Reacreational Park Filled with Fun

Located next to the Pocomoke River, the Pocomoke River State Forest and Park is a 14,000 acre plot of wooded land in the Southwestern portion of Worcester County, Maryland. Situated between Snow Hill and Pocomoke City, the forest is best known for its selection of loblolly pine trees and cypress swamps which border along the river. Many visitors come for the excellent fishing opportunities, but there are a number of other activities for visitors who are not anglers. The park offers a combination of upland and swamp land, so there is a wide variety of animal and plant life. Included in the park is white dogwood trees and pink laurel. Running wild are river otters and bald eagles, as well as over 50 species of fish.

Regular visitors to the park will enjoy reading The Pocomoke Paddler. This is a newsletter published four times a year that features information about upcoming activities and events at the park, as well as nature articles. The newsletter shares information about the unique habitat of the Pocomoke River, and children will enjoy sharing the newsletter with friends after they have returned from a trip to the park.

The park offers a variety of activities including boat rentals, camp sites, biking and hiking trails, and a boat launch for those who own their own boat. The camp store provides a variety of basic amenities, and you can also go canoeing, swimming, or play on the playground. The visitor center is a great place to visit if it is you first time in the park, and they can give you information that will be helpful for your visit.

Those looking to spend some time boating can use one of the 23 boat slips located at The Shad Landing Marina. There are electrical hookups, a launch ramp, a lighted dock area, and a fuel and transiet pier. Rowboat and canoe rentals are available. Those who want to fish from dry land can do so on the Pocomoke River or a variety of creeks nearby. Those who plan to fish during their visit need a Chesapeake Bay Sports Fishing License to fish. There is a "Fish for Fun'' pond located across from the marina parking lot, and anyone who wants to utilize the pond need a freshwater license.

The park offers group camping areas for youth camping programs, and those with a Maryland Youth Group Pass camp free. If you want to camp, but prefer to rough it a bit less than tent camping, consider one of the 12 mini cabins available at the park. The cabins feature one double bed and a set of bunk bed. Guests must provide their own linens, and all cooking must be done outside the cabin. Each cabin offers a campfire ring and a picnic table, and there are three cabins at Shad Landing that have air conditioning.

There are a number of options for those looking for a great place to camp in Maryland. If you are looking for a park with plenty of amenities near the Eastern Shore, consider the Pocomoke River State Park.