Top 10 Best Camping & Outdoor Destinations in Maryland (With Travel Guide)
Maryland, known as the "Old Line State," is a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts. Nestled between the Appalachian Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay, this mid-Atlantic state offers diverse landscapes perfect for camping, hiking, and water adventures. From coastal beaches and tidal marshes to dense forests and historic mountain trails, Maryland provides something for every camper.
Below are the 10 best camping destinations in Maryland, each with:
✅ Unique attractions & activities
✅ Best time to visit
✅ Nearby amenities (food, gas, lodging)
✅ Important tips & safety advice
1. Assateague Island National Seashore (Berlin) – Wild Horses & Beach Camping
🌊 Highlights:
Famous wild ponies roaming the beach
10-mile stretch of undeveloped Atlantic Ocean beach
Surf fishing, kayaking & birdwatching
Camping right on the beach (oceanfront sites)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
April–October (best for beach activities, 50-85°F)
Summer (70-90°F) – warm ocean swimming
Fall (50-75°F) – fewer crowds & mild weather
Spring (50-70°F) – wildflowers & fewer bugs
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Assateague Island Campground (oceanfront RVs & tents)
Berlin (15 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Ocean City (30 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Wild horses are wild—keep at least 10 ft away
Ocean swimming has strong currents—swim near lifeguards
Mosquitoes & biting flies are common in summer
2. Greenbrier State Park (Boonsboro) – Appalachian Mountains & Lake
🏞️ Highlights:
Hiking trails in the Catoctin Mountains
Greenbrier Lake (swimming, fishing, kayaking)
Picnic areas & scenic overlooks
Wildlife (deer, wild turkeys, black bears)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
April–October (best for hiking & swimming, 50-85°F)
Summer (60-90°F) – warm lake swimming
Fall (50-75°F) – stunning foliage
Spring (50-70°F) - wildflowers & mild weather
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Greenbrier Campground (tents, cabins, RVs)
Boonsboro (5 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Hagerstown (20 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Black bears are present—secure food properly
Lake swimming has designated areas only
Trails can be steep & rocky—wear sturdy shoes
3. Deep Creek Lake State Park (Oakland) – Lake Fun & Mountain Views
🚤 Highlights:
Deep Creek Lake (boating, fishing, swimming)
Hiking & biking trails around the lake
Waterfalls & scenic overlooks
Wildlife (ducks, geese, turtles)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–September (best for water activities, 60-90°F)
Summer (70-90°F) – warm lake swimming
Fall (50-75°F) – peaceful paddling
Winter (20-40°F) – ice fishing possible
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Deep Creek Lake Campgrounds (RVs, tents, cabins)
Oakland (5 mins) has supermarkets & gas stations
Frostburg (30 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Boat rentals are available but can be pricey
Swimming areas are supervised in summer
Bring life jackets for boating
4. Catoctin Mountain Park (Thurmont) – Hiking & Historic Cabin
🌲 Highlights:
Hiking trails through Appalachian forests
Camp David (historic presidential retreat—viewable from afar)
Cunningham Falls (Maryland’s highest waterfall)
Wildlife (deer, black bears, wild turkeys)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
April–October (best for hiking, 50-85°F)
Summer (60-90°F) – warm but shaded trails
Fall (50-75°F) – stunning foliage
Spring (50-70°F) - wildflowers & mild weather
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Owens Creek Campground (tents, cabins, RVs)
Thurmont (5 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Frederick (20 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Black bears are present—secure food properly
Cunningham Falls Trail is steep—wear sturdy shoes
Trails can be rocky & uneven
5. Assateague State Park (Berlin) – Beach & Pony Viewing
🏖️ Highlights:
Beach camping near wild ponies
Swimming, surfing & kayaking
Fishing & birdwatching
Cheaper alternative to Assateague Island National Seashore
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
April–October (best for beach activities, 50-85°F)
Summer (70-90°F) – warm ocean swimming
Fall (50-75°F) – fewer crowds
Spring (50-70°F) - wildflowers & mild weather
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Assateague State Park Campground (tents, RVs)
Berlin (15 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Ocean City (30 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Wild horses are wild—keep at least 10 ft away
Ocean swimming has strong currents—swim near lifeguards
Mosquitoes & biting flies are common in summer
6. Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (Hancock) – River & History
🌉 Highlights:
Historic canal towpath for biking & hiking
Potomac River views & river islands
Civil War history & old lock houses
Wildlife (ducks, herons, turtles)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
April–October (best for hiking & biking, 50-85°F)
Summer (60-90°F) – warm but shaded trails
Fall (50-75°F) – stunning foliage
Spring (50-70°F) - wildflowers & mild weather
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Paw Paw Tunnel Campground (primitive sites)
Hancock (10 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Cumberland, MD (45 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Primitive camping only—bring everything you need
Potomac River can flood—check conditions
Trails are flat but can be rocky
7. Gunpowder Falls State Park (Middle River) – Forest & Waterfalls
🌊 Highlights:
Gunpowder River & Prettyboy Reservoir
Hiking trails to waterfalls (Rumsey & Kilgore Falls)
Swimming holes & fishing spots
Wildlife (deer, foxes, herons)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
April–October (best for hiking & swimming, 50-85°F)
Summer (60-90°F) – warm but shaded trails
Fall (50-75°F) - colorful foliage
Spring (50-70°F) - wildflowers & mild weather
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Hereford Area Campground (tents, cabins, RVs)
Middle River (10 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Baltimore (30 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Rumsey Falls has a steep trail—wear sturdy shoes
Swimming holes are unsupervised—swim at your own risk
Trails can be muddy after rain
8. Pocomoke River State Park (Snow Hill) – Swamp & Canoeing
🛶 Highlights:
Pocomoke River (canoeing, kayaking, fishing)
Cypress swamps & wildlife viewing
Hiking trails through pine forests
Wildlife (herons, turtles, otters)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
April–October (best for canoeing, 50-85°F)
Summer (60-90°F) - warm & humid
Fall (50-75°F) - fewer bugs
Spring (50-70°F) - wildflowers & mild weather
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Pocomoke River Campground (tents, cabins, RVs)
Snow Hill (10 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Salisbury, MD (45 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Mosquitoes & biting flies are common in summer
Canoe rentals are available
Bring bug spray & sunscreen
9. New Germany State Park (Grantsville) – Mountain Lakes & Trails
🏞️ Highlights:
Big Run Lake (swimming, fishing, kayaking)
Hiking trails in the Appalachian Mountains
Mountain biking & horseback riding
Wildlife (deer, black bears, wild turkeys)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
April–October (best for hiking & swimming, 50-85°F)
Summer (60-90°F) - warm lake swimming
Fall (50-75°F) - stunning foliage
Spring (50-70°F) - wildflowers & mild weather
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: New Germany Campground (tents, cabins, RVs)
Grantsville (5 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Frostburg (30 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Black bears are present—secure food properly
Lake swimming has designated areas only
Trails can be steep & rocky
10. Susquehanna State Park (Havre de Grace) – River & History
🌉 Highlights:
Susquehanna River views & Conowingo Dam
Hiking & biking trails
Historic lock houses & bridges
Wildlife (ducks, herons, turtles)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
April–October (best for hiking & river views, 50-85°F)
Summer (60-90°F) - warm but shaded trails
Fall (50-75°F) - stunning foliage
Spring (50-70°F) - wildflowers & mild weather
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Susquehanna State Park Campground (tents, cabins, RVs)
Havre de Grace (10 mins) has supermarkets & gas stations
Bel Air, MD (20 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Conowingo Dam has strong currents—stay away from the base
Trails are flat but can be rocky
Bring binoculars for birdwatching
Final Tips for Camping in Maryland
✔ Reservations are recommended in summer & fall (popular parks fill up fast)
✔ Bugs (mosquitoes, ticks) are active in summer—bring repellent
✔ Weather changes quickly—pack layers & rain gear
✔ Bring plenty of water (some remote areas have limited facilities)
Maryland may be small, but it packs a big outdoor punch with mountains, rivers, beaches & forests. Whether you want a beach campsite or a mountain hike, these 10 destinations will give you a great Maryland outdoor experience. 🏕️🌲🛶