84°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
45%
28
St Mary's County, MD · Chesapeake Bay
Point Lookout State Park
11175 Point Lookout Rd, Scotland, MD 20687
Southernmost tip of Maryland's western shore, where the Potomac meets the Chesapeake. 1,100 acres of beaches, marshland, Civil War history (POW camp), fishing pier, and lighthouse. Three miles of shoreline with multiple swim areas.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · NWS alert active · 45% rain
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 84. East wind 12 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. East wind 14 to 18 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Weather
- 84°F air — ideal beach weather
- 45% rain — rain likely at some point
Water
- 83°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
- Moderate nettle risk — 54% probability — expect some stings
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
- NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued july 12 at 12:47pm edt until july 13 at 4:00am edt by nws baltimore md/washington dc
16 /100
skip
0 Swim
43 Sunbathe
14 Walk
0 Fish
27 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued July 12 at 12:47PM EDT until July 13 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...East winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt expected. * WHERE...Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point MD to Smith Point VA, Tidal Potomac from Cobb Island MD to Smith Point VA and Tangier Sound and the inland waters surrounding Bloodsworth Island. * WHEN...From 5 PM this afternoon to 4 AM EDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
84°F
Light Rain and Fog/Mist
Wind
12 to 16 mph
E
Rain
45%
This Afternoon
Tomorrow
81°F
Partly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
83°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
7:02 PM
0.1 ft · in 2.0h
Sea Nettles
Moderate nettle risk
54% probability · Potomac buoy
Water Quality
Clean
10 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
81°
Partly Sunny
5%
83
84°
Sunny
4%
85
91°
Sunny
2%
78
89°
Sunny
3%
81
88°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
15%
47
88°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
23%
43
What to Bring Today
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 12 to 16 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 83°F
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 45% 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
Large state park lot.
Dogs
Dogs permitted on leash in designated areas. Not on swim beach.
Entry Fee
$5/person MD resident, $7/person non-resident. Advance day-use reservation required weekends & holidays Memorial Day–Labor Day.
Address
11175 Point Lookout Rd, Scotland, MD 20687
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Point Lookout State Park today?
Point Lookout 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. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Point Lookout State Park dog-friendly?
Dogs permitted on leash in designated areas. Not on swim beach.
Is there an entry fee at Point Lookout State Park?
$5/person MD resident, $7/person non-resident. Advance day-use reservation required weekends & holidays Memorial Day–Labor Day.
Are there lifeguards at Point Lookout State Park?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Point Lookout State Park during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Point Lookout State Park?
Amenities at Point Lookout State Park include lifeguards, fishing pier, camping, lighthouse, museum, boat rentals.
When is the water warmest at Point Lookout State 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 Point Lookout State Park located?
Point Lookout State Park is in St Mary's County, MD, at 11175 Point Lookout Rd, Scotland, MD 20687.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS