Barclay MarylandBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Barclay, Maryland.
1. Ocean City Beach
BOARDWALK FUN AND SUN
Ocean City Beach offers miles of pristine sandy shoreline paired with a vibrant boardwalk filled with restaurants, shops, and amusements. Visitors can enjoy swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, sunbathing, or fishing off the pier while families appreciate the variety of activities available for all ages. The beach becomes particularly magical at sunrise when the boardwalk is less crowded and dolphins can often be spotted playing in the surf.
2. Assateague Island National Seashore
WILD HORSES AND WAVES
Assateague Island National Seashore offers a unique beach experience where wild horses roam freely along undeveloped sandy shores. Visitors can swim, kayak, or camp while experiencing one of the East Coast's most natural beach environments. The barrier island provides a stark contrast to nearby Ocean City with its pristine wilderness and lack of commercial development.
3. Sandy Point State Park
BAY VIEWS AND BREEZES
Sandy Point State Park features a beautiful beach situated at the western end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge with stunning views of the bay. The park offers swimming, fishing, crabbing, and boating opportunities in a more controlled environment than ocean beaches. Visitors appreciate the park's amenities including picnic areas, a marina, and hiking trails that make it perfect for day trips.
4. North Beach
CHARMING CHESAPEAKE BAY TOWN
North Beach welcomes visitors with a family-friendly waterfront featuring a fishing pier, boardwalk, and public beach on the Chesapeake Bay. The quaint town combines beach activities with small-town charm, offering local shops, restaurants, and regular events like Friday night farmers markets. Visitors enjoy the relaxed atmosphere that provides a less commercialized alternative to larger Maryland beaches.
5. Gunpowder Falls State Park, Hammerman Beach
RIVER SWIMMING AND RECREATION
Hammerman Beach at Gunpowder Falls State Park offers freshwater swimming in a controlled environment along the Gunpowder River. The beach area includes picnic facilities, playgrounds, and boat rentals that make it popular with families seeking alternatives to saltwater beaches. Visitors appreciate the calm waters and natural setting within easy driving distance of Baltimore.
6. Deep Creek Lake
MARYLAND'S LARGEST FRESHWATER LAKE
Deep Creek Lake provides 69 miles of shoreline with multiple public access points for swimming, boating, and fishing in western Maryland's mountains. The lake offers year-round recreation opportunities, transitioning from summer water sports to winter skiing at nearby Wisp Resort. Visitors enjoy the combination of natural beauty and developed amenities including beaches, marinas, and waterfront dining options.
7. Calvert Cliffs State Park
FOSSIL HUNTING AND SWIMMING
Calvert Cliffs State Park features a small beach area at the end of a scenic 1.8-mile trail where visitors can hunt for prehistoric fossils along the shoreline. The park's unique combination of paleontological treasures and beach recreation draws both science enthusiasts and sun-seekers to its Chesapeake Bay waterfront. Swimming is permitted in designated areas while the towering cliffs provide a dramatic backdrop for beach activities.
8. Elk Neck State Park
LIGHTHOUSE VIEWS AND SWIMMING
Elk Neck State Park offers a sandy beach on the Chesapeake Bay with swimming access and panoramic views where the Elk River meets the bay. Visitors can combine beach time with a hike to the historic Turkey Point Lighthouse for spectacular vistas of the surrounding waterways. The park's diverse landscape includes wooded areas, marshlands, and white clay cliffs that create a scenic natural setting for waterfront recreation.
9. Chesapeake Beach
BAY TOWN WITH HISTORY
Chesapeake Beach combines historical charm with modern waterfront amenities including a public beach, fishing opportunities, and a water park. Once a popular resort town in the early 20th century, the area maintains its vacation atmosphere while offering family-friendly activities along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Visitors enjoy the town's waterfront restaurants, marina facilities, and regular community events that celebrate its maritime heritage.
10. South Point Beach
SECLUDED BAYSIDE ESCAPE
South Point Beach provides a quieter alternative to Ocean City with its secluded location on Sinepuxent Bay near the southern tip of Ocean City. This hidden gem offers calm waters ideal for families with young children and spectacular sunset views across the bay. Visitors appreciate the lack of crowds and commercial development while still being just a short drive from Ocean City's amenities.