84°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
47%
31
St. Mary's County, MD · Chesapeake Bay
Elms Beach Park
19350 Back Door Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653
Over 500 feet of Chesapeake shoreline in southern St. Mary's with unsupervised swimming, crabbing, and fishing. Large playground, picnic pavilions, floating kayak/canoe pier, and nature trails. Daily-pass fees apply on weekends and holidays.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · High nettle risk · 47% rain
Full NWS forecast for Today
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 84. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind 7 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Weather
- 84°F air — ideal beach weather
- 47% rain — rain likely at some point
Water
- 84°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
- High nettle risk — 61% probability — reconsider swimming
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
18 /100
skip
0 Swim
48 Sunbathe
16 Walk
37 Fish
29 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
84°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind
10 mph
E
Rain
47%
Today
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
84°F
Partly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
84°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
6:30 PM
0.3 ft · in 3.3h
Sea Nettles
High nettle risk
61% probability · Potomac buoy
Water Quality
Clean
20 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 10mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:52 AM
Sunset
8:29 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
84°
Partly Sunny
4%
85
88°
Sunny
3%
84
97°
Sunny
1%
69
94°
Sunny
3%
74
92°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
15%
42
92°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
23%
37
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 84°F
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 47% 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
3:00 AM - 4:00 AM
Major
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Minor
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Lot at entrance.
Dogs
Dogs permitted on leash.
Entry Fee
$7/day county resident, $25/day non-resident (weekends & holidays)
Address
19350 Back Door Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Elms Beach Park today?
Elms Beach 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 Elms Beach Park dog-friendly?
Dogs permitted on leash.
Is there an entry fee at Elms Beach Park?
$7/day county resident, $25/day non-resident (weekends & holidays)
Are there lifeguards at Elms Beach Park?
No lifeguards are stationed at Elms Beach Park. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Elms Beach Park?
Amenities at Elms Beach Park include beach, playground, picnic pavilions, kayak launch, nature trails, portable restrooms.
When is the water warmest at Elms Beach Park?
The Chesapeake warms quickly — water temperatures peak in late July and August, typically 78-82°F. Swimming comfortable from mid-June through September.
Where is Elms Beach Park located?
Elms Beach Park is in St. Mary's County, MD, at 19350 Back Door Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS