Sandy Point State Park

Sitting on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Anne Arundel County, Sandy Point State Park offers 786 acres of sandy beaches, tidal wetlands, and wooded trails with one of the best views in Maryland — the Chesapeake Bay Bridge stretching across the horizon. It’s one of the few state parks in the region where you can swim in the Bay, making it a major draw for families and beachgoers from the Baltimore-Washington corridor.

The park’s main beach is the centerpiece, with calm, shallow waters ideal for wading and swimming from late May through September. Beyond the sand, visitors can launch boats from the marina, fish for striped bass and perch from the jetty, or paddle kayaks along the shoreline. A network of flat, easy trails winds through maritime forest and along the water, offering solid birding — Sandy Point sits on the Atlantic Flyway, and fall migration brings osprey, herons, and migrating shorebirds in impressive numbers.

Picnic areas with pavilions dot the park, and crabbing from the shoreline is a local tradition worth trying. The park does not offer overnight camping, so plan for a day trip.

Visit between June and early September for beach season, or come in October when the crowds thin out and the birding peaks. Weekends fill up fast in summer — the park occasionally closes to new visitors by mid-morning on hot days, so arriving early is essential. An annual state park pass pays for itself quickly if you plan repeat visits.

Explore Nearby

• Sandy Point Shoal Light — Lighthouse in Maryland
• North Point Range Lights — Lighthouse in Maryland
• Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Maryland
• Baltimore’s Historic Charles Street — Scenic Byway in Maryland
• Jericho Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Maryland