Calvert County, MD · Chesapeake Bay

Flag Ponds Nature Park

1525 Flag Ponds Pkwy, Lusby, MD 20657

327-acre Calvert County park with 3,000 feet of sandy beach, fossil cliffs, freshwater ponds, and wooded trails. Closer to the water than Calvert Cliffs but with similar fossil-hunting opportunities.

Also a fishing day? Live conditions and regulations for target species at Flag Ponds Nature Park on itsafishingday.com →

Today's Conditions

Ideal for fossil hunting.

NWS alert active · 82°F water · 86°F air

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Sunny, with a high near 86. South wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 73. South wind around 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Weather

86°F air — ideal beach weather
Sunny skies — clear conditions

Water

82°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Moderate nettle risk — 59% probability — expect some stings

Safety

NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued september 9 at 12:18pm edt until september 10 at 7:00am edt by nws baltimore md/washington dc

81 /100

great

40 Swim

77 Sunbathe

84 Walk

89 Fossils

80 Photo

Best for fossil hunting today

Water level 0.5 ft above predicted

Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.

NOAA station 8577330 · Observed 1.99 ft · Predicted 1.46 ft

Small Craft Small Craft Advisory

Small Craft Advisory issued September 9 at 12:18PM EDT until September 10 at 7:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC

NWS · In effect through Sep 10, 7:00 AM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...South winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt expected. * WHERE...Chesapeake Bay and adjoining estuaries north of Drum Point MD. * WHEN...Until 7 AM EDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

86°F

Sunny

Wind

14 mph

Rain

This Afternoon

UV Peak

8 Very High

High 12 PM–03 PM · burn in ~25m

Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM

Tomorrow

90°F

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Water

Water Temp

82°F

Swimming weather

Next Low Tide

7:44 PM

0.3 ft · in 27m

Sea Nettles

Moderate nettle risk

59% probability · Gooses Reef buoy

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

6:42 AM

Sunset

7:24 PM

Moon · 5%

Waning Crescent

Spring tides — bigger range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
1:11 AM	High	1.8 ft
7:36 AM	Low	0.6 ft
1:14 PM	High	1.7 ft
7:44 PM	Low	0.3 ft

Time	Type	Height
1:57 AM	High	1.8 ft
8:22 AM	Low	0.5 ft
2:07 PM	High	1.8 ft
8:35 PM	Low	0.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
2:41 AM	High	1.8 ft
9:05 AM	Low	0.4 ft
2:58 PM	High	1.8 ft
9:24 PM	Low	0.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
3:23 AM	High	1.8 ft
9:47 AM	Low	0.4 ft
3:47 PM	High	1.8 ft
10:11 PM	Low	0.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
4:05 AM	High	1.7 ft
10:29 AM	Low	0.4 ft
4:34 PM	High	1.8 ft
10:58 PM	Low	0.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
4:46 AM	High	1.7 ft
11:11 AM	Low	0.4 ft
5:21 PM	High	1.7 ft
11:46 PM	Low	0.6 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:29 AM	High	1.6 ft
11:54 AM	Low	0.4 ft
6:08 PM	High	1.7 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 8577330, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Sep 9

86°

Sunny

Thu Sep 10

90°

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

20%

Fri Sep 11

80°

Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny

53%

Sat Sep 12

81°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

58%

Sun Sep 13

83°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

55%

Mon Sep 14

83°

Mostly Sunny

Tue Sep 15

83°

Mostly Sunny

What to Bring Today

critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 14 mph wind
optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 82°F

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Beach Info

Parking

Small lot, fills on summer weekends.

Dogs

Dogs not permitted.

Entry Fee

$5/vehicle Calvert resident, $15/vehicle non-resident (Apr–Oct); $5/vehicle weekends only Jan–Mar

Address

1525 Flag Ponds Pkwy, Lusby, MD 20657

Amenities

restroomstrailsobservation towerfossils

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Flag Ponds Nature Park today?

Flag Ponds Nature 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 Flag Ponds Nature Park dog-friendly?

Dogs not permitted.

Is there an entry fee at Flag Ponds Nature Park?

$5/vehicle Calvert resident, $15/vehicle non-resident (Apr–Oct); $5/vehicle weekends only Jan–Mar

Are there lifeguards at Flag Ponds Nature Park?

No lifeguards are stationed at Flag Ponds Nature Park. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.

What amenities are at Flag Ponds Nature Park?

Amenities at Flag Ponds Nature Park include restrooms, trails, observation tower, fossils.

When is the water warmest at Flag Ponds Nature 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 Flag Ponds Nature Park located?

Flag Ponds Nature Park is in Calvert County, MD, at 1525 Flag Ponds Pkwy, Lusby, MD 20657.