People don’t always think “beach state” when they hear Maryland, but maybe that’s the best part. Maryland’s shoreline is full of surprises—some loud with boardwalks and funnel cake, others so still you can hear the wings of a heron beating across the bay. I found calm waters tucked behind leafy parks, wild dunes prowled by ponies, and old fishing towns where everything slows to match the tide. Whether you’re traveling with kids, chasing a quiet moment, or just want to swim somewhere new, Maryland’s beaches know how to meet you where you are. And if you drive long enough, they might even show you a version of summer you didn’t know you needed.
Best Beaches in Maryland
Relax on miles of Ocean City's sandy beaches - 3 hours from D.C.
“Is this entire boardwalk powered by cotton candy and sunburns?” That thought hit me about halfway through Ocean City’s three-mile stretch of beachfront chaos—in the best way. There’s something totally unapologetic about this place. It’s big, brash, and full of energy, like summer vacation distilled into one long streak of neon lights and fried food smells.
The beach itself is wide and clean, lined with umbrellas and the sound of kids building sandcastles while someone nearby blares a Bluetooth speaker. I floated in the surf just long enough to cool off, then wandered the boardwalk with that pleasantly damp, salty feeling on my skin. Everything was loud: the arcades, the laughter, the gulls, the hum of a hundred conversations happening at once. And somehow, it all worked.
I ducked into Thrasher’s French Fries because the smell of vinegar hit me like a memory I didn’t know I had. I ordered a paper tub full of hand-cut fries, still steaming, doused in cider vinegar. They were hot and crisp, and the tanginess made my mouth water in the best way. I ate them sitting on a bench with the ocean just in sight, salt on my lips and fingertips.
Ocean City At a Glance
- Drive time from Baltimore: 3 hours
- Address: Ocean City, MD 21842
- Best Time to Visit: June through August
- Vibe: High-energy, classic boardwalk beach town
- Highlights: Wide sandy beach, boardwalk, arcade games, rides, Thrasher’s fries
- Facilities: Ample restrooms, showers, rental shops, restaurants
- Cost: Free access
- Food Nearby: Endless options; Thrasher’s is a must for fries
See magnificent wild horses on Assateague State Park
I didn’t expect to share the beach with wild ponies. But there they were—tails flicking, eyes half-lidded, wandering casually between parked cars like they owned the lot. In a way, they did. Assateague isn’t just a beach—it’s a slice of raw coastal wilderness where nature doesn’t care about your sunscreen or schedule.
The sand was warm underfoot, soft and pale, and the water cold enough to jolt me fully into the moment. Behind me, dunes rolled like soft shoulders, dotted with sea grass and wildflowers. The beach felt wide open, untamed, like it hadn’t been fully claimed by people yet. I liked that.
After swimming, I sat in the shade of the boardwalk and unwrapped the veggie sandwich I’d picked up earlier from a small market outside the park—grilled zucchini, roasted red peppers, goat cheese, and arugula on focaccia. It smelled earthy and slightly sweet from the peppers, and each bite was creamy, cool, and grounding after the sun.
Assateague State Park At a Glance
- Drive time from Baltimore: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Address: 6915 Stephen Decatur Hwy, Berlin, MD 21811
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds
- Vibe: Wild, peaceful, slightly surreal
- Highlights: Wild horses, dunes, quiet stretches of beach, nature trails
- Facilities: Restrooms, showers, campground
- Cost: $5 per person for day use
- Food Nearby: No food inside park—grab sandwiches or snacks in Berlin
Have a picnic on the Betterton Beach Waterfront Park beach
“This feels like a beach that doesn’t want to be famous.” That was my first thought as I stepped onto the small, clean shoreline of Betterton Beach. There were no vendors, no shrieking seagulls stealing fries—just the slow rhythm of the Sassafras River meeting the bay, and a few locals reading under umbrellas.
The sand was packed and walkable, perfect for barefoot pacing, and the water was calm enough that a toddler could splash safely. I watched a crab scuttle sideways near the rocks and felt like I’d discovered a secret—one you don’t need to share if you don’t want to.
I’d stopped at Barbara’s on the Bay before arriving and brought along their crab salad sandwich. The moment I opened the container, the briny scent of Old Bay and fresh seafood hit me. The sandwich was cool and creamy, with just the right hit of lemon—simple and perfect for a quiet beach picnic.
Betterton Beach Waterfront Park At a Glance
- Drive time from Baltimore: 2 hours
- Address: 100 Betterton Rd, Betterton, MD 21610
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays for peak serenity
- Vibe: Low-key, family-friendly, restful
- Highlights: Calm waters, scenic river views, picnic-perfect
- Facilities: Restrooms, showers, pavilions, grills
- Cost: Free
- Food Nearby: Barbara’s on the Bay is the go-to
Enjoy the lovely sandy beach at Calvert Cliffs State Park
The trail to the beach was longer than I expected—about two miles through forest and wetlands—but I didn’t mind. The air smelled like mud and pine, and frogs leapt into the water with soft plunks as I passed. Then the trees opened, and there they were: the cliffs.
They looked like they’d been scraped from a history book—tall, stratified walls of sand and shale rising behind the narrow beach, carved by time and tide. Fossil hunters walked with eyes down, sieving through sand for ancient shark teeth. I didn’t find any, but I found stillness.
After the hike back, I drove into Solomons for lunch at CD Café and ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with pesto and mozzarella. The smell hit first—herby and warm, a little garlic clinging to the edges. The sandwich was hot, melty, and deeply satisfying after all that walking.
Calvert Cliffs State Park At a Glance
- Drive time from Baltimore: 1.5 hours
- Address: 10540 H G Trueman Rd, Lusby, MD 20657
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or early fall for cool hiking weather
- Vibe: Reflective, adventurous, scientific curiosity
- Highlights: Cliffs, fossil hunting, forested trail
- Facilities: Restrooms, picnic areas, trails
- Cost: $5 in-state, $7 out-of-state
- Food Nearby: CD Café in Solomons is a post-hike treat
Fish on the fishing pier at Cherry Beach, Maryland
Cherry Beach felt like stepping into a postcard—only quieter. The kind with wide skies, still water, and a single boat drifting in the distance. I arrived in the late afternoon, and the light made everything look softer, like the whole place had taken a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
There were just a few families fishing and skipping stones. The sand gave way quickly to grass and trees, and I found a bench beneath a maple where the breeze carried a hint of the river. I thought, “This might be the kind of place that teaches you how to listen again.”
Earlier, I’d stopped by The Market Street Inn in nearby Salisbury for a roasted veggie wrap. When I opened the foil, the smell of grilled eggplant and balsamic vinegar rose up, earthy and a little sweet. The goat cheese inside gave it a creamy tang that paired perfectly with the quiet around me.
Cherry Beach At a Glance
- Drive time from Baltimore: 2.5 hours
- Address: Cherry Beach Rd, Sharptown, MD 21861
- Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon or sunset
- Vibe: Calm, small-town, great for reflection or reading
- Highlights: Fishing, picnic tables, peaceful riverfront
- Facilities: Picnic area, boat ramp, restrooms
- Cost: Free
- Food Nearby: Market Street Inn in Salisbury for picnic-style takeout
Enjoy the lake beach in Cunningham Falls State Park
“Wait... there’s a beach and a waterfall?” That was the thought as I made my way through Cunningham Falls State Park, a place that feels like it couldn't decide whether it wanted to be a forest hike or a lazy beach day—and somehow pulls off both.
The beach borders Hunting Creek Lake, ringed by tall trees that made the water feel like a secret. The sand was soft and the swimming area was well-kept, perfect for a cooling dip after walking the short trail to the park’s namesake waterfall. The falls weren’t roaring, but they trickled gently over the rocks in a way that made me pause longer than I expected.
I grabbed lunch from the nearby Vintage Restaurant Café—a turkey panini with spinach and melted brie. It came wrapped in parchment, and when I unwrapped it lakeside, the smell of roasted turkey and warm cheese hit my nose like comfort food from a parallel universe. The bread had that perfect crunch, and the melted brie gave every bite a rich, creamy finish.
Cunningham Falls State Park At a Glance
- Drive time from Baltimore: 1.5 hours
- Address: 14039 Catoctin Hollow Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788
- Best Time to Visit: Spring for the falls, summer for swimming
- Vibe: Nature-loving, part-beach, part-hike
- Highlights: Lake beach, waterfall hike, forested setting
- Facilities: Restrooms, showers, picnic areas, trails
- Cost: $3–$5 per person (varies by season)
- Food Nearby: Vintage Café in Thurmont for hearty sandwiches
Swim and relax on the sandy lakeshore beach at Deep Creek Lake
The lake shimmered like glass under the morning sun, and the quiet was so complete I could hear my own flip-flops in the grass. Deep Creek Lake wasn’t the beach I expected—but I loved that about it. This was a place where people launched kayaks with gentle splashes, where dock chairs outnumbered beach towels, and where pine trees lined the water like old friends keeping watch.
I swam early, before the crowds arrived, and the water was so still it barely moved around me. Later, I rented a paddleboard and drifted into the center, staring up at the hills wrapped in a lazy mist. I remember thinking, “This is what summer’s supposed to feel like—slow, deep, and blue.”
Afterward, I drove to MoonShadow in nearby McHenry for lunch and ordered their veggie flatbread. It came topped with roasted garlic, mushrooms, spinach, and smoked mozzarella. The garlic was fragrant, a little caramelized, and the cheese added just the right smoky depth. I ate it outside with my toes still damp and didn’t speak for a good ten minutes.
Deep Creek Lake At a Glance
- Drive time from Baltimore: 3 hours
- Address: 898 State Park Rd, Swanton, MD 21561
- Best Time to Visit: Summer for water activities, fall for foliage
- Vibe: Peaceful, lakeside, mountain air
- Highlights: Kayaking, paddleboarding, crisp lake swimming
- Facilities: Restrooms, rentals, trails, campgrounds
- Cost: $3–$5 per person
- Food Nearby: MoonShadow in McHenry for creative flatbreads and fresh plates
Visit the beach in Greenbrier State Park
Greenbrier State Park surprised me with how balanced it felt. Families with coolers and toddlers in floaties shared the shore with solo hikers emerging from forest trails, their legs dusty and faces sun-warmed. The lake was framed by mountains, still and clear enough to mirror the clouds.
The beach was compact but well-kept, with gentle sloping sand and designated swimming areas. After floating on my back for a while, eyes closed to the sun, I walked a short loop trail and passed through cool patches of shade where birdsong cut through the quiet.
Lunch came from Sheetz in nearby Boonsboro—a made-to-order caprese sandwich with thick tomato slices, fresh mozzarella, and basil pesto on a ciabatta roll. It smelled like summer in Italy and tasted even better under a tree with the lake just out of reach.
Greenbrier State Park At a Glance
- Drive time from Baltimore: 1.5 hours
- Address: 21843 National Pike, Boonsboro, MD 21713
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays in late spring or early fall
- Vibe: Versatile, friendly, active
- Highlights: Swimming lake, hiking trails, forested picnic areas
- Facilities: Restrooms, concessions (seasonal), campsites
- Cost: $3–$5 per person
- Food Nearby: Sheetz or bring a picnic
Enjoy the 1,500-foot-long sandy Hammerman Beach
Hammerman Beach gave me that “school’s out” feeling the second I arrived. The kind of place where someone’s always tossing a football, grills are going strong by noon, and the splash of kids cannonballing off floats never really stops.
The beach is part of Gunpowder Falls State Park and sits on the Gunpowder River, wide and welcoming. The water was warm, the kind you ease into without a wince, and the breeze carried the scent of sunscreen and charcoal in equal measure. I swam, I waded, I watched dogs chase sticks into the shallows. I didn’t check the time once.
For lunch, I grabbed a pulled chicken sandwich from the food concession stand. It was hot, smoky, and a little sweet with barbecue sauce—nothing fancy, but somehow perfect with river water drying on my arms and laughter echoing across the sand.
Hammerman Beach At a Glance
- Drive time from Baltimore: 45 minutes
- Address: 7200 Graces Quarters Rd, Middle River, MD 21220
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays or early mornings on weekends
- Vibe: High-energy, nostalgic, family-friendly
- Highlights: River swimming, large sandy beach, boat rentals
- Facilities: Restrooms, food stand, picnic shelters
- Cost: $3–$5 per person
- Food Nearby: Onsite concessions or pack your own
Hart-Miller State Park: Accessible Only by Water
Getting to Hart-Miller isn’t easy—and that’s part of the charm. I had to take a boat to reach the island park, which sits in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay like a little green comma between chapters of a busy life.
The beach was quiet, almost eerily so. No traffic, no overhead buzz, just the hush of the tide and the soft knock of waves against anchored kayaks. The sand was fine and pale, and I wandered the shoreline collecting tiny shells that clinked in my pocket.
I’d packed a simple lunch: a cold pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, olives, and feta, drizzled with lemon and olive oil. It smelled like a garden in summer and tasted bright and briny in the best way. I ate it cross-legged on a towel with the bay stretching out in front of me, no other people in sight.
Hart-Miller State Park At a Glance
- Drive time from Baltimore: 30 minutes to boat launch, then paddle or boat access
- Address: Accessible only by water from Rocky Point Park or Dundee Creek
- Best Time to Visit: Calm summer mornings
- Vibe: Remote, quiet, choose-your-own-adventure
- Highlights: Island beach, birdwatching, secluded shoreline
- Facilities: Composting toilets, primitive campsites, trails
- Cost: Free access, but requires private boat or kayak
- Food Nearby: None—bring everything with you
Conclusion:
By the end of the trip, I realized Maryland’s beaches aren’t trying to be anything other than what they are—and that’s exactly their magic. Some are wild and untamed, others polished and playful, but every one of them invites you to slow down, even if just for a moment. Whether you’re on the edge of the Atlantic, the curve of a riverbank, or the side of a mountain lake, you’ll find the water here doing what it’s always done—reflecting the sky, carrying you gently, and asking nothing of you but to show up and float.
Jump to a Spot...
- • Relax on miles of Ocean City's sandy beaches - 3 hours from D.C.
- • See magnificent wild horses on Assateague State Park
- • Have a picnic on the Betterton Beach Waterfront Park beach
- • Enjoy the lovely sandy beach at Calvert Cliffs State Park
- • Fish on the fishing pier at Cherry Beach, Maryland
- • Enjoy the lake beach in Cunningham Falls State Park
- • Swim and relax on the sandy lakeshore beach at Deep Creek Lake
- • Visit the beach in Greenbrier State Park
- • Enjoy the 1,500-foot-long sandy Hammerman Beach
- • Hart-Miller State Park: Accessible Only by Water