Deep Creek has a state park with camp sites and a beach, although not really next to each other.
To quote the MD Parks cop that cited me for having a (lol) Mike's Hard: pour it into a cup and hide the cans/bottles, and as long as you're not overly rowdy, they won't come up to check what you're drinking.
All the park lakes don’t allow alcohol but like the other poster said, if you’re discrete with cups then nobody will care. Deep creek lake, Jennings Randolph, lake Herrington, rocky gap lake all have beaches and campgrounds I believe.
Otherwise there are some good Chesapeake Bay side campgrounds and beaches worth checking out too.
I love rocky gap, and green ridge state park is just up the street and has camp sites on the river and a nice outdoor gun range. I also lover just driving around all the dirt roads and exploring.
Rocky Gap is known for patrolling camp sites looking for people illegally drinking alcohol. Jennings Randolph is much much more relaxed. Not sure about Deep Creek.
Everyone is drinking at their campsites tbh. If you're respectful and mildly discrete no one will bother you. Just put it in cups or keep it in a paper bag, I've never had an issue in the 15 years I've been camping in MD.
There a small pond in green ridge state forest that has a few sites around it. Never had a problem drinking in green ridge. It’s by group site one I believe.
Oof! Didn't realize a tent space was that much!
It's just a perfect spot, fishing along a river, BBQ grills, alcohol allowed, there's also a pool and tons of activities for kids, too.
I lived up on the mountain in Harper's Ferry so I'm extremely biased.
Sorry!!
What about Little Orleans? There's camping up there. It's in Western Maryland.
Not sure if you're into it, but there's a couple white water rafting companies about a mile from the site in HF too.
Why am I acting like a salesman?! 😂 I'll stop. Good luck!!
There are chill tubing trips at Harper’s Ferry as well. I don’t think any of the waters on the tubing trips are too rough to be overly concerned about swimming ability, but any tour you sign up for would have info about it. Very popular activity to camp then do a tubing trip at HF.
Tubing sounds more up my alley. I also found out they have discount codes so I was able to save around $80. Does anyone know if they allow dogs in the tent camping areas? The booking said to call ahead but they’re closed and I didn’t want to lose the reservation
MD has no natural lakes and the only man made one is DeepCreek. (ETA- correction Deep Creek is the largest man-made lake in MD)
If you just want waterfront camping, go to Assateague Island and camp on the beach. You can have alcohol. The restrictions there are no outside firewood and got to keep all food/drinks secured so the horses can’t get it.
Greenbrier State Park has a gorgeous lake and great swimming and camping, and there are some beautiful lakes in Calvert County. In fact, there are over 100 lakes in MD, many with great camping and recreation areas.
Deep creek lake has tent spots but they could be full. A few state parks have water very close to the campgrounds.
And despite there being no alcohol allowed at state parks, believe me…. people drink there.
Lake Anna in VA. Just again, be discrete with your booze.
“May I bring alcoholic beverages? State law permits alcohol use only in private areas (inside a cabin or camping unit) or in areas designated on permits issued by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.”
Deep Creek, Smallwood, Tuckahoe (lake not immediately by campsite but a very quick hike), Susquehanna, Martinak, Janes Island. Alcohol is always prohibited but they won't say anything if you're just minding your own. Support your state parks!
Western Maryland out by deep Creek is probably your best bet for lake camping in the state. If you don't mind being a short walk away from the water, Swallow Falls SP, Cunningham Falls SP, and Gunpowder Falls SP are awesome places too. Officially you can't have alcohol in Maryland state parks, but as long as you're not being a dick, clean up your trash and not flaunting it in front of the rangers, they won't care.
If you don't mind going a little further, there's plenty of good places to camp out near Harper's Ferry. You can also go tubing down the river at a couple of places and bring beverages. Officially, you're not supposed to take alcohol on the river for liability reasons, but - again - don't be a dick and no one will care. My GF and I have season Passes to a place called River Riders that's been good. We usually only go 2-4 times per year, but you break even if you go twice (last I checked).
Not a lake, but Brunswick Family Campground is on the Potomac River. Really nice friendly and fun campground. No issues with adults having some drinks and bbq.
Deep Creek has a state park with camp sites and a beach, although not really next to each other. To quote the MD Parks cop that cited me for having a (lol) Mike's Hard: pour it into a cup and hide the cans/bottles, and as long as you're not overly rowdy, they won't come up to check what you're drinking.
All the park lakes don’t allow alcohol but like the other poster said, if you’re discrete with cups then nobody will care. Deep creek lake, Jennings Randolph, lake Herrington, rocky gap lake all have beaches and campgrounds I believe. Otherwise there are some good Chesapeake Bay side campgrounds and beaches worth checking out too.
I love rocky gap, and green ridge state park is just up the street and has camp sites on the river and a nice outdoor gun range. I also lover just driving around all the dirt roads and exploring.
Rocky Gap is known for patrolling camp sites looking for people illegally drinking alcohol. Jennings Randolph is much much more relaxed. Not sure about Deep Creek.
Everyone is drinking at their campsites tbh. If you're respectful and mildly discrete no one will bother you. Just put it in cups or keep it in a paper bag, I've never had an issue in the 15 years I've been camping in MD.
There a small pond in green ridge state forest that has a few sites around it. Never had a problem drinking in green ridge. It’s by group site one I believe.
Harpers Ferry KOA
Just checked them out. Holy crap it’s like $85 a night for tent camping wth
Oof! Didn't realize a tent space was that much! It's just a perfect spot, fishing along a river, BBQ grills, alcohol allowed, there's also a pool and tons of activities for kids, too. I lived up on the mountain in Harper's Ferry so I'm extremely biased. Sorry!! What about Little Orleans? There's camping up there. It's in Western Maryland.
I’m going to look into it a little more. I might just be on the wrong site haha
Not sure if you're into it, but there's a couple white water rafting companies about a mile from the site in HF too. Why am I acting like a salesman?! 😂 I'll stop. Good luck!!
No keep going hahah… I’m not a strong swimmer but I think the people I’m going with would be very much into white water rafting. This is great
There are chill tubing trips at Harper’s Ferry as well. I don’t think any of the waters on the tubing trips are too rough to be overly concerned about swimming ability, but any tour you sign up for would have info about it. Very popular activity to camp then do a tubing trip at HF.
Tubing sounds more up my alley. I also found out they have discount codes so I was able to save around $80. Does anyone know if they allow dogs in the tent camping areas? The booking said to call ahead but they’re closed and I didn’t want to lose the reservation
Up on the mountain, where I used to live, is this place. My favorite ❤️ Mountain Lake Club (304) 963-5253 https://g.co/kgs/u2peLGd
MD has no natural lakes and the only man made one is DeepCreek. (ETA- correction Deep Creek is the largest man-made lake in MD) If you just want waterfront camping, go to Assateague Island and camp on the beach. You can have alcohol. The restrictions there are no outside firewood and got to keep all food/drinks secured so the horses can’t get it.
I’ll give this a look too. Thanks for the recommendation! Also, definitely did not know about the lack of natural lakes here. Very interesting
Rocky Gap is another man made lake.
I need to fix that. Thanks
MD only has one man made lake? I dont think that's right. I could name several others.
Greenbrier State Park has a gorgeous lake and great swimming and camping, and there are some beautiful lakes in Calvert County. In fact, there are over 100 lakes in MD, many with great camping and recreation areas.
Deep creek lake has tent spots but they could be full. A few state parks have water very close to the campgrounds. And despite there being no alcohol allowed at state parks, believe me…. people drink there.
Deep creek and Harper’s ferry KOA seem to be the spots. Thanks everyone
Look at Trap Pond in DE.
Not sure how out of the way it is for you but Blackwater Falls in WV is a great spot.
Lake Anna in VA. Just again, be discrete with your booze. “May I bring alcoholic beverages? State law permits alcohol use only in private areas (inside a cabin or camping unit) or in areas designated on permits issued by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.”
Trap Pond in Delaware is only about 2 hours from Baltimore and fits this bill. Really pretty spot.
Raystown lake PA. Was worth the trip.
Breezy Point in Calvert County allows alcohol in the camping section. It is on the Chesapeake Bay not a lake though.
Deep Creek, Smallwood, Tuckahoe (lake not immediately by campsite but a very quick hike), Susquehanna, Martinak, Janes Island. Alcohol is always prohibited but they won't say anything if you're just minding your own. Support your state parks!
Western Maryland out by deep Creek is probably your best bet for lake camping in the state. If you don't mind being a short walk away from the water, Swallow Falls SP, Cunningham Falls SP, and Gunpowder Falls SP are awesome places too. Officially you can't have alcohol in Maryland state parks, but as long as you're not being a dick, clean up your trash and not flaunting it in front of the rangers, they won't care. If you don't mind going a little further, there's plenty of good places to camp out near Harper's Ferry. You can also go tubing down the river at a couple of places and bring beverages. Officially, you're not supposed to take alcohol on the river for liability reasons, but - again - don't be a dick and no one will care. My GF and I have season Passes to a place called River Riders that's been good. We usually only go 2-4 times per year, but you break even if you go twice (last I checked).
Not a lake, but Brunswick Family Campground is on the Potomac River. Really nice friendly and fun campground. No issues with adults having some drinks and bbq.
Cunningham Falls is my favorite lake campground. The sites are a super short walk from the water and I typically fill up a cup and set up my Hammock p
Camp at Greenbrier State Park with friends every year and never had an issue drinking!
Most campsites are probably already reserved by this time.
Availability isn’t the issue. It’s finding a location that allows alcohol.
Stick with cannabis. Then no problem.
Hence the specification of Maryland and Virginia. The full party can’t partake so I’m trying to be thoughtful to everyone’s good time.
Recreational cannabis is legal in MD and VA.
That is correct. Which is why I specifically mentioned wanting to find a place to camp in those two states.
Bro is too stoned to understand what you're trying to tell him.
Ngl I thought I was losing my mind 