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You can get a taste of the Old West by heading to the East Coast. We’re talking about Frontier Town in Ocean City, Md., which has been a popular vacation spot for decades.
There are all kinds of activities here for the family, indoors and out, and more than 600 campsites. That helps to explain why this resort community has a small-town flavor at times but becomes a boomtown every summer.
Are you ready to saddle up and venture into a Wild West-themed getaway along Maryland’s scenic coastline? Let’s go!
What Is Frontier Town in Ocean City, Md.?
Sun Outdoors Frontier Town has been one of the top destinations on Maryland’s Atlantic Coast for more than 60 years. Formerly known as Frontier Town RV Resort & Campground, it started in 1959, re-creating the excitement of an old Wild West Show.
But the theme park isn’t stuck in the past. It has continuously evolved into a full-blown entertainment center with updated features to keep modern visitors enthralled. Many of today’s guests stay overnight and enjoy multiple water park attractions, on-site restaurants, and saloons.
And that’s just a sampling of what you can expect at Frontier Town in Ocean City, Md.
Where Is Sun Outdoors Frontier Town?
Sandwiched between Delaware and Virginia, Maryland’s Atlantic coastline is just over 30 miles from north to south. The primary resort town on this strip is Ocean City, at the northern end of Assateague Island.
Sun Outdoors Frontier Town is actually in Berlin, Md., just a few minutes outside Ocean City on the scenic Sinepuxent Bay. You’ll find it toward the north end of Maryland’s coast along State Route 611, about four miles south of State Route 50.
What Can You Do at Sun Outdoors Frontier Town?
Before you make your travel plans, you’ll want to make sure the weather outlook is agreeable.
At Frontier Town in Ocean City, Md., there are many different kinds of opportunities to enjoy the gorgeous outdoors.
Water Park
Choose your own speed with the fast-paced, twisting, and turning water slide or the slow-churning Lazy River.
Smaller kids have their own Splash Pad and wading pool (look for the covered wagon overhead). If you’re looking to chill, you can rent a private cabana or hang out at the Poolside Bar & Grill.
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Western Experience
A stroll through the replica of a western town from the late 19th Century is like moseying into yesteryear. This is where you can watch gunslingers shoot it out or take a ride on a pony or stagecoach.
Enjoy Native American dancing demonstrations and cowboys doing trick riding before visiting the restaurants, saloons, and shops. (This is a chance to stock up on holsters, belts, and hats.)
Marina and Pier
This is your launching pad for taking off from the scenic shores to enjoy the waters of the bay. From Frontier Town’s marina and pier, you can go boating, kayaking, or jet skiing – or stay put and do some fishing.
You can dock your own watercraft at one of the 75 slips, accommodating vessels up to 23 feet long. Or you can rent personal watercraft or pontoon boats for a memorable group outing.
Fishing Charters
For bigger prizes, you may want to head offshore. Anglers know the Ocean City area as the “White Marlin Capital of the World.” This trophy species is abundant in the deeper waters and other alluring game fish like blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo.
Catch a boat with Lucky Break Charters to catch your own. They have two fishing boats that offer two-hour and four-hour fishing opportunities. You can also book a more leisurely sunset cruise.
Camping and Nature Trails
If you’re the sedentary type, you can rent a golf cart to get around the sprawling Frontier Town.
But to stretch your legs, we recommend the wooded nature trails and bike trails that meander along the coast. Look for the entrance to the trails behind the Camp Store.
Where to Stay When Visiting Frontier Town in Ocean City, Md.?
To enjoy everything Frontier Town has to offer, you may want to spend a few days. Here are the different on-site options for overnight stays.
RV Sites
For RVers, there are a total of 556 sites, including back-in and pull-through sites with partial or full hookups. The back-in-only sites have water and electricity (20, 30, and 50 amps).
Most sites have gravel, concrete, or paved pads with concrete patios, and some have waterfront access. Frontier Town can accommodate rigs up to 45 feet with sufficient room for slide-outs.
On the other hand, a few sites are designed just for smaller rigs like pop-ups and tent campers. Pets are welcome, and other amenities include a picnic table, a fire pit with a cooking grate, cable, and Wi-Fi.
Tent Sites
If you’re looking for a more rustic experience, Frontier Town in Ocean City, Md., has 51 primitive tent sites.
They have gravel pads, picnic tables, fire rings, and free WiFi access.
Lodging Options
Frontier Town in Ocean City, Md., has more than 60 other options for overnight lodging, including cottages and cabins that can accommodate couples or the whole family.
One unique offering will give you even more of a feel for the Old West lifestyle. There are seven authentic-style covered wagons outfitted with a king-size bed and bunks.
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Does Frontier Town Offer RV Rentals?
If you’re used to the RV lifestyle but are traveling without your own rig, Frontier Town in Ocean City, Md., can make you feel right at home. They have four RVs for rent, but these are for accommodations, not traveling.
Each sleeps up to six people and has a fully equipped kitchen, cookware, dinnerware, and utensils. The outside amenities include an awning, picnic table, fire ring, and grill.
Spend a Day in the Old West on the East Coast
Can you really get a taste of the Wild West by going back east? You can if you visit Frontier Town in Ocean City, Md.
This beautiful resort area on Maryland’s coastline has a small-town flavor at times, but becomes a boomtown every summer. There’s a year-round population of just under 7,000 people in Ocean City, but hundreds of thousands more visit year after year.
For many of them, riding into Frontier Town in Ocean City, Md., is a family tradition that’s spanned several generations. For others, it’s a new opportunity to go back in time to experience a fun taste of the Wild West culture of the 1860s.
And, maybe best of all, you get to enjoy a fresh breeze off the Atlantic while you’re doing it.