Elk Neck State Park North East Beach
North East, MD
The North East Beach Area sits in the western part of Elk Neck State Park, where the Chesapeake's Susquehanna Flats keep the water shallow and calm enough to make this one of the more forgiving swim spots on the upper Bay. It's a straightforward sand beach with a canoe and kayak launch, separate from the park's better known Turkey Point Lighthouse trail further south.
Shallow, calm water makes this an easy beach for younger kids, though the lack of lifeguards and modest size keep it a secondary stop behind the park's lighthouse trail.
How we score beachesFishing isn't allowed in the swimming area itself, so if you want to cast a line, walk down to another part of the shoreline first.
A lot at 4395 Turkey Point Road serves the North East Beach Area, with a per-vehicle entrance fee.
A short, flat walk from the lot to the sandy beach, with restrooms, showers, and a seasonal park store on site.
Leashed dogs are allowed in the park but not on North East Beach during the swim season.
The shallow water here warms quickly, into the mid to upper 70s by August. No lifeguards are on duty, so it's swim at your own risk regardless of season.
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