Wildlife sanctuary on Chesapeake Bay featuring several shoreline access points but no designated swimming areas. Primarily focused on birdwatching, wildlife observation, and fishing. Limited facilities with nature as the main attraction.
Maryland Beaches
Maryland’s beaches span three distinct water environments: the Atlantic Ocean barrier beaches of Ocean City and Assateague Island, the calm brackish coves and cliffs of the Chesapeake Bay, and the mountain freshwater shorelines of Deep Creek Lake State Park in Western Maryland. Along the Atlantic coast, Ocean City offers 10 miles of free public beach and guarded summer swimming alongside its boardwalk, while Assateague State Park and Assateague Island National Seashore offer wild barrier island surfing, ocean camping, oversand vehicle zones, and free-roaming wild horses. On the Chesapeake Bay, destinations such as Sandy Point State Park, Calvert Cliffs State Park, North Beach, and Point Lookout State Park provide gentle waves suited for families, crabbing, and kayaking. Maryland State Parks charge per-vehicle or per-person day-use fees and require advance weekend day-pass reservations at high-demand parks like Sandy Point and Greenbrier during summer. Check Maryland Healthy Beaches water quality conditions before swimming. Use the filters below to compare Maryland beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, Assateague barrier island, Chesapeake Bay, and Western Maryland mountain lakes for swimming, surfing, crabbing, fishing, kayaking, and camping. During peak summer weekends, check the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Park Service website for day-use capacity status and advance pass requirements at Sandy Point and Greenbrier State Parks, and consult the Maryland Healthy Beaches interactive map for current water quality conditions.
Breezy Point Beach
Calvert County park featuring a half-mile of sandy beach on the Chesapeake Bay, fishing pier, and playground. Offers seasonal camping, picnic areas, and nettle nets during jellyfish season. Entry fee required with lifeguards during summer months.
Janes Island State Park
State park on the Chesapeake Bay featuring a mainland area with campground and small beach plus the uninhabited Janes Island accessible by boat. Offers kayak trails, fishing opportunities, and primitive beaches on the island portion. Entry fee required.
Deep Creek Lake State Park
Western Maryland’s largest freshwater beach located on Deep Creek Lake. Features a sandy beach area with designated swimming zone, picnic facilities, and boat rentals. Entry fee required with mountain scenery and seasonal lifeguards. Visiting Facts below come from the linked official pages, checked in October 2026. Anything not listed was not found on an official […]
Greenwell State Park
St. Mary’s County park on the Patuxent River featuring a small beach area, historic manor house, and equestrian facilities. Offers kayak launches, hiking trails, and fishing opportunities. Entry fee required with limited beach facilities.
Beverly Beach
Historic beach community in Anne Arundel County on Chesapeake Bay. Limited public beach access through community arrangement. Formerly a popular resort destination in the early 20th century that has evolved into a residential community.
Miami Beach Park
Residents-only beach on the South River in Anne Arundel County. Restricted access to community members and guests with small sandy beach, playground, and picnic facilities. Not open to general public without resident accompaniment.
Hoopers Island
Remote chain of islands in Dorchester County with informal beach access points rather than developed beaches. Known for authentic watermen culture, seafood industry, and bird watching. Limited facilities with focus on natural experience.
Fenwick Island State Park (Maryland portion)
The northernmost beaches of Ocean City, adjacent to the Delaware state line, offering a quieter experience than the main Ocean City beaches. Features less development, wider beaches, and free parking areas. No entry fee with seasonal lifeguards.
Cove Point Beach
Limited beach area near historic Cove Point Lighthouse in Calvert County. Primarily accessed through lighthouse tours or private community access. Features views of Chesapeake Bay with minimal facilities and restricted public access.