With summer right around the corner, finding the perfect spot to head outside with your family feels like a top priority. And while planning a budget-friendly theme park visit might sound like the best way to celebrate those longer and warmer days, nothing beats spending a day out by the water, watching the kids splash around while you soak up some well-deserved sunshine after so many months of chill. Bonus points if you don’t have to deal with the stress of weaving through throngs of sun-obsessed beachgoers or paying expensive fees for a flimsy beach chair and umbrella combo.
Luckily, if you live in the Maryland area — or are planning a sunshine-fueled getaway from somewhere else in the country — there’s a perfect spot that’ll tick off all the boxes: Mayo Beach Park. Tucked away in Edgewater, Maryland, this hidden gem is located at the mouth of where the South River meets the Chesapeake Bay — hailed as one of the best family-friendly vacation destinations in the U.S. Just a short drive from major cities like Annapolis (14 miles) and Baltimore (37 miles), the 30-acre park features 1,200 feet of shoreline and shallow, calm waters — both of which make it an ideal spot for families with young children.
Apart from some good old-fashioned fun in the water, Mayo Beach Park also offers a variety of activities that visitors of all ages can enjoy. This includes an on-site playground, picnic areas, and a handy kayak and boat launch. For outdoor enthusiasts who like things a little more rugged, nearby hiking trails boast plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities.
Spending a day under the sun at Mayo Beach Park
What to know before visiting Mayo Beach Park
Planning your visit to Mayo Beach Park is pretty straightforward but does require some advanced planning. For starters, while the beach park is free to enter, reservation passes are required for any weekend and holiday trips from Memorial Day through Labor Day. These can be easily booked online and are released every Thursday. This way, the beach never gets too crowded. As for operating hours, Mayo Beach Park is open from 7 a.m. until sunset throughout the year (except on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day).
Logistics aside, it’s important to note that Mayo Beach Park enforces some pretty strict rules in terms of what’s allowed and what needs to stay out. This includes banning alcoholic beverages, smoking, vaping, and glass bottles from the park, as well as preventing visitors from setting up enclosed tents, climbing on the rocks, flying kites, or fishing.
Along with that, walking along or setting up any items on the beach grass is also banned since doing this can disturb the park’s ecosystem. Finally, if you’re planning on bringing your dog for a day out, it’s important to note that all pets must be leashed throughout the park. However, keep in mind that pups aren’t allowed in the park once the summer season kicks off, so plan wisely.
