Matapeake Park — Attraction in Kent Island

I am rating the dog beach portion of Matapeake - it’s 5 stars and I would give it 10 if possible!

We live in DC, but our dog loves to swim. There’s not anywhere to swim by our place or in VA, but this beach is just a 45 minute drive from DC - but be aware you HAVE to leave early (before 10 am) to beat Bay Bridge traffic.

That said - our dog has absolutely loved this beach all summer, and we’re there pretty much every Sunday. It’s become our Sunday morning routine. The things I love about this beach:

• The dog portion has very large trees leaning over it, so anytime before noon you basically get free shade without having to bring an umbrella

• Every time I have been here, there’s been anywhere from like 2-3 up to maybe 20 or so dogs; the dogs have always been well behaved and very attentive owners to nip any confrontations in the bud

• The water is super shallow up to several hundred feet out, so I don’t really worry much about my dog getting caught in a current or boats/jet skis etc creating big waves

• I have been to many many dog beaches in my day (grew up on the gulf coast of Florida). Most dog beaches are kinda gross by human standards (not nice water, out of the way location, not good sand). But this beach is equally as awesome for humans as for my dog! I have no issues going out and swimming along with him while he splashes and does his thing.

• The view is really nice, wide open across the bay and including a perfect panorama of the Bay Bridge. It’s a great backdrop for a day of swimming.

• The walk to to beach is relatively short (maybe 5 mins walking at a normal pace), and through a really nice forested trail. It makes for a nice calm walk down to the sand and back.

The only possible downside is there is no washing station to wash your dog off when done. But we end up giving our dog a bath when he gets home anyway, so not a big deal to us.

Overall I would say this is my favorite dog beach within driving distance of DC - and we have tried about 5 or 6 others. A great spot for humans to sit on the beach with their toes in the sand, along with their canine companions. Enzo (my dog) would give it 5 paws...

I love MATAPEAKE Public beach, and I go there every summer, from Washington DC Inner city. I think that this, last summer, 2024, there was maybe a little less of water in the Bay? Because I walked and walked into the Bay, passed the pier, and still walking... I dont complaint= I love the BAY and to walk in the water. SO beautiful and people, Rangers, who work there, they are very friendly. After one heavy storm in August, 2024, a Seagull with broken leg and a broken wings walked to me for food. I shared with him what I got and the Seagull other lay down near me. I went to swim, and returned and the Seagull was still there... sleeping. I started to feed Seagull again. Soon after a couple of young man and woman, students, they walked to us, me and Seagull, the man picked the Seagull up and wrapped him in the clean towel. The bird, Seagull, could not fly away, nor could it run away. It was bad storm and I suspect that many birds were hurt. I asked the woman, young woman," what are you going to do with the SIGAL? " The yo, who looked like a young scientist or a student, answered "We shall take al in the clean towel, and walked away from the beach to the Rangers. They are the Park Keepers". They took my Seagull, the Park Rangers. Soon after a couple of Rangers in green uniforms, came to patrol the beach and debris on the shore. They were looking for other birds, who maybe were there under the sea weed... I am grateful to our US National Park rangers, thank you. And I hope that the Seagull will recover and will fly again and heal his...

ve been coming here for years, but unfortunately, this was our worst visit yet. As soon as my family and I stepped out of the car, we were swarmed by mosquitoes. In the 10 minutes it took to unload and get our three kids ready, we were all covered in bites. I then used repellent to calm it down and it did work as we continued.

We hoped things would improve at the beach, but instead we were met with flies and gnats that made it nearly impossible to enjoy a meal. A sudden rain didn’t help, but we stuck around to make the most of the day. I got in the water with my children, only to get out 15 minutes later with itchy skin, and my son ended up getting stung by a jellyfish. My children said they never wanted to go back after this being one of their favorite places.

This visit was deeply disappointing compared to past experiences. What was once a hidden gem now feels neglected...