86°
Mostly Sunny
1%
85
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 · 76°F water · 86°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Weather
- 86°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 76°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
- High nettle risk — 3629% probability — reconsider swimming
68 /100
good
52 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
73 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
86°F
Clear
Wind
7 to 14 mph
S
Rain
1%
Today
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
92°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
76°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
5:13 PM
0.3 ft · in 2.5h
Sea Nettles
High nettle risk
3629% probability · Potomac buoy
Water Quality
Clean
20 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 10mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:43 AM
Sunset
8:32 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:23 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 12:07 PM | High | 1.4 ft |
| 5:13 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
92°
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
28%
38
87°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
71%
16
85°
Mostly Sunny
14%
85
88°
Sunny
2%
86
92°
Sunny
2%
76
97°
Sunny
7%
69
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 7 to 14 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 76°F
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.
Major
8:10 PM - 10:10 PM
Minor
1:50 AM - 2:50 AM
Major
8:40 AM - 10:40 AM
Minor
4:40 PM - 5:40 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