Flag Ponds Nature Park in Lusby, Maryland is a great place for a day at the beach without the hassle of crossing the Bay Bridge.
Located just north of Calvert Cliffs State Park on the Western Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, Flag Ponds’ sandy beaches are only an hour’s drive from the Capitol Beltway.
Our crew decided to make the drive here on the Sunday of a holiday weekend. Even in the middle of a holiday weekend we had no problems finding parking or a spot on the large sandy beach.
Covered Here:
Shark Teeth & Fossils
Nature Trails
The Beach
Visitor’s Center
Fishing
Entrance Fees
Events & Programs
Hours & When to Go
Getting There
Things to Do Nearby
Shark Teeth & Fossils at Flag Ponds Nature Park
The beaches along Calvert County are known to be home to a large number of fossils and shark’s teeth.
The shoreline is also littered with shells and rocks for collecting.
With some perseverance and a bit of beginner’s luck we were able to find three shark’s teeth to bring home! Many visitors to Flag Ponds come here specifically for fossil hunting and leave with a lot of great treasure.
Nature Trails
The park have nature trails that branch out to different ponds you can explore. Below is the general trail map that you can use as a guide.
Restrooms can be found here and on the trail to the beach but neither have a changing table.
The Beach
The beach is about a half mile walk from the parking area. The walk takes you along a shady trail and passes an old fishing shanty and restrooms along the way to the shore.
Bring bug spray and consider your little one’s walking abilities if you will be carrying lots of beach gear with you.
There are no lifeguards on duty at this bay beach but the water is calm and very shallow.
Some people were swimming but most spent the day along the shoreline searching for fossils, digging in the sand and soaking up the sun.
Flag Ponds has no food concession on site so plan to eat before or after your visit or pack a picnic to enjoy on the beach. Drink vending machines can be found near the restrooms in the parking lot.
Visitor’s Center
The small Visitor’s Center near the parking lot has a display case of the various types of fossils that can be found here giving you a good visual of what to look for once down on the sand.
Fishing
Flag Ponds Nature Park fishing is allowed and something the whole family can do together.
Walking trails and fishing are also available here for visits during cooler weather.
You can bring your fishing gear with you so the whole family can enjoy as the kids learn how to fish.
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Entrance Fees
Entrance Fees are paid per car.
Daily Park Pass:
January – March:
$5.00 for in-county resident or non-resident.
April – October:
$5.00 for in-county residents
$8.00 for non-residents
November – December:
$5.00 in-county resident or non-resident.
Walk-in/Bike: $2 person
Vehicles that carry more than 15 people: $30 per vehicle
Annual Park Pass
$20 for in-county residents
$30 for non-residents.
Vehicle registration is required for annual pass holders.
$10 for each additional vehicle registered in the same name.
They give out military discounts.
Events & Programs
The park has a variety of programs to choose from depending on age and interest. From outdoor art, campout, and even Phenology programs. You can also check their page to know the latest events they have.
Hours & When to Go
Regular Hours
Monday and Friday: 9:00 am to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday – Thursday: Closed
Park entrance fees will be collected on weekends only.
Summer Extended Park Hours
Monday – Friday: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Park entrance fees will be collected daily.
Getting There
Flag Ponds Nature Park is located in Calvert County at 1525 Flag Ponds Pkwy, Lusby, MD.
Parking is available on-site.
Things to Do Nearby
- Visit Calvert Beach
- Ring the bell and see a mini railway track plus a toy train track for kids the Chesapeake Beach Railway (34 minutes)
- Experience sea otters, fossils and a lighthouse at Calvert Marine Museum (14 minutes)
- Don’t miss the sculptures at the Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center (13 minutes)
- Walk the boardwalk at the Battle Creek Cypress Swamp (15 minutes)
A trip to Flag Ponds can easily be combined with lunch or dinner in Solomons. We had dinner at a small seafood restaurant right on the water called Clarke’s Landing. My girls loved driving across the Patuxent River Bridge and eating along the dock at this family friendly restaurant.
Come for the fossil hunting and enjoy the cool sea breezes and sand beneath your toes only an hour from I-495!
