Calvert Cliffs Campground

calvert cliffs camping

Welcome, fellow Marylanders, to an insightful look into one of our region's hidden gems for outdoor enthusiasts: Calvert Cliffs Campground. Nestled in the scenic landscape of Lusby, MD, this campground offers a unique and engaging experience for those looking to connect with nature, explore historical treasures, and create lasting memories. Far from a typical public campground, Calvert Cliffs Campground is specifically designed for youth groups, providing a more structured and secluded environment for educational and recreational outings. It’s an ideal spot for scout troops, school groups, and other organized youth organizations seeking an immersive natural adventure.

The allure of Calvert Cliffs State Park, which the campground is a part of, lies in its remarkable geological features—the famed Calvert Cliffs themselves. These impressive cliffs, stretching for 24 miles along the eastern flank of the Calvert Peninsula, are renowned worldwide for their abundance of Miocene-era fossils. Imagine a place where you can hike through diverse ecosystems and then, with a little patience and luck, unearth a piece of prehistory right on the beach! While the main park offers a day-use experience, the campground provides an exclusive opportunity for youth groups to extend their exploration and truly immerse themselves in this fascinating natural wonder.

Our aim in this article is to provide local Maryland users with a comprehensive overview of Calvert Cliffs Campground, ensuring you have all the necessary information to plan your next group adventure. We'll delve into its location, accessibility, the services and features it offers, and why it stands out as an exceptional choice for youth group camping in Maryland.

Calvert Cliffs Campground is uniquely situated within Calvert Cliffs State Park in Lusby, Maryland. Its address is Lusby, MD 20657, USA. However, it's crucial to note that the campground has its own private, gated access, separate from the main public day-use area of Calvert Cliffs State Park. This distinction is vital for planning your visit. Previous visitors have emphasized the importance of understanding this gated access and the necessity of making reservations in advance to avoid unintentionally trespassing on private property. For those unfamiliar with the area, it's wise to use precise directions to the campground entrance itself, not just the general park address, to ensure a smooth arrival.

For local Maryland users, accessibility to Calvert Cliffs Campground is generally straightforward. Lusby is located in Southern Maryland, making it a manageable drive from many parts of the state. From points north, such as Annapolis or Baltimore, travelers would typically take Route 2/4 South. From areas like St. Mary's County, Route 4 North would be the primary route. Upon reaching the vicinity of Lusby, precise turn-by-turn directions to the campground's specific gated entrance, often involving Camp Conoy Road and then a dirt road, are essential. This private road ensures a secluded and secure environment for the youth groups utilizing the campsites. While the park itself is open from sunrise to sunset, the campground's distinct access underscores the need for pre-arranged reservations for overnight stays.

Calvert Cliffs Campground focuses on providing essential amenities for youth group camping, emphasizing a rustic yet functional experience. While it offers a back-to-basics approach, it ensures the necessary facilities are available for a comfortable group stay.

• Youth Group Specific Camping Sites: The campground features five primitive campsites exclusively for registered youth group pass holders.

• Reservations Required: All campsites must be reserved in advance through parkreservations.maryland.gov or by calling 1-888-432-2267.

• Pit Toilets: Basic restroom facilities are available, with pit toilets located near certain sites and shared by campers.

• Fire Rings: Each campsite is equipped with a fire ring, perfect for campfires, cooking, and gathering.

• Picnic Tables: A 12-foot picnic table is provided at each site, offering a communal space for meals and activities.

• Potable Water Spigot: A running water spigot is available near one of the sites (site 5), providing access to potable water for all campers.

• Parking: Each campsite has space for one vehicle or trailer, with additional parking along a fence line near site 5.

• Seasonal Availability: The youth group camping sites are generally available from April to October.

The true appeal of Calvert Cliffs Campground lies in its unique features and the natural wonders surrounding it. These highlights make it a standout choice for youth groups looking for an educational and adventurous outing.

• Private Gated Access: Unlike the main state park, the campground offers private, gated access, ensuring a secure and exclusive environment for youth groups. This also means less public traffic and more peace.

• Private Beach Access: Campers at Calvert Cliffs Campground enjoy access to a private strip of beach. This is a significant advantage, as it provides a less crowded environment for activities like fossil hunting compared to the public beach area.

• Exceptional Fossil Hunting Opportunities: Calvert Cliffs is world-renowned for its abundance of Miocene-era fossils. Youth groups can spend hours sifting through the sand on the private beach, potentially discovering shark teeth, ray plates, and other ancient marine life remnants. It's an incredible hands-on learning experience in paleontology.

• Primitive Camping Experience: With no electric hookups, the campground offers a genuine, rustic camping experience, encouraging groups to embrace nature and traditional outdoor skills.

• Proximity to Calvert Cliffs State Park Trails: While the campground offers a distinct experience, it is part of the larger Calvert Cliffs State Park. This means youth groups can potentially access the park's 13 miles of marked foot trails (though access routes from the campground specifically should be confirmed when booking), offering opportunities for hiking and nature appreciation through over 1,000 acres of old woods and wetlands.

• Wildlife Observation: The diverse ecosystems within and around the park, including wetlands and forests, provide excellent opportunities for wildlife watching, including various bird species and other local fauna.

For youth groups considering a stay at Calvert Cliffs Campground, the primary "special offer" revolves around the fee structure and the specific pass required for entry.

• Maryland Park Service Youth Group Pass: A key promotion for Calvert Cliffs Campground is that youth group campsites are available at no charge (costing $0) with a valid Maryland Park Service Youth Group Pass. This pass is required for booking and utilizing these specific campsites. This makes it an incredibly cost-effective option for registered youth organizations.

• Annual Availability: The youth group campsites are generally available seasonally, typically from early April to late October each year. It’s important to check the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website or the reservation system for the exact operational dates for the current and upcoming seasons.

It's always recommended to check the official Maryland DNR website or the online reservation portal for the most up-to-date information on any potential changes to fees, availability, or new offerings. While general state park passes cover day-use admission for vehicles at Calvert Cliffs State Park, the Youth Group Pass is specifically tailored for the camping facilities at Calvert Cliffs Campground.

To inquire about reservations, specific details, or general information regarding Calvert Cliffs Campground, please use the following contact details:

Address: Lusby, MD 20657, USA (Note: This is the general area. Ensure you have specific directions to the campground's gated entrance when planning your visit.)

For Reservations and Inquiries:

Phone: 1-888-432-2267

Online Reservations: parkreservations.maryland.gov

It is highly recommended to make reservations well in advance, especially during peak seasons, as availability for youth group sites can be limited. Please remember to confirm the exact location and access instructions for the campground when making your reservation, as it differs from the main public park entrance.

For locals in Maryland, Calvert Cliffs Campground presents an unparalleled opportunity for youth groups to experience the natural beauty and historical richness of our state. Its designation specifically for youth organizations, coupled with the requirement of a Maryland Park Service Youth Group Pass for free camping, makes it an incredibly suitable and accessible option for scout troops, school environmental clubs, and other educational groups. This is not a casual family camping spot open to the general public for individual reservations, but rather a dedicated facility that champions outdoor education and group cohesion.

The campground's private, gated access ensures a secure and focused environment, allowing group leaders to maintain better oversight and for participants to feel safe while engaging with nature. The private beach access is a significant advantage, providing a less crowded and more immersive fossil hunting experience, which is a major draw of the Calvert Cliffs area. Imagine the excitement of Maryland's youth unearthing a 15-million-year-old shark tooth—a truly tangible connection to our state's deep geological past.

Beyond the thrill of discovery, the primitive camping experience fosters self-reliance, teamwork, and an appreciation for conservation. It’s an ideal setting for teaching valuable outdoor skills and environmental stewardship. For Maryland residents, having such a unique and focused outdoor education resource right in our backyard is a remarkable asset. Calvert Cliffs Campground offers a blend of natural exploration, historical learning, and group development that few other locations can provide, making it an excellent choice for nurturing the next generation of Maryland's outdoor enthusiasts and environmental champions.

Calvert Cliffs Campground

Lusby, MD 20657, USA