Is Elk Neck State Park first-come first-served or reservation?

Elk Neck State Park accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Elk Neck State Park before I book?

Yes! Elk Neck State Park has 12 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Elk Neck State Park?

Elk Neck State Park is open Miles Loop Campsites: Weekends only April 3, 2026-October 31, 2026 North East Loop Campsites: Year-round operations Sassafras Loop Campsites: Holiday weekends only from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Elk Neck State Park?

Yes, Elk Neck State Park has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Elk Neck State Park?

Fire policies at Elk Neck State Park: Sites include fire rings; firewood is sold at the camp store (per visitor reports).. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Elk Neck State Park have?

Elk Neck State Park has 275 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Elk Neck State Park?

Pets are not allowed at Elk Neck State Park. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Elk Neck State Park?

Elk Neck State Park offers: Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Sewer Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Elk Neck State Park?

Popular activities at Elk Neck State Park include Hiking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Elk Neck State Park

3.76

68 reviews

Elk Neck State Park

Featured in:RV Camping Maryland#2 Boating Camping Maryland#2 Summer Camping Maryland +5 more

Real-Time Availability

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Quick Facts

167 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

275 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Full HookupsShowers

Book on Maryland DNR Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

167 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

275 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Full HookupsShowers

Book on Maryland DNR Official Website

Get Directions

Elk Neck State Park

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Peak Season Apr 03 2026 - Oct 31 2026 Rustic Cabin $50.50-$51.50 Picnic Shelter $121.75-$122.75 Mini Cabin $56.50-$67.50 Campsite...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Campground Map

Elk Neck State Park

39.4796, -75.9811

Weather at Elk Neck State Park

Best Time to Camp at Elk Neck State Park

Summer delivers the warmest water and full access to boating, swimming, and paddling. Daytime highs typically run 75–90°F (24–32°C), and Chesapeake water temps hit the low 70s°F by mid-summer. High humidity and occasional afternoon thunderstorms are common. Weekdays stay quiet; weekends draw family crowds. Wildlife viewing peaks in summer, but so do ticks. Bring protection.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Warmest water and full access to boating, swimming and paddling in summer.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Miles Loop Campsites: Weekends only April 3, 2026-October 31, 2026 North East Loop Campsites: Year-round operations Sassafras Loop Campsites: Holiday weekends only from Memorial Day through Labor Day

About Elk Neck State Park

Elk Neck State Park sits on the Chesapeake Bay at 167 feet elevation, offering 275 sites across several loops including North East and Elk. Full hookups are available on the North East Loop, and the park is known for clean facilities, friendly staff, and a lightly used beach. Reviewers consistently praise the camp store's inexpensive firewood and well-maintained restrooms.

Campground includes both tent and RV sites. Some loops (North East Loop) offer full hookups including 50 amp, while tent loops without hookups are also available.

Weather and SeasonsSummer delivers the warmest water and full access to boating, swimming, and paddling. Daytime highs typically run 75–90°F (24–32°C), and Chesapeake water temps hit the low 70s°F by mid-summer. High humidity and occasional afternoon thunderstorms are common. Weekdays stay quiet; weekends draw family crowds. Wildlife viewing peaks in summer, but so do ticks. Bring protection.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies wooded terrain along Chesapeake Bay shoreline. Sites are shaded by forest cover, and trails wind through the woods to a beach that sees light use even during peak season. The bay offers calm water for kayaking and paddling, with inlets accessible from the park's shoreline. Morning mist is common in the trees. The beach provides long stretches of sand for swimming and beachcombing when water temperatures reach the low 70s°F in mid-summer.

Scenic ViewsBeach and wooded surroundings; shoreline access reported by visitors.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsGoingToCamp (https://parkreservations.maryland.gov)

Total Campsites275 campsites

Best CampsitesNorth East Loop offers full hookups, with site 19 called out as a favorable pull-through. Elk Loop is also mentioned positively by visitors. Request North East Loop specifically if you want water, sewer, and electric connections.

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Amenities available

Reviewers report well-maintained restrooms and shower buildings, a camp store on site, and campsite amenities that include fire rings, picnic tables and utility hook-ups on some loops. Sites described as spacious and wooded; staff and camp hosts are frequently called out as friendly and helpful.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Sewer hookups

Dump station

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Visitors highlight hiking in the park woods, paddling/kayaking and quiet beach access, plus general wildlife viewing. The park is described as peaceful on weekdays and family-friendly on weekends.

Hiking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsVisitors reported ticks; wildlife (small animals) may visit campsites.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

3.8

68 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Elk Neck State Park has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Mostly 5‑star reviews praising cleanliness, friendly staff, spacious sites and good value; clean showers and a helpful camp store are frequently mentioned. A recurring downside noted by multiple reviewers is ticks.

Review Summaries

Based on 68 reviews

What Campers Love

Consistently called out: clean and well‑maintained campground and restrooms, friendly and responsive park staff/camp hosts, full hook‑ups on some loops (North East Loop), an on‑site camp store with...

Based on 68 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring tick protection and store food/utensils securely (reviews note animals visiting campsites). Weekdays tend to be very quiet while weekends get family crowds; request North East Loop for full...

Based on 68 reviews

Camper Quotes

"bathrooms and showers were very clean."; "The sites have a fire ring we had electric, water, and sewage"; "One of the best campground I've visited"; "Ticks, Ticks, Ticks!"; "beach is like a private...

Based on 68 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Kayakers, paddlers, and families who want bay swimming without a crowded beach. North East Loop pull-through site 19 suits RVers needing full hookups, and cheap firewood from the camp store is a genuine perk.

Skip if

Tick sensitivity is a real issue here, multiple reviewers flag them consistently. Anyone who can't do thorough daily checks, or who wants a wilderness feel, will find this park too managed and too buggy in summer.

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Elk Neck State Park

About Shadow Mountain Lake

Context for the broader area surrounding Elk Neck State Park, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

<A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/dams/co01666.htm">Shadow Mountain Dam</a> and Reservoir, <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/html/cbt.html">Colorado-Big Thompson Project</a>, are on the Colorado River below its confluence with the Grand Lake outlet. Developments include 1 campground with 80 campsites and 2 boat-launch ramps. Good access exists. Total water surface available for recreation is approximately 1,346 surface acres and 8 miles of shoreline. Primary recreational activities are camping, fishing, and power boating. Primary sport fish are bown trout, rainbow trout, and salmon. Facilities closed in winter due to ice and snow conditions. <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/gp-bin/arcweb_sharesco.pl">Current Reservoir Levels</a>.

Directions

North from Granby, Colorado on U.S. 34.