Sandy Point State Park FAQ’s

GENERAL INFORMATION

When do you open?

Sandy Point State Park is open year-round, excluding Christmas Day.

Are pets permitted in the park?

Pets are allowed in the day-use area of the Park from October 1st through April 30th, but they must be
attended and leashed at all times. Leashes may not exceed 6 feet in length. Pets are not allowed in
restrooms or pavilions. Please be a responsible pet owner and clean up after your pet.

Is alcohol allowed in the park?

Alcohol is not allowed in the day-use area of Sandy Point State Park. Alcohol is allowed in East Beach
shelters with an alcohol permit only, which should be purchased at the time that shelter reservations are
made.

Is hunting allowed in the park?

Hunting is not permitted in Sandy Point State Park.

What kind of wildlife will I see on my visit to the Park?

Sandy Point State Park is home to many species of wildlife including whitetail deer, opossums, raccoons,
squirrels, songbirds, birds of prey, snakes, turtles, many varieties of waterfowl, fox, rabbits and much more.
Most species of wildlife are active early in the morning or just before sunset.

Is metal detecting allowed in the park?

Metal detecting is permitted in Sandy Point State Park in the sandy beach areas only. From Memorial Day
through Labor Day, detecting is restricted to 6:00am-9:00am, otherwise metal detecting on the beach is
permitted during normal park operating hours.

Where can I buy a season pass?

Maryland Park Service Season Passports can be purchased at Sandy Point State Park headquarters or at
the contact station when entering the Park. They can also be purchased online at
http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/parkpass.asp.

If I have a Season Pass, how do I get into Sandy Point State Park if there is no one at the tollgate?
If you have a Season Pass, stop by Park Headquarters to pickup a magnetic entry card that will allow you
access to the Park when the contact station is not staffed. You may also mail or fax a copy of your Season
Pass and mailing address to Park Headquarters and a magnetic entry card will be mailed to you.

In order to avoid having to pickup your magnetic access card separately, we encourage you to purchase
your Season Pass at the Park, and your entry card will be issued with the Season Pass.

Can I use the Park for a special event or festival?

The Park is not available for use for large-scale special events or festivals. Sandy Point is the site for Four
annual festivals – Lights on the Bay, the Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival, MSP Polar Bear Plunge and the
Maryland Seafood Festival. All have been held at Sandy Point State Park for many years. No additional
festivals or special events will be held here.

Where are the trash cans?

All Maryland State Parks are “trash-free”, meaning there are no trash cans to ruin the view, or to attract
flies, bees, and other wildlife. Visitors are asked to take their trash home with them when they leave.
Maryland State Parks promote recycling and reuse. Please recycle when possible.
Are there walking or bike trails in the park?
There are two short, self-guided trails behind the Tollgate Picnic area - the Symbi and Pond trails. There is
also a trail between East Beach and South Beach.

How do I get to Park Headquarters?

Traveling from the Rt. 50 overpass, at the main 4-way Park entrance intersection, continue straight across,
driving to the left of the Park sign. Park Headquarters is the first building on the left.

My friend/family member is disabled. Are all areas of the Park accessible to the disabled?
Sandy Point prides itself on being fully accessible to all patrons. All of our facilities are accessible to the
disabled. Beach wheelchairs are available on a first come first served basis. Please call the Park office in
advance of your visit at (410) 974-2149 to let us know what assistance we can provide for your upcoming
visit.

What is the closest hotel to Sandy Point State Park?

Quality Inn -- 1542 Whitehall Road, Annapolis, MD (866) 969-8065
Comfort Inn -- Us 50 & Old Mill Bottom Road, Annapolis, MD (410) 757-8500

Is there a place I can get food in the Park? When is it open?

There is a concession stand at the main South beach area of the Park which serves hot and cold foods from
Memorial Day to Labor Day. The concession stand is open daily from 11:00am to 6:00pm, weather
permitting. Also, the Marina store offers prepackaged snacks and beverages.

SHELTERS & YOUTH GROUP CAMPING

What are the hours for shelter use?

Shelters are available from 10:00am to sunset. All visitors must leave the Park at the scheduled closing time.

Do the shelter charges include the per person Park service charge?
The shelter fees do NOT include the per person Park service charge. Each person entering the Park will
have to pay the service charge. Persons reserving the shelter can pre-pay for visitors through the Park office
and will be issued pre-paid tickets, which must be distributed to entering guests prior to entering the Park.
Gate staff cannot tally for shelters.

I want to have a family reunion at Sandy Point. How many people will your shelters accommodate?
There are a total of twelve shelters available for rent for large group events at Sandy Point State Park. Nine
of the shelters accommodate groups up to 140 people, two shelters accommodate up to 180 people and one
shelter can accommodate up to 300 people.

Can I get married on the beach and have my reception in a shelter at Sandy Point?
Sandy Point State Park is not a prime venue for weddings and receptions in East Beach because of the lack
of privacy. When considering Sandy Point for a wedding and/or reception, please keep in mind that all twelve
shelters in East Beach share the same beach area. Weddings on the beach could be interrupted by other
beach users. Chairs cannot be setup on the beach and areas of the beach cannot be roped off for special
events. Also, all shelters in East Beach share bath houses, amenities and restroom facilities. No amplified
music or DJ’s are allowed. Keep in mind that shelter fees do not include the per person entrance charges; all
persons entering the Park will be charged the per person fee.

I have a shelter rented for my event but it’s supposed to rain. Can I reschedule or get a refund?
Because the shelters at Sandy Point are covered areas, we do not offer refunds or rescheduling of
reservations due to weather. The Park does not close for inclement weather.
Where can I camp?
Sandy Point State Park offers Youth Group camping only, from April 1st through October 31st. The Youth
Group camping area is restricted to youth group organizations only. The youth group camping area has two
primitive camping sites available for rent. Each site accommodates 30 people and includes a covered picnic
area and access to portable toilets.

How do I make a reservation?

Youth group camping reservations and shelter reservations can be made by calling 1-888-432-CAMP
(2267). Reservations may also be made online at http://reservations.dnr.state.md.us.

How much does it cost to camp in the Youth Group Area?

With a Maryland Park Service issued Youth Group Pass there is no per-person charge to camp in the Youth
Group Area. If you do not have a Camping without a Youth Group Pass is at the discretion of the Park
Manager. If you would like to apply for a Maryland Park Service Youth Group Pass, applications are available
by visiting http://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/youthgroup.html

Are there any campgrounds close to Sandy Point State Park? Do they have full hook-ups for RV’s?
Contact directly for accommodations and availability:

Patapsco Valley State Park – (410) 461-5005 – 45 minutes North of Sandy Point
Tuckahoe State Park – (410) 820-1668 – 45 minutes East of Sandy Point
Breezy Point Beach & Campground – (301) 855-1243 Ext. 225 – 40 minutes Northwest of Sandy Point
Capitol KOA – (410) 923-2771 – 35 minutes Northwest of Sandy Point
Duncan’s Family Campground – (800) 222-2086 – 45 minutes South of Sandy Point

SERVICE CHARGES

How much is the facility service charge?

Are children free?
Are Senior Citizens free?
What time do you open?
How late are you open?

Please refer to the Admission Prices and Park Hours section of our website,
http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Southern/sandypoint.asp

Do persons with disabilities get in free?

There is no charge to persons with disabilities if they possess a Maryland Park Service Disability Pass. The
pass holder and one guest are admitted at no charge. Handicap tags on the vehicle or the rear view mirror
do not gain free access to the Park. Applications for the Park Service Disability Pass can be found at
http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/parkpass.asp.

Do active military get in free?

All Active Military, as well as dependants, enter the park at no charge. Dependants are issued a “dependant”
ID which needs to be presented for entry into the park at no charge. Anyone who does not hold an active
military ID or a dependant ID must pay the prevailing service charge to enter the park.

Do you honor National Park Service Golden Eagle Passports?

No, we do not accept the National Park Service Golden Eagle Passport however the Maryland Park Service
can issue you a Golden Age Pass if you are 62 years old or older. If you do not have the Golden Age Pass,
you can purchase a pass for a $10.00 one time processing fee. The Golden Age Pass can be purchased at
the Park Office or the contact station when staffed. The Golden Age Pass allows free entry to all the Maryland
State Parks.
Do you honor AARP membership cards?
No, AARP cards can be obtained at age 50. Our Golden Age pass is only valid for adults aged 62 and older.

Is there a special youth group rate?

The youth group rate for entering the Park on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, non-holidays is $3.00 per
person. This applies to organized youth groups only, i.e. Camps, Boy Scouts and Girl Scout troops, or church
groups under the age of 18.

I’m coming to the Park on a bus with a group, is there a charge for a bus?
There is a $17.00 bus reservation charge that should be made in advance. There is a maximum of 5 bus
reservations per day on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, and 10 bus reservations per day during the week.

Can I get a refund?

Facility service charges are non-refundable. If you leave the park, you must re-pay to re-enter.

FISHING – CRABBING – BOATING

How deep is the pond?

The pond, named after one of Sandy Point’s previous owners, Baptist Mezick, was dredged to eight feet.

How much is the boat ramp charge?

No additional charge is required to use the boat ramp after the facility service charge has been paid.

Can I leave my boat trailer overnight or for several days?

Boat trailers and vehicles can be left overnight in the large marina parking lot. If you intend to leave your
trailer overnight or longer, please check in at the Marina store and fill out a form with registration information.
If the store is closed, contact a Park ranger to obtain a form. The trailers and vehicles should then be
secured and parked at the top section of the lot by the small residence. This is only during the summer
season.

Can I get gas or diesel fuel for my boat?

Fuel is available at the Marina store. The fuel pumps are on the dock in front of the store.

Where can I rent a boat?

Boat rentals are available at the Marina Store. Once in the Park, take the first paved right to Marina store. A
deposit is required and both hourly and daily rates are available. Boat rentals are weather permitting. For
more information during the summer season you can call 410-974-2772.

What size boats do you rent?

15’11” outboard motor boats with a maximum capacity of four people. The motor is 6-horse power. Sandy
Point State Park abides by all Maryland boat operation laws. Check at the marina store for details regarding
Boater Safety Certification requirements.

Where can I fish or crab?

Fishing and crabbing are allowed anywhere except in designated swimming and boating areas. The best
spots are off of the rock jetties located at South Beach and East Beach. Crabbing is restricted on certain
days of the week. Check Maryland regulations prior to visiting the Park.

Do you sell bait?

Yes, a variety of bait is available at the Marina store including bloodworms, spot, night crawlers and peelers.

Where can I get bait or fishing equipment outside the park?

Anglers Sporting Center is close-by. When exiting the Park, make a left at the park front entrance
intersection. Take the overpass over Rt. 50; make a right at the stop sign onto Whitehall Rd. Angler’s is
approximately 2 miles on the left.
Do I have to have a license to fish or crab at Sandy Point?
All Maryland fishing and crabbing regulations apply when fishing or crabbing in the Park. You must possess
all licenses that are required by Maryland State law.

Where can I buy a Maryland fishing license?

Licenses can be purchased at most Wal-Marts or K-Marts, some hardware stores, and most sporting goods
stores. Fishing licenses can also be purchased online at https://www3.wildlifelicense.com/md/ or by phone
at 1-800-918-2870. Licenses for fishing and crabbing can also be purchased at Angler’s Sporting Center,
directions above.

BEACHES – SWIMMING

Do you have lifeguards? What days and times?

Sandy Point’s main beach is lifeguarded from Memorial Day to Labor Day, daily from 11:00am to 6:00pm.
The beach area in East Beach, where the shelters are located, is lifeguarded when shelters are rented and
staff is available. Days and times are subject to change based on availability of staff.

Can I sunbathe nude at Sandy Point State Park? Can I wear a thong bathing suit?
Sandy Point State Park is a public family facility. There are no “private” areas of beach in the Park. Public
nudity is prohibited by law. When in the Park, we ask that you wear bathing attire that is appropriate to be
viewed by adults and children alike. If bathing attire is inappropriate, you may be asked to cover up.

Do you have jellyfish?

Because Sandy Point beach is located directly on the Chesapeake Bay, jellyfish can be found in the water
during the warm summer months, mainly from late June through the first frost. As the water temperature
rises, the numbers of jellyfish increase. Please be aware of your surroundings when swimming.

Can I put up a tent on the beach for shade?

Tents are not permitted in the day use area of the Park. Small shade canopies can be put up on the beach
as long as they are open-sided and do not exceed 10 foot square in size. For the safety of our guests,
shade shelters cannot have closed sides and staff must be able to see into all structures.

Is the water at Sandy Point’s beach salt water or freshwater?

The portion of the Chesapeake Bay where Sandy Point is located is brackish water. Brackish water is saltier
than fresh water, but not as salty as sea water and is a result of salt water mixing with freshwater in this
portion of the Chesapeake Bay.

Is it ok to swim in the water? Is it polluted?

Water in the swim area is sampled weekly between May and September by the Anne Arundel County Health
Department. You can view the water quality results on their website at www.aahealth.org. If any of the
parameters tested are above an acceptable range, the Maryland Department of the Environment will close
the beach to swimming and that information will be posted throughout the Park.