Ridgely MarylandBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Ridgely, Maryland.
1. Killens Pond State Park
SERENE FRESHWATER PARADISE
Killens Pond State Park offers a beautiful 66-acre millpond as its centerpiece, perfect for swimming, fishing, and boating activities. Visitors can enjoy the water park with slides and swimming areas during summer months. The park also features camping facilities, hiking trails, and a nature center for a complete outdoor experience.
2. Betterton Beach
CHESAPEAKE BAY GEM
Betterton Beach is a scenic five-acre waterfront park offering one of the Eastern Shore's few remaining Chesapeake Bay beaches. The beach features a 500-foot stretch of shoreline with a picturesque swimming area where the Sassafras River meets the bay. Visitors can enjoy the sandy beach, fishing jetty, and panoramic views of the Chesapeake Bay.
3. Martinak State Park
RIVERSIDE NATURAL RETREAT
Martinak State Park is a beautiful natural area bordered by the Choptank River and Watts Creek, offering peaceful waterfront recreation opportunities. The park supports diverse wildlife and provides excellent fishing for bass, perch, sunfish, and catfish. Visitors can enjoy modern campsites, boating access, hiking trails, and a nature center while exploring the park's hardwood and pine forests.
4. Fenwick Island State Park
PRISTINE ATLANTIC SHORELINE
Fenwick Island State Park features a pristine 3-mile stretch of barrier island beach between the Atlantic Ocean and Little Assawoman Bay. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and surfing along the clean, lifeguard-patrolled shoreline. The park also offers amenities like bathhouses, a concession stand, and rental equipment for water activities.
5. Tolchester Beach
HISTORIC BAYSIDE RETREAT
Tolchester Beach has a rich history as one of the Chesapeake Bay's most beloved recreational spots since the late 19th century. Today, visitors can enjoy the sandy shoreline and panoramic bay views at this eastern shore destination. The area combines natural beauty with maritime heritage, making it a perfect spot for swimming, picnicking, and watching ships pass by.
6. Ferry Park
RIVERSIDE RECREATION SPOT
Ferry Park provides a charming waterfront experience where the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry, the nation's oldest privately operated ferry service, docks on the Tred Avon River. Visitors can enjoy the small beach area, perfect for wading, picnicking, and watching boats pass by. The park offers beautiful water views and a relaxing atmosphere just steps from Oxford's historic district.
7. Adkins Arboretum
WETLAND NATURE EXPERIENCE
Adkins Arboretum is a 400-acre native garden and preserve featuring five miles of paths through diverse habitats including wetlands with scenic water views. Visitors can explore the Blockston Branch, a tributary of the Tuckahoe Creek, which winds through the property offering peaceful waterside experiences. The arboretum showcases native Chesapeake Bay region flora and fauna in a natural setting perfect for environmental education and nature appreciation.
8. Tuckahoe State Park
LAKE AND CREEK PARADISE
Tuckahoe State Park features a 60-acre lake and the scenic Tuckahoe Creek, offering multiple water recreation opportunities in a tranquil natural setting. Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, and kayaking in the park's pristine waters surrounded by forests and meadows. The park also provides camping facilities, hiking trails, and a recycled tire playground for a complete outdoor adventure.
9. Assateague State Park
WILD HORSES AND WAVES
Assateague State Park is Maryland's only oceanfront park, featuring a stunning two-mile stretch of beach on Assateague Island. Visitors can swim in the Atlantic Ocean, stroll along the sandy shore, and spot the famous wild horses that roam freely throughout the island. The park offers camping, kayaking, and hiking opportunities in a unique coastal environment where maritime forest meets marsh and beach.
10. Ocean City Beach
VIBRANT BOARDWALK BEACH
Ocean City Beach offers 10 miles of clean sandy shoreline along Maryland's Atlantic coast, attracting millions of visitors annually. The beach is complemented by a world-famous wooden boardwalk lined with restaurants, shops, and amusements for the perfect beach vacation experience. Visitors can enjoy swimming in guarded areas, sunbathing, beach sports, and spectacular ocean views from sunrise to sunset.