For beach enthusiasts near Aberdeen, a variety of picturesque waterfront retreats are just a short journey away.
The kid-friendly Charlestown Manor Beach offers calm waters, a picnic grove, and a convenient snack bar.
Hammerman Beach, part of the sprawling Gunpowder Falls State Park, presents an expansive sandy shore, swimming area, and picnic spots, serving as a perfect choice for families and nature lovers.
Further along the Chesapeake Bay, Miami Beach Park stands out as a tranquil retreat, offering well-maintained grounds, picnic areas, and a sandy beach with calm waters.
Whether you’re yearning for a lively beach party or a quiet sun-soaked day, Aberdeen’s nearby beachfront destinations are sure to cater to every preference.
Check out the rest of the options!
1. Charlestown Manor Beach
- Distance from Aberdeen: 13 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, kayaking, picnics
- Facilities: restrooms, showers, picnic tables, campground
A stone’s throw from Aberdeen, Charlestown Manor Beach offers a family-friendly oasis along the serene North East River.
Prioritizing clean, wholesome fun, the beach restricts alcohol and doesn’t permit dogs.
The beach features a shaded picnic grove, making it an ideal location for a day trip.
The shallow, calm waters are perfect for tube rentals and lazy floats, creating a haven for kids and adults alike.
Amenities such as clean restrooms, showers, a snack bar, and a playground add to the appeal.
Visitors can unwind on the white sands or explore the surrounding cozy town.
Despite a minimal entrance fee of $5, the experience it offers is priceless.
Note – cash is the only mode of payment accepted.
Offering ample room for fun and relaxation, Charlestown Manor Beach beckons with its natural charm.
2. Hammerman Beach
- Distance from Aberdeen: 21 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, kayaking, picnics
- Amenities: restrooms, trails, playground, grills, piers, seasonal lifeguards and rentals
Hammerman Area, Gunpowder’s prime day-use section, provides a unique beach experience.
The 1,500-foot shoreline, albeit compact, is renowned for cleanliness and family-friendly ambiance.
Beyond swimming, its banks accommodate a wide variety of activities.
Families relish picnics, with plenty of tables and grills readily available.
Children’s laughter echoes from ample playgrounds, while adventurous ones find solace in canoeing and kayaking.
Anglers cherish the fishing experience, enhanced by boat rentals.
Trail enthusiasts enjoy short hiking paths, and two water trails offer a refreshing twist for paddlers.
For those who love their ice cream, vendors make regular rounds.
Despite its opacity, the Gunpowder River’s allure is undeniable.
All these perks come with an accessible price tag, $3 for MD residents and $5 for non-residents.
Pets? They’re part of the fun too.
3. Miami Beach Park
- Distance from Aberdeen: 25 miles
- Activities: swimming, fishing, kayaking, hiking, picnics
- Facilities: restrooms, trails, playground, grills, seasonal rentals
Miami Beach Park, located 25 miles from Aberdeen, is a waterfront haven spread over 400 feet.
This beach, bathed in Maryland sun, teems with lively activities.
Swimmers bask in the delight of the cool waves, while anglers find their peace at the dedicated fishing pier.
Kayakers and pedal boat enthusiasts can rent their vessels seasonally, adding a dash of adventure.
A sizable picnic area, equipped with tables and grills, caters to those craving an outdoor feast.
The playground keeps younger guests entertained, making this beach a preferred family spot.
The park also hosts diverse local wildlife, offering visitors an intimate encounter with nature.
Additionally, the park welcomes four-legged companions, marking itself as a dog-friendly zone.
Miami Beach Park truly encapsulates a vibrant beach experience.
4. Rocky Point Beach
- Distance from Aberdeen: 33 miles
- Activities: swimming, fishing, kayaking, hiking, picnics, volleyball
- Facilities: restrooms, boat ramp, trails, playground, volleyball court
Positioned at the confluence of Back and Middle Rivers, Rocky Point Beach is a scenic retreat offering an expansive vista of Chesapeake Bay.
This beloved Baltimore County beach stretches 300 feet, nestled within a generous 375-acre park.
Visitors enjoy a host of amenities, including a guarded swimming area, operational from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Besides sunbathing and swimming, Rocky Point offers 18 picnic spots, a sand volleyball court, and a sailing center.
For the angler’s joy, a fishing pier complements the picturesque shoreline.
The park’s playgrounds ensure endless fun for the younger visitors.
Boating is facilitated by both deep and shallow two-lane ramps, accommodating vessels of varied sizes.
Abundant parking, clean facilities, and captivating views make Rocky Point an unparalleled beach destination.
5. North Point State Park
- Distance from Aberdeen: 35 miles
- Activities: swimming, fishing, kayaking, hiking, picnics
- Facilities: restrooms, trails, playground, grills, piers
Located in Edgemere and some 35 miles from Aberdeen, North Point State Park is a 1,310-acre oasis offering visitors a picturesque beach on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay.
North Point Beach serves as a hub for swimmers enjoying the cool, shallow waters, although there are no lifeguard services even in summer.
Fishing enthusiasts are drawn to the park’s piers, teeming with local fish species.
The park’s allure extends beyond the beach, offering various hiking trails through diverse ecosystems.
Visitors also enjoy the park’s picnic spots and grill areas.
History echoes in the restored trolley station and operational fountain, remnants of a bygone amusement park era.
Offering a blend of nature, history, and recreation, North Point State Park ensures a memorable beachside experience.
6. North East Beach
- Distance from Aberdeen: 25 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, kayaking, hiking, picnics
- Facilities: restrooms, showers, trails, playground, grills, piers
On the northeastern fringe of Chesapeake Bay and some 25 miles from Aberdeen, the North East Beach at Elk Neck State Park offers a one-of-a-kind beach experience.
Swimmers and adventurers revel in this freshwater haven, largely free from jellyfish.
Visitors can cool off in designated swimming spots, embark on kayaking or canoeing ventures, or unwind with a picnic.
The beach is outfitted with a full-service bathhouse, cold-water showers, and restrooms.
A unique feature of this beach is the yellow gravel sand, while the coarse bottom requires water shoes for a comfortable experience.
For those who bring their four-legged companions, leash-controlled areas are available.
Picnic tables and grills enhance the experience while surrounding hiking trails offer further adventure.
Note that the park has a ‘leave no trace’ policy, asking all visitors to carry their trash home.
7. Crystal Beach
- Distance from Aberdeen: 40 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, kayaking, picnics
- Facilities: restrooms, showers, cafe, boat launch
Nestled at the mouth of the Elk River, Crystal Beach emerges as a quiet oasis on the upper Chesapeake Bay.
Once an early 20th-century resort, it’s now a top-rated destination for those seeking tranquility, with $5 granting access to a day of relaxation and fun.
Families can enjoy the amenities, which include picnic tables under shade trees, grills, and a snack bar offering a variety of food right on the beach.
The proximity of parking to picnic areas adds convenience.
While there’s a focus on low-key leisure with sand castle building and swimming, more adventurous visitors can partake in kayaking and paddleboarding.
However, visitors should note that the location lacks a cell phone signal, offering a true escape from the bustle of daily life.
8. Betterton Beach
- Distance from Aberdeen: 53 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, kayaking, picnics, volleyball
- Facilities: restrooms, showers, boat launch, volleyball nets
Located at the Chesapeake Bay’s eastern shore, Betterton Beach boasts an exquisite allure with jellyfish-free waters – a summer delight for beachgoers.
Betterton, a full-service beach, offers free entry to its expansive stretch of 300 feet for swimming and 700 feet of shoreline access.
On-site amenities include restrooms, showers, picnic facilities, and a volleyball court, enhancing the visitor experience.
The beach also features a picturesque picnic pavilion on the bluff and a substantial parking area for convenience.
Fishing and boating enthusiasts will appreciate the stone jetty and public landing and pier.
Although there is no lifeguard service, Betterton Beach truly encapsulates the ‘Jewell of the Chesapeake’.
9. Sand Island
- Distance from Aberdeen: 4 miles
- Activities: fishing, kayaking, picnics, hiking, photography
- Facilities: trails, boat ramps, picnic tables
Just three miles from Havre de Grace lies Sand Island, an idyllic haven accessible only by boat, making it a cherished secret among boaters.
On summer weekends and holidays, boating enthusiasts flock to the island’s sandy beach to soak up the sun and cool off in the inviting shallow waters.
But it’s not only power boaters who frequent this hotspot; experienced kayakers, driven by a thirst for adventure, navigate the open waters and shifting currents of the Chesapeake Bay to reach this secluded retreat.
The beach offers a harmonious mix of sun and shade, providing the perfect setting for boating parties.
Adventurous visitors often anchor their boats and spend the night on the island, further immersing themselves in this unique beach experience.
Sand Island, your secluded party destination, awaits.
