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Point Lookout State Park |
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Point Lookout State Park has sustained significant damage from Tropical
Depression Ernesto. Clean-up and safety hazard identification remain as our
priority during this time.
As of Wednesday, September 13, the Point area re-opened with some restrictions
due to shore erosion on the Bay side. On Friday, September 15, the fishing pier
re-opened.
The camp store has re-opened with limited hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
until the end of September. Contact the park for current hours each day.
Due to water damage, the Civil War Museum and Marshland Nature Center will
remain closed for the rest of the season. Look for updates in the spring of 2007
for this area.
It is recommended that you contact the park at 301-872-5688 to check on the
status prior to making travel plans.
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Recreational opportunities abound on this picturesque peninsula formed by the
Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River. Swimming, fishing, boating and camping are
just a few of the activities to be enjoyed in this beautiful bay setting.
This park's peaceful surroundings belie its history as the location of a prison
camp which imprisoned as many as 52,264 Confederate soldiers during the Civil
War. A museum on site recounts this vivid history. A park map is available at
park headquarters, the camp office, camp store, and the Civil War
Museum/Marshland Nature Center.
Read about the park's mysterious ghosts in the Fall 2001 edition of The Natural
Resource magazine.
Features:
Boat launch, boat rental, camp fire programs, camp sites, cabins, camp store,
dump station, fishing, flat water canoeing, hiking trails, hunting, historic
interest, hook ups, pet trail, picnic area, playground, swimming, Civil War
Museum/Marshland Nature Center, pavilion and cottage. Due to reduce staff,
restrooms throughout the day-use area will be closed during the week and
replaced with portable toilets. All restrooms will be closed for winterization
by November 1. Portable toilets will be available in the park.
Seasonal applications now being accepted for positions to begin in April and
May:
Positions available: maintenance, camp office, contact station, boating
facility, naturalist, seasonal ranger, lifeguard
Pay range: $7 to $9 per hour (up to 40 hours per week)
Call the park office for more information: 301-872-5688
* Park Office - Winter hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4
p.m. The office will be closed Tuesdays and Thursdays from November 1, 2006
through March 30, 2007. The park office will be closed on December 25 and 26.
* Summer visitation - Point Lookout occasionally fills to capacity on summer
weekends and holiday weekends. During these times you will not be able to enter
the park, nor will you be able to just drive through the park. You may call
301-872-5688 to check on our visitation volume, however we can make no
guarantees that we will not be filled to capacity by the time you arrive. On
holiday weekends ( Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day weekends) we do not
allow people to drive through without paying the service charge due to the
volume of traffic within the park.
* Day Use Service Charges - Weekends and holidays (May-September) $5 per person;
out-of-state residents $6 per person. All other times $3 per vehicle;
out-of-state residents $4 per vehicle. Day use service charges are valid for
park use from 6 a.m. to sunset. (All Season Passes, Disability Passes and Golden
Age Passes are valid during this time period.) Night fishing service charge is
$3/vehicle for MD residents and $4/vehicle of out of state visitors and is in
effect from sunset to 6 a.m. (use the white night pass envelope for payment).
* Camping - There are 143 wooded campsites available; 26 of these have full
hook-ups, 27 of these have electric. One campsite for youth groups is also
available. Reservations can be made by calling 1-888-432-2267. Campers may check
in no later than 10:00 p.m. If the camp office is not staffed, campers may be
required to use the self-registration system to check in. Between October 30,
2006 and March 30, 2007 the campground will be closed except for our full
hook-up loop (Tulip), which remains open year round for self-contained campers
(no restrooms available). There is a self-registration/self check-in system
(cash and checks accepted). Please contact the park for hours and closures in
advance of your visit.
* Camp Store - The camp store is open weekends only after Labor Day until
September 18. The camp store is a seasonal operation and is closed for the
season; re-opening in May 2007 with limited operations. Due to staff shortages
motor boat rentals have been discontinued for the season. The camp store will
continue to rent canoes and kayaks.
* Please read the park's campground regulations prior to your visit.
* Camp Office - The office now has reduced hours of operation from Friday
through Sunday. Campers may be required to check-in at Park Headquarters or they
may be asked to self-register through our camper honor system located at the
camp office. Campers with reservations will be able to pick-up their
registration packets at the camp office when park headquarters is not open.
Reservations can only be made for Greens Point, Hoffmans and Tulip Loops during
the months of April-May and September-October, with the exception of Memorial
Day and October 25-29. Reservations may be made for all loops October 25-29 due
to Spirits of Point Lookout.
* Civil War Museum/Marshland Nature Center - The nature center and museum are
operated seasonally, offering programs in nature and Civil War history. The
center will remain closed until further notice due to water damage from Tropical
Depression Ernesto.
* Fishing - The park features three fishing areas available 24 hours, including
a 710 foot pier (24 hour operation May 1-November 30). A valid Chesapeake Bay
Sport Fishing license and appropriate stamps are required. The pier will be
closed beginning December 16, 2006 (re-opening March 30, 2007). All other areas
of the park are open for fishing year round. Active fishing is allowed 24 hours
a day.
* Night Fishing Pass - Valid from sunset to 6 a.m. All passes are valid during
this time period. Fishermen wishing to stay past sunset will be required to pay
an additional night-use service charge of $3 per vehicle; $4 per vehicle for
out-of-state residents. All members of your party must have a valid fishing
license and be actively fishing to remain in the park after sunset.
* Causeway - All service charges will apply to the Causeway area. Those wishing
to stay on the Causeway will be obligated to pay both the day use and night
fishing pass service charges. To remain on the Causeway after sunset you will be
required to have a night fishing pass displayed. Active fishing is required.
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the Causeway, piers and Point area, unless
consumed at a picnic table. Entrance to Point Lookout State Park
* Swimming - Swimming is available from Memorial Day to Labor Day. No lifeguards
are on duty. The beach area has grills, picnic tables, and a playground.
Facilities include showers and restrooms. Jelly fish can be found in our swim
area. The number of jelly fish changes daily depending on the time of year and
rainfall.
* Hunting - There are 200 acres set aside for deer hunding (bow & black powder
only). A valid hunting license and appropriate stamps are required.
* Boating - A boat launch facility and fish-cleaning station are available for
boaters. Boat rentals and supplies are also available at the camp store. Boat
launch service charge is $10 per launch, valid 24 hours a day from
April-October. Reduced services beginning December 16, 2006 between the hours of
4 p.m. and 10 a.m. Launching is permitted 24 hours a day, however, launchers
should be aware that there is no lighting in the area. For emergencies call
1-800-825-7275.
* Pets - Pets are allowed in all areas of Malone Circle, Tulip Loop, Green's
Point Loop, Hoffman's Loop, and on the paved portion of the causeway and on the
beach (north of the causeway) to the entrance of Tanner's Creek. They are NOT
permitted in any other day use area or trail, including the beach or picnic
area.
* Camper/Cabins - There are six four-person camper/cabins available for
overnight stays. No pets, smoking, or cooking are permitted inside the cabins. A
fire ring is provided for cooking. Check in time is 3 p.m., checkout is at noon.
* Click here for camping season beginning and ending dates, and camping and
shelter service charges.
* Beach Picnic Area - Reduced services beginning November 6, 2006. Area closed
to vehicle traffic and restrooms will not be available. Pedestrian access only
is available sunrise to sunset.
* Fort Lincoln - Open year round sunrise to sunset (self-guided). |
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