Hart-Miller Island State Park Beach
Essex, MD
Hart-Miller Island sits out in the upper Chesapeake with a 3,000-foot sandy beach along its western shore, reachable only by private boat. Boaters anchor just offshore and wade in, which keeps the crowd to people who actually planned the trip rather than anyone who wandered over from a parking lot.
A real, undeveloped sand beach that most of the county never sees because it takes a boat to get there, which is exactly the appeal for the people who do.
How we score beachesBring everything you'll need. There's no store on the island, just restrooms and drinking water available seasonally.
No vehicle access exists; the island is reached only by boat, with safe mooring along the western shore near the beach.
Boaters wade or beach their boats directly onto the sand; there is no dock walkway or paved path.
Leashed pets are permitted on the island.
Camping and full facilities run May 1 through September 30, matching the practical boating season on the upper Bay. Water stays swimmable into September most years.
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