93°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
46%
22
Caroline County, MD · Chesapeake Bay
Martinak State Park
137 Deep Shore Rd, Denton, MD 21629
A 107-acre park on the Choptank River at Watts Creek. Freshwater-tidal river beach, camping, boat ramp, and some of the best inland-bay birdwatching in Maryland. Smaller and quieter than nearby Tuckahoe.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · High nettle risk · NWS alert active
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 101. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 7pm and 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 9pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 9pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Weather
- 93°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
- 46% rain — rain likely at some point
Water
- 84°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
- High nettle risk — 69% probability — reconsider swimming
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
- NWS alert active — tornado watch issued july 18 at 1:55pm edt until july 18 at 9:00pm edt by nws mount holly nj
9 /100
skip
0 Swim
33 Sunbathe
9 Walk
0 Fish
24 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Weather alert in effect
Tornado Watch issued July 18 at 1:55PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:43PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Atmosphere
Air Temp
93°F
Mostly Clear
Wind
10 mph
SW
Rain
46%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
86°F
Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
84°F
Swimming weather
Sea Nettles
High nettle risk
69% probability · Annapolis buoy
Water Quality
Clean
53 MPN/100mL · E. coli
USGS · sampled 10mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:52 AM
Sunset
8:26 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
86°
Mostly Sunny
8%
83
87°
Sunny
7%
84
86°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
74%
17
85°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
76%
17
80°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
19%
78
83°
Sunny
9%
85
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 84°F
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 46% rain chance
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 93°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
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
10:10 PM - 11:10 PM
Major
3:40 AM - 5:40 AM
Minor
10:10 AM - 11:10 AM
Major
3:50 PM - 5:50 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Park lot.
Dogs
Dogs permitted on leash in designated areas.
Entry Fee
$3/person MD resident, $5 non-resident
Address
137 Deep Shore Rd, Denton, MD 21629
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Martinak State Park today?
Martinak State Park shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Martinak State Park dog-friendly?
Dogs permitted on leash in designated areas.
Is there an entry fee at Martinak State Park?
$3/person MD resident, $5 non-resident
Are there lifeguards at Martinak State Park?
No lifeguards are stationed at Martinak State Park. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Martinak State Park?
Amenities at Martinak State Park include camping, boat launch, fishing pier, restrooms, trails.
When is the water warmest at Martinak State 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 Martinak State Park located?
Martinak State Park is in Caroline County, MD, at 137 Deep Shore Rd, Denton, MD 21629.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS