The beautiful boating water, the otherworldly swarms of blue crabs and the sun-drenched seashores makes Maryland a paradise for backpackers. The diverse nature of the state’s landscape truly makes it a unique experience for anyone who camps here for the night or two!

The western part of the state takes outdoor thrill seekers and adventurous individuals to a whole new level of excitement! The rugged mountain trails and the rapids are open for scaling all year round. Tradition and trails go hand in hand in the mountainous side of the state making it a dream come true for hikers and campers alike!

The central part of the state is known for horse camping trails and sites that take the average camper back to the good old days. The relaxing getaways are rich in history and tradition that offers tons of river-born recreational activities to the guests. These sites attract mostly families looking for some good time amidst Mother Nature. The southern part of the state is ideal for seafood lovers and sightseers.

So, do you feel like you had enough, or do you want to know more about the best-camping destinations in Maryland!? If your answer is the latter, sit back and read through the list for some in-depth insight about Maryland’s best campgrounds.

  1. Assateague Island National Seashore (Oceanside Walk-in Campground)

At first glance, it may seem like that after venturing into the Assateague Island National Seashore, you can call it a day. But that is not the case; the adventure only begins after this! All you need to do is head over to the Oceanside Walk-in Campground with your gang or family. This is a tent only campground that hosts 60 camping sites all located within 200 feet of the parking area!

The campground is managed and run by the state authorities. The campground is available to its guests on a first come first basis.

Best Time to Visit:

Activities Facilities
  1. Biking
  2. Fishing
  3. Paddling
  4. OHV
  5. Surfing
  6. Swimming
  7. Whitewater paddling
  8. Wildlife watching
  1. Toilets
  2. Showers
  3. Picnic table
  4. RV sanitation
  5. Access to potable water
  6. Fire Pits
  7. Pet-friendly sites

Location Details

7206 National Seashore Ln, Berlin, MD 21811, USA

Phone: +1 410-641-1441

  1. Assateague Island Backcountry Campground (Assateague Island National Seashore)

Camping on the beach is a unique experience all by itself! Backcountry beach camping!? Now that’s a different story altogether! One can arrive at this campground by hiking along the water’s edge for about 2 to 13 miles. You could also paddle in if you like!

The marshy, idyllic setting of this sand barrier island campground makes it all the more interesting! The island also hosts herds of wild horses and plays host to a single camping site made available only for tent camping!

Best Time to Visit:

Activities Facilities
  1. Biking
  2. Fishing
  3. Paddling
  4. OHV
  5. Surfing
  6. Swimming
  7. Whitewater paddling
  8. Wildlife watching
  1. Picnic table
  2. Fire Pits

Location Details:

7206 National Seashore Ln, Berlin, MD 21811, USA

Phone: 410-641-1441

  1. Owens Creek Campground (Catoctin Mountain Park)

An ideal destination for classic camping Americano style! The Owens Creek Campground is located within the safe enclosure of the Catoctin National Park. During the spring season, the area becomes filled with blooming wildflowers that radically transforms the look of the campground!

Come here and pitching your tent during the fall, its what the officials would recommend! The sudden explosion of color would surely blow your mind to smithereens! It is a family-friendly site that hosts 50 camping sites with accommodations available for tent, vehicle and RV camping.

Best Time to Visit:

Activities Facilities
  1. Biking
  2. Fishing
  3. Hiking
  4. Horseback riding
  5. Climbing
  6. Snow sports
  7. Wildlife watching
  1. Toilets
  2. Showers
  3. Picnic table
  4. Access to potable water
  5. Pet-friendly camping sites
  6. Fire Pits

Location Details:

14707 Park Central Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788, USA

Phone: +1 301-663-9388

  1. Cunningham Falls State Park Campground

The Cunningham Falls State Park Campground is the most beautiful place for camping amidst nature and all of her wonders! The campground offers both primitive style and ultra modern camping sites to the guests that ensure a comfortable stay! The campground hosts 171 camping sites made available to the guests via reservations.

Best Time to Visit:

Activities Facilities
  1. Boating
  2. Fishing
  3. Hiking
  4. Horseback riding
  5. Paddling
  6. Swimming
  7. Whitewater paddling
  1. Picnic table
  2. Pet-friendly camping sites
  3. Fire Pits

Location Details:

12698 Catoctin Furnace Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788, USA

Phone: +1 301-271-7574

  1. Elk Neck State Park Campground

The Elk Neck State Park Campground is famous for its spectacular views, sandy beaches and lots of flora and fauna! It is a campground that is an ideal destination for that boating and angling sessions. The hiking trails and the Turkey Point Lighthouse are the unique features of the campground.

It is a campground that hosts 254 camping sites with accommodations available for RV camping, tent, and vehicle camping. Camping cabins and lodges are also available for family campers.

Best Time to Visit:

Activities Facilities
  1. Boating
  2. Fishing
  3. Hiking
  4. Paddling
  5. Swimming
  6. Whitewater paddling
  1. Toilets
  2. Showers
  3. Picnic table
  4. RV sanitation
  5. Access to potable water
  6. Fire Pits
  7. Pet-friendly sites

Location Details:

4395 Turkey Point Rd, North East, MD 21901, USA

Phone: +1 410-287-5333

  1. Bayside Drive-in Campground (Assateague Island National Seashore)

The Bayside Drive-in Campground hosts 47 camping sites and is an ideal destination for extracurricular activities. Professional and trained lifeguards overlook the beaches. The outdoor activities in the campground include kayaking and biking along the biking trails filled with wet patches.

The campground is located within the Assateague Island National Seashore and is the dream destination for seafood lovers. It is a state run campground that offers accommodations for tent, vehicle, and RV camping.

Best Time to Visit:

Activities Facilities
  1. Biking
  2. Fishing
  3. Paddling
  4. OHV
  5. Surfing
  6. Swimming
  7. Whitewater paddling
  8. Wildlife watching
  1. Toilets
  2. Showers
  3. Picnic table
  4. RV sanitation
  5. Access to potable water
  6. Pet-friendly sites
  7. Fire Pits

Location Details:

7206 National Seashore Ln, Berlin, MD 21811, USA

Phone: +1 410-641-1441

  1. Assateague Island Group Camp (Assateague Island National Seashore)

The Assateague Island Group Camp is popular for it 5 tent only group camping sites.  The camping sites are available to backpackers via advanced reservations. The beaches here at the campground are overlooked by trained professionals 24/7 available at their posts. All of the camping sites are located mere 200 feet away from the parking area, therefore, hauling the heavy camping equipment won’t be an issue.

Best Time to Visit:

Activities Facilities
  1. Biking
  2. Fishing
  3. Paddling
  4. OHV
  5. Surfing
  6. Swimming
  7. Whitewater paddling
  8. Wildlife watching
  1. Toilets
  2. Showers
  3. Picnic table
  4. RV sanitation
  5. Access to potable water
  6. Fire Pits
  7. Pet-friendly camping sites

Location Details:

7206 National Seashore Ln, Berlin, MD 21811, USA

Phone: 410-641-1441

  1. Janes Island State Park Campground

The Daugherty Creek separates the Janes Island State Park Campground. The campground hosts 110 camping sites with accommodations available for tent, vehicle and RV camping. Located within the namesake state park, the campground is hot news for campsite hunting sessions of fresh crustaceans and fishes. Accommodations are also available in the form of camping cabins and lodges for families and group campers.

Best Time to Visit:

Activities Facilities
  1. Biking
  2. Boating
  3. Fishing
  4. Hiking
  5. Paddling
  6. Swimming
  7. Wildlife watching
  1. Toilets
  2. Showers
  3. Picnic table
  4. RV sanitation
  5. Fire Pits
  6. Access to potable water
  7. Pet-friendly camping sites

Location Details:

26280 Alfred J Lawson Dr, Crisfield, MD 21817, USA

Phone: +1 410-968-1565

  1. Smallwood State Park Campground

The Smallwood State Park Campground is known for its immersive range of outdoor activities and beautiful setting. All of the 23 camping sites hosted by the campground are equipped with modern amenities including electricity and sanitation hookups for RV campers.

For your information, the sites through 17 – 18 offer views of the creek, 16 – 19 are located beside water sources and site number 20 and 21 are just beside the entrance to the park. The state-run campground also hosts camping cabins and lodges made available to the guests via advanced reservations.

Best Time to Visit:

Activities Facilities
  1. Biking
  2. Boating
  3. Fishing
  4. Hiking
  5. Swimming
  1. Toilets
  2. Showers
  3. Picnic table
  4. RV sanitation
  5. Fire Pits
  6. Pet-friendly sites

Location Details:

2750 Sweden Point Rd, Marbury, MD 20658, USA

Phone: +1 301-743-7613

  1. Susquehanna State Park Campground

The Susequehanna State Park campground offers 71 camping sites with both primitive and fully developed settings. The campground is popular for its diverse ambiance that assures the campers won’t be leaving the campgrounds with dissatisfaction!

Campers can choose from two different categories of camping sites viz. the riverside sites or the ones by the bay. All of the camping sites is located in well-shaded areas of the namesake state park and is administered by the state authorities.

One can also take advantage of the camping cabins and lodges made available to the guests via advanced reservations.

Best Time to Visit:

Activities Facilities
  1. Biking
  2. Boating
  3. Fishing
  4. Hiking
  5. Horseback riding
  6. Paddling
  7. Climbing
  8. Snow sports
  9. Whitewater paddling
  10. Wildlife watching
  1. Toilets
  2. Picnic table
  3. Fire Pits
  4. Access to potable water
  5. Pet-friendly camping sites

Location Details:

Susquehanna Dr, Jersey Shore, PA 17740, USA

Phone: +1 570-398-0462

  1. Swallow Falls State Park (Swallow Falls Campground)

Located by the wild Youghiogheny River, the Swallow Falls Campground offers backpackers and campers a truly unique and spectacular view of the Swallow Falls. It is also the home to some impressive hiking trails that crisscross through the campground.

The campground hosts 63 camping sites, all of which are well shaded by the giant shadows of the hemlock trees while the rippling sound of the rapids, echoes in the night! The campground is managed and run by the state authorities with accommodations available for tent, vehicle, and RV camping. Accommodations are also available in the form of cabins and lodges via advanced reservations.

Best Time to Visit:

Activities Facilities
  1. Biking
  2. Boating
  3. Fishing
  4. Hiking
  5. Paddling
  6. Swimming
  1. Toilets
  2. Showers
  3. Picnic table
  4. RV sanitation
  5. Access to potable water
  6. Pet-friendly camping sites

Location Details:

2470 Maple Glade Rd, Oakland, MD 21550, USA

Phone: +1 301-387-6938

  1. Tuckahoe State Park Campground

The Tuckahoe State Park campground is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and budding ornithologists. The campground presents itself to the camper as the most diverse habitat that hosts plenty of flora and fauna. The state-run campground hosts 56 camping sites with accommodations available for tent, vehicle and RV camping.

Best Time to Visit:

Activities Facilities
  1. Biking
  2. Boating
  3. Fishing
  4. Hiking
  5. Horseback riding
  6. Paddling
  7. Climbing
  8. Swimming
  9. Wildlife watching
  1. Toilets
  2. Picnic table
  3. RV sanitation
  4. Access to potable
  5. Fire Pits
  6. Pet-friendly camping sites

Location Details:

2470 Maple Glade Rd, Oakland, MD 21550, USA

Phone: +1 301-387-6938

  1. Big Run State Park Campground

The Big Run State Park Campground is your dream destination for a solo escape. It is also ideal for families, friends and even a business retreat! The campground is located within the namesake state park and hosts 2 camping sites. Accommodations are available to the guests only for tent camping purposes.

It is highly recommended to visit the campground in the autumn season as the colorful foliage is sure to fill those eyes of yours with tears of joy and appreciation. The state-run campground also provides camping cabins and lodging services to the guests given they made advanced reservations!

Best Time to Visit:

Activities Facilities
  1. Biking
  2. Boating
  3. Fishing
  4. Hiking
  1. Toilets
  2. Picnic table
  3. Fire Pits
  4. Pet-friendly camping sites

Location Details:

10368 Savage River Rd, Swanton, MD 21561, USA

Phone: (301)895-5453

  1. Calvert Cliffs State Park Campground

One is sure to extend their stay after being here at the Calvert Cliffs State Park Campground. The campground hosts 5 camping sites with accommodations also available in the form of camping cabins and lodges.

The campground is popular for thrill seekers and the adventurous kind alike for the breathtaking cliffs and manicured hiking trails. The campground is administered and run by the state authorities with camping sites available to RV, tent and vehicle campers.

Best Time to Visit:

Activities Facilities
  1. Fishing
  2. Hiking
  3. Swimming
  4. Wildlife watching
  1. Toilets
  2. Showers
  3. Picnic table
  4. Fire Pits
  5. Access to potable water
  6. Pet-friendly camping sites

Location Details:

10540 HG Trueman Rd, Lusby, MD 20657, USA

Phone: +1 301-743-7613

  1. Cedarville State Forest Campground

Even the most introvert person is sure to change their way when they set foot in the Cedarville State Forest Campground. The campground plays host to 23 camping sites. All of the sites are fully equipped to handle large parties as well as small families with ease.

The campground is run and maintained by the state authorities and provides facilities for horse campers as well. Apart from that, tent, vehicle and RV campers also find it really accommodating here at the campground.

Best Time to Visit:

Activities Facilities
  1. Biking
  2. Fishing
  3. Hiking
  4. Horseback riding
  5. Wildlife watching
  1. Toilets
  2. Showers
  3. Picnic table
  4. RV sanitation
  5. Fire Pits
  6. Access to potable water

Location Details:

10201 Bee Oak Rd, Brandywine, MD 20613, USA

Phone: +1 301-888-1410

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