The Best Camping in Maryland

Did you know that Maryland offers over 2,000 campsites and 120 full-service cabins through the Maryland Park Service? Whether you’re a novice camper or a seasoned adventurer, Maryland has the perfect campsite for you.

When it comes to choosing the best camping spot in Maryland, there are several factors to consider, such as the duration of your stay, your planned activities, and your preferred scenery. In this guide, we’ll highlight some of the top tent camping locations in Maryland, focusing on inspiring landscapes and breathtaking views. So, if you’re ready for your next outdoor adventure, keep reading to discover some of the best camping Maryland has to offer.

Assateague State Park

Are you a fan of ponies?

What about . . . wild ponies? Because that’s one of the many sights you can expect to see at this notable state park. Make sure to bring your camera!

Assateague is Maryland’s one and only ocean-side park, which is also fantastic news for those water lovers. In addition to having sites right by the shores, you can also expect to see wild ponies roaming freely about the area.

This state park is on Assateague island and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Sinepuxent Bay on the other. The coastline extends two miles, providing ample room and opportunities for sunset strolls, swimming, surfing, fishing, and other water activities. There are also several secluded coves accessible by kayak or canoe, so be sure to bring your own or rent one there.

In addition to feral horses, you may also spot waterfowl (such as ducks, geese, and swans) and deer.

Point Lookout State Park

This park is located on a peninsula, bordered by the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River.

It also comes with some history—a camp that once resided there held up to 52,264 Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. This fact makes it an ideal location for history buffs, who can also visit the museum in the area which chronicles this time.

Point Lookout provides beaches that are perfect for beach combing or swimming (take note: no lifeguards on duty here), as well as a pier designed for fishing. Make sure to check the park’s status ahead of time to see what’s open and what’s not.

New Germany State Park

New Germany State Park is regularly referred to as Maryland’s “best-kept secret.”

Well, the secret’s out, and you can enjoy it! While everyone is at Assateague gazing at the ponies, you can be here, enjoying the privacy and seclusion underneath the towering trees.

This park is located smack-dab in the mountains, nestled between the massive, 2,900-foot Big Savage Mountain and the eastern section of the Continental Divide. Because of this location, you can expect to find quite the diverse offerings in terms of forests with no less than ten miles of trails for your hiking pleasure.

The area also has a small lake, but that’s all you’ll need to enjoy fishing, paddling in your canoe, or even swimming.

Keep in mind: this park is one of the few parks without cellphone service, so make sure to tell your friends or family when you’re planning to be here. Check-in with them before and after leaving.

Patapsco Valley State Park

This park, on the other hand, is no secret. In fact, it’s a nationally-acclaimed adventure spot!

Patapsco Valley is an astounding 16,043 acres, which includes 32 miles that run along the Patapsco River. Within this space are eight fully-developed recreational areas, which include opportunities for things like fishing, hiking, canoeing, mountain biking, picnicking, and riding horseback.

Part of what makes this park so fantastic is its vast array of hiking trails. The park features over 200 miles of trails, 70 miles of which are maintained by the park service. Visitors love the trails so much because of the beautiful scenery and landscape it provides.

Because of this park’s popularity, make sure to plan your trip ahead of time. Doing so will ensure you don’t face the dreaded “filled to capacity” closures!

Cunningham Falls State Park

You know you can’t go wrong when the word “falls” is in the name!

Cunningham Falls State Park, located in the Catoctin Mountains, is home to the largest waterfall in Maryland.

The park is separated into two distinct areas. The William Houck Area boasts the location of the famous waterfall, as well as the lake it falls into. The Manor Area has the aptly-named Scales and Tales Aviary in addition to the historic Catoctin Iron Furnace, which is an old forge.

Just like many of the other parks on this list, visitors can enjoy a range of outdoor activities, from swimming and fishing to hiking and canoeing.

Rocky Gap State Park

A bird’s-eye view of Rocky Gap State Park is absolutely awe-inspiring, with sprawling green landscape, wide-open fields, and a massive expanse of shimmering blue water. When we say blue, we mean it—the 243-acre body of water, Lake Habeeb, is known in Maryland as the “bluest water in the state.” See for yourself!

Don’t expect to feel crowded here, as the park boasts over 3,000 acres of public lands for its many visitors. The park is surrounded by rugged mountains, providing not only a scenic backdrop to your camping adventure but a place to explore, too.

Rocky Gap Run feeds Lake Habeeb as it moves through a mile-long gorge, surrounded by cliffs, overlooks, and a forest that’s full of rhododendron and mountain laurel. One notable mountain in the area is Evitts Mountain, so named after one of the first settlers in the county.

Janes Island State Park

Janes Island State Park is on Maryland’s eastern edge, allowing visitors to have an entirely unobstructed view of the gorgeous Chesapeake Bay.

It provides campers with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water, including a boat ramp and marina for all your boating needs. You can also expect nearly 3,000 acres of saltmarsh, more than 30 miles of trails nearby, and even more miles of completely isolated and pristine beaches, perfect for having an exclusive time.

As if that wasn’t enough, expect to find creatures such as crabs, tons of birds and fish, and who knows what else! You’ll just have to visit to find out for yourself. No worries, either, as there are plenty of spaces to engage in these activities and enjoy all the wildlife you can handle.

Tuckahoe State Park

If you’re a fan of the water, you’ll find plenty of it at gorgeous Tuckahoe State Park.

Not only is there a 60-mile lake there, perfect for satisfying all your boating, fishing, and swimming needs, but there’s also Tuckahoe Creek, a quiet, humble stream. A beautiful sight surrounds it, as most of it is bordered by marshlands and towering trees.

In addition to the water, expect to have plenty of fun on dry land. Tuckahoe also features twenty miles of hiking, biking, and horseback-riding space. The fun doesn’t end there, either, with ample opportunities for canoeing, picnicking, and even hunting.

If you’ve got kids in your camping group, you’ve got to check out the recycled tire playground built just for their enjoyment! Tuckahoe is genuinely a family-friendly state park that’s ready to serve a variety of wants and needs, as well as all ages.

Potomac-Garrett State Forest

Here, we introduce yet another massive state park, with Potomac-Garrett.

The Potomac-Garrett State Forest is an astonishing 10,488 acres large. Somewhere in this gigantic forest, you’ll find the head of the famous Potomac River.

In a way, this forest offers its own history lesson.

It was the first place where forestry conservation become a practice in Maryland. The forest began after a generous donation of 1,917 acres from the Garrett Brothers back in 1906 and only expanded from there. Within this land, you’ll find mountains, streams, and valleys.

The forest features a wonderful array of trees, including:

Red oak
Scarlet oak
White oak
Hickory
Black cherry
Red maple
White pine
Hemlock

This variety is especially impressive for nature lovers but can be appreciated by anyone. Within these trees run little streams that are homes to beaver ponds, as well as cranberry bogs.

Like the other parks on this list, expect to enjoy several different activities, such as hiking, birding, hunting, and even skiing or snowmobiling in the wintertime.

Catoctin Mountain Park

Here we have a national park located within the Catoctin mountain range.

This park is another of the many excellent options when it comes to hiking in Maryland. The NPS (National Park Service) maintains no less than 25 miles of hiking trails, whose ratings range from easy and leisurely to strenuous and challenging.

About 95% of the park is hardwood forest. You’ll find several types of animals here, some even labeled as threatened or endangered, as well as a massive variety of plants. In this forest sanctuary, these animals thrive—so, as humans, it’s our job to leave the area better than we found it, and to leave these animals and plants alone.

The other half of this region has already been mentioned: the Cunningham Falls State Park.

The remaining portion is what became Catoctin Mountain Park. This once-disturbed environment has rebirthed into the healthy habitat it is today, supporting several species of plants and animals.

How to Enjoy Your Outdoor Stay

There’s no need to guess—the internet is full of resources at your disposal, designed to keep your camping experience safe, smart, and enjoyable.

Maryland itself provides excellent advice when it comes to having fun while outdoors. Some guidelines include:

Come prepared by bringing your own camping equipment, such as your tent, food and drink, first-aid supplies, entertainment, grill grates, and more
Respect the site by limiting your guests to six or less
Prepare to buy firewood, rather than collecting it yourself, which can contribute to the spread of invasive species
Check out each park’s pet policies before bringing your four-legged friends along
Prepare to be off-grid, as some sites do not have WiFi, and others have spotty cell service (a great excuse to unplug!)
Stay aware of wild animals, such as bears, snakes, raccoons, wild ponies, and more
Register for a fishing license ahead of time if you plan to partake in this activity

Most of their advice is fairly common sense—while also accounting for expecting the unexpected.

Print out camping checklists online for more insight, and make sure to check items off as you pack them. A camping checklist ensures you won’t arrive on the campsite before realizing you forgot your water, food or shelter. Checklists can also help prevent you from over packing.