Westernport MarylandBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Westernport, Maryland.
1. Deep Creek Lake
MARYLAND'S LARGEST FRESHWATER LAKE
Deep Creek Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Maryland offering swimming, waterskiing, sailing, and kayaking opportunities. Visitors can enjoy the sandy beaches and clear waters surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. The lake features multiple access points, including a state park with a swimming beach and boat rentals.
2. Ocean City Beach
ICONIC ATLANTIC COASTLINE
Ocean City Beach offers 10 miles of clean sandy beaches along Maryland's Atlantic coastline. Visitors can swim in the ocean waves, relax on the sand, or stroll along the famous boardwalk lined with shops and restaurants. The beach is patrolled by lifeguards during the summer season, making it a safe option for families.
3. Assateague Island National Seashore
WILD HORSES AND BEACHES
Assateague Island National Seashore features pristine beaches where wild horses roam freely along the shoreline. The undeveloped barrier island offers swimming, sunbathing, and wildlife viewing in a natural setting. Visitors can also enjoy camping, kayaking, and hiking trails throughout the protected coastal ecosystem.
4. Sandy Point State Park
CHESAPEAKE BAY SWIMMING
Sandy Point State Park offers a large sandy beach on the northwestern shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The park provides swimming areas with lifeguards, picnic facilities, fishing opportunities, and spectacular views of the Bay Bridge. Visitors can also rent kayaks and paddleboards to explore the bay waters during the summer months.
5. Gunpowder Falls State Park
HAMMERMAN AREA BEACH
Gunpowder Falls State Park's Hammerman Area features a popular swimming beach on the Gunpowder River. The beach area includes picnic pavilions, playgrounds, and concession stands for visitor convenience. Canoe and kayak rentals are available for those who want to explore more of the river beyond the swimming area.
6. Betterton Beach
CHESAPEAKE BAY GEM
Betterton Beach is a 5.2-acre waterfront park offering a sandy beach at the mouth of the Sassafras River where it meets the Chesapeake Bay. The beach includes amenities such as a volleyball court, bathhouse, picnic pavilion, and stone fishing jetty for visitors to enjoy. Though swimming is at your own risk without lifeguards on duty, the beach remains a popular summer destination with concessions available during peak season.
7. North Beach
CHARMING BAYFRONT TOWN
North Beach offers a seven-block waterfront along the Chesapeake Bay with a fishing pier and half-mile boardwalk. The family-friendly beach features shallow swimming areas, regular events, and nearby restaurants and shops in the walkable town. Visitors can enjoy stunning sunrises over the bay and the weekly farmers market during summer months.
8. Greenbrier State Park
MOUNTAIN LAKE RETREAT
Greenbrier State Park features a freshwater lake with a 1,000-foot sandy beach nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. The 42-acre man-made lake offers swimming, fishing, boating, and hiking trails around its perimeter. Facilities include picnic shelters, playgrounds, boat rentals, and a nature center making it perfect for day trips or camping adventures.
9. Cascade Lake
SPRING-FED SWIMMING HOLE
Cascade Lake is a spring-fed lake featuring a sandy beach area and swimming facilities in northern Maryland. The family-oriented recreation area includes water slides, floating platforms, and a designated children's swimming area. Visitors can also enjoy fishing, picnicking, hiking trails, and miniature golf during their visit to this hidden gem.
10. Rocky Gap State Park
MOUNTAIN LAKE PARADISE
Rocky Gap State Park surrounds Lake Habeeb, a 243-acre lake with a beach area tucked between mountain ridges in Western Maryland. The crystal-clear waters offer swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities against the backdrop of dramatic rock formations. The park features camping areas, hiking trails, and is adjacent to Rocky Gap Casino Resort for additional entertainment options.