81°
Sunny
1%
84
St. Mary's County, MD · Chesapeake Bay
Elms Beach Park
19350 Back Door Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653
Over 500 feet of Chesapeake shoreline in southern St. Mary's with unsupervised swimming, crabbing, and fishing. Large playground, picnic pavilions, floating kayak/canoe pier, and nature trails. Daily-pass fees apply on weekends and holidays.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
High nettle risk · 81°F air · 71°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 81. North wind around 7 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 59. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph.
Weather
- 81°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 71°F water — swimmable, refreshing
- High nettle risk — 3554% probability — reconsider swimming
65 /100
good
44 Swim
85 Sunbathe
88 Walk
73 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
81°F
Clear
Wind
7 mph
N
Rain
1%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
85°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
71°F
Refreshing
Next Low Tide
10:31 PM
0.5 ft · in 1.2h
Sea Nettles
High nettle risk
3554% probability · Potomac buoy
Water Quality
Clean
20 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 9mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:43 AM
Sunset
8:24 PM
Moon · 88%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:44 AM | High | 1.7 ft |
| 10:46 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 5:31 PM | High | 1.4 ft |
| 10:31 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
85°
Sunny
0%
84
91°
Sunny
1%
75
94°
Mostly Sunny
2%
74
90°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
48%
24
75°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
22%
72
76°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
18%
78
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Minor
10:20 PM - 11:20 PM
Major
2:30 AM - 4:30 AM
Minor
7:40 AM - 8:40 AM
Major
2:50 PM - 4:50 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Lot at entrance.
Dogs
Dogs permitted on leash.
Entry Fee
$7/day county resident, $25/day non-resident (weekends & holidays)
Address
19350 Back Door Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Elms Beach Park.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Elms Beach Park from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Elms Beach Park dog-friendly?
Dogs permitted on leash.
Is there an entry fee at Elms Beach Park?
$7/day county resident, $25/day non-resident (weekends & holidays)
Are there lifeguards at Elms Beach Park?
No lifeguards are stationed at Elms Beach Park. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Elms Beach Park?
Amenities at Elms Beach Park include beach, playground, picnic pavilions, kayak launch, nature trails, portable restrooms.
When is the water warmest at Elms Beach Park?
The Chesapeake warms quickly — water temperatures peak in late July and August, typically 78-82°F. Swimming comfortable from mid-June through September.
Where is Elms Beach Park located?
Elms Beach Park is in St. Mary's County, MD, at 19350 Back Door Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS