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The Best Beaches in Maryland

Maryland’s short Atlantic coast is all Ocean City boardwalk and the wild dunes of Assateague — but the calm, warm Chesapeake Bay beaches round out the state, from Sandy Point near Annapolis to North Beach and Point Lookout. The catch is parking: the ocean side leans on metered lots and national-seashore fees, while the bay beaches charge state-park entry by the car.

6 beaches mapped · Summer 2026 · updated June 14, 2026

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Top beaches & swimming spots

  1. Ocean City Beach

    Boardwalk

    Maryland’s classic ten-mile strand backed by the boardwalk, amusements, and beach patrol — the sand is free, but summer parking means metered streets and paid lots that fill by late morning.

    Public beachFree
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  2. Assateague State Park

    Assateague Island

    Maryland’s only oceanfront state park — two miles of dune-backed beach with a campground and bathhouses, sharing the island (and the wild horses) with the national seashore, with a paid lot that caps out on summer weekends.

    Family beachTicketed
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  3. Sandy Point State Park

    Skidmore

    Calm, warm bay swimming right beside the Bay Bridge near Annapolis — a family favorite with a guarded swim beach and boat ramps, whose lot routinely fills and closes the gate on hot weekends.

    Family beachTicketed
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  4. North Beach

    Calvert County

    A tidy, walkable Calvert County bay town with a half-mile boardwalk, pier, and a gentle swim beach — a small day-use or parking fee applies in season, so bring a few dollars.

    Public beachTicketed
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Hidden gems & dog beaches

  1. Assateague Island National Seashore

    Assateague Island

    Wild, undeveloped barrier-island sand where the famous Assateague horses roam the dunes and parking lots — pay the national-seashore fee at the gate and never feed or approach the horses.

    Hidden gemTicketed
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  2. Point Lookout State Park

    Point Lookout

    Where the Potomac meets the Chesapeake at Maryland’s southern tip — quiet bay and river beaches, a Civil War history, and fishing, well off the crowded ocean side with a paid state-park lot that rarely sells out.

    Hidden gemTicketed
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Maryland beaches — FAQ

Where can I see the wild horses near Ocean City?
On Assateague Island, just south of Ocean City — the herd roams both the national seashore and the adjacent state park, often right along the dunes and parking lots. Keep your distance and never feed them; both areas charge an entry fee at the gate.
Which Maryland beach is best for families?
Sandy Point near Annapolis and Assateague State Park both have calm water, lifeguards, and full facilities. Sandy Point’s sheltered bay swimming is ideal for little kids — though its lot fills and closes on hot weekends, so arrive early.
Do I have to drive to the ocean for a Maryland beach?
No — the Chesapeake Bay beaches are closer to Baltimore and DC and have calm, warm water. Sandy Point (Annapolis), North Beach (Calvert County), and Point Lookout are all bay options without the Ocean City drive.
Can I report parking or add a beach?
Yes — tap a beach on the live map to report whether its lot is open, filling, or full, or drop a pin to add a beach. Reports update for everyone in real time.

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