Sandy Point Beach

Sandy Point State Park has about a mile of sandy beach on the Chesapeake Bay, right beside the Bay Bridge in Annapolis. Swimming is allowed only in the marked swimming areas. Lifeguards watch part of South Beach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Summer entry is $5 a person on weekends and holidays and $4 on weekdays, and summer weekends need a reservation.

South Beach and East Beach

South Beach is the main beach. Drive to the end of the park road to reach it. The lifeguarded swimming area, the main bathhouse with restrooms and showers, outdoor showers on the sand, the summer food concession and a playground are all here. Snacks and beach supplies are sold at South Beach and at the Marina Store by the boat ramps.

East Beach has its own small swimming beach and bathhouse, but its parking lot is reserved for people who rent one of the pavilions there. Most day visitors use South Beach.

Lifeguard Hours

A portion of South Beach is guarded from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays, weekends and holidays, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Swim only in the designated areas and never after dark. Outside the guarded season the beach stays open for walking during park hours (7 a.m. to sunset, or 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. from mid-November to January 2), but there is no swimming area watched by guards.

What It Costs and When to Book

There is no separate beach charge; you pay park entry. From May 1 to September 30 that is $5 a person on weekends and holidays and $4 on weekdays. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day you must book a day-use reservation at parkdayuse.maryland.gov, up to 7 days ahead. Full details on hours and fees.

Beach Rules

These come from Maryland DNR's list for the swimming beaches.

In the water

• Swim only in the designated swimming areas, and not after dark.
• No boats in the swimming area or between the buoys and the shore.
• Do not hang, sit or stand on swim ropes or buoys.
• Frisbees, beach balls, footballs, rafts and other inflatables may be banned at the lifeguard's call.
• Masks, fins and snorkels are fine; scuba diving is not allowed in the swimming areas.

On the sand

• No glass, alcohol, grills or fires on the beach.
• No tents, lean-tos or other structures on the sand except a beach umbrella, and nothing left overnight. Umbrellas cannot go in front of the lifeguard stands.
• Small sun shades are allowed in the main beach area if they are open-sided, no more than 10 feet square, and set up behind the lifeguard stands. Staff must be able to see inside.
• No throwing sand.
• Fishing is not allowed in the swimming areas; it is allowed in signed areas and from the rock jetties. See fishing and crabbing.

Metal detectors are allowed on the beach and in the swimming areas from 7 to 9 a.m. from the Saturday before Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and during all park hours the rest of the year.

Pets are not allowed on the sandy beach areas from Memorial Day weekend until after Labor Day. Leashed dogs can use the rest of the park. See dogs.

Things Locals Mention

• Jellyfish. Maryland DNR warns there may be jellyfish in the late summer months.
• The view. The park sits at the foot of the Bay Bridge, and Maryland DNR notes you can see the Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse offshore from the park's shores.
• Trash. Maryland state parks are trash free, so bring a bag and take everything home.

South Beach Restoration

In September 2024 Maryland DNR closed much of the South Beach picnic area to rebuild it. The plan includes a mile-long accessible perimeter trail with signs about the habitats, new meadows and wetlands, new picnic areas with grills and tables, hundreds of new trees for shade, and a Market Circle for food trucks. DNR expected the work to finish by Memorial Day 2025, with some fencing around young plantings for at least the first summer. DNR said fishing access to the beach and jetty would be kept open throughout.

Accessibility

The South Beach project adds a mile-long ADA-accessible trail. DNR lists accessible food and beverage at the Concession Stand. For beach wheelchairs or other access questions, call the park office at 410-974-2149 before you go.