Aqualand Ship’s Store Sets May 1 Reopening Date As Seasonal Closure Is Approved

NEWBURG, Md. — Aqualand Marina and Campground now has at least one firm date on the calendar: AMO Ship’s Store is scheduled to reopen May 1, 2027, after a seasonal closure beginning Nov. 1.

The Charles County Board of License Commissioners approved the temporary closure for the licensed establishment at 9700 Orland Park Road in Newburg.

The campground will close for the season Oct. 19, while the Ship’s Store will remain open through the end of the month.

The May 1 date provides the clearest reopening timeline yet amid recent questions about Aqualand’s future.

Attorney David Martinez, representing AMO Ship’s Store, told the board the campground planned to close Oct. 19 and requested approval to temporarily close the licensed Ship’s Store beginning Nov. 1.

“The campground is intending to close on the 19th and requesting to close the ship store, which is the store that serves as the campground, starting from November 1st with a plan to reopen on May 1st, 2027,” Martinez told the board.

The board approved the seasonal closure.

During discussion, Board Chairperson Matthew Darden asked whether the campground itself would also reopen May 1.

“That my client did not indicate since we’re only concerned with the license holder, which was the AMO Ship Store,” Martinez said. “So, Mr. Darden, honestly, I don’t know the answer to that question.”

Martinez said he presumed the store would reopen around the same time as the campground but could not confirm the campground’s reopening date.

The seasonal closure follows weeks of questions about the future of Aqualand Marina and Campground.

Earlier this month, The BayNet reported that Mark Mudd, president of Bryans Road Corporation, the company listed in state records as the property owner, said the campground and marina had not been sold.

“Neither the campground nor the marina have been sold,” Mudd told The BayNet.

Mudd said ownership remained unchanged except for land previously conveyed to the Maryland State Highway Administration for the replacement of the Gov. Harry W. Nice Memorial/Sen. Thomas “Mac” Middleton Bridge. When asked whether there were any other recent discussions or agreements involving the property, Mudd said, “No.”

Aqualand Marina Operations had notified campers and other occupants that the 2026 season would end Oct. 19. The notice said the property would undergo winterization, repairs and improvements, but it did not provide a reopening date.

Mudd told The BayNet the decision was related to the operation of the campground.

“We are a private business. We are closing for the season,” Mudd said. “The primary reason for the closing is the logistical business operation and management of the campground.”

Mudd also said occupancy had declined since construction of the Nice/Middleton Bridge was completed. Contractors working on the bridge had previously helped keep the campground at 70% to 90% capacity, according to Mudd. He said campground use also historically declines after September and winter operations present additional challenges.

At the time of The BayNet’s Aug. 3 report, Mudd had not provided a potential reopening date or an estimate of how long the closure could last.

The May 1, 2027, date presented to the liquor board is the first specific reopening date publicly provided in connection with the current closure plans. That date applies specifically to AMO Ship’s Store.

Watch the full Aug. 13 Charles County Board of License Commissioners meeting on CCGTV.

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