The Best Mid-Atlantic Beach Camping to Check Out This Summer

Jun 14, 2021 |

The Best Mid-Atlantic Beach Camping to Check Out This Summer

By Campendium

In the bustle of the mid-Atlantic United States’ cities, resorts, and populous towns, it can be hard to find the space to truly get away. Luckily, this area of the US is also home to some of the country’s most serene beach camping sites—if you know where to look. In just a few hours from home, you can say goodbye to the hustle of your day job and hello to a relaxing weekend at a gorgeous oceanfront campground. Here’s a round-up of the best coastal and waterfront campgrounds in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

Maryland

Oceanside Campground

Located on the gorgeous Assateague Island National Seashore, Oceanside Campground is an absolute fan favorite, and it’s not hard to see why.

Horse standing by a beach.

Oceanside Campground | Berlin, MD – Photo by: Walkinghead

You can see the Atlantic Ocean from the campground, and it’s just a short walk to the beachfront if you want to take a dip. The site is known for pristine beaches, hiking and biking trails, and, best of all, wild horses. That’s right, Maryland’s Eastern Shore is famed for wild horses that roam the beaches. Campendium visitors love spotting these iconic wild horses from the campground. If you’re a horse lover, or even if you’re not, this beach campsite is a must.

The campground is a short 20-minute drive from mainland Berlin, Maryland. Around three hours from Baltimore and Washington, D.C, this beachfront campground is easily accessible for a quick weekend getaway.

Bayside Campground

Oceanside’s next-door neighbor is the beautiful Bayside Campground. This camping site offers guests a stunning view of the Sinepuxent Bay from the campground’s small peninsula.

Egret in a tree.

Bayside Campground | Berlin, MD – Photo by: JumpingOffTheCliff

In addition to the wild ponies, Campendium campers have seen foxes, herons, and Maryland’s iconic blue crabs here. Being bayside, these camping sites are also a bit more isolated from the wind coming off the Atlantic Ocean than the oceanfront lots.

The sites can be a little harder to secure with only fifty spots, but if you can nab a reservation, it’s well worth it.

Assateague State Park

Back across the bridge in mainland Maryland is Assateague State Park, a peaceful beachfront campsite with both boondocking and hook-up sites.

RV and truck parked near sand dunes.

Assateague State Park | Berlin, MD – Photo by: Robin

For affordable rates, you can enjoy clear skies, a sandy beach, and the sound of crashing waves just outside your RV’s window. There are plenty of activities for families and kids of all ages, and many of them are free. You can explore hiking trails, fishing spots, and of course, there’s plenty of sand and sunshine to go around. For fans of wildlife, this site is home to waterfowl, deer, and wild horses. There are also bike, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard rentals available for the adventurers among us.

When you visit, don’t forget to enjoy the star gazing! With little ambient light, the site provides breathtaking views of the night sky. Exploring constellations while making s’mores at the fire pit is the perfect recipe for a memorable family vacation.

Greenbrier State Park

Heading inland, Greenbrier State Park in Boonsboro is about a half-hour northwest of historic Frederick, Maryland.

Blue lake surrounded by trees.

Greenbrier State Park | Boonsboro, MD – Photo by: jMon

This campsite is on an adorable, picturesque lake and has easy access to both front and backcountry hiking trails. Campendium users rave about how clean and well cared for this park is. The park is just off the highway, making it easy to access and perfect for day trips to the surrounding areas. Reliable cell coverage will keep you tuned in if that’s what you’re looking for.

Rocky Gap State Park

Our last Maryland location is the incredible Rocky Gap State Park, located right on the Maryland-Pennsylvania border in Flintstone.

Airstream parked in the woods.

Rocky Gap State Park | Flintstone, MD – Photo by: WatsonsWander

This state park is the pinnacle of mid-Atlantic forest campgrounds. The site is surrounded by tall trees on one side and the handsome Lake Habeeb on the other. With boat rentals, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, you can experience the great outdoors in all her glory. This pet-friendly site has tons of hiking trails that your dog will love.

The park’s wooded campground is private, accessible, and full of amenities for your fun-filled stay. If you find yourself nearby in West Virginia or Pennsylvania, be sure to stop for a day or two and enjoy the amazing natural landscape.

Virginia

Belle Isle State Park

People hanging outside next to their RV.

Belle Isle State Park | Lancaster, VA – Photo by: Nicky B

Explore the wide Rappahannock River as it flows into the Chesapeake Bay at Virginia’s Belle Isle State Park. The park’s petite campground, with just 32 campsites, is beloved by the Campendium community for its secluded sites, clean facilities, and tons of biking and hiking trails with access to the river. Because of its small size, this campground can be tricky to get into during the weekend; reserve a weeknight spot to enjoy this summer.

Douthat State Park

Located an hour north of Roanoke, Virginia, Douthat State Park is a peaceful, mid-sized campground that some Campendium users have called the prettiest in Virginia.

Three kayakers paddling in a lake.

Douthat State Park | Millboro, VA – Photo by: khall

The campground has swimming, fishing, hiking, and even a playground for the little ones. A stream runs nearby, perfect for casting a line to fish for trout. Last but not least, if you want to enjoy scenic views of the Allegheny Mountains, the forty-plus miles of hiking trails here are a perfect way to do it.

Camp Burson

Located within the Hungry Mother State Park, Camp Burson is a two-hour drive southwest of Roanoke, Virginia.

Teardrop camper parked under trees.

Camp Burson | Marion, VA

Camp Burson sits on the edge of Hungry Mother Lake, a picturesque water body that offers gorgeous views at sunset. With a boat ramp and lakefront fishing access, you will be able to explore the many different species of fish in Hungry Mother. The beachfront is great for swimming, and there are plenty of hiking trails in the surrounding area.

Claytor Lake State Park

Just an hour outside of Roanoke on the wandering Claytor Lake is the stunning Claytor Lake State Park.

This large park has a lot to offer, with a beach and swimming area, loads of hiking trails, and boat access to the very spacious lake. At 4,500 acres, Claytor Lake is an amazing place for fishing enthusiasts. Here you can find fifteen species of bass, catfish, and more. The site even offers boat rentals and a tack shop.

Blue skies and lake.

Clayton Lake State Park | Dublin, VA – Photo by: Yochepy

Campendium users note that the RV park is about a mile walk from the beach, but being on a peninsula, there are coastal views to explore all around!

Pennsylvania

Raymond B. Winter State Park

The ultimate favorite camping experience in Pennsylvania belongs to Raymond B. Winter State Park. Located about an hour and a half north of Harrisburg, this state park has so much to offer.

Family of five standing in front of a waterfall.

Raymond B. Winter State Park | Mifflinburg, PA – Photo by: Richard

With cabins available for rental, tent sites, and partial (electric) RV hook-ups, this site will check the boxes for many types of visitors. The state park has the adorably small Halfway Lake with beachfront swimming access and a breathtaking waterfall. There is also a playground, fishing access, and plenty of hiking trails.

Campendium users note that cell signals are low here, so if you are looking for a place to truly unplug, this is an ideal spot.

Delaware

Delaware Seashore State Park

Last but not least, the Delaware Seashore State Park is a crowd-pleaser, thanks to its location right on Rehoboth Beach.

Cyclist on greenway next to a beach and bridge.

Delaware Seashore State Park | Rehoboth Beach, DE – Photo by: Liz & Jake

This site comes in on the pricier side of our list, but it’s understandable why. On land, there’s a playground, volleyball courts, picnic areas, and an amazing beach. You also get a boat ramp for water access, plenty of swimming areas, fishing access, and a marina. It’s pet-friendly, and there are pull-through spots for big rigs.

No matter which campsite you choose, we hope you get out and enjoy the peace and quiet that can be found in the mid-Atlantic’s waterfront campgrounds.

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