Calvert Cliffs State Park

Calvert Cliffs State Park is a day-use park featuring a sandy beach, unique fossils, recycled tire playground, a freshwater and tidal marshland and 13 miles of hiking trails located in Calvert County. The massive cliffs from which Calvert Cliffs SP was named dominates the shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay for thirty miles in Calvert County and were formed over 15 million years ago when all of Southern Maryland was covered by a warm, shallow sea. When the sea receded 20-25 million years ago, marking the end of the Miocene period, cliffs were exposed and began eroding. Today these cliffs reveal the remains of prehistoric species Including sharks, whales, rays, and seabirds that were the size of small airplanes.

Pet Policy

Pets are allowed in Calvert Cliffs State Park.

Features

Along with the interesting cliffs, the park offers nature trails, picnic areas, playground equipment, fishing, historic interest, hunting, youth group camping, shelters and many interpretative programs. A park map is available.

Fossil Hunting - A hike of 2 miles is taken from the parking lot, along an unimproved trail to the cliffs/beach area. Over 600 species of fossils have been identified from these cliffs, with the teeth of various species of shark as the most abundant fossils. Visitors may hunt for fossils on the open beach area and keep what they find, but always be mindful that fossils help tell the story of the past. So be sure to leave a piece of the story for other visitors.
**CLIFFS SAFETY NOTICE** - Due to the danger of the landslides caused by cliff erosion and the serious injuries they can cause, climbing upon and walking beneath the cliffs is prohibited. Thank you for your safe cooperation.

Recycle Tire Playground - Calvert Cliffs State Park offers an accessible tire playground located in the main day-use area.

Hiking and Biking - Designated as a wildlands area, 1079 acres of the park are preserved for hiking and nature appreciation. Thirteen miles of marked foot trails are open to the public. Bicycles and Equestrian riders are restricted to the service road. Biking is prohibited on designated wildlands trails.

Picnicking - Picnic tables and grills are available on a first come, first serve basis. The pavilion can accommodate approximately 50 people and is available through our reservation system. Click here to make reservations on-line for the pavilion.

Fishing - A one acre fishing pond is located in the picnic area. A Maryland Freshwater fishing license is required for anyone 16 years and older. A Maryland Sportfishing license is required for Bay fishing at the beach.

Hunting - Approximately 550 acres are open to hunting for upland game, turkey and deer. Upland game species include squirrels and rabbits. Turkey hunting is permitted only during the spring gobbler season. Deer hunting is permitted during seasons established by the Wildlife Division. All hunters must register at the hunter parking area. For information about hunting, visit The Maryland DNR Guide to Hunting and Trapping.
Hunters may enter / remain on park property outside of the regular posted hours provided that they are engaged in legitimate, authorized hunting activity.

Park hours - Hours of operation are sunrise to sunset daily, year round. Day use service charge is $5/vehicle, out-of-state residents $7/vehicle. Contact the park office for details when planning a visit.

Youth Group Camping - There are six sites available for youth groups. Sites are open seasonally. Sites can accommodate groups of 15 – 40 people. Youth Group reservations can be made through the Reservation Service by calling 1-888-432-2267. The youth group area remains closed due to tree and facility damage as a result of Hurricane Irene.

Youth group site directions: Proceed approximately 14 miles south of Prince Frederick on Route 4. Follow the signs to Calvert Cliffs State Park. Turn left, as if to go into the park entrance. Turn left again on Rt. 765. Go one half mile (just past Middleham Chapel) and turn right onto Camp Conoy Road. Follow Camp Conoy Road to the end of the hard surface road and bear right onto the dirt road. The entrance to Camp Bay Breeze will be about one quarter mile on the right.

For additional accessible amenities in Maryland Park Service, visit the Accessibility For All section of this website.

Trail Guide

To purchase copies of the Calvert Cliffs State Park Trail Guide with a credit card, please "click" on this link to place your order online.

To purchase copies of the Calvert Cliffs State Park Trail Guide with a check, please "click" on this link to download an order form.

Self-Guided Recreation

• Off road biking
• Hiking Calvert Cliffs
• Hiking Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary

Calvert Cliffs is run in partnership with the Friends of Calvert Cliffs State Park. For information on becoming a volunteer with Calvert's Friends Organization you may contact them at:
P.O. Box 1042
Lusby, MD 20657

Calvert Cliffs State Park is located at:
9500 H. G. Trueman Road
Lusby, Maryland

Correspondence: Calvert Cliffs is part of the Southern Maryland Recreational Complex. All correspondence, questions and concerns should be directed to Smallwood State Park at the address and phone number listed below.

***This is not the physical address of Calvert Cliffs State Park***
Calvert Cliffs State Park
c/o Smallwood State Park
2750 Sweden Point Road
Marbury, MD 20658
301-743-7613