Recreational opportunities abound on this picturesque peninsula formed by the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River. Swimming, fishing, boating and camping are just a few of the activities to be enjoyed in this beautiful bay setting.

This park's peaceful surroundings belie its history as the location of a prison camp which imprisoned as many as 52,264 Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. A museum on site recounts this vivid history. A park map is available at park headquarters, the camp office, camp store, and the Civil War Museum/Marshland Nature Center. Historic weapons safety guidelines for interpretive demonstration purposes as authorized by the Maryland Park Service can be read by clicking here.

Read about the park's mysterious ghosts in the Fall 2001 edition of The Natural Resource magazine. The park has also been listed as having one of the coast's top 10 haunted lighthouses in Coastal Living Magazine's online features. You may view the article at http://www.coastalliving.com/coastal/travel/bestofthecoast/article/0,14587,1534968,00.html

Features:
Boat launch, boat rental, camp fire programs, camp sites, cabins, camp store, dump station, fishing, flat water canoeing, hiking trails, hunting, historic interest, hook ups, pet trail, picnic area, playground, swimming, Civil War Museum/Marshland Nature Center, pavilion and cottage. Due to reduced staff, restrooms throughout the day-use area will be closed during the week and replaced with portable toilets (October 1-November 1). All restrooms will be closed for winterization by November 1. Portable toilets will be available in the park.

Seasonal applications now being accepted for summer positions:
Positions available: maintenance, camp office, contact station, boating facility, naturalist, seasonal ranger, lifeguard
Pay range: $7 to $9 per hour (up to 40 hours per week)
Call the park office for more information: 301-872-5688

• Park Office - Summer hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Winter hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The office will be closed Tuesdays and Thursdays from November 1, 2007 through March 30, 2008. The park office will be closed on December 25 and 26.
• Summer visitation - Point Lookout occasionally fills to capacity on summer weekends and holiday weekends. During these times you will not be able to enter the park, nor will you be able to just drive through the park. You may call 301-872-5688 to check on our visitation volume, however we can make no guarantees that we will not be filled to capacity by the time you arrive. On holiday weekends ( Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day weekends) we do not allow people to drive through without paying the service charge due to the volume of traffic within the park.
• Day Use Service Charges - Weekends and holidays (May-September) $5 per person; out-of-state residents $6 per person. All other times $3 per vehicle; out-of-state residents $4 per vehicle. Day use service charges are valid for park use from 6 a.m. to sunset. (Maryland Passport, Disability and Golden Age Passes are valid during this time period. Active Military w/I.D.are exempt. Children in car seats are free.) Night fishing service charge is $3/vehicle for MD residents and $4/vehicle of out of state visitors and is in effect from sunset to 6 a.m. (use the white night pass envelope for payment).
• Camping - There are 143 wooded campsites available; 26 of these have full hook-ups, 27 of these have electric. One campsite for youth groups is also available. Reservations can be made by calling 1-888-432-2267. Campers may check in no later than 10:00 p.m. If the camp office is not staffed, campers may be required to use the self-registration system to check in. Between October 29, 2007 and March 28, 2008 the campground will be closed except for our full hook-up loop (Tulip), which remains open year round for self-contained campers (no restrooms available). There is a self-registration/self check-in system (cash and checks accepted). Please contact the park for hours and closures in advance of your visit.
• Camp Store - The camp store is a seasonal operation and is closed for the winter season. It will re-open in May 2008 with limited operations.
• Please read the park's campground regulations prior to your visit.
• Camp Office - Campers with reservations will be able to pick-up their registration packets at the camp office when park headquarters is not open. Reservations can only be made for Greens Point, Hoffmans and Tulip Loops during the months of April-May and September-October, with the exception of Memorial Day and October 25-29. Reservations may be made for all loops October 25-29 due to Spirits of Point Lookout.
• Civil War Museum/Marshland Nature Center - The nature center and museum are a seasonal operation and are closed for the winter season. They will reopen in May 2008 with limited operation/hours. The nature center and museum offer programs in nature and Civil War history.
• Fishing - The park features three fishing areas available 24 hours, including a 710 foot pier (24 hour operation March 30-November 30). A valid Chesapeake Bay Sport Fishing license and appropriate stamps are required. The pier will be closed beginning December 17, 2007 (re-opening March 28, 2008). All other areas of the park are open for fishing year round. Active fishing is allowed 24 hours a day.
• Night Fishing Pass - Valid from sunset to 6 a.m. All passes are valid during this time period. Fishermen wishing to stay past sunset will be required to pay an additional night-use service charge of $3 per vehicle; $4 per vehicle for out-of-state residents. All members of your party must have a valid fishing license and be actively fishing to remain in the park after sunset.
• Causeway - All service charges will apply to the Causeway area. Those wishing to stay on the Causeway will be obligated to pay both the day use and night fishing pass service charges. To remain on the Causeway after sunset you will be required to have a night fishing pass displayed. Active fishing is required. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the Causeway, piers and shoreline.
• Swimming - Swimming is available from Memorial Day to Labor Day. No lifeguards are on duty. The beach area has grills, picnic tables, and a playground. Facilities include showers and restrooms. Jelly fish can be found in our swim area. The number of jelly fish changes daily depending on the time of year and rainfall.
• Hunting - There are 200 acres set aside for deer hunting. A valid hunting license and appropriate stamps are required (all seasons except early muzzleloader). Two waterfowl blind sites are available.
• Boating - A boat launch facility and fish-cleaning station are available for boaters. Boat rentals and supplies are also available at the camp store. Boat launch service charge is $10 per launch, valid 24 hours a day year round. Reduced services beginning December 17, 2007 between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. Launching is permitted 24 hours a day, however, launchers should be aware that there is no lighting in the area. For emergencies call 1-800-825-7275. All Season Pass only accepted for launch.
• Pets - Pets are allowed in all areas of Malone Circle, Tulip Loop, Green's Point Loop, Hoffman's Loop, and on the paved portion of the causeway and on the beach (north of the causeway) to the entrance of Tanner's Creek. They are NOT permitted in any other day use area or trail, including the beach or picnic area.
• Camper/Cabins - There are six four-person camper/cabins available for overnight stays. No pets, smoking, or cooking are permitted inside the cabins. A fire ring is provided for cooking. Check in time is 3 p.m., checkout is at noon.
  
• Click here for camping season beginning and ending dates, and camping and shelter service charges.
• Beach Picnic Area - There will be reduced services beginning November 5, 2007. Area will be closed to vehicular traffic and restrooms will not be available. Pedestrian access only is available sunrise to sunset.
  
• Fort Lincoln - Open year round sunrise to sunset (self-guided).

Water Trail Guide

Check out a copy of the Point Lookout State Park Water Trail Guide. This water trail guide is available for sale at the park headquarters. Purchase copies of the trail guide using our on-line order form.

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

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

Self-Guided Recreational Activities:

• Cycling Point Lookout
• Fishing at Point Lookout
• Hiking at Point Lookout

Cottage: (6 people maximum) The cottage is located directly on the shore of the Potomac River overlooking scenic Cornfield Harbor near the confluence with the Chesapeake Bay. It is also located near historic Fort Lincoln. The cottage contains a refrigerator, stove, dishes and utensils, bathroom and coffee pot. Guests must provide their own food, linens, pillows, towels and personal items. A two night minimum stay is required April and October. Weekly rental only June 7, 2008 through August 30, 2008. The cottage is closed November through March. The 2008 service charge is $80 per night. Reservations can be made by calling 1-888-432-CAMP Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pavilion: (100 people maximum) Now accepting reservations. Reservations can be made up to one year in advance. Price does NOT include the $5/person service charge May through September on weekends and holidays, and the $3/vehicle service charge weekdays year-round for calendar year 2008. The pavilion contains a large open grill and picnic tables. Water and electric are available. The swimming area and a small playing field are nearby.

Maryland Conservation Corps

No minimum qualifications are required other than transportation to the designated job site and a desire to serve. Low-cost State Housing is available at certain crew sites. Benefits include a living allowance of $7.00/hour, health care benefits, child care assistance (if eligible) and a $4,725 education scholarship award for those members that complete $1,700 hours of service. MCC employs a Zero Tolerance Policy for any member who uses alcohol or illegal drugs while attending an MCC project, training or event.

For more information or to apply, contact the park manager or download an application from the Maryland Department of Natural Resource’s Maryland Conservation Corps website: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/mcc/yearround.htm

For additional accessible amenities in Maryland State Forests and Parks, visit the Accessibility For All section of this website.

Directions from Baltimore:
From Rt. 695
Follow to Rt. 97 south to Rt. 3 south (Rt. 3 will turn into Rt. 301. Follow Rt. 301 south. From Rt. 301 south continue to Rt. 4 south in Upper Marlboro. Follow Rt. 4 south all the way across the Solomons Island Bridge. After the Solomons Island Bridge the first traffic light you come to will be Rt. 235. Turn left onto Rt. 235 south. Follow Rt. 235 south into a town called Ridge (there will be a blinking red light). Turn left onto Rt. 5 south. Follow Rt. 5 south as far as it will go (approximately 7 miles) and you will be in Point Lookout. After the entrance sign, the second road on the right will be the campground. When you arrive in the campground, park at the left and register at the Ranger Station.

Directions from Washington, D.C.:
From Rt. 495
Follow to Rt. 4/Pennsylvania Avenue south to Upper Marlboro. Continue on Rt. 4 south until you cross the Solomons Island Bridge. After the Solomons Island Bridge the first traffic light you come to will be Rt. 235. Turn left onto Rt. 235 south. Follow Rt. 235 south into a town called Ridge (there will be a blinking red light). Turn left onto Rt. 5 south. Follow Rt. 5 south as far as it will go (approximately 7 miles) and you will be in Point Lookout. After the entrance sign, the second road on the right will be the campground. When you arrive in the campground park at the left and register at the Ranger Station.

Directions from the Rt. 301 Bridge:
Follow Rt. 301 north to Rt. 234 towards Leonardtown. When you reach the end of Rt. 234 at Rt. 5 turn right. Follow Rt 5 south all the way into Point Lookout. After the entrance sign, the second road on the right will be the campground. When you arrive in the campground park at the left and register at the Ranger Station.

Volunteer opportunities are plentiful at Point Lookout. Volunteers can help with special events, site maintenance, visitor center activities, and general site operations. For volunteer information call 301-872-5688 and ask for the Volunteer Coordinator.

Point Lookout State Park
11175 Point Lookout Road
Scotland, MD 20687
(301) 872-5688
(301) 872-5084 (FAX)
Call 1-888-432-CAMP(2267) for reservations

Click here to make reservations on-line for Point Lookout State Park.

DNR Home