Elk Neck State Park

Elk Neck is your year-round, travel destination to connect with the vast landscapes and waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The park boasts 2,188 acres of sandy beaches, marshlands, and heavily wooded bluffs overlooking the North East River, the Elk River and the Chesapeake Bay. As a result, there are several journeys you can take while in the park.

Camping Alert: May 7-9, 2013

There will be limited site availability at Elk Neck State Park’s campground from Tuesday, May 7 through Thursday, May 9 due to a construction project. North East and Chester Loops will be open with normal services during this time. If you have any questions, please contact the Elk Neck State Park Office at 410-287-5333.

Tour the Light House

One journey takes you on a hike out to Turkey Point Lighthouse, a signature landmark of the park. The lighthouse is located at the southern tip of the Elk Neck peninsula. On Saturdays and Sundays (April through November between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.), you can climb up to the top of the 35-foot tall lighthouse and learn more about the history of the lighthouse from one of the park’s dedicated volunteers.

Built in 1833, this historic lighthouse sits atop a 100-foot high bluff overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. The lighthouse pointed the way to safe waters for nearly 175 years. Many incredible tales unfolded right here under the watchful beacon of the Turkey Point Lighthouse: stories of heroism, daunting challenges, and even tragedy. This lighthouse has been part of Chesapeake Bay history for generations, safeguarding people who have lived, worked, and traveled here.

Rules and Important Information

• No alcohol
• Area closed at Sunset. All visitors must exit the parking lot by sunset.
• Between Easter and mid-November, there is a port-o-pot at the lighthouse.
• There is no fee to access this area.
• Maryland State Parks are trash free. You must take all of your trash home with you when you leave.

Directions:

Follow Route 272 South, until it dead-ends in the Turkey Point parking lot. Follow the trail signs out to the lighthouse, which is 0.8 miles from the parking lot.

Visit the Beach

Another journey’s destination is our sandy beach where you can swim in the Bay and get away from the summer heat. While you are there, have a picnic with your family and friends as you relax in the shade and enjoy the Bay’s spectacular views. You can also take advantage of the canoe and kayak launch area, just north of the swim area.

An unguarded sandy beach offers swimming access on the Chesapeake Bay. The shallow waters are perfect for young children and adults alike.

You will also find over 25 picnic tables and some grills, a playground, restroom with showers, and a seasonal convenience store offering cold drinks, snacks, ice cream, sunscreen, souvenirs, and beach supplies.

Picnic Shelters: Larger groups (up to 125 people) can rent one of two pavilions in this area. They are available by rental only.

Rules and Important Information

• No alcohol. Alcohol is ONLY permitted at the shelters and ONLY if an alcohol permit has been purchased at the time the reservation was made.
• See Pet Policy below.
• Area Closes at Sunset. All visitors must exit the area by Sunset.
• Maryland State Parks are trash-free. You must take all of your trash home with you when you leave.

The fee for this area is:

• Weekends and Holidays:
  $3 per person for in-state vehicles.
  $5 per person for out-of-state vehicles.
• Weekdays
  $3 per in-state vehicle.
  $5 per out-of-state vehicle.

Directions:

Follow Route 272 South, 1/4 mile past Park Headquarters. Turn Right onto North East Beach Road.

Launch Your Boat

The boat launch facility at Rogues Harbor is a popular travel destination because it gives you access to fun voyages on the Elk River and the Chesapeake Bay. Bass tournaments of up to 150 boats can be accommodated, but arrangements must be made in advance by contacting the park office. Depending on your desires and the season, you can have thrilling experiences catching fish and crabs from the shore or your boat.

Here, at Rogue’s Harbor, you can find many ways to have fun. Watch huge cargo ships, powerboats, kayaks and sailboats cruise by on the Elk River, or you can launch your boat at one of our four launch ramps and go for trips on the Elk River, Chesapeake Bay, and surrounding waters.

There is a public restroom and seasonal convenience store located in the building adjacent to the ramps. The convenience store sells marine grade gasoline, boating supplies, ice, cold drinks, snacks, and Elk Neck State Park souvenirs.

Visitors using the boat launch pay:

• $10 per in-state vehicle
• $12 per out-of-state vehicle

All other visitors pay the Day Use Fee:

• Weekends and Holidays
  $3 per person for in-state vehicles
  $5 per person for out-of-state vehicles
  
• Weekdays
  $3 per in-state vehicle
  $5 per out-of-state vehicle

Rules and Important Information

• No alcohol
• See Pet Policy below.
• The area is open 24 hours year-round.
• The park does not offer boat, canoe, or kayak rentals.

Directions:

Follow Route 272 South 1.5 miles past park headquarters. Turn Left onto Rogue’s Harbor Road.

Fishing and Crabbing:

Fishing is permitted throughout the park except at the swimming beach, where fishing poses a safety risk to other visitors. Fishing and crabbing are permitted on the piers at Rogue's Harbor when the convenience store is closed. However, a license may be required. Always check the current regulations before fishing and crabbing.

License information:

• Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport license: All waters surrounding the park are considered tidal waters and require a Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport fishing license unless you are under 16 years of age.
• Non-Tidal license: The pond behind the park store requires a Non-Tidal license for anyone age 16 and above.
• Crabbing: Seasonally, recreational crabbers may crab using seines, dip nets, and hand-lines without a license. Visit the convenience store at Rogue’s Harbor Boating Facility to purchase basic supplies and try your hand at crabbing.
• Free fishing days: the first two Saturdays in June and July 4th.

Please reference the current regulations for seasons, size, catch, and possession limits. Licenses are not sold at the park. Call 800-918-2870 to purchase a license.

Camping

Our wooded campground is another great travel destination where you can kick back and relax, or explore the other areas of the park. We have over 250 campsites, 15 available cabins (7 mini/camper cabins, and 8 rustic cabins), a youth group camping area, a camp store and snack bar, playgrounds, and a nature center that has fun weekend activities for families during the summer season.

General Rules and Important information:

• No alcohol
• A maximum of 6 people can camp at each site.
• All camping equipment must be set up on the tent pad.
• Vehicles must remain on designated parking areas/driveways.
• Visitors to campers must pay the standard Day-use charge and must exit the campground by 10 p.m.
• Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. until 7 a.m.
• Check-in time is between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m.
• Check-out times:
  1 p.m. for campsites
  Noon for Mini/Camper cabins
  10 a.m. for Rustic cabins

All campsites are equipped with a fire ring with grill on top, picnic table, and a lantern post. There are eight camping loops; each has a central bathhouse with hot running water for showers.

North East Camping Loop
31 sites with electric (50, 30, and 20 amp), water, and sewer hookups
Pets on a leash are permitted
Open year-round

Chester Camping Loop
22 sites with electric hook-ups (50, 30, and 20 amp)
Pets are PROHIBITED
Open year round

Wye, Choptank, and Susquehanna Camping Loops
140 campsites
Pets on a leash are permitted
Open April-October

Elk and Miles Camping Loops
140 campsites
Pets on a leash are permitted
Open April-October

Sassafras and Bohemia Loops
59 campsites
Pets are PROHIBITED
Open May-September

Youth Group Camping
6 group sites
up to 50 people per site
Pets are PROHIBITED
Open March - October

Camper cabins (All the fun of tent camping and no tents required!)
One double bed and one bunk bed, sleeping 4 people
Ceiling light with fan and electrical outlet
Outdoor picnic table
Small open porch
Fire ring with a grill on top
Heat and air-conditioning
Pets are PROHIBITED
2-night minimum stay on weekends and 3-nights on Holiday weekends
Available year round
Restrooms are located in the adjacent Chester camping loop

Please note: Mini-camper cabins DO NOT have running water, or a refrigerator. You must provide your own linens, pots, pans, and utensils.

Rustic Cabins (For a cozy, rustic stay in a historic cabin.)
One double bed and one bunk bed, sleeping 4 people
Ceiling lights with fan and electrical outlets
Refrigerator, oven and electric range
Cold running water at kitchen sink
Small indoor table and outdoor picnic table
Small open porch
Fire ring with a grill on top
Pets are PROHIBITED
Restrooms are located in the central bathhouse

Please note: Rustic cabins DO NOT have heating or air conditioning. You must provide your own linens, pots, pans and utensils.

Reservations are recommended. To make a reservation, call 1-888-432-2267 or visit http://reservations.dnr.state.md.us.

*New service charge fees for reservations. For every night reserved a service charge will be added to the base rates noted below for properties on the reservation system. For reservations made through the Internet, the per night fee is $4.56. For reservations made through the call center, the per night fee is $4.61, and for reservations made at the park the per night fee is $4.51.

Directions:

The entrance to the campground 1/4th of a mile South from the Park Headquarters on Rt. 272. Turn left onto Campground Road, into the Elk River Area, across from the North East Beach entrance.

Nature Center

You are welcome to come in and visit the Nature Center, which is open on weekends during the summer season, to see live animals, local historical displays, and participate in hands-on activities for all ages. For upcoming events, check the park bulletin boards or the attached 2013 calendar for dates and times.

Hiking and Biking

If you are looking for adventure and a challenge, hike and/or mountain bike on the park’s trails. Look closely and you might see a Bald Eagle’s nest high up in the treetops. In the Fall, you can go hunting in three areas of the park and experience the thrill of bagging deer.

Grab a trail map and explore 12 scenic miles of trails. From the easy 1.5 mile round trip hike to Turkey Point Lighthouse to the challenging 3 mile trip to the White Clay Cliffs overlooking the Chesapeake Bay, hikers of all abilities will find an adventure.

Hiking many of the park’s trails will offer opportunities to view wildlife. You can see Bald Eagles soaring above the shorelines by hiking the White Banks Trail or the Lighthouse Trail. Migrating hawks can be seen September-November from the Raptor Viewing field along the lighthouse trail. You can also see an active beaver lodge in the marsh near Rogue’s Harbor. White-tailed Deer, groundhogs, fox, raccoon, river otter, squirrel, skunk, and opossum are also found in the park, though many of these species are nocturnal.

Each of the four areas has a signed trailhead with information specific to that location. There are seven named trails within the park and you can use trail connectors to link multiple trails together. By choosing different trails and connectors, you can make your experience longer or shorter, easier or harder. Be creative and keep exploring new options!

Whichever journey you choose, enjoy your Chesapeake Bay experience!

Hunting

Beginning in September, hunters with a valid Maryland hunting license and DNR managed hunt stamp may sign up at Elk Neck State park Headquarters for a deer-hunting permit. There are opportunities for Bow, Shotgun, and Muzzleloader Hunting as well as a program for disabled hunters and youth hunters. Seven offshore waterfowl Blind Sites are located on the Elk River and Chesapeake Bay.

Call the Gwynnbrook Wildlife Management Area office during waterfowl season at 410-356-9272 to get your permit and reserve a site. For information about hunting, visit The Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping.

Hunters are permitted to enter one hour before sunrise and exit one hour after sunset, provided that they are engaged in legitimate, authorized hunting activity.

Pet Policy

Pets are ONLY allowed in the following designated areas of Elk Neck State Park:

• Campground: The camping loops located along Stoney Point Rd. (Choptank, Elk, Miles, North East, St. Martins, Susquehanna, and Wye)
• The Park Store
• Trails: The Mauldin Mountain Loop (formerly known as the red trail), Turkey Point Lighthouse trail (old blue trail), Pond Loop (old green trail), the White Banks Trail, and the Beaver Marsh Loop (old orange trail)
• Rogue’s Harbor: Year round
• Mauldin Mountain/White Banks picnic area
• North East Beach area: ONLY in the off-season (between the day after Labor Day and the day before Memorial Day weekend)