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 […]
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.
Sandy Point State Park
Popular Chesapeake Bay beach near Annapolis featuring spectacular views of the Bay Bridge. Offers sandy beaches, swimming areas, marina, boat rentals, fishing, and picnic facilities. Entry fee required with limited capacity during peak season.
Chesapeake Beach
Historic resort town on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay known for its water park, fishing charters, and marina. Limited public beach access with primary beach access through the Chesapeake Beach Water Park (seasonal operation with admission fee).
Hart-Miller Island
Remote island in Chesapeake Bay accessible only by boat featuring a 3,000-foot sandy beach on the western shore. Offers primitive camping, hiking trails, and natural beach experience. No facilities except portable toilets during summer months.
Point Lookout State Park
Historic park at the southern tip of Maryland’s western shore where the Potomac River meets Chesapeake Bay. Features a beach area, fishing pier, boat launch, campground, and Civil War museum. Entry fee required with spectacular water views.
Rocky Point Beach and Park
Baltimore County park on the Back and Middle Rivers featuring a swimming beach, fishing pier, boat ramps, and picnic areas. Offers beautiful water views with pavilion rentals available for events. Entry fee required with seasonal operation.