St. Mary’s County coastal shores · Maryland
Greenwell State Park Beach
- State
- Maryland
- County
- St. Mary's
This named shore is in St. Mary's County, Maryland. Use its named arrival; no city or town boundary is inferred.
St. Mary’s County coastal shores
Greenwell’s Patuxent shoreline offers a designated beach for unguarded swimming, trails and paddling. Use the beach rather than unrelated pier/revetment routes.
Good fit: A trail walk and time at the designated Patuxent River swimming beach.
Plan around: There are no lifeguards. Use the designated beach; the floating kayak launch and its accessibility are separate from the sand route.
- Parking
- Managed parking · see admission
Details & sources
Managed parking · see admissionDetails & restrictionsGreenwell State Park Beach · parking entry ↗ - Dogs
- Dog footprint unconfirmed
- Restrooms
- Beach-route facilities unconfirmed
- Lifeguards
- No
- Key restrictions
- Check before you go
- Best for
- See beach overview
More planning facts: access, driving & fees
- Public access
- Public accessDetails & restrictions
- Beach driving
- Driving permission unconfirmedDetails & restrictions
- Accessibility
- Route endpoints unconfirmedDetails & restrictions
Choose an entrance
Greenwell State Park Beach · documented managed shore arrival
Enter Greenwell at 25420 Rosedale Manor Lane,Hollywood. Honor-system vehicle fee $3 Maryland/$5 out-of-state benefits Greenwell Foundation. Use designated parking; the office/mail address at Point Lookout is not this beach arrival.
Official route / restriction details ↗Parking, route & accessibility evidence
Parking & entry: Managed parking · see admission. Enter Greenwell at 25420 Rosedale Manor Lane, Hollywood. Honor-system vehicle fee $3 Maryland/$5 out-of-state benefits Greenwell Foundation. Use designated parking; the office/mail address at Point Lookout is not this beach arrival.
Parking source ↗Accessibility: Route endpoints unconfirmed. Foundation supports accessible recreation, but exact step-free beach endpoint and sand gap remain unverified. Official map marks two beach sectors.
Accessibility source ↗Open the county entrance directory ↗
Use the directory to check each entrance’s identity and status. Guide map pins are approximate shoreline locations, not turn-by-turn entrance directions or proof of current opening.
Known for
Patuxent River beach swimming without lifeguards, with trails and paddling elsewhere in the park.
Rules & facilities
Check before you go
Verify current route, hours, fees/reservations and any posted closure directly with the manager. A website description is not a promise of safe conditions or continuous staffed guard coverage.
Admission, payment & passes
Honor system vehicle fee $3 MD/$5 out-of-state benefiting Greenwell Foundation.
What to bring & supporting visit details
Plan your visit
Choose the exact visitor route, check admission and seasonal hours, and review current manager notices and dated water results. Keep beach access separate from boat launches and private property.
Public or private?
Public access
Who can visit: Visitors using the documented managed shore arrival, subject to manager notices, actual operation and admission terms.
Entry route, fees & access boundaries
- Manager / access authority
- Maryland DNR, Maryland Park Service.
- Access basis
- Public state park; swim only from beach area. Pavilion/River Trail monitoring labels remain distinct until exact route relationships confirmed.
- Where to enter
- Public state park; swim only from beach area. Pavilion/River Trail monitoring labels remain distinct until exact route relationships confirmed.
- Fees & reservations
- Honor system vehicle fee $3 MD/$5 out-of-state benefiting Greenwell Foundation.
- Restrictions & exceptions
- Swim only from the designated beach area, launch nonmotorized craft from the kayak launch during park hours, and respect posted restoration closures. Picnic-area charcoal grills, open fires and alcohol are prohibited.
- What this label covers
- Public state park; swim only from beach area. Pavilion/River Trail monitoring labels remain distinct until exact route relationships confirmed.
Beach ownership, the route across land, public shoreline-use rights and access to facilities are separate questions. Rules vary by state and location. Use the identified public entrance or documented permission; neither a nearby resort nor an admission fee by itself establishes that a beach is private. A mapped beach is not permission to cross private property.
Access policy reviewed 2026-11-04. Not a live closure report or a property-boundary survey.
Allowed & prohibited activities
Alcohol: Alcohol prohibited in Greenwell picnic area.
Fires and grills: Charcoal grills and open fires prohibited in Greenwell picnic area.
Overnight camping: Overnight beach camping permission is not confirmed.
What still needs confirmation
The official Greenwell map marks a paddle-in campsite apart from the swim beach. Obtain the park’s current reservation/eligibility instructions before treating it as an overnight destination.
Shore fishing: Fishing permitted from designated pier or shoreline revetment year-round; license required 16+. These are not necessarily the swim route.
- Hours
- Hours & seasonal limits
May–September 7 am–sunset; October–April 8 am–sunset Eastern.
Greenwell State Park Beach · hours ↗ - Dogs on the beach
- Dog footprint unconfirmed
DNR lists pet use at Greenwell; follow posted designated pet areas and leashing. Exact beach exclusion/route and applicable developed/undeveloped leash limits require clarification.
Greenwell State Park Beach · dogs ↗ - Lifeguards
- Unguarded
No lifeguard.
Greenwell State Park Beach · lifeguards ↗ - Restrooms
- Beach-route facilities unconfirmed
Official trail map marks restrooms near pavilion/manor area; no operating beach shower or exact accessible toilet route verified.
Greenwell State Park Beach · restrooms showers ↗ - Access & beach rules
- Rules & restrictions
Swim only from the designated beach area, launch nonmotorized craft from the kayak launch during park hours, and respect posted restoration closures. Picnic-area charcoal grills, open fires and alcohol are prohibited.
Greenwell State Park Beach · public access rules ↗ - Beach driving
- Driving permission unconfirmed
Use designated roads and parking; no recreational beach-driving route is established.
Greenwell State Park Beach · driving ↗
Conditions & activities Surf, sand, wildlife and suitability
Conditions at the beach
Local times use Eastern Time. No beach observation or saved forecast is displayed here. Forecast issue times, observation times, tide prediction dates and laboratory sample dates remain separate from desk-research dates. A linked source does not confirm current opening, a warning flag or swimming safety.
Weather observation
No exact on-beach weather observation or observation station is assigned here. The linked National Weather Service page provides forecast navigation; a forecast is a prediction, not an observed beach condition.
Daily forecast
The independently checked National Weather Service point-forecast link is available for this approximate planning point. The returned source is a regional land grid covering an area beyond the beach. No saved numeric forecast is displayed here. Forecast issue and prediction times are separate from source review and are not on-beach observations.
High & low tides
This is tidal shoreline. No exact-beach tide prediction has been established; nearby regional stations are not guaranteed beach or landing timing.
Surf & rip forecast
No beach-specific ocean surf/rip forecast is supplied for this bay/estuary shoreline. Check applicable marine and weather guidance.
Closures & warning flags
DNR describes staged 2025–27 habitat restoration; remain on established trails and respect posted work areas. This is not a blanket park/beach closure or proof today’s route is open.
Water quality
County monitoring runs Memorial Day through Labor Day. Its reviewed page says no advisories as of July 30, 2026; that is historical, not a current November safety report. Check the exact named station/sample date and contact the health department.
National Weather Service point forecast ↗ for the independently reviewed approximate planning point.
Crowd meter
No measured beach-specific crowd rating is supplied. Arrival reservations, guest admission and seasonal fees still matter.
Sand & sandcastles
The responsible source identifies a beach or shoreline at lower tidal Patuxent River designated beach sectors shown near the pavilion and Rosedale Manor on the official map; no measured sand width, grooming promise or substrate rating is supplied.
Surfing profile
Surfing suitability is Unrated; a tidal swimming shoreline is not evidence of reliable surf.
Beachcombing
No reliable notable shelling yield is established. Follow current collection rules and leave living material undisturbed.
No dependable shark-tooth suitability rating is assigned.
Snorkeling & scuba diving
No verified recreational shore-snorkeling route or exact offshore snorkeling departure is recommended from this beach.
No verified shore scuba route from this beach is recommended. Southern Maryland Divers is a separate California, MD shop, not proof of this beach’s dive suitability.
Clothing-optional, nudity & topless sunbathing
State-park rules prohibit indecent exposure. No clothing-optional/full-nudity designation is verified; exclude from permission matches.
Responsible source ↗ · Responsible source ↗ · Responsible source ↗
Female-topless sunbathing permission has not been independently established; exclude from verified topless matches. This is separate from full nudity.
Shore & sky wildlife
Greenwell’s 2025–27 restoration work targets the park’s own habitat. Observe posted work areas and stay on established trails; no specific animal sighting is promised.
History & interesting facts
In 1971 John Phillip Greenwell Jr. and Mary Wallace Greenwell donated 166.6 acres; the state combined it with the adjacent 430-acreBond property. Current management partners with Greenwell Foundation.
Water clarity & shore snorkeling
Typical clarity: Not yet assessed. Typical underwater clarity has not been assessed for this named shore. Water color, laboratory samples and forecasts do not measure visibility.
Shore snorkeling not yet assessed. No verified recreational shore-snorkeling route or exact offshore snorkeling departure is recommended from this beach.
Typical clarity describes how easily you may see through the water. It does not establish bacterial water quality, safe swimming, calm conditions or visibility today.
Evidence, location scope & review
Desk review 2026-11-04 · Greenwell State Park Beach. This is not an on-site inspection or a current conditions report.
Greenwell State Park Beach
Find clear-water and shore-snorkeling options ↗ · Report a change ↗
Food, stays & rentals
EXTEND YOUR BEACH DAY
Food & drink nearby
Local dining recommendations
restaurant
POV Restaurant at Pier450
Separate St Mary’s County restaurant; no on-site/walking-distance claim except Pier450 guest guide.
Independent operator; restaurant booking does not grant another beach access.
Visit POV Restaurant at Pier450 website ↗Website & source check
Website checked ↗ · Supporting source 2 ↗ · checked 2026-11-04 (Eastern Time). Menus, opening hours, rates and availability can change; check directly before visiting.
Research notes & location scope
POV Restaurant at Pier 450 is a separately operated St. Mary’s County dining option in Ridge. Check its current reservations/hours; dining does not grant access to another beach.
Supporting research source ↗ · Supporting research source ↗ · reviewed 2026-11-04
These listings are unpaid and contain no affiliate links.
Accommodations by the beach
motel
The Quarters at Pier450
Separate booked St Mary’s County lodging; no beach access transfer.
Book directly; guest beach subject to operator footprint and neighboring private exclusion.
Visit The Quarters at Pier450 website ↗Website & source check
Website checked ↗ · Supporting source 2 ↗ · checked 2026-11-04 (Eastern Time). Menus, opening hours, rates and availability can change; check directly before visiting.
cottages and beach camping
Camp MD
Separate operator-controlled St George Island lodging/camping; exact admission applies.
Reserved cottages/campsites or permitted paid day admission; domain/rate conflicts qualified.
Visit Camp MD website ↗Website & source check
Website checked ↗ · Supporting source 2 ↗ · Supporting source 3 ↗ · checked 2026-11-04 (Eastern Time). Menus, opening hours, rates and availability can change; check directly before visiting.
Before you book
Confirm the exact property or rental unit, view category, beach route, accessibility and total price directly. Nearby lodging does not establish access to a private beach, a boat transfer or permission to camp.
Research notes & location scope
The Quarters at Pier 450 is an operator-booked St. Mary’s County motel; Camp MD offers separately booked coastal cottages/camping. These businesses do not grant access to unrelated public or private beaches.
Supporting research source ↗ · Supporting research source ↗ · reviewed 2026-11-04
These listings are unpaid and contain no affiliate links.
Activities & rentals
Nonmotorized craft may launch from kayak launch during park hours; this does not establish rental availability or shore-snorkeling suitability.
Explore nearby beaches
Review dates & updates
These are desk-research dates for each named category, including unresolved facts. They are not on-site inspections, current-opening confirmations or water-safety observations.
- identity location: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- summary description: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- known for: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- live weather: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · unresolved
- daily forecast: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · unresolved
- tides: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · unresolved
- surf rip forecast: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · unresolved
- official flags closures: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- water quality: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · unresolved
- public access: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- crowds: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · unresolved
- sand shoreline: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- surf: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · unresolved
- shelling: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · unresolved
- shark teeth: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · unresolved
- sea glass: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · unresolved
- driftwood: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · unresolved
- snorkeling: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · unresolved
- scuba: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · unresolved
- wildlife: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- accommodations: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- commercial activities rentals: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- alcohol rules: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- fire rules: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- camping rules: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · unresolved
- shore fishing rules: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- hours: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- dogs: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · unresolved
- lifeguards: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- restrooms showers: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · unresolved
- parking entry: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- accessibility: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · unresolved
- driving: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · unresolved
- public access rules: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- dining: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- history: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- managing authority: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- official source links: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- main photo: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · unresolved
- photo gallery: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · unresolved
- admission payment passes: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- plan your visit: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- check before you go: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- nearby beaches: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
- closer look: research reviewed 2026-11-04 · verified
Sources & review date
Guide desk research reviewed 2026-11-04; this is not a field-by-field current verification or an on-site inspection. Official facts, dated agency evidence and editorial assessments retain their own scope. Unknowns and conflicts remain open. Methodology · Rating explanations · Correction history
- Greenwell State Park Beach · identity location ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · summary description ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · known for ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · live weather ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · daily forecast ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · tides ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · surf rip forecast ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · official flags closures ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · water quality ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · public access ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · crowds ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · sand shoreline ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · surf ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · shelling ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · shark teeth ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · sea glass ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · driftwood ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · snorkeling ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · scuba ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · wildlife ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · accommodations ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · commercial activities rentals ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · alcohol rules ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · fire rules ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · camping rules ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · shore fishing rules ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · hours ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · dogs ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · lifeguards ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · restrooms showers ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · parking entry ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · accessibility ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · driving ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · public access rules ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · dining ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · history ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · managing authority ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · official source links ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · main photo ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · photo gallery ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · admission payment passes ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · plan your visit ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · check before you go ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · nearby beaches ↗
- Greenwell State Park Beach · closer look ↗
An exact-beach scenic photograph is pending. No substitute photograph is displayed.
Visitor experiences
Original, moderated reviews and photographs. Visit dates and entrances provide context; visitor ratings and reports do not replace official facts or current conditions.
Read approved visitor experiences here when available.