Elk Neck State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Elk Neck State Park, located on the beautiful Elk Neck Peninsula in northeastern Maryland, is a scenic natural area offering gorgeous views and lots of recreational opportunities. Situated between Chesapeake Bay and the Elk River, the park consists of marshlands, sandy beaches, woodlands, and white clay cliffs. Elk Neck State Park is divided into four areas: the Turkey Point Lighthouse Area, the North East Beach Area, the Rogues Harbor Boat Launch Facility, and the Elk River Camping Area. During the summer, the park tends to feature warm, sunny weather but doesn't get overly hot. The spring and fall are typically mild and pleasant, whereas winters in the park are wet and chilly.
Nearby Cities:
Elkton, MD
Wilmington, DE
Baltimore, MD
Dover, DE
Spring 38-78 F
Summer 65-87 F
Fall 35-75 F
Winter 26-50 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Elk Neck State Park
Campground Accommodations
Elk Neck State Park Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 29 feet
Other amenities: Boat launch, BBQ grills, camp store, concession stand, drinking water, picnic tables, dump station, fire rings, fish cleaning station, showers, snack bar
Woodlands Camping Resort
A lovely family-friendly resort, Woodlands Camping Resort is a wonderful place to kick back, relax, and enjoy yourself. There are plenty of amenities and activities to keep everyone in your party busy, and the amazing staff is beyond helpful and accomodating.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes (some dog breeds restricted)
Other amenities: Swimming pool; full-service bathhouses; playground; activities
Susquehanna State Park
Another fabulous Maryland state park, Susquehanna State Park is a great place to park your RV. Not only does this park boast some lovely camping facilities, you’ll also find plenty of outdoor recreation within the park. Besides, it’s hard to beat those low state park camping fees.
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Super clean bathhouses; fishing pond; hiking trail; dump station
What to Do at
Elk Neck State Park
With its exceptionally diverse landscape, Elk Neck State Park offers an impressive selection of recreational activities. If you want to explore the park on foot, you can check out one or more of the area's scenic hiking trails. One trail you won't want to miss is the short route that leads to the picturesque Turkey Point Lighthouse. Another excellent option is to visit the North East Beach Area, where you could cool off with a swim, enjoy a tranquil picnic on the beach, or take off from the canoe and kayak launch point. Elk Neck State Park also offers great angling opportunities in the Elk River. You may also want to stop by the Raptor Viewing Field to observe the local eagles and hawks during your visit.
Elk Neck State Park offers lots of adventures in a gorgeous waterfront setting. Visitors can check out the towering lighthouse, embark on kayaking and canoeing trips, and explore the beaches and woodlands.
Inside Elk Neck State Park
With so many different landscapes in one park, it comes as no surprise that there are lots of different things to do here. Below are some of our favorite options:
Walking/Hiking — This park boasts a a few different walking paths. That said, the most popular by far is the 0.8-mile trail leading from the parking lot to the beautiful historic Turkey Point Lighthouse.
Swimming — Want to go for a swim? The North East Beach area is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon picnicking with family or friends and enjoying the beach and swimming.
Fishing — Rugues Harbor Boat Launch Facility offers guests with boats access to the Elk River for fishing purposes. Additionally, some people choose to fish directly from the fishing piers located in this area.
Raptor Viewing — The Raptor Viewing field is the perfect place to check out the local hawks and eagles which are often spotted in the park. Be sure to bring some binoculars!
Canoeing and Kayaking — Also located at the North East Beach area, the canoe and kayak launch point provides an opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to get out on the water and do a bit of exploring.
Fishing
Elk Neck State Park is located right on the banks of the Elk River, a quality fishing destination. During your visit, you'll be able to reel in catfish, perch, and smallmouth bass.
Geocaching
If you're a geocaching enthusiast, you'll have plenty to do at Elk Neck State Park. After you find a cache, you can take a memento from the container and sign the logbook.
Nature Watching
Birdwatching is one of the most popular activities at Elk Neck State Park. In addition to the Raptor Viewing Field, the area is home to a variety of avian species, including snow geese, tundra swans, and turkey vultures. You may also spot a bald eagle soaring overhead while exploring the park.
Stargazing
When the skies are clear at Elk Neck State Park, the area becomes a superb place for an evening of stargazing. On certain weekends, the park even hosts official stargazing events.
Flora and Fauna
One great thing about Elk Neck State Park is its diverse collection of plants. Thanks to its varying ecosystems, there's lots of unique flora to observe around the park. This includes mixed deciduous and evergreen trees as well as mountain laurels, azaleas, and various other shrubs.
Hiking
Elk Neck State Park boasts several scenic walking and hiking trails, most of which are suitable for hikers of all ability levels. The most popular route by far is the Turkey Point Lighthouse Trail, while the Wapiti Pond Trail offers the chance to see frogs and waterfowl.
Boating
Boating is another popular activity at Elk Neck State Park. In addition to the North East Beach Area launch, you can head out on the water via the Rogues Harbor Boat Launch Facility.
Swimming
During your visit to the park, you're welcome to go for a swim in the North East Beach Area. There are restrooms and picnic tables near the beach.
Biking
While some trails around Elk Neck State Park only permit walking or hiking, many routes are perfect for biking. Beaver Marsh Loop is a moderately difficult ride with an active beaver lodge at the center. Alternatively, the White Banks Trail's steep hills and tight turns will challenge your skills.
How to Get to
Elk Neck State Park
To reach the park from northern Maryland, head south on MD-272 and Turkey Point Rd. After around 8.5 miles, this road will take you directly to Elk Neck State Park, which will be on your right.
Entering Elk Neck State Park
Parking is available near the entrance and close to the beach. There is no fee to enter the Turkey Point Lighthouse Area. However, for the other areas of the park, Maryland residents must pay a $3 fee, and out-of-state visitors must pay $5.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Elk Neck State Park
Most people feel that the summer months are ideal to visit Elk Neck State Park. Between June and September, the area doesn't get uncomfortably hot, but it is frequently warm and sunny. This makes the summer a perfect time to enjoy hiking, fishing, swimming, and other activities at the park.
Elk Neck State Park is primarily known as an excellent place to observe raptors. However, birders can also look forward to seeing a variety of songbirds and woodpeckers. While exploring, you may also spot deer, beavers, and chipmunks.
The campground at Elk Neck State Park features 250 campsites that can accommodate RVs, and a significant portion of these sites have full hookups. Additionally, there's a convenient RV dump station at the campground.
To secure your campsite, you can make a reservation at Elk Neck State Park Campground online or over the phone. The reservation fee is $6.75. Keep in mind that the campground is only open from April 1 to November 30.
Pets are welcome at Elk Neck State Park. They are allowed on the camp roads, and you can bring them along on a hike. However, they must be kept on a leash, and you are expected to clean up after your four-legged companions.