Rules & Regulations

Sandy Point State Park follows Maryland Park Service statewide rules plus a set of beach rules of its own. The ones that catch visitors out: alcohol is not allowed except in rented pavilions with a permit, tents are not allowed on the sand, pets are banned from the sandy beach from Memorial Day weekend until after Labor Day, and only fishing, boating and hunting where permitted are allowed after the park closes at sunset.

General Park Rules

• Adults must supervise minors at all times.
• No alcohol. The only exception is in rented pavilions, by permit through the shelter reservation system.
• No profanity, improper behavior or vulgar remarks; staff can dismiss you for the day.
• No disorderly acts and no nudity.
• Maryland state parks are trash free. Carry out what you carry in.
• Do not bring personal firewood into any DNR park; it can carry invasive insects such as the emerald ash borer.

Beach and Swimming Rules

• Swim only in the designated swimming areas, and never after dark.
• No boats in the swimming areas or between the regulatory buoys and the shore.
• No hanging, sitting or standing on swim ropes or buoys.
• Frisbees, balls, rafts and inflatables may be banned at the lifeguard's discretion. Keep ball games away from crowds.
• No horseplay that could cause injury, and never pretend to be drowning.
• No scuba diving in the swimming areas. Masks, fins and snorkels are allowed.
• No glass, alcohol, grills or fires on the beach.
• No tents, lean-tos or structures on the sand other than a beach umbrella, and nothing left overnight. No umbrellas in front of the lifeguard stands.
• Small sun shades are allowed in the main beach area if open-sided, no larger than 10 feet square, and set up behind the lifeguard stands.
• No throwing sand.
• The park is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings.

Details and lifeguard hours: the beach.

Pets

Pets must be leashed, licensed and vaccinated, including for rabies. They are banned from the sandy portions of the swimming beach areas from Memorial Day weekend until after Labor Day, and from park buildings and playgrounds at all times (service animals excepted). Clean up after your pet. See dogs.

Fishing

Fishing is not allowed in the swimming areas. It is allowed in areas signed for fishing, from the rock jetties and from the fishing and crabbing pier. After closing, everyone in the park must be actively fishing. Tents are not allowed; only see-through sun shelters without a floor. Anglers 16 and older need a Chesapeake Bay sport fishing license. See fishing and crabbing.

Metal Detectors

On the beach and in the swimming areas, metal detectors are allowed from 7 to 9 a.m. from the Saturday before Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and during all park hours from the day after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day. Statewide, digging for relics and removing artifacts is banned without a permit from the Maryland Historical Trust.

Drones

Under the park manager's rule, drones may fly at Sandy Point only before the Memorial Day holiday and after Labor Day, during normal park hours (7 a.m. to dusk). Operators need any FAA certifications required, must not fly over groups of people, disturb visitors or harass wildlife, and should stay away from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, which is a sensitive structure; flying close to it needs special permission. The park is within 7 miles of a small regional airport. Statewide policy requires every drone pilot to contact the park manager before flying (410-974-2149).

Bikes and E-Bikes

E-bikes are allowed only where motor vehicles are allowed, such as park roads and parking lots, not on trails.

Photography

Private, non-commercial photos and filming need no permit. Low-impact commercial shoots (five people or fewer with gear you can carry, in areas open to the public) also need none. Larger commercial shoots need a permit through the park manager.

Hours

The park is open 7 a.m. to sunset, closed Christmas, and closes at 4 p.m. from mid-November to January 2. Fishing and boating are allowed 24 hours. See hours and fees.

Hunting

Deer archery hunting is allowed in the Corcoran area in fall and winter, and waterfowl hunting at two boat-access sites, all by reservation with the Free Public Hunting Permit. See hiking.