Occupying a unique sliver of the Atlantic seaboard, Maryland may not have the beachy reputation of, say, New Jersey or Florida โ but make no mistake, there are some epic sandy stretches here to stretch out on. Here are some of the most beautiful and popular beaches in the state.
Top Beaches in Maryland
Maryland Beaches
Ocean City Beach
Ocean City Beach is an iconic vacation beach nestled on a barrier island just south of the Delaware border. Thanks to its ideal position, Ocean City has developed into a major getaway destination, and has all the amenities and attractions to prove it. Along with the ample soft sands, Ocean City Beach also offers a boardwalk and amusement park. Parking and entry are free, and there is a separate section specifically for surfers who want to take advantage of the swell. There are also restrooms, food vendors, and shops all within an easy reach of your towel.
Things to do near Ocean City Beach
Ocean City itself offers plenty in the way of seafood restaurants and cutesy tourist shops, and youโre not far at all from the unique wilderness that is the Isle of Wight Department of Natural Resources Management Area, which offers both hiking and hunting.
Cherry Beach
While Maryland offers some incredible ocean beaches, there are some equally travel-worthy interior beaches along its rivers and lakes, too. Cherry Beach is one of these. The beach park offers a boat ramp and is a popular place to launch canoes, kayaks, and even motorboats. Free parking is available along with picnic areas and restrooms.
Things to do near Cherry Beach
Just outside of the small city of Sharptown, Cherry Beach is within easy reach of all the amenities you need to make for a great vacation. Itโs also not far at all from the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, which has served as an oasis for migratory waterfowl since the 1930s.
Calvert Cliffs State Park
Calvert Cliffs State Park is easily one of the most scenic and unique parks in the state. Its sandy stretch along the Chesapeake Bay is surrounded by stunning sandstone cliffs, and the park is also a location known for its great fossil hunting opportunities. If you get tired of the beautiful beachfront, the park offers more than 10 miles of hiking trails to stretch your legs on, as well as a recycled tire playground to keep your kiddos entertained.
Things to do near Calvert Cliffs State Park
Although located in a fairly remote stretch of Marylandโs coastline, this park is actually only an hour and a halfโs drive from Washington, D.C., and there are plenty of hospitable smaller towns en route to the big city. Here are some excellent capital-area campgrounds check out!
Matapeake Beach
Matapeake Beach got its start almost 100 years ago, in the 1930s, when ferries would launch here to carry passengers across to the Maryland mainland in Annapolis. Today, it offers a scenic fishing pier, a great swimming beach, paved walking trails through well-manicured gardens, and delicious food and drink available from the on-site clubhouse. Thereโs also an outdoor amphitheater that hosts a variety of fascinating arts and cultural events.
Things to do near Matapeake Beach
Just over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from Annapolis, and within a stoneโs throw of bigger cities like Baltimore and D.C., there are plenty of things to see and do in the vicinity of Matapeake Beach. While youโre on Kent Island, we recommend stopping by the quaint walking area of Stevensville Historic District.
Sandy Point State Park
As its name suggests, Sandy Point State Park is well known for its soft, golden sands and shimmering waters. It also offers one-of-a-kind views of the Sandy Point Shoal Light and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. A small day-use admission fee is assessed, but itโs well worth the access to gorgeous shorefront, and pavilion rentals are also available.
Things to do near Sandy Point State Park
Less than 15 minutes from Annapolis, 40 or so from Baltimore and about an hour from Washington D.C., Sandy Point State Park is conveniently located for a wide range of area residents and visitors to access.
Hart-Miller Island State Park
If you want to feel fully away from it all, all without ever getting more than a few miles outside of Baltimore, Hart-Miller Island State Park should be at the top of your list. This island wilderness is tucked into the Chesapeake Bay immediately east of Marylandโs biggest city, and it is only accessible via boat. It boasts beautiful, untamed beachfront and more than eight miles of walking paths to wander along, including one leading to an observation tower so you can get an even better view of the incredible surroundings. Pets are welcome on the island, too!
Things to do near Hart-Miller Island State Park
While the entire city of Baltimore looms on the not-so-distant horizon, there are also plenty of non-urban diversions to get into while youโre in this area. Rocky Point Park is just across Hawk Cove from the island, and offers its own swim beach, and North Point State Park offers more than 1,300 acres of recreational opportunities. Here are some local campgrounds to consider!
North Beach
North Beach is another one of our favorites. Its beautiful, sandy beach offers a lovely off-the-beaten-path quality. Throughout the summer, locals put on fun festivities in this quaint getaway destination, but the beach offers beautiful scenery year round. Do be aware that itโs a โswim at your own riskโ situation; no lifeguards are on duty. But the wake here tends to be pretty mild, so just keep your wits about you when you head out to take a dip.
Things to do near North Beach
Nearby Wetlands Overlook Park offers elevated boardwalks and a one-of-a-kind look at the surrounding marshlands, giving you a taste of a totally different side of this part of Maryland.
Point Lookout State Park
Point Lookout State Park should be on every Maryland residentโs list to visit โ and the lists of those from further afield, too. Though it did play an important and sometimes dark role in some of our nationโs most important conflicts, today, the park is preserved to offer swimming, camping, and fishing opportunities to those who venture down the long road to find it. Of course, itโs also a treasure trove for history buffs.
Things to do near Point Lookout State Park
The park is in quite a remote area, but thatโs a big part of its charm! An on-site park office and store give you access to information, resources and necessities, and two hoursโ drive puts you back in the bosom of Washington, D.C.
The Best Maryland Beaches for RVers
Assateague Island National Seashore
If youโre looking for a more untouched, less-populated shoreline, we recommend heading south from Ocean City toward the Assateague Island National Seashore. This is a large preserved wilderness on another Maryland barrier island and is home to wild horses, something you arenโt likely to find in many other places. RV-friendly camping is available within the NPS-managed site, as well as at many nearby locations.
Why This Beach is Perfect for RVers
We love that you can camp right on the beach at this national seashore. Itโs also the perfect spot for outdoorsy people, which many RVers happen to be.
Things to do near Assateague Island National Seashore
Far away from developed cityscapes, Assateague Island National Seashore is a destination all its own โ though itโs a great option to add to a trip to the bright lights and boardwalks of Ocean City.
Elk Neck State Park
Elk Neck State Park offers a unique view of the Chesapeake Bay in its northern stretches. Along with is stretch of sandy shoreline, this state park boasts more than 2,000 acres of forest-covered pathways, swampy marshlands, and scenic sandstone cliffs, and even has a dedicated raptor viewing field for those eager to see the eagles and hawks that call this place home. The on-site Turkey Point Lighthouse guided sailors as early as 1833, and is particularly noted for its abundance of female lighthouse keepers. Thereโs also an interpretive nature center.
Why this Beach is Perfect for RVers
Along with all the amenities mentioned above, this park also offers onsite camping, making it an excellent pick for RVers.
Things to do near Elk Neck State Park
Although remote, Elk Neck State Park is located about equidistant between Baltimore and Philadelphia โ so itโs a great option for city-dwellers looking to get away from it all.
Planning an RV Trip to Maryland
During your time in Maryland, be sure to stay the coolest campgrounds in the state. You also want to check out the best state parks and Baltimore before you head back home!
