Point Lookout State Park — Attraction in Saint Mary's City

I would have loved to give this park a 5 star review. However the actions of the Rangers there were absolutely disgusting and insulting to my family. We had camped out overnight and didn't have a problem. SURE the bathrooms and the sites could have been a bit tidier and SURE the people there could have been more considerate about the noise level at the campgrounds. But that's a given at a lot of places, so long as no one was invading our campsite, there wasn't going to be a problem. Had there been, I would have sought out some help. However, the morning after as we were getting ready to head off to the beach/picnic area that opens promptly at 6, we arrived there literally 7 minutes beforehand. The ranger at the gate kindly told us that the gate wouldn't open until 6 am on the dot. We understood, we asked if we could just stay there for the remaining 7 minutes. He advised we couldn't, so we left believing this was simply the rules. A second later from doing a K turn to leave the gate entrance, another car pulled up and the ranger advised the same thing. However they allowed the car to stay there and the driver actually stepped out of the car to stretch his legs alongside his family chatting it up with the Ranger. We tried not to think about it so we found a nearby empty lot for a PUBLIC STORE they had there at the park. We must have been there less than a minute when two Ranger trucks came behind me and my family blocking us off. Began to take down our plates and threw around the term "illegal" to describe our parking and where our vehicles were. I explained that we were simply waiting until 6 am which at the point was only 4 minutes away. The rangers continued to throw around the word "illegal" to describe our parking and I mentioned that this was a public store. They tried to advise that this was an employee only parking zone when there was nothing written or displayed to show that. I advised (years of being a paralegal) that if these is no sign to display this, they have no right to write me up or give me a ticket under Maryland law. The Rangers scoffed at me and proceeded to tell me they're going to let me off with a warning but we needed to leave. At the end of that encounter, one would like to believe that's the end. But as we approach the gate (Seeing as all this carried us past 6 am) the same Ranger that had advised we needed to wait promptly until 6 am was waving cars through left and right. He did wave us through so to that Ranger I really have no complaints besides letting the other person wait at the gate that would have saved me a huge deal of anger, but after he waved us through a second ranger stepped in front of my car and stopped me. He approached my window with a flash light looking into my car. He made a point to tell me that my pass was only good until 1 pm. He said, "Once its 1 pm, you're outta here" Not Once its 1 pm you have to go renew or buy another pass at the front. There are better ways to say that to another human being. The beach itself is beautiful, the campgrounds truly someplace I'd like to go back to and spend another weekend. A place that is truly worthy of 5 stars but I won't allow this horrid experience to tarnish the rating of such an amazing place. It was absolutely disgusting how I was treated but it was not enough to deter me from enjoying an amazing weekend. That should tell...

Point Lookout State Park is an ideal combination of history, nature, and social interaction within the community, making the location ideal for couples, families, and lone adventurers.

Offering views of the Potomac River over rocks and beachheads, the Virginian shoreline over the sunlit water, and Lake Conoy over tall reeds, the natural beauty of the park is immediately apparent. Upon further inspection, the wildlife present in the park reveals itself, from catfish to eagles to the smallest of chickadees, effortlessly bolstering the physical beauty of the park.

Featuring the Prisoner of War Camp and the reconstruction of Fort Lincoln, the historical importance of the sight can almost be understated and go unnoticed. If visitors take the time to walk the walls of the fort and read the signs of the POW buried in the wooded areas, the value of the visit will increase tenfold.

Equally, the Point Lookout Lighthouse, which, although closed for renovations, offers spectacular views (and photo opportunities) for those making the effort to walk on its grounds.

For those looking to spend a longer time at the park, the fishing, swimming and grilling areas will offer ample opportunity to socialize with friends and meet a few new ones along the way.

For the $3 parking fees for Maryland residents is more than worth the long drive down to the tip of the Western Shore. Especially if visitors find that more than one trip is required to make the most of all the State Park has to offer.

One of the only downsides to the State Park is that it can be prone to receiving high-levels of foot traffic during the summer reason, including all-day fishers, campers, and those making use of the grilling and swimming areas. For this reason, I’d recommend viewing the historical aspects of the State Park during...

---FISHING---

While the park itself is improving and offers a lot for a get away, I can't recommend it as a fishing spot. I've made a lot of friends, finding groups of people who share my love for fishing, from all over the world in fact. The usual's are fun, fantastic, eager to share rigs and happy to put some unused bait to use. Many are even willing to help teach people who are new to fishing.

The park is packed around 10:00 am, not a big deal, just got to beat the crowd. Unless the crowd is the hardcore fishing Hispanic groups. It is clear there is a minority of people who are pulling aggressive tactics to push people out of their fishing spots. They constantly blast music, scream, rowdy, cast their lines over top of your own, and argue about stealing a fish in an over crowded fishing spot when it is not on their line. Then pester myself to share bait and tackle. While keeping illegal fish, which I can't stress enough, they do it all the time.

I've been fishing here for the past 10 years. In the past year this place has gone down hill due to these rude aggressive groups. Which I can only assume are there every other day and every holiday. Making the park staff aware of the situation has been fruitless. They said, "there is nothing we can do". Many of us in the group have decided to simply relocate to another part of Maryland for...