 Sandy Point State Park |
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Sandy Point State Park |
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This 786 acre park on the Chesapeake Bay is celebrating 57 years. Opened on June 25, 1952, the park offers an array of recreational activities. These include swimming, fishing, crabbing, boating and windsurfing. The park's beaches and picnic areas provide unparalleled views of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge over the Chesapeake Bay as well as frequent passing of seagoing freighters and sailing regattas.Wildlife viewing and bird watching are favorite pastimes for many park visitors. Sandy Point's location on the eastern flyway makes it an ideal location for viewing a large variety of woodland, marsh and migratory waterfowl. A park map is available at the park office.
LIGHTS ON THE BAY
Lights on the Bay is an event conducted by Anne Arundel Medical Center. The show will open to the public on Saturday, November 21, 2009 and will run through Sunday, January 3, 2010. The hours for the show will be from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. each evening. The cost of the show is $14.00 per vehicle. There will be $4.00 discount coupons, for weekday admission, available in local publications.
For more information and to find out if the show will be open on days of inclement weather, you can call their hot line at 443-481-3161.
FEATURES
Bird watching, boat launch, 6 hp motor boat rentals, canoeing, kayaking, crabbing, cross country skiing, fishing, historic interest, hiking trails, picnic, playground, shelters, swimming, wind surfing.
Boating - The marina facility includes 22 launching ramps. Six finger piers are available for day use on a first come, first served basis. Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers sailing opportunities for physically and/or developmentally-challenged individuals and for those individuals whose financial circumstances preclude their participation in recreation on the waters of Chesapeake Bay. For further information, call CRAB at 410-626-0273 or visit their website at http://www.crab-sailing.org/.
The marina store offers bait, tackle, fuel and fishing and crabbing licenses, snacks and drinks, and limited picnic supplies. Rowboats and motorboats are available for rent in late spring, summer and early fall. Call the Sandy Point Marina for availability and prices at 410-974-2772.
The marina pumpout is available April through October. Closing of the pumpout station in the fall is contingent upon the weather. After the end of September, please call our headquarters office at 410-974-2149 to check availability.
Beaches - The park's beaches, among the finest on the Chesapeake Bay, are guarded during the summer season. Picnic areas are located adjacent to the beach with picnic tables and limited grills. Please note that no tents, generators or pets are allowed. Facilities include showers and restrooms. A food concession, selling snack food and beach and picnic supplies, is located in the South Beach area.
Crabbing - A crabbing and fishing pier is located at the south end of the boat launch ramps. The Marina Store also sells crabbing supplies.
Fishing - Fishing is available from shore, numerous rock jetties or the fishing pier next to the boat launch ramps. A Chesapeake Bay Sport Fishing license is required for those 16 years of age and older. Fishing licenses are available for sale in the Marina Store.
Hiking - Two hiking trails provide a unique view of the diverse habitat of the park. The Symbi Trail is an old planted pine forest that leads you through marshes in various growth stages. The East Beach Trail goes from East Beach to the Point Area through the woods and over a marsh.
Metal Detecting - Memorial Day through Labor Day from 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. No metal detecting may occur on grassy areas. Detection is limited to the sand and the water at all times. Metal detecting is permitted during day use hours in the off season after Labor Day and before Memorial Day.
Sandy Point Mansion - The mansion, currently under private curatorship, dates back to the late 1700's when the park area was a farm. The mansion can be seen from the main park road but is not open to the public.
Smallcraft Launch Area - A smallcraft launch area is available for launching/landing windsurfers, hobie cats, canoes, kayaks and catamarans.
Shelters - Twelve picnic shelters are available for group rentals by reservation. Nine shelters can accommodate 140 persons, two shelters can accommodate 180 persons and one shelter can accommodate 300 persons. The shelters include picnic tables, grills and limited electrical hook ups. Water is available nearby. A swimming beach and bathhouse is also located in the East Beach shelter area. Click here for season beginning and ending dates, and shelter service charges.
Pets - Pets are not permitted.
Admission - In Season - 4/18/09 through 11/01/09 (Weekends/Holidays)
$5.00 per person Maryland residents
$6.00 per person non-Maryland residentsAdmission - In Season - 5/23/09 through 9/07/09 (Weekdays)
$4.00 per person Maryland residents
$5.00 per person non-Maryland residentsAdmission - Off Season
$3.00 per vehicle weekdays from mid-April until Memorial Day
$3.00 per vehicle weekdays from Labor Day until the end of October
$3.00 per vehicle at all other times when the contact station is not mannedHours - Day Use
January 5, 2009 - March 1, 2009 - 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
March 2, 2009 - April 5, 2009 - 8:00 a.m.-sunset
April 6, 2009 - November 16, 2009 - 6:00 a.m.-sunset
November 17, 2009 - January 3, 2010 - 8:00 a.m. -4:30 p.m.
Boat launch/fishing - 24 hr. access year round (except for Friday before Thanksgiving until January 2nd)
Sandy Point State Park offers accessible food and beverage concession, fishing, picnic areas, shelters, bathhouses, sailing concessionaire, and playgrounds. For additional accessible amenities in Maryland State Forests and Parks, visit the Accessibility For All section of this website.
Location - In Anne Arundel County, at the western terminus of the Bay Bridge, off U.S. Routes 50/301 at exit 32.
Sandy Point State Park
1100 East College Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21409
(410)974-2149
Call 1-888-432-CAMP(2267) for reservations
Click here to make reservations on-line for Sandy Point State Park.
Funding for Maryland's State and local parks and conservation areas is provided through The Department of Natural Resources' Program Open Space. Established in 1969, Program Open Space symbolizes Maryland's long term commitment to conserving natural resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities.
Updated on November 9, 2009 Bridge Photo by Beth Keiter
