Welcome

History of the Park

to Point Lookout State Park

Point Lookout is a peninsula of land bordered by the Potomac River on the west and the Chesapeake Bay on the east. Once the site of a Civil War prison camp, it is now one of the most popular recreation sites in the state and is a premier location for bird watching during spring and fall migration. Point Lookout State Park is an ideal destination for families because of the wide range of activities oered in such a small area; including camping, shing, crabbing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, biking, hiking, swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking.
While you are enjoying the park, please help us protect its natural and historic resources by following Leave No Trace outdoor ethics.

Captain John Smith explored the Point in 1612. Earliest records show that the Point was part of St. Michaels Manor; one of the three manors owned by Leonard Calvert, the rst Governor of the Maryland Colony. During the American Revolution and the War of 1812, it served as an American lookout point for British Fleet activity in the lower Chesapeake Bay. In 1862, the Civil War caused the US Government to lease the land and construct an Army hospital at Point Lookout and in 1863 develop a prison camp. By April 1865, there were over 20,000 Confederate soldiers imprisoned here. By the end of the war, over 52,000 men had passed through Point Lookout Prison and over 3,500 had died. Today, Fort Lincoln is all that remains of the Civil War facility. The lighthouse was built in 1830. In 1965 the Navy purchased it and the light was dismantled. The lighthouse is reportedly haunted!!! Point Lookout was a popular resort community during the early 1900s. A hotel was built in the 1920s and torn down in the 1990s, due to its poor condition. Find out more about the lighthouse and hotel at the Civil War Museum / Marshland Nature Center located in the campground.

Point Lookout State Park

11175 Point Lookout Road Scotland, MD 20687 Camp Oce: (301) 872-5688 Museum / Nature Center: (301) 872-5085 Camp Store: (301) 872-4342 park-pt-lookout@dnr.state.md.us

POINT LOOKOUT STATE PARK

Maryland Park Service 1-800-735-2258 - TTY users call via MD Relay Plan your outdoor adventures or order trail guides on our website!

www.dnr.maryland.gov

Park Guidelines and Regulations

Pets on a leash are welcome on the Causeway and beach north of the Causeway. Campers may check at the Camp Oce for campsites allowing pets. Because Point Lookout State Park is an historic site, metal detectors are prohibited in the park. Alcoholic beverages are only permitted at picnic tables in the Day-use / Beach Picnic Area and at individual campsites within the campground. Please report any problems to a park employee or call Park Watch at 1-800-825-7275. Remember, our park is Trash-free. Trash cans are not available in the day-use areas. Pack it in, pack it out!
FISHING CRABBING PADDLING BOATING SWIMMING BIRDING CAMPING HIKING BIKING LIVING HISTORY
Martin O'Malley, Governor Anthony G. Brown, Lt. Governor John R. Griffin, Secretary
This document is available in alternative format upon request from a qualied individual with a disability. The facilities and services of the Department of Natural Resources are available to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or physical disability. All photos are from DNR les. DNR-04-0205-0059 11/2005 Printed on recycled paper

Recreation

Fishing and Crabbing Fishing is popular for hardheads, blues, rocksh and trout. The 710 shing pier is ADA accessible. A Chesapeake Bay Sport Fishing License or reciprocal license is required for Bay shing. Anglers under 16 years of age are not required to have a license to sh. You do not need a shing license to sh from the shoreline of the Potomac River. Please release skates and undesirable sh. For additional information or shing regulations consult a Maryland Fishing Guide or visit: www.dnr.maryland.gov/sheries

Camping and Picnicking

The campground, camper cabins, cottage, pavilion and picnic area are open from April through October. Campers can register at the camp oce or at park headquarters when the camp oce is not in operation. Selfregistration is available after hours. The camp oce sells rewood and ice (seasonal).

Purchase a Trail Guide A trail guide featuring a topographic map and trail descriptions can be purchased at the park oce or on our website: www.dnr.maryland/ outdooradventures

Swimming There are many places in the park accessible for swimming unless otherwise posted. Facilities include showers and restrooms. Boating & Paddling Motorboat and canoe rentals are available seasonally at the camp store. A boat launch is conveniently located on Lake Conoy near the camp store. Canoes and kayaks may also be rented seasonally at the Civil War Museum / Marshland Nature Center. Water Trail Maps for Point Lookout and the Potomac River are available for purchase at the park headquarters, camp store, camp oce and museum/nature center.. Trails Take a stroll along scenic Periwinkle Point Trail, a selfguided nature trail located at the back entrance of the Civil War Museum / Marshland Nature Center. While driving in the park, please watch out for wildlife. Drive Gently!

Family Camping There are 143 wooded campsites available including a number of ADA accessible sites. Full hook-ups are oered at 25 campsites and an additional 27 have electric hookups. Malone Circle, Tulip Loop, Greens Point Loop and Homans Loop are all pet friendly campsites.

Pavilion A large picnic pavilion located near the beach can accommodate up to 100 persons. It features a 21 square foot grill, electric hook-up and water. To make pavilion, camping or youth group reservations, please call Maryland State Park Reservations at 1-888-432-2267. Or make your reservation on the Internet: reservations.dnr.state.md.us Camp Store Located near the boat launch facility, a place to pick up last minute food items, sandwiches, cold drinks, ice cream and souvenirs. Bait, tackle and shing licenses are also available. Canoes, kayaks, rowboats and motorboats are available for rental. Please call the park at (301) 872-5688 for more information and hours of operation. Civil War Museum/ Marshland Nature Center Located in the campground, it houses a small Civil War Museum and Nature Center. A wide variety of programs are oered from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Regular activities throughout the summer include campre programs, canoeing, outdoor adventures and Junior Rangers. Please call the Civil War Museum / Marshland Nature Center at (301) 872-5085 for more information and hours of operation. Visit Fort Lincoln, an earthen wall Civil War Fort with reconstructed barracks, located along the shoreline of the Potomac River.

Cottage and Camper Cabins There are six camper cabins accommodating four people each. Each cabin features a full size bed, a set of bunk beds, heat/air conditioning, a picnic table, a re ring and a grill. A cottage sleeping six persons is also available for rent. It has the same amenities as the camper cabins plus a full kitchen and a bathroom. Youth Group Camping Contact the reservation service to reserve site #113 for youth group camping. This site holds a maximum of 30 campers.
Point Lookout State Park is a Chesapeake Bay Gateway, one of over 100 special places to experience the Chesapeake. To nd more Bay Gateways visit www.baygateways.net

Directions From Baltimore: Take I97 south to Rt. 3/301 south and continue to Rt. 4 south across the Solomons Bridge. Continue for three miles and turn left onto Rt. 235 south. After approximately 24 miles, join Rt. 5 at blinking red light. Continue south for about 7 miles to the park entrance. From Washington, D.C.: Take I-495 south to I-95 to Rt. 4 south. Follow above directions to the Solomons Island Bridge, St. Marys county and Point Lookout State Park. From the Route 301 Bridge: Follow Rt. 301 north to Rt. 234 toward Leonardtown. At end of Rt. 234, turn right onto Rt. 5. Continue south for about 7 miles to the park entrance.