Top Campgrounds in Ocean City, Maryland

Ocean City is enjoyable for most of the year, but the best time to visit tends to be late May to early September. As it’s a beach town, summer has its share of humidity here but tends to be moderate compared to other destinations in the South and East Coast. Because of this town’s vacation-centered nature, camping near Ocean City, MD, will almost always require reservations in advance.

Most of the outdoor activities nearby revolve around the Ocean City beach and boardwalk, as well as its numerous amusement parks. However, just down the road, travelers can enjoy the nearby national seashore. The best camping near Ocean City, MD, is just down the road at Assateague Island National Seashore, which also offers beachfront hiking and biking.

Ocean City is right next to a national seashore. Beyond that, though, visitors will have to do some driving to reach these other Mid-Atlantic offerings.

Assateague Island National Seashore – 15 minutes

This is easily the hub for all things camping near Ocean City, MD, and the surrounding areas. There are several campgrounds for both drive-in and walk-in campers, as well as group campsites and a pair of horse campsites. While there is a district of Assateague Island National Seashore in Virginia, camping is only available in the Maryland district. If you want to drive on the beach here, you’ll need to obtain an OSV permit beforehand.

Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge – 2 hours

This wildlife refuge is just a bit over 1,100 acres in total and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This isn’t an option for camping near Ocean City, MD, but it is a great spot for hiking and wildlife spotting. There are over 400 bird species here alone, and the refuge has a diverse amount of wildlife for visitors to watch and photograph.

Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge – 3.5 hours

Home to the largest contiguous salt marsh ecosystem in the lower Chesapeake Bay, Plus Tree Island National Preserve is a migratory bird sanctuary run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge protects several endangered species and a wealth of native plants.

The refuge itself is currently not open to the public, so you’ll need to make other arrangements for camping near Ocean City, MD. However, Fish and Wildlife still encourages the public to view the refuge from the mainland and adjacent waters. Hunting and fishing are open to the public seasonally, but check the website for the most up-to-date guidelines.

Assateague State Park

Just up the road from Assateague Island National Seashore is the only oceanfront state park in Maryland. If you can’t get a campsite at the national seashore, Assateague State Park is another great choice that’s less than a mile away. The state park has tons of campsites (342, to be exact), as well as two miles of beachfront for visitors to walk, swim, surf, or fish.

Pocomoke River State Park: Shad Landing

On the lower eastern shore of Maryland, Pocomoke River State Park is characterized by its cypress swamps. This state park is actually located in the greater Pocomoke State Forest, meaning it has plenty of hiking trails to enjoy, as well as some of the most tucked-away camping near Ocean City, MD. Campers will be hidden away among the trees while still having some great amenities like hot showers and flush toilets.

Delaware Seashore State Park

This park in southern Delaware has 20 miles of shoreline to explore and is one of the best parks in the Delaware state park system. There’s lots to choose from at this park, from paddling, to walking the shoreline, to seeing the park’s best views on the Indian River Inlet bridge. This is another great option for camping near Ocean City, MD, as there are two established campgrounds with ample campsites to choose from.

Fenwick Island State Park

Located on Delaware’s southernmost beach, Fenwick Island State Park covers 344 acres and has three miles of beachfront to explore. For active adventurers, Fenwick Island offers kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for rent. The park closes at sunset year-round, so late-season travelers should prepare for early closures, while summer travelers will have plenty of light to work with.

Ocean City Beach

This is one of the main draws to Ocean City in general. Stretching over 10 miles, the beach here is a great summer destination for walking, water sports, or just laying out and getting some sun. While other East Coast beaches charge admission, the Ocean City Beach is completely free to access and enjoy. Since this resort town centers around the beach, travelers won’t be far from everything else when they’re ready to leave.

Ocean City Boardwalk

Second to the beach, this is the premier offering in Ocean City. The boardwalk allows visitors to stretch their legs while simultaneously being near the best food, shopping, and entertainment in Ocean City. There’s plenty to explore with the boardwalk running from 1st to 28th Streets. The section closer to 1st Street tends to be louder and livelier, while the other end is a bit calmer.

Jolly Roger Amusement Park

The Jolly Roger Amusement Park is a must-see for families traveling to Ocean City, MD. The park offers plenty for the whole family, including a water park, go-kart track, and roller coasters. Kids (and kids at heart) will all be able to find something to their liking with the park’s diverse range of activities and offerings.

Island Parasail

Looking for some extra adventure while in Ocean City? Take to the skies! Island Parasail is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and is always a fan favorite. Island Parasail continues to excite even the most apprehensive of potential parasailers, keeping both safety and fun at the forefront of the experience.

Ropewalk Ocean City

There’s plenty in the way of seafood when you’re in a coastal Maryland town, so the choices can get a little overwhelming. If you want a good place to start, though, Ropewalk is a laid-back, family-friendly seafood spot that specializes in oysters and craft beer.

On the Bay Seafood

When the weather is good, why stay inside? This seafood spot is set up with outdoor picnic tables on the sand, meaning travelers never have to miss out on the fresh sea air. For those traveling with pickier eaters, On the Bay Seafood does specifically mention that they offer a perennial favorite: chicken tenders.

Liquid Assets

This is just a great name for a restaurant. Liquid Assets has a laid-back restaurant section, as well as a storefront next door that sells wine and craft beer. Whether you want to imbibe in the restaurant or just grab something for a romantic night in the hotel, Liquid Assets is a place to stop into at least once while here.

Ristorante Antipasti

For those desiring something a bit more upscale, there’s Ristorante Antipasti. This Italian spot is on the nicer end of the offerings in Ocean City and serves all the classic dishes one would expect. If you’re willing to part with the flip-flops for an evening, Ristorante Antipasti is one of the best restaurant experiences in the city.

While this resort town centers around the beach, that’s not all there is in Ocean City. Travelers can experience some of the best camping near Ocean City, MD, with just a short drive to the nearby seashores and state parks.