Mayo Beach Park
Edgewater, MD
Mayo Beach Park is a small, 22-acre county park at the mouth of the South River, where it meets the Chesapeake, with a shallow beach that's really built for wading and kayak launching more than a full day of swimming. It only opens a few days a week, which keeps it from ever feeling as crowded as the county's bigger beaches.
Handy South River access for the immediate area, but the limited weekend-only hours and unprotected, unlifeguarded water keep it from being anyone's regular spot.
How we score beachesCheck the schedule before driving out. It's only open Saturdays and Sundays June through August, plus Sundays and Labor Day in September, not a daily beach.
A county lot serves the park directly, though a permit is required for access; check with Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks before visiting.
A short, flat walk from the lot to the shallow beach area, with restrooms and potable drinking water on site.
Dogs must be leashed at all times; alcohol, fires, grills, and balloons are banned throughout the park.
The swim season here really only exists June through Labor Day given the limited open days. Jellyfish, like most Chesapeake beaches, tend to show up more in the warmer, later summer weeks.
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