Best Campgrounds in Maryland: 2026 Guide
Wild horses on Assateague, Catoctin peaks, and the C&O Canal towpath
Maryland fits an extraordinary amount of geography into a small state. The Atlantic barrier island of Assateague offers beach camping alongside wild horses. The Catoctin Mountains near Camp David hold forested campgrounds in a presidential landscape. The C&O Canal towpath runs 184 miles from Georgetown to Cumberland with hiker-biker campsites along its length. And just 10 miles from the U.S. Capitol, Greenbelt Park offers a wooded urban escape. Maryland camping is compact, diverse, and surprisingly wild for a Mid-Atlantic state.
Why Maryland Stands Out
Assateague Island National Seashore is the headliner — 37 miles of barrier island with wild horses, ocean beaches, and bayside camping that feels like the edge of the world. Catoctin Mountain Park (yes, the same mountain range as the presidential retreat) offers primitive tent camping in rolling Appalachian forest just 90 minutes from D.C. and Baltimore. The C&O Canal National Historical Park creates a linear camping corridor following the Potomac River through some of the most scenic gorge country in the East. For campers who live in the D.C.-Baltimore corridor, these destinations are remarkably close to millions of people yet feel genuinely remote.
Top Campgrounds to Explore
Assateague Island National Seashore Campground
On the 37-mile Atlantic barrier island near Berlin, famous for wild horses. Beach camping, bay kayaking, and wildlife watching on a constantly changing island landscape.
Owens Creek Campground
Primitive tent camping in Catoctin Mountain Park near Thurmont, just five miles from town but immersed in the rolling forested hills of the Catoctin range.
Greenbelt Campground
An urban oasis just 10 miles from Washington, D.C., near Greenbelt. This beautiful wooded National Park Service campground is known for safety, affordability, and peaceful surroundings.
Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite
At Mile 140 on the C&O Canal Towpath near Little Orleans, between Hancock and Paw Paw. A hiker-biker campsite along the Potomac River in one of the most scenic sections of the canal trail.
Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground
Year-round primitive tent camping for youth groups in Catoctin Mountain Park near Thurmont, just steps from the Catoctin National Scenic Trail.
Planning Tips
Assateague Island books far in advance for summer — reserve months ahead, especially for oceanside sites. Spring and fall are ideal for Assateague with fewer crowds and pleasant temperatures. Catoctin Mountain campgrounds are best from May through October. The C&O Canal towpath can be biked or hiked year-round, with campsites roughly every 5-7 miles. Greenbelt Park fills on summer weekends despite its urban location. Mosquitoes on Assateague are legendary from June through August — bring strong repellent and mesh gear.
Find More
Browse all Maryland campgrounds on our Maryland camping page, or explore the full campground directory to plan your next trip.
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