76°
Sunny
1%
84
Charles County, MD · Potomac River
Purse State Park
Rugged, undeveloped 180-acre state park on Wades Bay along the Potomac. The draw is the half-mile beach at the bottom of a short wooded trail — famous for Miocene shark teeth and fossil shells washing out of the eroding cliffs. No facilities, no crowds.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
76°F air · 71°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 76. North wind around 6 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 57. Northwest wind 0 to 6 mph.
Weather
- 76°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 71°F water — swimmable, refreshing
81 /100
great
79 Swim
85 Sunbathe
88 Walk
77 Fossils
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
76°F
Clear
Wind
6 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
80°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
71°F
Refreshing
Water Quality
Clean
25 cfu/100mL · Fecal Coliform
USGS · sampled 3mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:46 AM
Sunset
8:28 PM
Moon · 88%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:43 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 7:15 AM | High | 1.6 ft |
| 1:38 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 8:02 PM | High | 1.3 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
80°
Sunny
0%
84
82°
Sunny
1%
84
84°
Mostly Sunny
5%
82
84°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
50%
33
74°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
22%
72
74°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
23%
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).
Beach Info
Parking
Small gravel lot on Wharf Rd. Easy to miss — look for the DNR sign.
Dogs
Leashed dogs permitted year-round.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Wharf Rd, Nanjemoy, MD 20662
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Purse State Park.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Purse State Park from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Purse State Park dog-friendly?
Leashed dogs permitted year-round.
Is there an entry fee at Purse State Park?
Entry to Purse State Park is free.
Are there lifeguards at Purse State Park?
No lifeguards are stationed at Purse State Park. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Purse State Park?
Amenities at Purse State Park include trail to beach, fossil hunting.
When is the water warmest at Purse State Park?
The tidal Potomac peaks in late July and August at 78-82°F. Swimmable from mid-June into September.
Where is Purse State Park located?
Purse State Park is in Charles County, MD, at Wharf Rd, Nanjemoy, MD 20662.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS