The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Equestrian Camping in Maryland

208 Reviews

Maryland is known for its sun-drenched shores, fishing and boating; camping in and around the Chesapeake Bay delivers on those promises. But Maryland packs a remarkable variety of other adventure options too, including rugged mountains in the north and west and the pastoral hills of Central Maryland. As a plus, the thrills and relaxation provided by camping in Maryland are all within easy access of historic towns and the big cities of Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Maryland’s beaches have long been a popular family vacation destination. Not far from the bustling Ocean City, campers can find restful fishing and swimming and beautiful ocean sunrises on Assateague Island, a 37-mile strip of sand and marsh where wild horses roam. Find dozens more options for waterfront camping in Maryland on the Eastern Shore in the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. Generations of watermen there have harvested blue crabs, oysters, clams, rockfish and their towns retain their red-bricked charm.

Another popular way to see Maryland is to bike or walk parts of old towpath for the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. The 184.5 miles of easy, shaded trail follows the Potomac River, passing through dozens of historic lockhouses, the breathtaking Great Falls, and historic towns like Harper’s Ferry to connect Washington, D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland. Campers can find sites every few miles.

Mountain lovers can also find camping in Maryland along the remnants of the greater Appalachian range. These sites offer easy access to viewpoints and waterfalls, including the tallest in the state, the 78-foot Cunningham Falls. Sugarloaf Mountain is a small peak south of Frederick, Maryland with a Civil War history that now offers far-reaching vistas on the surrounding vineyards and forests to hikers, rock climbers and campers. Find more options for camping in Maryland’s mountains or beaches on The Dyrt.

Map showing campgrounds in MarylandExplore the Map

Best Equestrian Sites in Maryland (15)

    The Dyrt's photo of camping with a horse at Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore near Assateague Island National Seashore, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore near Assateague Island National Seashore, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore near Assateague Island National Seashore, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore near Assateague Island National Seashore, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore near Assateague Island National Seashore, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore near Assateague Island National Seashore, MD

    1. Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore

    55 Reviews
    •209 Photos•
    136 Saves
    Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland

    Overview

    Assateague Island National Seashore is a 37-mile long barrier island on the Atlantic Coast of Maryland and Virginia. Famed for its wild horses, this barrier island is a constantly shifting ribbon of sand, altered daily by powerful wind and waves. Assateague Island, dedicated as a National Seashore on September 1, 1965, lays claim to a long and rich history. Today's visitors can explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests, and coastal bays. Only a couple of miles wide at its broadest point, the island's terrain offers shelter to the famed wild horses as well as sika deer, ghost crabs, and migrating birds such as the great blue heron and snowy egret. Favorite recreational activites include fishing, surfing, beachcombing, swimming, and sunbathing. The Over-Sand Vehicle (OSV) Zone at Assateague Island contains miles of unspoiled beaches managed by the National Park Service to accommodate OSV enthusiasts and other beach goers. The Assateague Island National Seashore, Assateague State Park, and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge work together to manage and protect this unique, diverse strip of land. For more information visit the Assateague Island National Seashore website .

    Recreation

    Activities are abundant on the island, with both crabbing and clamming as well as a long stretch of beach for swimming, kayaking and fishing.

    Natural Features

    Assateague Island, famed for its wild horses, lies off the Delmarva Peninsula on the Atlantic Coast. This barrier island is a constantly shifting ribbon of sand, altered daily by powerful wind and waves. The Assateague Island National Seashore, Assateague State Park, and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge each manage and protect this unique, diverse strip of land. For more information visit the Assateague Island National Seashore website .

    Nearby Attractions

    Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge offers a 14,000-acre wildlife preserve located at the southern end of Assateague Island. To the north, Assateague State Park features two miles of pristine ocean beaches. Ocean City, Maryland is only about 10 miles away with a 2.5 mile long boardwalk filled with shops, restaurants, and a wide variety of entertainment options. The historic town of Berlin is about 10 miles west of Assateague, offering many shops and restaurants.

    Charges & Cancellations

    Cancellations/Modifications: Customers can modify/cancel reservations starting 18 days after the reservation was made. Customers cancelling a reservation will be charged a $10.00 service fee. Customers wishing to modify a reservation can do so online or over the phone with Recreation.gov and may be subject to a $10.00 service fee. Late Cancellations: Customers who cancel a reservation the day before or the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first nights use fee. Cancellations for a 1-night stay will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to the additional service fee. Early Departures: Customers wishing to early depart before 11am can receive a refund for that night and subsequent nights provided they are off the campsite completely by 11am. Customers wishing to early depart after 11am can receive a refund for subsequent days, but will not get a refund for the current night. ANY early departure requires that you stop at the Ranger Station to check out with the rangers or no refunds will be given. (See Need to Know)

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs
    • Tents

    $40 - $80 / night

    Tom C.'s photo of camping with a horse at Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground near Assateague Island National Seashore, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground near Assateague Island National Seashore, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground near Assateague Island National Seashore, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground near Assateague Island National Seashore, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground near Assateague Island National Seashore, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground near Assateague Island National Seashore, MD

    2. Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground

    39 Reviews
    •173 Photos•
    295 Saves
    Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland

    Oceanside Drive-in: Tents, trailers and recreational vehicles (no hookups). Sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Sites are $30 per night. Oceanside Walk-in: Tent-only sites, located 100-200 feet from centralized parking areas. Sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Sites are $30 per night. Walk-in sites are closed from November 16 through March 14.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • RVs

    $40 / night

    Camper-submitted photo at Tuckahoe State Park Campground near Ridgely, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Tuckahoe State Park Campground near Ridgely, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Tuckahoe State Park Campground near Ridgely, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Tuckahoe State Park Campground near Ridgely, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Tuckahoe State Park Campground near Ridgely, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Tuckahoe State Park Campground near Ridgely, MD

    3. Tuckahoe State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    •122 Photos•
    146 Saves
    Ridgely, Maryland

    Tuckahoe Creek, a quiet country stream bordered for most of its length by wooded marshlands, runs through the length of the park. A 60-acre lake offers boating and fishing.

    The park has 20 miles of scenic hiking, biking and equestrian trails, flat water canoeing, hunting, picnicking, as well as a recycled tire playground for children.

    Activities include day camps, canoe trips, Scales & Tales presentations and displays. Each weekend, Memorial Day through Labor Day, park staff offer a number of free family activities. Check out flyers posted throughout the park or call the park office for more details.

    Accessible picnic areas, visitors' center, playgrounds, restrooms, campground facilities, and hunting areas are very popular.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $21 - $70 / night

    Mike J.'s photo of camping with a horse at Sun Outdoors Frontier Town near Berlin, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Sun Outdoors Frontier Town near Berlin, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Sun Outdoors Frontier Town near Berlin, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Sun Outdoors Frontier Town near Berlin, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Sun Outdoors Frontier Town near Berlin, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Sun Outdoors Frontier Town near Berlin, MD

    4. Sun Outdoors Frontier Town

    27 Reviews
    •37 Photos•
    165 Saves
    Berlin, Maryland

    Located along the beautiful Sinepuxent Bay just five miles from Ocean City, Sun Outdoors Frontier Town (formerly Frontier Town Campround) offers an award-winning camping experience that the whole family will love! Choose from nearly 600 campsites and enjoy all the amenities we have right on site!

    Relax on the Lazy River winding through the Water Park while the kids race down the waterslides. Play 18 holes of Miniature Golf amongst a peaceful setting of waterfalls and shade trees. Take a step back in time at the Western Experience, featuring our classic Wild West Shows and Native American Village. And keep in mind, we have plenty of camper-only deals! If you stay with us during peak season, you’ll receive FREE access to the Water Park and Western Theme Park.

    Prefer things a bit more leisurely? Head bayside to the 200-foot-long fishing pier. Go for a kayak tour or fishing charter. Take part in our planned activities. Visit the arcade and gift shop. Stroll along the nature trails. We even havetwo dog parks for your furry family members to enjoy! And if you forget something or need a meal away from the campfire, our fully-stocked camp store, full-service restaurant and bar, and ice cream parlor are sure to fix you right up.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo at Martinak State Park Campground near Denton, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Martinak State Park Campground near Denton, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Martinak State Park Campground near Denton, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Martinak State Park Campground near Denton, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Martinak State Park Campground near Denton, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Martinak State Park Campground near Denton, MD

    5. Martinak State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    •190 Photos•
    94 Saves
    Denton, Maryland
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $18 - $77 / night

    Candace and Sean B.'s photo of camping with a horse at Cedarville State Forest near Brandywine, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Cedarville State Forest near Brandywine, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Cedarville State Forest near Brandywine, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Cedarville State Forest near Brandywine, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Cedarville State Forest near Brandywine, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Cedarville State Forest near Brandywine, MD

    6. Cedarville State Forest

    17 Reviews
    •56 Photos•
    101 Saves
    Brandywine, Maryland

    The lat/long on The Dyrt were updated 5/5/2022 to reflect what the State Forest site says is the CORRECT way to get into this campground.

    Equestrian Camping

    Campsites are primitive and a bathhouse is located in the center of the equestrian/special events camping loop. Equestrian Camping is roughly $30.00 per night per campsite. Make a reservation by calling 1-888-432-2267 (M-F 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) or online during the camping season (April through October).​ A horse is required to stay in this campground.​ Youth Group Camping

    Youth group passes are honored. Youth group camping reservations can only be made by calling the Maryland Park Service Reservation Service at 1-888-432-2267 Make future reservations by calling 1-888-432-2267 or online. The Maryland Park Service reserves the right to restrict the maximum and minimum number of vehicles and individuals admitted under one youth group pass per visit.

    Check out a map of the youth group and special event loops.

    Family Camping

    Family camping is available from April to October. Walk-ins are not permitted in office; same day reservations are made by calling 1-888-432-2267 (M-F 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) or online (24/7). ​

    Check out a map of the Family Camping Area.​
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $30 / night

    Camper-submitted photo at Big Run State Park Campground near Bloomington, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Big Run State Park Campground near Bloomington, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Big Run State Park Campground near Bloomington, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Big Run State Park Campground near Bloomington, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Big Run State Park Campground near Bloomington, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Big Run State Park Campground near Bloomington, MD

    7. Big Run State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    •9 Photos•
    85 Saves
    Bloomington, Maryland
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • Tents
    • Group

    $10 - $55 / night

    Camper-submitted photo at Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area near Newark, MD

    8. Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area

    2 Reviews
    •
    6 Saves
    Newark, Maryland

    This is for equestrian camping (reservation only) and youth groups.

    • Equestrian
    Camper-submitted photo at Camp Meade RV Park near Odenton, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Camp Meade RV Park near Odenton, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Camp Meade RV Park near Odenton, MD

    9. Camp Meade RV Park

    2 Reviews
    •2 Photos•
    31 Saves
    Odenton, Maryland
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo at EA Vaughn Wildlife Management Area near Girdletree, MD

    10. EA Vaughn Wildlife Management Area

    1 Review
    •
    13 Saves
    Girdletree, Maryland

    A primitive camping area is available for overnight stays. Anglers can bottom fish for sea trout, croaker, spot, flounder or bluefish. Crabbing is also possible.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Equestrian
Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 15 campgrounds

Recent Equestrian Reviews in Maryland

208 Reviews of 15 Maryland Campgrounds

  • Maddi P.
    Camper-submitted photo from Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground
    Sep. 8, 2018

    Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground

    Must see!

    I spent 5 days 4 nights on the shore of Assateague. As an equestrian this was a once in a lifetime adventure. Feral chincoteague ponies everywhere you look! Both towns of chincoteague and assatesgue lean into the horse craze, they have equestrian stores, riding barns, and horse museums just about everywhere you look. During the summer there is an annual “pony swim” where the wild ponies are rounded up and swam from one island to another so they can be sold. I cannot speak from experience but from what I learned from locals this event brings in over 50,000 people. You will need to plan around this if you wish to avoid crowds, although this location seems to be heavily populated all year round, don’t let that discourage you.

    Side note- the crabbing is amazing among the local marshes!

  • B
    Camper-submitted photo from Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground
    Apr. 1, 2017

    Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground

    Best Beach Camping in Maryland

    Wild horses, wide, clean stretches of beach, safe surroundings, close to town. This is the best beach camping in all of Maryland. Pros:

    • the beach is wide with plenty of room to stretch out and is much cleaner than that of OC and surrounding beach areas
    • the wild horses walk right up to your site!
    • almost glamping- water pumps, outhouses, showers on each loop- much appreciated after days of sand, sun, and sweat
    • pet friendly
    • fire rings at each site, bonfires on the beach

    Cons:

    • it's expensive! Sites average $30 per night AND each car is $20 to enter the park
    • reservations are practically mandatory- they book fast with little vacancy
    • this is a barrier island- mosquitos are legit. Bring bug spray with DEET. You should also expect little protection from the sun, so a canopy shelter may be helpful
    • lack of privacy- each site is only several feet from the next. Take a look at the map and book large group sites or several in a loop together for friends
  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground
    Oct. 23, 2023

    Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground

    Wild Horses by the Seashore

    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.

    We chose a campsite that did not require hiking onto the sand to reach. This made setting up camp much easier as no carrying was involved. We were early enough in the seasons that the mosquitoes hadn't kicked in yet, so it was an enjoyable stay. 

    The restroom facilities are primitive. with a dump toilet, and exterior showers with warmish water. To turn on the shower water, one has to hold down a line to get it to run.

    There was a good mix of tents and a variation of camper trailers on both the oceanside and bayside camp areas. The camper trailers are boondocking as no hookups are offered at this campground.

    I find the restrooms on the bayside to be better, but in the warmer months, be prepared for lots of mosquitoes in that area.

    The horses do their rounds in the morning for breakfast and in the evenings for dinner. DO NOT FEED THE HORSES  ! They are rather aggressive and persistent. KEEP ALL FOOD LOCKED UP IN YOUR CAR! They are Houdini's and have no trouble opening up any types of coolers with either their mouths or their hooves. There is a storage cubby below the picnic table - use it. 

    The best way to shoo them away from your campsite is to bring a metal water bottle with small rocks in it. Shake it at them and they know to move along. It's what the rangers use to get them to move.

    To reserve use recreation.gov

  • Joe B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Horse Camp
    Jul. 30, 2019

    Horse Camp

    All part of the bigger camp

    Beautiful scenery, love the wild horses. Just be careful opening the door, I've been greeted by a few horses!

  • V
    Camper-submitted photo from Tuckahoe State Park Campground
    Sep. 16, 2024

    Tuckahoe State Park Campground

    A Gem of a State Park

    We were looking to explore Maryland's Eastern Shore and picked Tuckaho because they had electric sites available. We were so pleased with our stay. The campground is well maintained and the sites are great. We have a small travel trailer and our site was pretty level and nicely private. We backed up to a hiking trail which was nice. There's lots to do here. There's a disc golf course and the camp store has discs available to use. We've never played before but had a blast learning, now we're hooked. We also enjoyed kayaking on the lake. If you enjoy birding this park is great, we saw so many cool birds. There's an arboretum and horse riding trails. We will definitely be going back!

  • D
    Camper-submitted photo from Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground
    Jun. 19, 2016

    Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground

    Horse Camp

    Great being able to take your horse and ride the beach. Great camping, riding, fishing or just walking the beach and there is wildlife of all kind. The wild horses are all over the island and have on occasion come into the campsite. Weather can be really really cold or really nice in November. (personal horses only allowed to camp on the island from Oct to April 14.) Great place to visit.

  • Wendy W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Tuckahoe State Park Campground
    Jul. 4, 2020

    Tuckahoe State Park Campground

    Perfect First Family Camping Trip

    Tuckahoe is a hidden gem on Maryland’s mid-Eastern Shore region. With many of your standard amenities and a quiet atmosphere, it was a great spot for my first time camping with my kids.

    Our campsite was on the non-electric loop. We had a small creek and trail back up to our campsite. We only had a handful of neighbors and foot traffic at the time was almost nonexistent, so we practically had the park to ourselves.

    There is an electric loop with electric hookup, but no water or sewer. Those can be found at the campground entrance. Each loop has a wood shed and clean, well-appointed bathhouse. There are water pumps along the road for refills.

    There are 4 basic cabins on each loop and most sites are designed for RV and/or tent use. There are 3 sites that are tent-only on the non-electric loop.

    Multiple trails in the area are widespread. Wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring a map! They also have equestrian trails with an equestrian center nearby. The lakefront boasts a picnic area with individual tables and grills, recycled tire playground, and kayak rentals (for a fee). Fishing is allowed, but no swimming (which was a bummer for us, but exploring some of the local creeks helped provide some relief from the summer heat).

    Nearby is Atkins Arboretum. Their 5 mile trail system covers around 400 acres. There are woods, “grasslands,” and “wetlands” to explore the various ecosystems of the Eastern Shore. They also had a goat area and garden play area for children. There is a fee through the Visitor’s Center which supports the center, but some of the trails can be accessed via other Tuckahoe trails.

    Centrally located, you’re still within easy access to a local town center (Denton), supplies, and dining. I can’t recommend Tuckahoe enough if you just want a quiet spot or you’re new to camping!

  • R
    Camper-submitted photo from Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore
    Aug. 29, 2018

    Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore

    Up close and personal!

    This campsite is like no other I’ve ever been to. 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. If a crowded beach is not your thing, it gets less crowded as you walk away from the boardwalk. Please be kind to the horses and if you see an injured one, let the Park Rangers know immediately.

  • A
    Camper-submitted photo from Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground
    May. 1, 2021

    Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground

    Wild, Windy & Sandy- As Expected!

    We camped in the walk-in sites toward the end (south side) of the ocean side sites. You park along side the road and walk on a boardwalk to your site. Depending on site, you will have to walk on sand to get there as well. Bring a beach wagon!

    Toilets are vault and showers are cold water beach showers (not full closure- open on the bottom) which would be fine in the summer but were a bit chilly when we went on a cool few days in April.

    No dish washing station- to be expected- but we witnessed a few pple washing dishes under the water source and dumping there - making for a large puddle of gross water- not cool.

    Some sites are on the beach, and you can position your tent to be on the dune looking at the water- some are inland a bit more but still a very short walk to the beach. Some you camp on sand (obviously) some of the inland sites have intermittent grass. I’ve heard bugs are bad in warmer months (naturally)- no mosquitos when we were there in April.

    We drove through the bay side camp sites and these looked great too- the calm-watered bay side looked nice for wading & playing for small kids. There is some shade here vs none in ocean side. It’s a short walk or drive to the ocean.

    BRING STAKES FOR SAND AND GUY YOUR TENT. I witnessed many collapsed tents while I was there. One sun shade that flew away.

    Wild horses = piles of horse poop everywhere. Wasn’t a problem, just walk around them. Keep snacks in a locked cooler. The horses came for my 3 yo who was eating snacks while loading up the car. They aren’t messing around!

    We saw many horses on ocean side & bay side. Watch out for a brown pony named Chip. The rangers & volunteers were very friendly & great at keeping tabs on the horses.

    The beach shack store across from the ranger station near the entrance offered a surprisingly large selection of items.

  • Lauren S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore
    Jul. 28, 2020

    Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore

    The horses running on the beach are a sight to see

    There are two sides. Bay and Ocean I reserved a drive in ocean front site just over the dunes. No showers, just toilets. The horses do run through the camp and on the beach so be sure to lock up your coolers. Some people in the site across from me had some uninvited guests while grilling. The horse fly bites are painful. Mosquitoes as usual-annoying. Invest in good repellents. Windy. Had to use guy lines on tent to keep from blowing over. I went in June and it was hot even with the ocean breeze. Dogs are allowed on the beach and in campsites but not on the trails. Don’t forget fly repellent for them!

  • Melissa C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground
    Feb. 12, 2017

    Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground

    Come for the wild horses, stay for the rest of the wildlife

    Many people do not realize there is a wide array of wildlife on Assateague because everyone is so obsessed with the horses. Specifically the birding on Assateague is phenomenal. Oceanside camping is very neat, but it fills up fast. The sites are close to bathrooms (I believe the national side has pit latrines). There are also showers, albeit cold. The sites are a decent size but be advised, they are completely sandy. You WILL get sand everywhere and it is unavoidable. Expect it so it does not put a dent in how wonderful the trip will be. The Oceanside sites are a dune away from the beach. Use the walkways to gain access to the beach as the dunes are protected and you will get fined for taking a shortcut. As many of the reviews advise, there are mosquitos. A lot of them. There are also biting horse flies. However catch the island on a breezy day and the breeze takes care of them. One of the best parts about Assateague is all of the activities you can do. There are bike paths, kayak rentals on the bayside, bay fishing, ocean fishing, crabbing, etc. The worst part about Assateague are all of the tourists who stop in the middle of the road to view the horses, blocking traffic and causing back ups.

  • Tom C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore
    May. 4, 2017

    Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore

    Bayside - Assategue National Park.

    For hardcore campers!! I accidentally booked the bayside campsite vs the seaside campsite and we had a very tough time. We have been camping here on and off for the past 10 years on the Seaside and it is one of my favorite beach camp sites but stay away from the bayside campsite on the bayside.

    The biggest problem for us was there was absolutely no breeze or wind on the bayside, The camping spots are in a wooded area so you do get plenty of shade but the trees block any wind blowing in from the ocean. No breeze or wind means dealing with tons of flying biting insects...constantly. And I mean lots and lots of horse flies.

    And for some reason I think the wild horses are more active and more aggressive on the bayside vs when camping on the beach, just my personal experience. Our camp was raided every every night and day, even when we had horse proofed all our food and our campsite. I ended up storing all our food in our tents inside lockable bins.

    Most of the people I saw camping on the bayside had RV, which is the only way I would come back to the bayside.

    Read my other review for seaside assategue camping for some helpful tips.

  • Wendy W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore
    Sep. 21, 2020

    Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore

    Bugs, Wind, and Horses Overshadowed EVERYTHING

    I was really looking forward to this trip. We stayed on the Bayside of the campground. Our site was close to the bathhouse, which was modest with cold water and vault toilets. Fresh water pump was nearby, as well.

    Based on the reviews, I was expecting a beach camp out with the ambience of wild horses running along the shore. Sand between our toes. Fire cooked meals. Idyllic... Sadly, that’s not at all what we got.

    We arrived late to meet some friends before setting up camp. We were supposed to have dinner with the them. But dinner was delayed — VERY delayed — because of horses. A small herd of them (around 8) decided to hangout in our campsite waiting for their meal. This meant we couldn’t get ours. As soon as any food would come into ‘nose-shot,’ they would start advancing on us. We waited over an hour for them to lose interest and move on to the next site. We went through this for every meal. It became a real hassle.

    It’s obvious other campers have not been so responsible with their food in this area. The standard is to hide all food as soon as you see the horses. This mean storing anything with a scent in your closed vehicle or in the “horse box” under the picnic table. With the way they would wait for us to pull food out, it was very apparent other campers allowed them to have a free-for-all previously. And no amount of noise shooed them off. If anything, it made them more aggressive and we had to watch them closely.

    A little while later, we finally settled in and set up camp after having our “dinner” in the confines of our car. Dinner was snacks since we couldn’t cook anything. Placing anything on the fire or stove was like a beacon to the horses.

    The next problem we encountered was the mosquitoes — they were everywhere and in hoards. No matter how hard you tried, there’s no keeping them out of the tent. We left a day later covered in bumps, most from throughout the night.

    One good thing was the cooler temps meant no horseflies. On a previous beach trip, we were swarmed and covered in bites within minutes of exiting our car. Be prepared because bug spray does very little.

    Let’s also not forget the “stickers” — little burr-like plant pods that are all on the ground and stuck to anything and everything, especially skin. These stung bad.

    Once settled in for the night, we dealt with the wind flapping the tent pretty wildly at times, horses neighing almost constantly and coming awfully close, and two raccoons fighting on the edge of our tent. A restful night was not in the cards there.

    The only good thing was the location. We were a short walk away from the beach. The kids and I at least enjoyed that part.

    I was beyond disappointed and cancelled my upcoming trip for the following month as soon as I got home. I don’t know if the experience was different Oceanside, but i will never be staying Bayside again.

Guide to Maryland

Horse camping in Maryland offers a unique experience for equestrian enthusiasts, combining beautiful landscapes with facilities tailored for both riders and their horses.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like spacious sites and water access

Equestrian campers enjoy these nearby activities

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • Camp Meade RV Park features electric hookups and spacious sites, ensuring comfort for both horses and their owners.
  • EA Vaughn Wildlife Management Area allows for a more rustic experience, with plenty of open space for horses to roam.
  • Sun Outdoors Frontier Town provides a family-friendly atmosphere with amenities that cater to horse campers, including easy access to trails and riding areas.

Keep Exploring