Hiking & Birding

Sandy Point State Park has two short, self-guided trails: the Symbi Trail and the Blue Crab Trail, each about 0.7 miles. The Symbi Trail runs through an old planted pine forest to the marshes behind the Tollgate picnic area, and the Blue Crab Trail is a wooded walk between East Beach and South Beach that is good for birds. For a longer hike, the 215-acre Corcoran Woods on the park's northwest side has about four miles of trails.

Symbi Trail

• Length: about 0.7 miles
• Start: by the first picnic area on the right after you enter the park, behind the Tollgate picnic area
• What you see: an old planted pine forest and the neighboring marshes, which DNR notes many plants and animals call home

It is the easiest trail to reach from the entrance.

Blue Crab Trail

• Length: about 0.7 miles
• Start: near the small craft launch parking lot, between East Beach and South Beach
• What you see: wooded cover where DNR says you can see some of Maryland's distinctive birds

Corcoran Woods (Corcoran Environmental Study Area)

Corcoran Woods is 215 acres of forest on the northwest side of Sandy Point State Park. The Maryland Park Service runs it as a nature preserve for education, science and quiet enjoyment, with about four miles of trails for hiking and jogging. For directions and current conditions, call the park at 410-974-2149.

Two things to know:

• Restoration work. About 17 acres of the forest have been cleared to remove invasive vines that were choking the native trees. DNR plans to replant the cleared areas with native trees, and other sections are treated to control the vines.
• Hunting season. Deer archery hunting is allowed in about 215 acres of the Corcoran area from the Friday after Labor Day through the end of Primitive Season, Monday through Saturday, with a daily cap of 8 hunters. Wear bright colors on those days, or hike on Sunday.

The South Beach Perimeter Trail

Maryland DNR's South Beach project, begun in September 2024, includes a mile-long ADA-accessible perimeter trail with interpretive signs about the habitats and native species, and bay views. DNR expected the project to finish by Memorial Day 2025.

Birding

Maryland DNR calls Sandy Point some of the best birding in Maryland. Its self-guided birding walk for the park covers its mix of habitats and over 300 bird species, with three suggested routes. DNR also publishes a beginner's birding guide for Sandy Point in English and Spanish. Both are free PDFs on the park page.

Biking

Maryland Park Service rules allow e-bikes only where motor vehicles are allowed, such as roads and parking lots; they are banned on state park trails.

Before You Go

• Trails are open during park hours, 7 a.m. to sunset (7 a.m. to 4 p.m. from mid-November to January 2). See hours and fees.
• There are no trail fees beyond park entry.
• Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails. See dogs.
• For a map, see the trail map page.