81°
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
40%
37
Charles County, MD · Potomac River
Chapman State Park
Chapmans Landing Rd, Indian Head, MD 20640
A 2,225-acre undeveloped state park with roughly three miles of Potomac shoreline. There is no designated swim beach — access is via hiking trails through hardwood forest to a narrow, often rocky shoreline with views across to Virginia. Day use only, primarily for hiking and birding.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · High nettle risk · 40% rain
Full NWS forecast for Today
A chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tonight
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Weather
- 81°F air — ideal beach weather
- 40% rain — rain likely at some point
Water
- 82°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
- High nettle risk — 69% probability — reconsider swimming
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
29 /100
skip
0 Swim
55 Sunbathe
21 Walk
38 Fish
31 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
81°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind
8 mph
E
Rain
40%
Today
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 12 PM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
79°F
Partly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
82°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
6:51 PM
1.8 ft · in 3.7h
Sea Nettles
High nettle risk
69% probability · Gooses Reef buoy
Water Quality
Clean
10 cfu/100mL · E. coli
USGS · sampled 4w ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:53 AM
Sunset
8:33 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
79°
Partly Sunny
4%
86
84°
Sunny
1%
87
91°
Sunny
1%
80
90°
Sunny
3%
81
89°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
16%
46
90°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
25%
40
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 82°F
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 40% rain chance
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Major
10:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Minor
3:10 AM - 4:10 AM
Major
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Minor
7:10 PM - 8:10 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Free gravel lot at the trailhead on Chapmans Landing Rd.
Dogs
Leashed dogs permitted on trails year-round.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Chapmans Landing Rd, Indian Head, MD 20640
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Chapman State Park today?
Chapman State Park shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Chapman State Park dog-friendly?
Leashed dogs permitted on trails year-round.
Is there an entry fee at Chapman State Park?
Entry to Chapman State Park is free.
Are there lifeguards at Chapman State Park?
No lifeguards are stationed at Chapman State Park. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Chapman State Park?
Amenities at Chapman State Park include trails, birding, fishing.
When is the water warmest at Chapman State Park?
The tidal Potomac peaks in late July and August at 78-82°F. Swimmable from mid-June into September.
Where is Chapman State Park located?
Chapman State Park is in Charles County, MD, at Chapmans Landing Rd, Indian Head, MD 20640.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS