Vacation to Maryland’s Many State Parks

Stretching from its miles of sandy ocean beaches to the rugged landscapes of the Appalachians, Maryland offers plenty of variety and options for family travelers. Dozens of Maryland State Parks create a network of campgrounds and cabins, meaning families don’t need to travel far between destinations to enjoy a trip that includes beach, mountain, nature, and historical and active experiences.

More than 2,000 campsites can be reserved in advance, and many parks also have full-service cabins for families who don’t have tents or camping equipment. Most cabins are equipped with electricity, furniture, bathrooms, showers and kitchens with some basic dishes and cooking pans.

Camper cabins, such as those in Elk Neck State Park, are more primitive, equipped only with beds, a table and chairs. Like campsites, these are placed close to a central washhouse. Campers in these must provide their own blankets or sleeping bags, but grills are provided for outdoor cooking. Campsites for tents or RVs have a picnic table and usually a fire ring, and most have electric, sewer and water hookups, and showers in a central washhouse.

Each park encourages visitors and campers to enjoy its natural attractions and environment via hiking, biking and nature trails. Many include beaches on lakes and nature centers and hands-on programs. Several parks surround unique natural features, such as waterfalls, boardwalks through a cypress swamp or a beach where visitors can collect real fossils. Here are a few favorite Maryland State parks:

Deep Creek Lake State Park in western Maryland includes the state’s largest man-made lake, and also features the surrounding Allegheny Highlands. The park offers hiking, boating, swimming and water sports; at Bear Den campsite, you’ll find camper cabins, family campsites, yurts and picnic shelters.

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Swallow Falls State Park sits in the forest not far from Deep Creek Lake; follow a 1.2-mile trail to 53-foot Muddy Creek Falls, or ride the park’s bike trail through the woods. The campground includes camper cabins, as well as tent and RV sites.

Rocky Gap State Park​, near the Pennsylvania border, sits on a lake with a sandy beach. The lake is fed by a stream that carved a deep, mile-long gorge, which you can see from overlooks. In spring, hike through the hemlock forests filled with mountain laurel and rhododendron.

Pokomoke River State Park, known for its bald cypress swamp and songbird habitat, also offers hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking and canoeing on the river. The park features a playground and a nature center with live exhibits, hands-on programs and a fossil collection.