Elm's Beach Park - Lexington Park, MD
Elm’s Beach Park – Dog-Friendly Nature & Trails in Lexington Park, Maryland
Located along the scenic shores of Lexington Park, Elm’s Beach Park is a spacious outdoor destination known for its soft sand, calm water, and wide range of recreational activities. While not a dedicated dog park, this pet-friendly park is a great option for dog owners in Southern Maryland seeking pet-friendly trails, areas to walk their dogs, and outdoor adventure. The park offers hiking trails, fishing spots, picnic areas, playgrounds for kids, and plenty of shaded spaces—making it an ideal spot for families and their furry friends to explore nature together.
Elm’s Beach Park’s expansive grounds feature playgrounds, a 7.5-mile loop trail, and easy access to water for cooling off on hot days (though always check water quality first). There is plenty of parking available, restrooms located near the main parking area, and picnic shelters that can be reserved. Be aware there is a fee for entry—higher for out-of-county visitors—and the park is cash-only at the gate. Some users have noted the importance of bringing bug spray (especially for ticks), and while the park is beautiful, cleanliness can vary, so be prepared to help keep the park tidy. Elm’s Beach Park is a top choice for pet-friendly outdoor activities in Lexington Park, particularly for hikers, nature lovers, and active dog owners.
Elm’s Beach Park FAQ for Dog Owners
- What are the park’s leash requirements?
Dogs must remain leashed while at Elm’s Beach Park, as it is not a dedicated off-leash dog park. - Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby?
Yes, there are playgrounds and picnic areas available for families with children. - Is there a fee or membership required to enter?
Yes, there is an entrance fee. Out-of-county visitors pay more than county residents, and payment is cash-only. - Are restrooms available for owners?
Restrooms are available near the main parking area. - Where is the best place to park?
There is ample parking at the main entrance and near trailheads. - Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park?
Yes, Elm’s Beach Park offers pet-friendly hiking trails, including a 7.5-mile loop trail suitable for dog walking, trail running, and biking. - Is there shade or shelter available?
Yes, the park has plenty of shaded areas and picnic shelters. - Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained?
Maintenance can be inconsistent—some reviews mention cleanliness issues, so it’s recommended to bring your own waste bags and help keep the park tidy. - Are ticks or other pests common in the area?
Tick presence has been reported, so bug spray is recommended.
Reviews
This is arguably the best beach in Maryland. To be fair, it’s a little hard to get to, there’s no highway or Interstate access, and the entrance fee (NULL when last I checked) is a bit steep. However, this goes directly into conservation and management of this park, so I consider it a more than fair trade.
The sand is soft, the water calm, the views incredible. Even for those living as far away as Montgomery County or the Baltimore area, it is completely worth the drive.
There’s a playground, plenty of restrooms, and plenty of parking spaces. Plus, since this beach faces due east, after about 3pm in the summer, you’re in an incredible amount of shade.
Went here on a Saturday. Arrived at about 4pm. The entrance for out of county residents is NULL. The older lady didn’t check license or anything to check if we were out of state/county—just pointing it out because at other parks they asks to see license to make sure you’re out of state/county. They do not have a card machine as they “run on a generator”. Therefor it’s cash only. For residents entrance is NULL on weekends. It wasn’t too busy. There’s a park for kids and a picnic area that can be reserved. There were some people fishing and some crabbing. The older lady mentioned that closing was at 8:30pm. Around 8pm they started telling everyone to pack up and start making their way out. I was in my car at 8:15, waiting for the rest of the kids to come to the car to leave. At this time the older lady told me I had to start leaving and to hurry it up. At 8:20 we’re putting the last few things in the car, keep in mind there’s still some people in the lot. She starts yelling to go go and just being hostile. It was not a pleasant experience and we won’t be coming back and won’t be recommending it. If I paid NULL for this park that has no actual bathrooms or showers/water I expect to be able to leave at 8:30 when they close. I don’t expect to be yelled at to leave. Especially yelling at me 15 minutes early to pack it and leave. Crazy.
It was also dirty, there’s trash everywhere. I even picked some of it up, because !! It’s gross. This poor beach. I saw saw multiple socks and underwear’s on the beach. I think for the price this beach charges out of county residents they can clean. Also there was oil in the water maybe from the ships that pass by— not worth it.
The family truly enjoyed Elm’s Beach Park! We have a picnic area, a changing station, a big bright colorful playground, a very spacious park, my Bleu gurl loved the water and dad enjoyed the effort of fishing and teaching his grandson to hook the bait. Although the fish was small, it was released back into the water. It was still exciting! The beach was well kept!
This park has its charms, but it’s got some downsides too. 🎡 The kids had a blast with the variety of activities—slides, swings, and a bit of everything to keep them happy and worn out. But at ? a ticket for out-of-state folks, it feels steep for what’s basically a small park. 🫰 My second trip was a letdown—dirty water, jellyfish, and biting flies made it tough to enjoy. 🪰 Super hot days just aren’t ideal here. It’s a shame, as we’ve impacted the ecosystem ourselves, but it’s a lesson learned. I’d say skip it in peak heat and save your cash unless the weather’s cooler and the conditions are better.
For NULL per car, if you are not a resident, it is not even close to being worth it.
The beach is dirty, smells bad, the place is tiny, and gets packed.
For the money, they should have a cleaner park.
This place will never be an option anymore.
Can you imagine thatNULL Even the guy in front told me to go to other, better places…