Maryland has so much to offer for summer campers. You can stay along the ocean or camp on the beach next to the calmer Chesapeake Bay. Are you an avid hiker? Then you are probably going to hike a length of the Appalachian Trail. There are campsites situated along the trail for backcountry camping. Maybe you want more of a resort feel, there is a campground in Maryland that even has a waterfront Tiki Bar! Here are the 5 best places to camp in Maryland this summer!
1) Sun Outdoors Ocean City Beachside RV Park
Right on the beach of the bay, Sun Outdoors Ocean City RV park has all the amenities you can image. There is also a dog beach for your pet to enjoy!
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I’m not sure it qualifies as camping if there is a waterfront Tiki Bar, but that is what you will find at Sun Outdoors Ocean City RV park. Located on the bay, there are RV sites, Tent sites and cottages to rent. The campground really is like a resort with a swimming pool, splash pad, mini golf, camp store, restaurant, bar and more. You can rent jet skis, kayaks and stand up paddle boards on site. The campground is very pet friendly and even has a dog beach where your dog can swim with its friends. Definitely one of the best places to camp in Maryland this summer!
| Location | Bayside, near Ocean City |
| Nearest City | Berlin, MD |
| RV Sites | Yes, full hookups, electric, water, picnic table, Wi-Fi, cable |
| Tent Sites | Yes, electric, water, picnic table, grill, fire pit |
| Cottages | Yes, fully furnished cottages with 1-3 bedrooms, kitchen, private bath, etc. |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, showers, laundry, swimming pool, restaurant, bar, jet ski/boat rentals, fishing pier |
| Pet Friendly | Yes, very friendly, dog park and dog beach! |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Resort-like camping right on the bay! |
2) Assateague State Park
Visit Assateague Island where a group of wild ponies roams the beaches. You can camp directly on the sandy beach at the Assateague National Seashore Park.
©Dennis W Donohue/Shutterstock.com
For something a little more close to nature you can camp on the beach at Assateague National Seashore Park. Choose sites on the bay side or the ocean side. There are 342 sites with some for RV’s and others just for tent camping. All the sites have picnic tables and fire rings. Imagine climbing out of your tent, putting your toes right in the sandy beach. There are multiple sites directly on the beach. This stretch of Maryland is famous for the wild ponies that roam the beach and area, so it is highly likely that you will run into at least one. Enjoy swimming, boating and fishing for flounder, bluefish, striped bass, kingfish and drum.
| Location | On Assateague Island |
| Nearest City | Berlin, MD |
| RV/Tent Sites | 342, one loop with electric hookup, no water or sewer hookups |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, one loop with electric hookup |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Camping directly on the sandy beach and possibly waking up to a pony outside your tent! |
3) Cunningham Falls State Park
After hiking to Cunningham Falls settle in at your campsite for a fire and some s’mores.
©iStock.com/Dmytro Aslanian
There are two areas to camp if you are visiting the beautiful Cunningham Falls. The William Houck Campground has RV sites, tent sites and 8 Mini-cabins. The Manor Area Campground has RV and Tent sites and you can also rent an RV or camper and they will have it set up for when you arrive! The main attraction is the beautiful Cunningham Falls which you can hike to for some amazing views.
If you stay at the William Houck campground you will have access to a sandy beach on Hunting Creek Lake. It is also a fine lake for fishing for bass, crappie, bluegills and red ear sunfish. Casting a line may bring in some 5-6 pound largemouth bass! The Manor Area Campground is near the Catoctin Furnace living history village. Step back in time to see the Museum of the Ironworker and experience what it was like in this pre-revolution village!
| 1)William Houck Area Campground | |
| Location | In Cunningham Falls State Park in the Catoctin Mountains, 3 miles west of Thurmont |
| Nearest City | Thurmont, MD |
| RV/Tent Sites | 106 basic sites, 23’ x 23’ stone dust pad, picnic table, fire ring, lantern post |
| Electric Sites | 36 electric sites with 23’ x 23’ stone dust pad, picnic table, fire ring, lantern post |
| Mini cabin 4-person | 4 |
| Mini cabin 6-person | 4 |
| RV or camper rental | Yes, you can rent an RV or camper and they will have it set up for you on arrival |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, bathhouses, water fill-up, Dump station at exit |
| Pet Friendly | Yes, certain loops |
| Reservations | Yes, open April-October |
| What makes it one of the best | Lake access for awesome summer swims, right onsite for hiking to the waterfall. |
| 2) Manor Area Campground | |
| Location | In Cunningham Falls State Park in the Catoctin Mountains, 3 miles south of Thurmont |
| Nearest City | Thurmont, MD |
| RV/Tent Sites | 21 basic sites |
| Electric sites | 10 electric sites |
| RV or camper rental and set up | Yes, you can rent an RV or camper and they will have it set up for you on arrival |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, bathhouse, hot showers |
| Pet Friendly | Yes, the whole campground |
| Reservations | Yes, open April-December |
| What makes it one of the best | Right next to the Catoctin Furnace living history village! |
4) Backcountry Camping Along the Appalachian Trail
There are multiple spots all along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail for backcountry camping. 40 miles of the trail is in Maryland.
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One of the best places to camp in Maryland is along the Appalachian Trail. The trail is a 2,168 miles trail that goes from Maine all the way down to Georgia. It covers 40 miles through Maryland, and the trek is considered fairly easy. You can hike a portion of it as a day hike or take a 4-5 day adventure to cover the 40 mile distance in Maryland. There are backcountry campsites along the trail, spaced about a days-hike in between. Campsites will be primitive, some with just a cleared tent area, but visit the website before heading out to plan the best trip. Be prepares to see some white-tail deer, squirrels and porcupine. The dangerous animals to be wary of are Black Bears, copperhead snakes and Timber rattlers.
| Location | Along the Appalachian Trail |
| Nearest City | Multiple towns along the way |
| RV Sites | No |
| Tent Sites | Yes |
| Picnic Tables at each site | No |
| Fire Pit at each site | Some |
| Amenities | None to vault toilets |
| Pet Friendly | No |
| Reservations | No |
| What makes it one of the best | The freedom of hiking the Appalachian trail and connecting with nature! |
5) Bayshore Campground
The Bayshore Campground is one of the best places to camp in Maryland this summer because of the amazing views of the Chesapeake Bay.
©Keri Delaney/Shutterstock.com
This waterfront campground is located on the Eastern Shore of Rock Hall Maryland. Because it is one story above the sea level it offers scenic views of the Chesapeake Bay. It has 35 waterview sites and 130 total sites with restrooms and a bathhouse with showers. Some of the sites are full hookup with 30 or 50 amp electric. There is a volleyball court, basketball court and playground. Bring your fishing gear because there are two stocked catch and release fishing ponds.
Just three miles south is the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge where you might be lucky enough to see a young bald eagle just learning to fly. Near the end of the summer, in August you may see the osprey starting to head south for the winter. Back at the campground be sure to have a campfire going around sunset. What makes Bayshore Campground one of the best places to camp in Maryland this summer is the amazing sunsets over the bay. Sit back and relax for a great camping experience.
| Location | Overlooking the Chesapeake Bay |
| Nearest City | Rock Hall, MD |
| RV Sites and Tent Sites | 130 total sites, some with 30 or 50 amp electric |
| Waterview Sites | 35 sites |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, bathhouse, hot showers, |
| Pet Friendly | Yes, dog park as well |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Sitting at your campfire watching the sunset over the Chesapeake Bay! |
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Dennis W Donohue/Shutterstock.com
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