Outdoor Fun๐
May 2026 ยท โฑ 8 min read
Best Maryland State Parks for Families 2026
Maryland has 74 state parks and forests covering over 340,000 acres from Chesapeake Bay beaches to Appalachian Mountain forests. Whether your family wants to swim, hike, camp, fish, or simply enjoy nature, Maryland's state park system has something extraordinary for you. Here are the best state parks for families in 2026.
๐๏ธ Best State Parks for Swimming & Beaches
- Sandy Point State Park (Anne Arundel County) 786-acre park on the Chesapeake Bay with a beautiful sandy beach, lifeguards, picnic areas, boat launch, and beautiful views of the Bay Bridge. Best Chesapeake Bay beach park in Maryland.
- Deep Creek Lake State Park (Garrett County) Mountain lake swimming beach with lifeguards, a boat launch, picnic areas, and access to world-class mountain scenery. Year-round activities.
- Assateague State Park (Worcester County) Right next to the National Seashore; ocean swimming with lifeguards, camping, and of course the famous wild horses roaming the beach.
- Elk Neck State Park (Cecil County) Chesapeake Bay and Elk River swimming beaches; beautiful wooded peninsula; campground and cabins.
๐๏ธ Best State Parks for Family Camping
- Cunningham Falls State Park (Frederick County) Two campgrounds (Manor Area and William Houck Area) near Cunningham Falls and Catoctin Mountain Park. Electric and non-electric sites. Excellent base camp for the Frederick/Thurmont area.
- Deep Creek Lake State Park Waterfront camping on Maryland's largest freshwater lake. Book early fills up fast in summer.
- Martinak State Park (Caroline County) Beautiful Eastern Shore camping on the Choptank River; excellent fishing and paddling.
- Greenbrier State Park (Washington County) Family-friendly campground near Boonsboro with a small lake, swimming, fishing, and hiking.
๐ฆ Best Parks for Wildlife & Nature
- Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (Dorchester County) One of the most important bald eagle habitats on the East Coast. Wildlife drive and walking trails. Spectacular in winter when eagles congregate.
- Swallow Falls State Park (Garrett County) Old-growth hemlock forest and four waterfalls including Maryland's tallest. One of the most beautiful parks in the state.
- Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area (Baltimore County) Rare serpentine grassland ecosystem with wildflowers, unusual rock formations, and rare plant species unlike anywhere else in Maryland.