Camping Journal

Location: Ft. Whaley Campground  Whaleyville, Maryland Date:  11/16/2001
Miles Towed: 200 Weather: H mid 50's  L high  20's

Comments: 

This is the "cousin" campground to Frontier Town Campground in Ocean City Maryland.  Ft. Whaley is about 15 minutes west of Ocean City on US Route 50, which is the main road from  points west leading to Ocean City.
 
As our reason for camping this weekend was to view the Leonid Meteor Shower, so a location outside the city was ideal.
 
Ft. Whaley is located along side US route 50, so road noise is noticeable at all times.  Looking at the campground map, 50 is at the top past the arcade building and the pool.  We camped on site 29 in the "A Lane South" section.  These sites have electric and water at each site.  They are comfortable in size with generous tree coverage.  The downside is that there is no under story (i.e. bushes) between sites to provide privacy from your neighbor.
 
Every site has a fire ring with a fold over cooking grate.  We took a walk around the campground and al seemed in good condition.  Sufficient street lighting is provided so that a late trip to the bath house would not need a flashlight from most sites.
 
The bath house was beautiful!  Very clean and apparently having just been remodeled.  While i am not a fan of "push button" showers, these were well adjusted and provided about 30 seconds of hot  (not scalding) water for each push of the button.
 
As with most campground maps, the Ft. Whaley map is a little deceptive.  Site 29 of A Lane South backs up to sites 11 & 12 on the "B Circle",  not a grove of trees as the map appears to indicate.  But they are not any closer than other campgrounds we have visited.  I would recommend avoiding the "G Lane" primitive campsites as this is nothing more than an open fiels with no tree cover whatsoever.
 
Parents of small children should note that there are 2 small ponds as well as drainage canals/ditches with water deep enough for small children to get into trouble in. 
 
Taking everything into consideration, this is a very nice campground.  While activities were shut down for the season, during the summer there should be lots for the family to do.  Additionally, you can drive into Ocean City and take advantage of all the activities at Frontier Town Campground. 
 
 
Handicapped Availability:
 
None noted.  All roads are gravel, so wheelchair use would be difficult.  Nothing noted ion the main bathhouse to assist those with disabilities.