Best Maryland Beaches Off the Beaten Path to Check Out This Summer

What's a better way to spend a summer day than basking in the sand on a beautiful Maryland beach? Doing that on a quiet beach! If you're craving that salty sea breeze, but don't want to deal with the crowds, noise, and parking headaches, here are some suggestions for quieter beaches off the beaten path, courtesy of OnlyInYourState.com:

1. Terrapin Beach Park

191 Cross Island trail, Stevensville, Kent Island 21666

This beach has it all - boardwalk trails through wetlands, a 3.25-mile bike/walking trail, and even a view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge! For those of you looking for some spooky history, keep an eye out for the tiny historic cemetery hidden in the park. Because it’s over the bridge and tucked away from the highway, this beach doesn’t usually get as much traffic as its counterpart over the bridge, Sandy Point, leaving more room for you to stretch out and build giant sand castles.

2. Matoaka Beach

4510 Matoaka Ln, St Leonard, MD 20685

A favorite of kayakers, fishermen, and beachcombers looking for fossils, Matoaka Beach is the very definition of “hidden gem” - you’ll probably think you got lost as you make your way to this beach, but just stay on Matoaka Lane and you’ll get there! This beach bears some resemblance to Calvert Cliffs, in that it’s a favorite for people looking to find fossils and shark teeth, and it’s surrounded by clay cliffs. If you act quickly, you can even book a beach cabin and extend your stay beyond just the day time! There is a $10/person charge to visit the beach (though young children are free), and unfortunately your pup needs to sit this one out, because dogs are not permitted.

3. Hart-Miller Island

Hart Miller Island, MD

This beach is perfect for the Baltimore locals who don’t want to drive a couple of hours for a beachy afternoon. Located just a few miles from Baltimore, Hart Miller Island State Park is an uninhabited island rich with wildlife, perfect for nature-lovers. The 1,100 acre island has 3,000ft long beach, 22 campsites, and endless trails through marshland and a pond. The catch? It’s only accessible by personal boat. Perfect excuse to call that cousin of yours with the brand new speedboat!

4. Janes Island State Park

Janes Island State Park, Crifield, MD 21817

Another kayaking favorite, Janes Island State Park boasts over 30 miles of water trails, many of them leading to small, secluded beaches. There are also more than 100 campsites, allowing you to turn your beach outing into a beach vacation, and the quiet waters make it ideal for fishing, crabbing, and sunset-gazing.

5. Betteron Beach

Betterton, MD 21610

The largest of the Kent County Chesapeake beaches, this spot is on the smaller side, but the views make the trek worth it. The Sassafras River and upper Chesapeake waters have current that keep the waters clear. The beach also has a boardwalk, fishing jetty, public pier, bathhouse, and picnic pavilion.

6. Elk Neck State Park

4395 Turkey Point Rd. North East, MD 21901

While this state park as a whole is an amazing outing, the beaches are perfectly secluded and overlook both the Chesapeake Bay and the Elk River, along with beautiful white clay cliffs. With 250 campsites and 15 cabins, it’s a popular destination for campers eager to catch a gorgeous sunrise over the water. Like many of the other beaches on this list, the park also has kayaking, marsh trails, and even a beautiful lighthouse to explore!

6. The Strand Beach

Oxford, MD 

Located on the shores of the Tred Avon River, the gentle waters and small town setting of this beach make it a favorite secret for those in the know. It’s also rumored to be a favorite for pet owners! The town the beach is located in, Oxford, is a quaint beach town with small local businesses and eateries, including America’s oldest full-service inn (Robert Morris Inn) and Scottish Highland Creamery for the best ice cream around!