Scenic Places to Go Camping on Maryland's Eastern Shore

For more options, discover our guide to the most scenic camping spots in Western Maryland. Still haven’t found your perfect East Coast camping spot? Read on, and book one of the best campsites in Virginia now, via Culture Trip.

Assateague and neighboring Chincoteague are islands known for beautiful ocean views and the wild ponies that live in the area. Assateague State Park makes up the northern part of Assateague Island and is run by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, not to be confused with the National Seashore farther south on the island. The state park offers camping just a short walk from the beach, with hot showers and electricity at some sites. There’s also great places to bike and walk around the park. Reservations are recommended for camping during the summer months.

Assateague Island National Seashore is run by the National Park Service. The park offers camping on the Maryland side of the island, with campsites right on the beach that are both walk-in and drive-in. You must make a reservation during the summer, but during the winter the sites are first-come, first-served. Unlike the state park, there are only cold showers at the National Seashore. They also offer horseback riding and have trails for hiking.

Just outside the town of Crisfield, Maryland, Janes Island State Park is a great place to view the Chesapeake Bay and the marshes of the Eastern Shore. The park is a paddler’s dream, with 30 miles (48 km) of marked water trails to explore by kayak or canoe. You can also go crabbing and fishing to catch your own Chesapeake bounty. The park has over 100 campsites, about half of which have electric hookups. Three centrally located restrooms have flush toilets and hot showers, and one has coin-operated laundry facilities. There are also cabins and rooms to rent in a lodge if glamping is more your style.

Pocomoke River State Park is located inside the Pocomoke State Forest. Here, you’ll get an inland nature experience on the Eastern Shore. While inland, the river offers boating opportunities and the park’s marina has boat slips. The park has 175 campsites, some with electrical hookups, but also has cabins to rent. There are trails for hiking and biking, and a pool for the whole family to relax by.

Another waterside camping spot is the privately-owned Roaring Point Waterfront Campground. The campsites are located under pine trees right by the Nanticoke River as it flows into the Chesapeake Bay. You can swim and enjoy the calm waters of the bay at the sandy beach or take a canoe out and explore the river. The campground offers kids’ activities, and is friendly to RV campers.

Located in the central part of the Eastern Shore, outside of Queen Anne, Maryland, Tuckahoe State Park is the perfect place for a family getaway. The park has a tire playground, a challenge course and zipline, a disc-golf course, plus 20 miles (32 km) of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. You can also rent canoes to paddle Lake Tuckahoe. The campground offers 54 sites, 33 of which have electrical hookups, hot showers and flush toilets.

For camping that’s a little less conventional, but still scenic and fun, check out the Frontier Town Campground. Located just south of Ocean City, Maryland, the resort offers camping and cabins on the inlet between Assateague Island and the mainland. If you like to paddle, the dock is the perfect spot to launch your kayak or canoe and explore the marshy areas. The campground also features a swimming pool, a water park, and adventure park.

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