Matapeake State Park Beach
Stevensville, MD
Matapeake sits on Kent Island directly under the shadow of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, with a swimming beach, a separate dog beach reached by a wooded trail, and a pool and clubhouse rounding out the park. Boat traffic and bridge views make it feel busier than a typical Eastern Shore beach, which is part of why locals like it.
A dog beach and a human beach in one park under a genuinely striking bridge view, though the boat traffic underneath keeps it from feeling like a quiet escape.
How we score beachesThe dog beach sits down its own wooded trail, separate from the main swimming beach, so bring the leash back out once you're past the main lot.
A lot at the park entrance serves both the human beach and the dog beach trailhead.
A short, flat path leads from the lot to the main beach; the dog beach requires a longer walk through the woods.
Dogs are welcome on leash at the dedicated dog beach, reached by a separate wooded trail from the main swim beach.
Water warms into the mid 70s by August, with the amphitheater and clubhouse hosting events into the fall. The Bay Bridge view means boat traffic and noise pick up on busy summer weekends.
This isn't one entrance, it's a stretch with a few. Here's where locals actually meet up.
Main Swim Beach
The primary swimming beach, closest to the parking lot and the park's pool and clubhouse.
Parking: The main park lot.
Get directions →Dog Beach
A separate stretch of shoreline set aside for dogs, reached by its own wooded trail away from the swimming beach.
Access: A dirt trail through the woods connects the main lot to this beach; not a direct drive-up spot.
Local tip: Leashes are still required, this is a dog-friendly beach, not an off-leash one.
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