Berlin, Maryland serves as a gateway to several notable campgrounds along Maryland's eastern shore, with mixed-use facilities concentrated around Assateague Island and the coastal region. The area encompasses developed campgrounds like Assateague State Park Campground and Sun Outdoors Frontier Town, offering a full spectrum of camping options from basic tent sites to full-service RV hookups and cabin rentals. Camping facilities extend from the Atlantic shoreline to inland areas near the Pocomoke River, providing diverse ecosystems and recreational environments. Many sites feature beach access or waterfront locations, making them popular destinations during summer months.
Seasonal patterns heavily influence camping conditions, with most campgrounds operating at full capacity between April and October. Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground typically operates from May through early October, while some facilities like Pocomoke River State Park's Shad Landing remain open year-round. Reservations become essential during peak season, particularly for waterfront or electric sites. The coastal location brings humid conditions in summer months with potential for strong winds and occasional coastal storms. During off-season periods, campers experience more moderate temperatures and significantly fewer crowds. A camper noted, "Fall camping is great. If you can make it during their Halloween season, it's awesome. It usually lasts every weekend through October with lots of activities for the kids."
The campgrounds surrounding Berlin cater to various camping styles, with particularly strong amenities for families and RV travelers. Sun Outdoors Frontier Town receives consistently high ratings for its family-friendly atmosphere and extensive amenities including water parks, mini-golf, and organized activities. Berlin's popular campgrounds offer convenient access to both Ocean City attractions and the famous wild ponies of Assateague Island. These Berlin area campsites are strategically located to provide the perfect balance between natural coastal environments and nearby town conveniences. Several visitors mentioned the convenient proximity to both Ocean City attractions and Assateague Island's wild ponies as key highlights. Most developed campgrounds in the region provide full hookup sites, shower facilities, and camp stores. According to one visitor, "It's a great family campground, and good for the value. We've been coming here since 1983, brought my kids here and now they bring theirs. It's easy to get to and close to the OC Boardwalk." The combination of natural beach settings and recreational amenities makes the Berlin area particularly appealing for mixed-use camping experiences.
$28 - $39 / night
"and was well situated, with a nice open space between the edge of the site and the dunes."
"perfection in my opinion... and that is without even having to use the facilities… We passed through this campground for the first time on an open visit day in September and fell in love with the surroundings"
$40 / night
"Wild horses, wide, clean stretches of beach, safe surroundings, close to town. This is the best beach camping in all of Maryland."
"Assateague National Seashore on the Maryland side offers an incredible experience. Along with soft sand, balmy breezes and coastal views, wild horses wander the park at will."
"Due to the location near Ocean City, this campground is primarily a resort for people staying 1 or more weeks."
"Shuttle to Ocean City, MD was convenient and general store was close by and stocked well!"
$65 - $350 / night
"We spent a week through Labor Day at Sun Outdoors Ocean City (formerly Castaways) in Berlin, MD, as our final trip of the 2023 season. This was our second visit— and we had a great time! "
"Not too many planned activities but free shuttle to nearby Berlin & Ocean City.Short drive to all Ocean City has to offer. Clean bath houses and golf cart rental was an added bonus!"
$40 - $80 / night
"Oceanside walk in requires a good amount of work. You’re carrying your gear in to your site, setting up in howling wind (potentially), no water at site. Cold showers. Pit toilets. But man oh man."
"We enjoyed bike riding around the island, catching glimpses of the wild ponies and running around on the beach."
$17 - $53 / night
"The distance between sites across the loop isn’t huge or blocked by any foliage but didn’t seem to be an issue for our friends who stayed in D24."
"It was also right near the showers, which were clean & warm, just what was needed. Tent sites are more secluded and are walk-in; our buddies tent camped the same weekend."
"It is close to Ocean City, Maryland, as well as Berlin and Assateague national park where you can watch the ponies roam."
"We stayed at this campground to be close to Ocean City for Ocean Calling music festival in September 2024...It is a great family rv Park...Lots of amenities...clean...close to OC or Historic Berlin...After"
$20 - $132 / night
"The location (in between Dewey/Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach/Ocean City, Maryland) is PERFECT. You have close access to miles and miles of touristy beaches and uninhabited beaches."
"We stayed in a full hook up site, and we found the campground to be clean, well maintained and so close to the beach."
$23 - $29 / night
"It’s just 45 minutes away from the beach at Assateague Island and an hour or so to Ocean City or Chincoteague."
"Open from April to September (except Waters Edge and Robins Nest loops which are open year round) the tent sites here can be a little close together. Particularly the sites at Waters Edge."
$50 - $80 / night
"Very close to Ocean City beaches. Lots of restaurants and supermarkets near by. Had an excellent stay."
"Close to Ocean City if that is your thing. Great kayaking trail,deep freshwater lake. Great fishing. Nice pool and pavilion areas. Nice camp store. Miss Judy is the best. Perfect to relax"
TravelerI called the reservation number and was told to call a different number. I call that number and it was a wrong number. Then I went back to their website. And put in my information. It's been a day and a half , and I still haven't heard from them. So I moved on and got a different reservation.Somewhere else. The lucky I gave him a star.
GuideNo hookups but no problem with solar as there is little shade. Nice clean bathrooms. Very windy.
GuideWe love utilizing this campground for oceans calling music festival in September. It is close to Ocean City, Maryland, as well as Berlin and Assateague national park where you can watch the ponies roam.
TravelerThis place was very nice. Best beer selection I’ve seen at a campground. Nice little beach! Nice pool, tiki bar and great deli. One issue. The bathrooms were very dirty and not cleaned the 3 days I was there. Same soap pieces in the shower all 3 days. Same gunk stains on urinals.
ScoutSpent one night here as we were in transit from a campground near the bottom of the Eastern Shore of Virginia to home (fortunate to get a spot that fit my camper) - spots are close together - full campground even in the middle of the week after school started- but quiet at night. Almost a mile walk to the beach - great trails for bike riding. Restrooms were clean! If you have a trailer, make sure that you input your trailer length to find a site that fits as they vary. Close to food. Staff very friendly. Tons of stuff to do - will return when we have more time. If you want the experience of driving on the beach - go for it!
Guide8/15/2025
Arrived after dark to find that I had the campground to myself. As noted in other reviews, turn right as you drive past the office/house and let yourself in through the closed (but unlocked) gate. Since the last review, it appears they've added 11 sites on a branch if you bear left after the gate. These sites (8-18) are level, packed gravel pads with benches, fire pit, grill, and picnic table. The restroom featured on the map is just a portalet, but there is plenty of overflow parking in that branch. Apparently you're not supposed to pull onto the gravel with your vehicle, just park parallel to the road alongside it.
Another note about the gravel - can't get stakes in. Plus, it's a pine forest and I didn't want to get sap on my tent so I didn't tent adjacent to the pad amidst the pine needles. I did drive around the right branch (sites 1-7) in the morning to find that they are dirt/grass sites and probably would be ideal for tenting/staking (and in case you haven't guessed, I don't have a freestanding tent). The area is densely forested with pines and is quite pleasant in that regard.
TravelerWe loved it. Great for a long getaway or a quick one like ours. Loved our stay. It was clean and full of fun.
ScoutWe had a nice time & plan on returning.
ScoutWe have been to this campground twice. First time everything was very clean and lots to do. The last time things had slipped a little bit. Campground was definitely not as clean. The first time there was staff riding around picking up garbage and keeping things neat. Last time it seemed like it was just a bunch of teenagers flying around on golf carts not doing much. Almost all the games were broken in the arcade. Plus a lot more seasonals. The seasonals also have a lot of political flags with profanities. Not very family friendly! Pros love the pool, lake, waterslides, and proximity to cape may Cons broken equipment, kids racing golf carts all hours of the nights, lots of seasonals with over the top decorations, with flags with profanities and cleanliness slipping. We will try it again. Hopefully they were just having an off year.
Berlin, Maryland provides excellent coastal camping options with several noteworthy mixed-use campgrounds including Assateague State Park Campground and Sun Outdoors Frontier Town. The area features a diverse range of accommodation types from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV camping and glamping cabins. Most campgrounds in the region sit within 15 miles of the Atlantic coast, offering strategic access to both Ocean City's amenities and the natural beauty of Assateague Island National Seashore where wild ponies roam freely. Campgrounds generally accommodate both tent and RV campers, though some developed sites specifically cater to larger rigs with 50-amp electrical service.
Camping seasons vary across properties, with peak availability from April through October when weather conditions are most favorable. Many campgrounds, including Assateague Island National Seashore's Oceanside Campground, operate seasonally from May through October, while a few locations like Shad Landing Campground remain open year-round. Advanced reservations are strongly recommended during summer months when occupancy rates approach capacity, particularly at waterfront sites. Most developed campgrounds offer varying levels of amenities including electric hookups, showers, and sanitary dump stations. A recent review noted, "Due to the location near Ocean City, this campground is primarily a resort for people staying 1 or more weeks."
The camping experience near Berlin offers striking contrasts between the developed resort-style properties and the more natural settings. Family-friendly amenities stand out as a consistent theme in visitor reviews, with several campgrounds featuring water parks, playgrounds, and organized activities. A visitor commented, "This campground is very family friendly. There is so much to do. If you do go make sure you go for a week so you can try to do it all." Proximity to both Assateague Island's wild beaches and Ocean City's attractions makes the area uniquely versatile for campers. Weather considerations should include coastal conditions like strong winds and occasional storms, particularly during hurricane season. Some primitive tent areas may experience flooding during heavy rainfall, while the oceanside locations benefit from cooling sea breezes during summer heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does camping cost in Berlin, MD?
Camping costs near Berlin vary by campground and amenities. Shad Landing Campground offers affordable state park rates, with sites open from April to September, though some loops remain available year-round. For a premium experience, Sun Outdoors Ocean City Gateway charges around $145 per night during peak season with lock site fees, providing full amenities in a convenient location. Prices typically fluctuate based on season, with summer months commanding higher rates, especially at campgrounds closer to Ocean City. State park options generally offer the best value, while private RV resorts with full hookups and resort-style amenities command premium prices. Many campgrounds offer discounted rates for longer stays or during off-season periods.
What are the best campgrounds near Berlin, MD?
Assateague State Park Campground ranks among the best camping options near Berlin, offering electric sites and the unique experience of wild horses roaming the area. The campground provides direct beach access with sites that accommodate everything from tents to smaller RVs. Another excellent choice is Pocomoke River State Park Campground, featuring clean facilities with hot showers, spacious changing areas, and well-maintained sites. Located about 45 minutes from Assateague Island and an hour from Ocean City, it offers a peaceful forest setting while still being close to attractions. Both campgrounds provide a natural experience with good amenities, though Assateague's beachfront location and wildlife viewing opportunities make it particularly special for those wanting a memorable coastal camping experience.
Are there family-friendly camping options in Berlin, Maryland?
Berlin offers excellent family-friendly camping options. Sun Outdoors Ocean City is ideal for families, featuring a beach area on the bay, swimming pools, and numerous activities just 15 minutes from Ocean City attractions. The resort offers various accommodation options including cabins and RV sites. Milburn Landing Campground provides a more natural setting for families who enjoy outdoor recreation. As part of Pocomoke River State Park, it offers a quieter alternative to its sister campground while still providing access to park amenities. For families seeking a unique experience, Bayside Assateague Campground offers the thrill of wild horse sightings, though it requires more primitive camping skills with pit toilets and cold showers. Most family-friendly campgrounds in the area are open seasonally, with peak availability from spring through early fall.
Keep Exploring
