North Point State Park is located in Baltimore County on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and is surrounded by beautiful and fascinating natural and historical resources. It consists of 1,310 acres off North Point Road in Edgemere.
The Defenders Trail was used during the War of 1812 and passes through the park. North Point was also the site of the Bay Shore Amusement Park, a popular destination for summer visitors from 1906 through 1947. Visitors can see the original trolley station and fountain that have been restored. The trolley station is now used as a park pavilion and is a popular destination for special events. It can be reserved by calling the DNR statewide reservation system at 1-888-432-2267 (CAMP).
Beginning in January 2019, the Trolley Station pavilion will no longer require a reservation or permit for its use. It will be available year-round to park patrons on a first-come, first-serve basis.
North Point is rich in natural beauty. Come see how Mother Nature reclaimed the land where the amusement park once stood. The park has scenic views overlooking the Chesapeake Bay, a water accessible area, a fishing pier and hiking trails that lead you around the park and through protected Wildlands. Bicycles are strictly prohibited on the designated Wildlands trails.
Please be respectful to others and take your trash with you. Alcohol is not permitted (except in chargeable areas with a permit).
North Point State Park Trail Map
A new map of the trails at North Point State Park can be downloaded for free from this website. Please make sure to read the printing instructions and information for how to download the file to cell phones. The map is in a PDF format that requires Adobe Reader. To get the free Adobe Reader go to Adobe.com.
Service Charges
Park entrance fees are as follows:
Weekends and holidays, Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day: $4 per-vehicle for Maryland residents, and $6 per-vehicle for non-Maryland residents.
Summer weekdays and weekends after Labor Day and before Memorial Day weekend: $3 per-vehicle service for Maryland residents, and $5 per-vehicle for non-Maryland residents. *Service Charges are subject to change. Call 410-477-0757 to confirm.
Buses are $10 and require a reservation.
Patrons who leave the park are required to pay again to re-enter. No refunds.
Senior citizens aged 62 and older are eligible for a $10 lifetime Golden Age Pass.
North Point is known to fill to capacity on summer weekends and especially holidays. All visitors will be turned away if the park fills to capacity. Patrons are encouraged to arrive early and carpool if possible. No re-entry if park is full. Know before you go! Call 410-477-0757 to inquire about any park closures.
Water Access
North Point features an unguarded waterfront that is open to waders and swimmers. Waders and swimmers can enter the water at their own risk. There are no lifeguards at North Point State Park. It is recommended that waders and swimmers wear water shoes when entering the water.
Picnicking
Picnic tables and grills are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Trolley Station and bay-front gazebo are also available for rent. See details below.
Trolley Station Pavilion:
The Trolley Station pavilion is available for rental May 1 through September 30. Reservations will be taken through the statewide reservation system Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. To make a reservation, please call 1-888-432-2267. Payment for the reservation will be made through the reservation system. Patrons renting the Trolley Station will be required to pay the park entrance fee.
The service charge for the pavilion is according to the following schedule:
- Up to 100 people: $125.00
- 101-150 people: $175.00
- 151-200 people: $225.00
- 201-250 people: $300.00
Bay-Front Gazebo:
The North Point State Park Volunteers maintain and rent out a small bay-front gazebo. It seats up to 30 people, and can be rented for the day for $50 by calling 410-477-0757. Patrons and their guests renting the gazebo will be required to pay the park entrance fee.
Takos Visitor Center
The Takos Visitor Center at North Point sits where the 
Bay Shore Park Restaurant once stood. Completed in 2002, this beautiful facility resembles the structures once found in Bay Shore Park and boasts nature and history-themed exhibits, a science classroom, a large conference room and public restrooms.
The building was named after Steve Takos, a volunteer who spearheaded the renovation efforts in the park. Hours are Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hiking
The park features several miles of well-marked and relatively level trails, abundant with wildflowers in spring and wildlife throughout the year. Birdwatching is especially popular on the Black Marsh Trail.
Biking
Bikes are welcome throughout much of the park, except in the Wildlands Area.
Fishing
North Point features two fishing piers (including the 1,000-ft. Crystal Pier) and a long shoreline that present good fishing opportunities. Anglers ages 16- and-older are required to possess a Maryland Tidal Fishing License.
Accessibility
The gazebo, fishing piers, trolley station, fountain, and Takos Visitor’s Center are accessible. For additional accessible amenities in Maryland State Parks, visit the Accessibility For All section of this website.
Black Marsh Wildlands
Over half of the park (667 acres) has received legislative protection as state Wildlands. Bicycles are prohibited in the Wildlands. The Wildlands (along with the park’s wetland area) provide opportunities to observe local birds and wildlife including: muskrats, beavers, foxes, otters, osprey, great blue herons and bald eagles.
Park History
North Point has been continuously farmed for almost 350 years, with evidence of human occupation dating back almost 9,000 years. During the War of 1812, local militia skirmished with British troops seeking to invade Baltimore. The British route to Baltimore passed through the present-day park and is known today as the "Defenders Trail."
During the first half of the 20th-century, a small part of the park was the site of the Bay Shore Amusement Park. Built in 1906, Bay Shore was a bustling and attractive park offering recreation and relaxation in a setting of gardens, pathways and Edwardian architecture. The park included a dance hall, bowling alley, restaurant and a 1000-ft. pier jutting out into the Chesapeake Bay. Bay Shore Park was accessible by trolley from Baltimore.
Bay Shore Park was demolished in the late-1940s when Bethlehem Steel bought the land. The property was acquired by Maryland Department of Natural Resources in 1987 to provide resource protection and limited access to the Bay.
North Point State Park Volunteers
The North Point Volunteers sponsor numerous activities throughout the year, including an Easter Egg Hunt, Earth Day clean-up, the Youth Fishing Derby and Santa's Workshop. Their volunteers have restored and continue to maintain the fountain that was a centerpiece of the old Bay Shore Park. For more information, contact park headquarters, stop by the North Point Visitor Center during operating hours, or visit their website at: www.northpointstatepark.homestead.com.