The best waterside camping in Maryland

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Maryland’s waterside camping scene packs variety—think hidden coves, riverside fields, and campsites right on the bay. With over 2,350 waterside spots, you’ll find everything from secluded riverbanks for wildlife-watching to open pastures perfect for tossing a fishing line at sunrise. Prices average $56 a night, with some sites dipping as low as $20. Bring your dog, and expect basic comforts like toilets and showers at most sites. Camps like Fiddlers Green Farm (343 reviews), Taylors Landing Camping Club (274 reviews), and Bald Eagle Farm on the Patuxent (245 reviews) get high marks from regulars for easy water access and laid-back vibes. Expect to see herons at dawn, maybe spot a bald eagle, or saddle up for a horseback ride along the shore. Maryland’s waterside camps keep it simple, and that’s part of the appeal.

96% (4.1K) 11 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Maryland

Red Run Cabin

1. Red Run Cabin

100%
(1)
1 site · Lodging · Oakland, MD
Our cabin is located on Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland where most of land is either State parks or forests because of its natural beauty and recreational value. The area is an all season resort where you can enjoy the lake and beach as well as various outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, fishing, sail boarding, hiking, and horseback riding most of the year. In winter with up to 100 inches of snow, you can ski, snow board, and tube at the near by Wisp Ski Resort or cross country ski at several State parks managed for it during winter. The fall is celebrated for the color change of the trees by the Fall Fest in mid October. Current renovations for 2025 include new flooring throughout, new base cabinets, and other minor improvements. Learn more about this land: Private on acre lot with lake views and on site access to the lake and beach. State parks and forests nearby with access to wilderness areas and many activities. Wisp ski area and Adventure Sports Center - down hill and cross country skiing.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$277
 / night
Catoctin Mountain Park

2. Catoctin Mountain Park

100%
(22)
84 sites · Sabillasville, Maryland
Get a close-up view of the history of the Old Line State on this park's well-maintained trails.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Tuckahoe State Park

3. Tuckahoe State Park

100%
(5)
56 sites · Queen Anne, Maryland
Say hello to Tuckahoe! 20 miles of hiking and biking surround the upper branch of Tuckahoe Creek, making it no surprise that this park hosts an annual triathalon. Don’t worry, though, you don’t have to be in race-shape to enjoy yourself here. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the view of 60 acres of the Tuckahoe lake, or get familiar with the local flora at the Adkins Arboretum. This 500-acre public garden boasts more than 600 species of local plantlife. Curious about that flower you saw on your morning bike ride? The Arboretum can help you out. Tours and information are available, or you can wander on your own and geek out on all that greenery.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Point Lookout State Park

4. Point Lookout State Park

100%
(3)
126 sites · St George Island, Maryland
Situated on a pretty peninsula formed by the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River, Point Lookout State Park has cast off its evil scars of the past and grown into a beautiful bay setting. The Marshland Nature Center and Civil War Museum host a number of summer programs for all ages, and children 7-12 years of age can learn what it takes to be a naturalist in the Junior Ranger program. The park can fill to capacity on summer weekends and holidays, but there’s always night fishing. Point Lookout has three fishing areas that stay open as long as your local Kwik-E-Mart, including a 710-foot fishing pier.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
New Germany State Park

5. New Germany State Park

100%
(2)
58 sites · Jennings, Maryland
Whispered about as a “best kept secret” of the area, New Germany State Park is a mountain gem that is now yours to explore. Tucked away between the epic expanse of Big Savage Mountain and Meadow Mountain, this place is overflowing with lush, green beauty and forested goodness. Early settlers (from Germany, of course) found this place to be near and dear to heart, reminding them of their homelands—thus the name. There are 10 miles of trails that are just begging to be roamed, offering up scenic views of the diverse woodland here. There is also a small lake that is prime for fishing, dipping, and some classic canoeing. When your soul is begging to be unpluged from technology, this is the place to come. Escape from the busy city bustle for a bit and let the camp vibes roll soak in.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Big Run State Park

6. Big Run State Park

100%
(1)
2 sites · Bloomington, Maryland
Ready to get wild ‘n out? Big Run is the ultimate rugged getaway. Located at the mouth of the Savage River Reservoir, the park is a bomb semi-primitive base camp from which to explore the surrounding Savage River State Forest. You have easy access to fishing and boating on the reservoir, but keep it simple with non-motorized boats.Enjoy sweeping vistas and multiple creek crossings on the Monroe Run Trail, whose trailhead is next to campsite 62. At just under five miles, the trail runs along the old CCC road that connected the Savage River and Meadow Mountain camps in the 1930s. And be prepared for some seriously fierce natural beauty, especially if you visit in the fall. The surrounding mountain ridges offer a spectacular display of changing colors.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Cunningham Falls State Park

7. Cunningham Falls State Park

89%
(16)
171 sites · Thurmont, Maryland
A lake, a waterfall, and a maple syrup festival make this mountain getaway a family favorite.
Pets
Campfires
Picnic table
Deep Creek Lake State Park

8. Deep Creek Lake State Park

88%
(5)
104 sites · Oakland, Maryland
There’s plenty of fish in the, well... lake! As the name would suggest, Deep Creek Lake is most known for its water-related activities. Stocked with trout, walleye, bass, and yellow perch, fishers will certainly find a good catch. And with a 24-hour boat launch you have aquatic access mornin’, noon and night. If you decide to stay over, you’ve got a boatload of accommodation options, ranging from a primitive, forest structure to a glamped-out yurt to your trusty ol’ tent. Over 95% of the park consists of forest that has regenerated from the original stands of timber and transformed into an primo example of a maturing northern hardwood forest. Take a hike on Meadow Mountain and experience the peaceful beauty of this area for yourself.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires

Maryland’s waterside camping scene packs variety—think hidden coves, riverside fields, and campsites right on the bay. With over 2,350 waterside spots, you’ll find everything from secluded riverbanks for wildlife-watching to open pastures perfect for tossing a fishing line at sunrise. Prices average $56 a night, with some sites dipping as low as $20. Bring your dog, and expect basic comforts like toilets and showers at most sites. Camps like Fiddlers Green Farm (343 reviews), Taylors Landing Camping Club (274 reviews), and Bald Eagle Farm on the Patuxent (245 reviews) get high marks from regulars for easy water access and laid-back vibes. Expect to see herons at dawn, maybe spot a bald eagle, or saddle up for a horseback ride along the shore. Maryland’s waterside camps keep it simple, and that’s part of the appeal.

96% (4.1K) 11 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Maryland

Red Run Cabin

1. Red Run Cabin

100%
(1)
1 site · Lodging · Oakland, MD
Our cabin is located on Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland where most of land is either State parks or forests because of its natural beauty and recreational value. The area is an all season resort where you can enjoy the lake and beach as well as various outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, fishing, sail boarding, hiking, and horseback riding most of the year. In winter with up to 100 inches of snow, you can ski, snow board, and tube at the near by Wisp Ski Resort or cross country ski at several State parks managed for it during winter. The fall is celebrated for the color change of the trees by the Fall Fest in mid October. Current renovations for 2025 include new flooring throughout, new base cabinets, and other minor improvements. Learn more about this land: Private on acre lot with lake views and on site access to the lake and beach. State parks and forests nearby with access to wilderness areas and many activities. Wisp ski area and Adventure Sports Center - down hill and cross country skiing.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$277
 / night
Catoctin Mountain Park

2. Catoctin Mountain Park

100%
(22)
84 sites · Sabillasville, Maryland
Get a close-up view of the history of the Old Line State on this park's well-maintained trails.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Tuckahoe State Park

3. Tuckahoe State Park

100%
(5)
56 sites · Queen Anne, Maryland
Say hello to Tuckahoe! 20 miles of hiking and biking surround the upper branch of Tuckahoe Creek, making it no surprise that this park hosts an annual triathalon. Don’t worry, though, you don’t have to be in race-shape to enjoy yourself here. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the view of 60 acres of the Tuckahoe lake, or get familiar with the local flora at the Adkins Arboretum. This 500-acre public garden boasts more than 600 species of local plantlife. Curious about that flower you saw on your morning bike ride? The Arboretum can help you out. Tours and information are available, or you can wander on your own and geek out on all that greenery.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Point Lookout State Park

4. Point Lookout State Park

100%
(3)
126 sites · St George Island, Maryland
Situated on a pretty peninsula formed by the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River, Point Lookout State Park has cast off its evil scars of the past and grown into a beautiful bay setting. The Marshland Nature Center and Civil War Museum host a number of summer programs for all ages, and children 7-12 years of age can learn what it takes to be a naturalist in the Junior Ranger program. The park can fill to capacity on summer weekends and holidays, but there’s always night fishing. Point Lookout has three fishing areas that stay open as long as your local Kwik-E-Mart, including a 710-foot fishing pier.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
New Germany State Park

5. New Germany State Park

100%
(2)
58 sites · Jennings, Maryland
Whispered about as a “best kept secret” of the area, New Germany State Park is a mountain gem that is now yours to explore. Tucked away between the epic expanse of Big Savage Mountain and Meadow Mountain, this place is overflowing with lush, green beauty and forested goodness. Early settlers (from Germany, of course) found this place to be near and dear to heart, reminding them of their homelands—thus the name. There are 10 miles of trails that are just begging to be roamed, offering up scenic views of the diverse woodland here. There is also a small lake that is prime for fishing, dipping, and some classic canoeing. When your soul is begging to be unpluged from technology, this is the place to come. Escape from the busy city bustle for a bit and let the camp vibes roll soak in.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Big Run State Park

6. Big Run State Park

100%
(1)
2 sites · Bloomington, Maryland
Ready to get wild ‘n out? Big Run is the ultimate rugged getaway. Located at the mouth of the Savage River Reservoir, the park is a bomb semi-primitive base camp from which to explore the surrounding Savage River State Forest. You have easy access to fishing and boating on the reservoir, but keep it simple with non-motorized boats.Enjoy sweeping vistas and multiple creek crossings on the Monroe Run Trail, whose trailhead is next to campsite 62. At just under five miles, the trail runs along the old CCC road that connected the Savage River and Meadow Mountain camps in the 1930s. And be prepared for some seriously fierce natural beauty, especially if you visit in the fall. The surrounding mountain ridges offer a spectacular display of changing colors.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Cunningham Falls State Park

7. Cunningham Falls State Park

89%
(16)
171 sites · Thurmont, Maryland
A lake, a waterfall, and a maple syrup festival make this mountain getaway a family favorite.
Pets
Campfires
Picnic table
Deep Creek Lake State Park

8. Deep Creek Lake State Park

88%
(5)
104 sites · Oakland, Maryland
There’s plenty of fish in the, well... lake! As the name would suggest, Deep Creek Lake is most known for its water-related activities. Stocked with trout, walleye, bass, and yellow perch, fishers will certainly find a good catch. And with a 24-hour boat launch you have aquatic access mornin’, noon and night. If you decide to stay over, you’ve got a boatload of accommodation options, ranging from a primitive, forest structure to a glamped-out yurt to your trusty ol’ tent. Over 95% of the park consists of forest that has regenerated from the original stands of timber and transformed into an primo example of a maturing northern hardwood forest. Take a hike on Meadow Mountain and experience the peaceful beauty of this area for yourself.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field