Maryland may not be a huge state--at just more than 10,000 square miles it ranks 42nd out of the 50 states in America--but it has a diverse geography with plenty of outdoor recreation. The four counties between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., account for almost half the state's population, while on the Eastern Shore across Chesapeake Bay the population is skewed toward wildlife, not nightlife.
Western Maryland Campgrounds
Seasonal tent sites are available at the Antietam/Hagerstown KOA; amenities include a pool, miniature golf and a playground. Maple Tree Campground has 12 wooded tent sites that accommodate up to four tents with a fire-ring, table and grill. The Appalachian Trail is 10 minutes away. Tent campers at Big Run State Park, open year-round, are close to hiking trails, fishing and boating on the Savage River Reservoir. Backcountry camping is allowed in Savage River State Forest.
Tent Camping in Southern Maryland
Open year-round, Aqua-Land on the Potomac CG & Marina in the southern part of the state has a bathhouse, laundry and a clubhouse. Cedarville State Forest has a family campground; tent sites are on the outside of the camp loop, with RV sites on the inside. All the campsites at Smallwood State Park have hookups, but tent campers are welcome. Smallwood preserves a historic home site and a hardwood forest; a Chesapeake Bay sport-fishing license is required for fishing at the park. The children's playground is made from recycled tires.
Capital Region Camping
Cherry Hill Park in the capital region has 50 tent sites, two swimming pools, two playgrounds, a pond, four bathhouses and Wi-Fi. Tent campers can choose between open or wooded sites at the Capitol KOA in Millersville. Extra amenities here include shuttle service to Baltimore and Annapolis and tours of Washington, D.C. The National Park Service operates the Greenbelt Park Campground, about 11 miles from the Mall in Washington. Three tents, two vehicles and a maximum of six people are allowed per site.
Camping in the Central Area
Amenities at Duncan's Family Campground in Lothian include access to nature trails, swimming and miniature golf, and two playgrounds for the kids. Open May to September, the campground at Susquehanna State Park has 69 sites for tent camping. The park is on the Susquehanna River, with access to boating, hiking and mountain biking trails and fishing. Patapsco Valley State Park is on the Patapsco River and has family campsites in the Hollofield Area. The park has more than 170 miles of trails.
Eastern Shore Camping
On the eastern shore of Delmarva, Holiday Park has 28 tent sites, four playgrounds, two bathhouses, a game room, boat launch and tennis courts. Fort Whaley Campground near Ocean City is a private campground with 33 tent sites open from March through December. The campground is on a pond and has a swimming pool. Assateague State Park, Maryland's only oceanfront park, is on Assateague Island. RV hookups are on one of the campground's loops, but RVs can park next to tents on the other loops. Assateague has 350 sites in total, and each has a fire ring and picnic table.
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