79°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
57%
28
Charles County, MD · Potomac River
Purse State Park
Rugged, undeveloped 180-acre state park on Wades Bay along the Potomac. The draw is the half-mile beach at the bottom of a short wooded trail — famous for Miocene shark teeth and fossil shells washing out of the eroding cliffs. No facilities, no crowds.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · 57% rain · 84°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
A slight chance of rain showers before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 11am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. East wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Weather
- 79°F air — ideal beach weather
- 57% rain — rain likely at some point
Water
- 84°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
29 /100
skip
24 Swim
43 Sunbathe
10 Walk
38 Fossils
28 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
79°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind
7 mph
E
Rain
57%
Today
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 12 PM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
77°F
Partly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
84°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
3:42 PM
1.4 ft · in 31m
Water Quality
Clean
25 cfu/100mL · Fecal Coliform
USGS · sampled 4mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:54 AM
Sunset
8:33 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
77°
Partly Sunny
9%
84
82°
Sunny
1%
87
89°
Sunny
1%
82
90°
Sunny
4%
80
88°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
15%
48
89°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
24%
42
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 57% rain chance
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Small gravel lot on Wharf Rd. Easy to miss — look for the DNR sign.
Dogs
Leashed dogs permitted year-round.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Wharf Rd, Nanjemoy, MD 20662
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Purse State Park today?
Purse 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 Purse State Park dog-friendly?
Leashed dogs permitted year-round.
Is there an entry fee at Purse State Park?
Entry to Purse State Park is free.
Are there lifeguards at Purse State Park?
No lifeguards are stationed at Purse State Park. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Purse State Park?
Amenities at Purse State Park include trail to beach, fossil hunting.
When is the water warmest at Purse State Park?
The tidal Potomac peaks in late July and August at 78-82°F. Swimmable from mid-June into September.
Where is Purse State Park located?
Purse State Park is in Charles County, MD, at Wharf Rd, Nanjemoy, MD 20662.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS