The 13 Best Beaches in Maryland in 2023 [Hidden Gems, Family-friendly]

It’s common knowledge that Maryland has been one of the most important ports on the Eastern Seaboard for centuries. However, its beaches still manage to fly under most people’s radar, making it a hidden gem for a vacation to the coast. It doesn’t matter if you’re a nature lover or are looking for a family-friendly place to spend the summer. There’s a beach in Maryland you should add to your list of must-visit places.

Map of the 13 Best Beaches in Maryland

The Best Beaches in Maryland

1. Assateague Island

Maryland’s Assateague barrier island is a 25-square-mile uninhabited island with 2 beaches that are well worth visiting. However, since they’re quite similar, they’re combined into a single entry on this list.

Assateague Island State Park is the only oceanfront park in the state. It covers 855 acres of the island. You can camp at the park and enjoy the wild, natural shore. Assateague National Seashore is, instead, much larger. It stretches across over 41,000 acres of the island and encompasses a large array of ecosystems.

Visiting the National Seashore portion of the island not only gives you access to its sandy beaches but also its marshes and forests. A main difference between these 2 portions of the coast is their pet allowances. If you plan on bringing your dog with you on your beachy Maryland getaway, head to the Assateague National Seashore where they’ll be allowed to roam around.

2. Betterton Beach

Betterton Beach is a popular stretch of Maryland’s coast among in-state residents. While out-of-towners are welcome to visit, it’s extremely popular with Kent County residents.

There are no lifeguards on duty here, so make sure you swim with extra caution. However, you don’t have to worry about strong currents. The water tends to be pretty gentle, especially during the summer months when the water is warmest.

Between Memorial Day in May and Labor Day in September, the beach’s on-site concessions stands are usually open as well, so you don’t have to worry about packing food. There are also picnic pavilions available.

The beach is equipped with a beach volleyball net as well, though you’ll need to bring your own ball. There are numerous parking spots a short distance away if you’re taking your own car.

3. Calvert Cliffs State Park

Calvert Cliffs State Park lets visitors get in touch with nature. With its sandy beaches and lack of development in the park, you can relax and unwind away from the city.

The beach is also unique for its presence of fossils. It’s not uncommon to find small bits of fossilized plant or rock while you’re here. In fact, you can keep the science-lover in your life busy for hours exploring the sand and the trails.

Since this is a preserved area, the water is free from pollutants and is often gentle enough for safe swimming. From the sand you’ll get a great view of the cliffs that give the area its name, and you can even take a trail to look at the beach from above. The park usually isn’t busy, either, especially during the week.

4. Deep Creek Lake State Park

If you’re more of a freshwater kind of person, Deep Creek Lake State Park should be on your list of places to visit.

Spread out over nearly 4,000 acres of land and with 69 miles of shoreline, the lake is the largest inland body of water in the state. Deep Creek Lake isn’t just known for its size, though. It’s also known for the wide variety of activities you can do while there.

The lake is open all year, so you can swim in warm, current-free water in the summer. If the water is too cold or you’d prefer not to get wet, you can raft, boat, or fish. During the winter, you can even ski and snowboard in the area.

Hot Tip: You’re also surrounded by nature, so you can catch a glimpse of the native wildlife like elk, bobcats, or even bears.

5. Flag Ponds Nature Park

Flag Ponds is a family-friendly coastal area where visitors of all ages can have fun at the beach. It’s a popular fishing area, thanks to the calm water, and there are a few bait shops nearby where you can get what you need. The most popular place to fish is the park’s pier, so make sure you get there early to find a spot if you go on a summer weekend.

Swimming is another safe and fun activity for people of all ages. There aren’t usually lifeguards on duty here, but the water is gentle and gradually gets deeper, so there is no need to worry about sudden drop-offs.

You can even bring your family dog to the beach. However, they have to stay on a leash, especially if there are other visitors around. Be prepared for a 0.5-mile walk to get to the beach from the main parking area.

6. Gunpowder Falls State Park

Gunpowder Falls State Park has 6 different park areas to suit any sort of getaway into nature. Depending on which site you head to, you can fish, hike, and even try your hand at horseback riding and archery. However, if you’re looking for a place to relax at the beach, the Hammerman Area is the place for you.

The beach is 1,500 feet long and offers you the chance to swim in the freshwater of the Gunpowder River. If you’re interested in hiking between dips in the water, you can also do that here. A few of the park’s nature trails lead here, so you can explore the green nature that surrounds the river.

The area is open all year (except for Christmas Day), though the water is at its warmest in the summer.

7. North Beach

North Beach is a charming little coastal town in Maryland. Its multiple shops and lively boardwalk make it a calm and fun getaway spot for the whole family. You can even pack a picnic to enjoy by the water.

The town is also famous for its beach. If you’re not a resident, you’ll need to purchase a day pass ahead of your visit, though. Check the weather before you purchase, as the beach sometimes closes if a storm is supposed to roll in.

There are no lifeguards on duty on North Beach’s shores, but the water is generally calm enough to swim in. Stay close to the coast and slowly ease yourself into deeper waters to ensure you can handle the current. It’s also important to remember that while dogs are welcome on the boardwalk, you can’t bring them on the sand.

8. North Point State Park

North Point State Park is full of history. In fact, evidence that people called this part of the Chesapeake Bay home goes back over 9,000 years. The park also encompasses the area where Maryland’s historic Bay Shore amusement park used to stand, which shows that people have been coming here to have fun for decades.

Today, the park has much more natural appeal. A mix of sand and rocks lead down to the water, and the beach is lined with thick green trees that provide some much-needed shade during the summer months.

The park recently underwent some renovations as well. A new visitor center and amenities like restrooms have been built to make your day at the park and beach more comfortable. The beach is popular during the summer, so try to get there close to opening time, which is 8 a.m.

9. Ocean City Beach

Ocean City’s 10 miles of beach make it a top spot to spend your time on the Eastern Seaboard. The beach doesn’t require a day pass and can be accessed any day of the year between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m., though sometimes the beach stays open even later during the summer if a special city-wide event is being hosted.

To keep the beach family-friendly, alcohol isn’t permitted in public, and beachgoers are asked to be respectful of other people. That means you don’t have to worry about rowdy beach parties getting carried away while you’re on the sand.

Even the evening activities held by the city on the sand are fun for people of all ages. Check the Ocean City event calendar before your trip to see if any movie screenings or music will be held while you’re in town.

10. Point Lookout State Park

If your idea of a perfect day at the beach involves peace and quiet, Point Lookout State Park is a place to consider. It’s a little secluded thanks to its geographic position right at the peninsula’s southern point between the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac.

The beach’s natural serenity allows many of Maryland’s native wildlife to thrive here without being disturbed. In fact, it’s a favorite place for birdwatching because more than 90 types of birds, from owls to robins, nest here every year.

If you want to go for a swim, you’re in luck. The park has lifeguards on duty from 8 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. most days between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Hot Tip: If you’d prefer a little more adventure, you can also rent or bring a kayak to head out on the water.

11. Rocky Point Park and Beach

Rocky Point Park and Beach is the place to go if you want to spend a beach day the way a local does. This busy coastal spot is a popular place for families during the summertime because it offers space and freedom for a variety of activities.

You can pack a picnic and eat at the park any time of year. However, if you plan on going in the water, you’ll want to visit between May and September when temperatures will be warmer. The beach is large enough to allow visitors to swim, boat, or kayak without feeling crowded or dangerous. You can even fish pretty successfully here, especially if you find a more remote spot.

There are a few restaurants and other shops nearby as well if you’d prefer not to worry about packing a cooler or beach bag for your day by the water.

12. Sandy Point State Park

Sandy Point State Park is far from a hidden gem. In fact, it gets over 100,000 visitors each year. However, that reputation is worth it. There is a lot to like about this Maryland beach.

The scenic vistas are one-of-a-kind and picturesque. For an especially dramatic view, try to stick around the park near sunset or sunrise. Though the beach area opens at 7 in the morning, the boating areas are open 24 hours a day, so you can still see the sunrise over the horizon from this area.

The beach is also pet-friendly, but only at certain times of the year. If you want to bring a non-service animal with you, you’ll need to visit between October 1st and April 30th. 

Since the park is so popular, to avoid crowds, visit in May or September during the week rather than during peak season between June and August.

13. Terrapin Nature Park

Terrapin Nature Park’s 276 acres of land let you disconnect from the city and get in touch with Maryland’s coastal wilderness. Its nature trails can get up to 3.25 miles in length and let you leisurely walk through forests, meadows, wetlands, and even down to the tide pools near the water.

When you get to the sand, you can relax and listen to the gentle waves while you bird-watch or take a dip. The water is pretty shallow, especially near the shore, so you can wade easily. However, no lifeguards are keeping watch here, so you are not recommended to venture out into the deeper areas.

The beach is dog-friendly and free for picnics as well, as long as you leave the beach in the condition you found it. Keep in mind that Terrapin is only open for day visits. Camping isn’t allowed.

Final Thoughts

Maryland’s beaches are some of the most beautiful in the country. From its natural landscapes to its charming coastal towns, Maryland is a great place to go for a getaway to the shore. Hopefully, this list is a useful jumping-off point for you to plan the Maryland vacation of your dreams.