Henderson MarylandBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Henderson, Maryland.
1. Ocean City Beach
MARYLAND'S PREMIER BEACH DESTINATION
Ocean City Beach is a popular vacation destination featuring a 10-mile stretch of sandy shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and various water activities with lifeguards on duty during the summer season. The beach is complemented by a vibrant boardwalk offering restaurants, shops, and amusements, making it a complete beach experience.
2. Assateague Island National Seashore
WILD HORSES AND PRISTINE BEACHES
Assateague Island National Seashore offers visitors a unique experience with its wild horses roaming freely along pristine beaches. The barrier island features miles of undeveloped coastline perfect for swimming, beachcombing, and wildlife viewing. Outdoor enthusiasts can also enjoy camping, kayaking, and hiking through diverse ecosystems including maritime forests and salt marshes.
3. Betterton Beach
CHESAPEAKE BAY HIDDEN GEM
Betterton Beach is a 5.2-acre waterfront park offering a sandy beach at the mouth of the Sassafras River. The beach features amenities including a volleyball court, bathhouse, picnic pavilion, stone fishing jetty, and transient boat launching ramp. Visitors should note that lifeguards are not on duty, so swimming is at your own risk.
4. Gunpowder Falls State Park Hammerman Area
SCENIC SWIMMING AND RECREATION
Gunpowder Falls State Park Hammerman Area features a beautiful beach area that serves as the main attraction for this section of the park. The clean, sandy beach offers swimming with lifeguards on duty from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, Tuesday through Sunday. Visitors can also enjoy numerous picnic tables, grills, and small playgrounds located near the beach area and throughout the park.
5. Calvert Cliffs State Park
FOSSIL HUNTING AND SWIMMING
Calvert Cliffs State Park offers a unique combination of fossil hunting opportunities along a small beach at the base of striking cliffs. Visitors can search for prehistoric shark teeth and other fossils that regularly wash ashore from the Miocene-era cliffs. The park also features hiking trails through wooded areas leading to the beach, where swimming is permitted but without lifeguard supervision.
6. North Beach
CHARMING BAYFRONT TOWN
North Beach offers a family-friendly waterfront experience along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The town features a well-maintained beach with a boardwalk, fishing pier, and pavilion for visitors to enjoy. Beyond the beach, North Beach charms visitors with its quaint shops, restaurants, and regular community events that capture the essence of a classic bay town.
7. Breezy Point Beach
FAMILY-FRIENDLY BAYFRONT PARK
Breezy Point Beach is a family-oriented bayfront park offering a half-mile of sandy beach along the Chesapeake Bay. The beach provides amenities including picnic areas with grills, a playground, a 200-foot fishing pier, and netted swimming areas. Fossil hunters will appreciate the opportunity to search for prehistoric shark teeth and other fossils that wash up on the shoreline.
8. Elms Beach Park
PEACEFUL CHESAPEAKE BAY ESCAPE
Elms Beach Park offers visitors a tranquil beach experience along the Chesapeake Bay with stunning water views. The park features a long stretch of sandy shoreline perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing in a less crowded setting. Additional amenities include picnic areas, a playground, and opportunities for fishing and crabbing, making it ideal for family outings.
9. Roaring Point Beach
UNSPOILED NANTICOKE RIVER BEACH
Roaring Point Beach is a secluded shoreline where the Nanticoke River meets the Chesapeake Bay, offering visitors a peaceful escape. The beach features soft sand and shallow waters that make it ideal for families with children who want to swim and play. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the opportunity to observe various bird species and enjoy spectacular sunsets over the water.
10. Cunningham Falls State Park
MOUNTAIN LAKE AND WATERFALL
Cunningham Falls State Park features a 78-foot cascading waterfall, the largest in Maryland, along with a man-made lake with a sandy beach area. Visitors can enjoy swimming in Hunting Creek Lake, which offers a refreshing mountain lake experience complete with designated swimming areas and sandy beaches. The park also provides numerous recreational opportunities including hiking trails, fishing, and camping facilities surrounded by beautiful Catoctin Mountain scenery.