Beach and dog-friendly camping in Maryland
Camp your way through “America in Miniature”.
- Maryland
Popular camping styles for Maryland
6 top beach and dog-friendly campgrounds in Maryland
Nearby parks
Explore the area’s public lands.
Beach and dog-friendly camping in Maryland guide
Overview
From Atlantic beaches to Appalachian Mountains, Chesapeake fishing villages to sprawling state parks―Maryland serves up plenty of variety, and campers won’t have to search far to find a campground, cabin, or glampsite. Whether you’re vacationing along the Chesapeake Bay, hiking and backcountry camping in the northern mountains, or driving your RV along Scenic Byways, there’s an adventure to suit all tastes. Summer is the busiest time to visit, when crowds hit the beach resorts along the Atlantic coast, but the mild temperatures of spring and fall are ideal for camping and outdoor activities. Winters are cold and snowy, so opt for a cozy cabin rental instead.
Where to go
Western Maryland
Misty mountain peaks, dense forests, and sparkling lakes await in Western Maryland, which stretches from Hagerstown to Deep Creek Lake. Follow the Mountain Maryland scenic byway through the Allegheny Mountains, rent a canal boat along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, or go whitewater rafting in Swallow Falls State Park. Seasonal highlights include the fall foliage hikes around Oakland, summer swimming and boating on Deep Creek Lake, and hitting the ski slopes in McHenry.
Central Maryland
Sitting pretty between Appalachian peaks and Chesapeake Bay shores, Maryland’s capital region has outdoor escapes within easy reach of both Baltimore and Washington D.C. Take your RV on a drive through history along the Historic National Road, running all the way from Baltimore into the western mountains; hike a 40-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail; or enjoy wine tasting along the Piedmont Wine Trail. Camping favorites include the Cunningham Falls and Susquehanna state parks.
South Maryland
Picturesque coastal towns, Civil War sites, and golf courses pepper the western shore of Chesapeake Bay, where you can enjoy fishing, birding, and oyster tasting to your heart’s content. Snag a riverside campsite along the Potomac River, enjoy beachside walks in the Point Lookout State Park, or hunt for fossils in the Calvert Cliffs State Park.
Eastern Shore
Vacationers flock to Ocean City, where there are enough sandy beaches, golf courses, and boardwalk amusements to keep you busy all summer long. Nearby, there are beachside campgrounds and herds of wild horses to admire at Assateague Island National Seashore, or you can head over to the Chesapeake Bay shore to paddle around the marshes, enjoy birdwatching in the Blackwater National Wildlife, or rent a rustic cabin at Janes Island State Park.
