weather conditions deteriorate quickly in late fall with increasing winds and falling temperatures.
Entertainment options: Family-oriented campgrounds provide numerous activities. "This truly is a resort. Beach, Pool, Music, Bars, and many other ameneties all in one spot! Lots of activities for the kids as well," shares Lauren M. about Sun Outdoors Ocean City, formerly Castaways RV Resort.
Safety considerations: When camping with children near horses, extra vigilance is required. "We witnessed a neighbor's campsite being pulled apart by horses who had been attracted by food on a picnic table," reports a camper at Assateague State Park Campground. Most campgrounds recommend using provided food storage boxes.
Shade availability: Limited shade exists at beachfront sites. "Definitely bring a canopy as obviously there is no shade Oceanside," advises Tony P. Inland campgrounds like Trap Pond State Park offer more natural shade, with one camper noting "Loved the hiking trail (Bob Trail). It can also be used for biking. Our dogs loved the hike. Since it's just about all in the shade it wasn't bad for them."
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require extra effort to level. "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," notes a visitor to Trap Pond State Park about their site conditions.
Hookup availability: Electric sites are limited at some locations. "Sites are fairly spacious and have an interesting semi-circle pull through layout so backing in not required," says Jim G. about Trap Pond State Park. At Sun Outdoors Frontier Town, "the sites were awesome. Clean shower houses all day long," according to Jason J.
Off-season advantages: RV camping during shoulder seasons provides a better experience. "Very nice and very quiet in the off season," notes Christina E. about Sun Outdoors Ocean City Gateway. Lower occupancy rates, cooler temperatures, and fewer insects make spring and fall optimal for RV camping near Ocean Pines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Ocean Pines, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ocean Pines, MD is Assateague State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 63 reviews.
Keep Exploring
