87°
Mostly Sunny
1%
85
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 fossil hunting.
76°F water · 87°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Weather
- 87°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 76°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
87 /100
ideal
87 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
89 Fossils
80 Photo
Best for fossil hunting today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
Wind
6 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
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
76°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
8:05 PM
0.3 ft · in 5.4h
Water Quality
Clean
25 cfu/100mL · Fecal Coliform
USGS · sampled 4mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:46 AM
Sunset
8:36 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:11 AM | High | 1.6 ft |
| 8:15 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 2:38 PM | High | 1.3 ft |
| 8:05 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
92°
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
43%
25
86°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
74%
17
86°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
27%
48
84°
Mostly Sunny
5%
86
89°
Sunny
4%
77
92°
Sunny
10%
77
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 6 to 14 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 76°F
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