Really great place for a day trip with the family…read more The beach is nice and the water looked clean. There is a nice path about half mile to the beach. Go early as the parking lot can fill up.

Ok, the jellyfish were so bad this time that we couldn't even get in the water properly. I was…read morestung within a minute in not even ankle deep water (their stings are not terrible but not recommended). Minus one star, but I would still recommend it turning non-jellyfish season.

This little spot has a bit of beach territory which looks out across the Patuxent to the rather…read morespectacular bridge nearby, as well as some trails. The trails were thickly wooded and wide but unevenly surfaced. The beaches are pretty, but modest. It's nice that there's a public space here, but if you really want a beach, Elms Beach is better (no idea why my review for that place blew up). If you want a place to eat by the riverside, Greenwell is prettier. If you want to views of the river and the bridge, Solomons Island is better. So this place is fine to stop if you're around, but it's not great for anything. They charge admission only on peak days (weekends and holidays starting in May, according to the website), at which point they charge a lot. I wouldn't pay it, but if I was in the area I would stop by now and then.

Locked all visitors inside the park against our will over an hour before close & refused to unlock…read moreand let us leave. Still waiting now- going on two hours in a line of cars and calling the police. Park is supposed to close at 8. Completely irresponsible to lock the only entrance out at 6:45 when there are still nearly 30 people inside trying to get out. This is completely illegal and messed up. Loved how beautiful this park was but will never be back. Somebody else managed to get through to the police and they suggested leaving cars here and walking but couldn't guarantee our vehicles wouldn't be impounded. The walk home would be many hours on a dark highway at night- not an option, there are elderly people and a pregnant woman in the car ahead of me. Do not come here- you may be held against your will.

Amazing hiking trails! Trails are pretty accessible for all levels…read more The trail maps need updating as there are some new trails.

It's closed for months to repair a sewage siphon in spring, which is ridiculous. There's a sewage…read morepipe that empties into the waterfall area, but people don't seem to care and they swim, even though you can smell the sewage. The whole place and even the forest is littered with hard lemonade and beer bottles, babies diapers, dog poop and all kinds of food wrappers.

One of my favorite parks in the state…read more Tons of beautiful trails, kayaks for rent, a dog beach, dog park, amphitheater, exercise equipment, butterfly garden, playground, there's something for everyone. There is an entry fee for non AA county residents of $8 and for residents it's maybe $5, cash or card. Lots of parking at all different places. Recommend coming early on nice days to avoid crowds. I have been many times to do many things and we always enjoy coming back!

Glad that we visited this wonderful spot near Annapolis, as it was comforting and beautiful, a…read morepopular place to enjoy outdoor beauty and the Chesapeake Bay! Numerous trails and options throughout, and the park is open from 7 AM until dusk. Among the options are a dog park, art galleries, playgrounds, kayak rentals, ice skating, and picnic areas. I did not get to the Visitors Center, as it closed at 4 PM. We visited the South River Overlook Trail, which was four-tenths of a mile in length, and had benches at the water to fully enjoy and appreciate the spectacular views. There are six other trails, ranging to as much as a mile and one-half in length. An $8 entry fee for automobiles, additional for larger vehicles, and they also offer lifetime senior passes.

My family visited Greenwell State Park for a photography session a few weeks ago. I can't speak…read moremuch to the amenities as we were only there for pictures but the grounds are gorgeous. There are some wooded areas, a few small beaches, and even horses. Highly recommend for a scenic walk or photography.

This is a great spot for fishing, kayaking, hiking and horseback riding. They have a large barn…read morewith several horses there. There are also several trails, though I have heard mixed reviews about their upkeep or the amount of ticks in summer. We went to kayak and couldn't be happier. It has a great launch site and the water and scenery were great. There was plenty of parking as well.

Shortly after getting onto the path, there was a sign that said 'Hear.' It was at that moment when…read moreone really starts to hear the birdsong. The path to the beach was so beautiful that I was looking at the surroundings more than I should have when I tripped and fell. My ankle was hurt and I couldn't put any weight on it. A big thank you the woman who helped me on one side while my husband was on my other side to the cart than could t make it to our location. A big shout out to the ranger who came in a cart that took us back to our car. Unfortunately, we didn't make it down to the beach, but looking forward to returning upon my healing. It's a sprain with a fracture.

Good trail mileage and interesting wetlands, but not my favorite MD State Park. The beach most…read morepeople go for is small with "muddy bay sand", and you're not supposed to go below (or above) the cliffs. That said: there's nice photo possibilities along the wetlands, and much more diverse topography than on the eastern shore. Near the parking lot are picnic areas and a playground, and there's a lot of trail mileage (better for runners than hikers IMO). Other than the boardwalk along the wetlands (final segment), try to skip the red trail - that's where all the families will be trudging, many whom haven't walked 4 miles RT in quite some time judging by the expressions I saw. You can easily combine trails for some variety or more distance. The trails are a mix of sandy-natural, gravel and boardwalk, grass, or natural dirt. Their design seems an after-thought (more for access, less for "enjoyable hiking"). Note the colocated hunting club at the north end of the park, and wear a safety vest hiking if it's hunting season. If I lived nearby, I'd be here regularly. Lots of parking. There's no gate, so no worry about being locked in at dusk. Places to go for dinner afterwards in Solomons. But as a destination, it was one-and-done.

Expensive if live out of St Mary's county it's $30. They do not accept digital payment.read more

My first impression of Elms Beach Park was Abysmal,I am very disappointed by the hygiene standards…read moreof the bathrooms that have shrouded in the park in a very awful scent full of feces.Additionally while not having the best beach,the terrain for the tables are rugged and not the best for a picnic.Aside from the jellyfish and the horrible parking,They charge you 30 dollars for entry and 5 dollars as a seasonal pass.I would strongly reccomend other parks such as point lookout or ect...

08/03/25 My wife and…read moreI decided to take a drive through the county and stop at Jefferson Patterson Park. She had never been before, and while I had driven through, I'd never really explored it. We parked and walked up to the main house -- what a house! We just missed the last full tour of the day but were able to explore the first floor. Each room was beautifully set to its period with notes explaining the history. The kitchen stood out with its size, multiple stoves, and even an elevator nearby that had been installed for Mr. Patterson. Outside, the flower gardens were beautiful. Nearby we could see the old pool area -- the pool itself has been filled in, but the pool house and outline remain. From there, we walked down to the water, passing an active archaeological site marked for future digs. At the shoreline, there's a pier where boaters can dock to use the beach or walk up to the house. Another historic structure sits by the water, though it's slowly being overtaken by the elements. We also visited the area where the college is growing oysters, with plenty of them visible at the creek pier. The property has many trails to walk or bike, and they're even building a new large facility on-site. The park also hosts special events like the balloon festival and more. It was a great visit, and we're looking forward to returning to explore more trails, either walking or biking.

Becky gave us a fascinating, insightful, educational tour. My husband enjoyed riding around the…read moreIndian Village and King's Reach next to the Patuxent River. Jefferson Patterson Park is a unique timeline for this area of our country. This is must-see for anyone interested in archaeology, plantation life, Indian settlements, the 1930's through the present day and history. Highly recommend spending time with knowledgeable and enthusiastic Becky.

On the map, this was indistinguishable from nearby Dameron Marsh. Upon arriving, I was surprised by…read morewhat I found here. A short boardwalk leads to a genuine beach, one of the larger and nicer ones I've ever seen on the Chesapeake. Don't get me wrong, nobody's surfing on the little waves the bay generates, but it's still got a nice beach aesthetic and a good view. Several cautions are warranted, including the obvious risks of biting insects (not so much on the beach, but definitely on the inland track) and jellyfish. But I was surprised when a local told me that some of the marshy areas and the stream where a lagoon flows into the bay are prone to developing quicksand, to the point where people can get seriously stuck. (Unlike in movies, quicksand is not likely to drown you on its own but I still would not want to step in it). So watch out for that and bring some bug spray. Plant and animal life was abundant, and between the forest, the marsh, and the beach, there was a variety of scenery. So little of the bay is open to the public and preserved in this way. And this is not a park per se, and so unlike most state parks, this is free to enter. The parking area is small, and signage says they do not allow parking outside the lines, so visitation will be limited simply by space. But if you see a space open there, I'd take it.

This park is fantastic. There are only 11 parking spaces, so access is limited. The trail through…read morethe woods is beautiful. Some of the trail is raised wooden platforms. The beach is amazing. It is rustic and beautiful with marshlands and wildlife. There are two hiking options. One is interior and goes in the woods. The other is beachfront. Both trails are great. There is one point where there is a small inland marshy lake. It is usually connected to the bay. The water here is usually flowing in or out depending on the tide. Be very careful trying to cross because the sand is soft and you could get stuck. It is remote, so you might not easily get help. The wildlife in this area is great. Sometimes I have seen hundreds of flapping rays just off shore. Birds, fish you never know. Fo and enjoy this special treasure.