Our favorite in the area, approximately fifteen minutes from Ocean City by car, is
Assateague State Park. This campground, located on the ocean in the land of wild ponies, is outstanding. It's filled with wildlife, in both the ocean and on land, affords campers the benefit of a virtually private, beautiful and pristine ocean beach, offers planned (ranger-naturalist-type) activities in season, has very clean/modern rest room and shower facilities, and is within easy reach of Ocean City's abundant nightlife. Operated by the State, this campground is next to the national park campground (
Assateague Island National Seashore); the latter, however, is far more rustic -- it has no flush toilets, only cold showers, and a greater degree of insect (mosquito and fly) infestation (the Feds don't spray). For these reasons, our family prefers this "more civilized" state campground. Book early, though: the campground fills up fast in season, especially on weekends.