Point Lookout State Park

Point Lookout State Park sits at the very southernmost tip of St. Mary's County, right where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay - a setting that gives it some of the most striking waterfront views in the region, with water stretching in nearly every direction and sunsets that draw visitors back again and again. The park is anchored by its 1830 lighthouse, believed to be the oldest standing integral lighthouse in the United States, and open for tours on select days throughout the summer season. Beyond the lighthouse, the park's 500+ acres offer a sandy beach, a 710-foot fishing pier, canoe access, and wooded campgrounds, making it a versatile day-trip or weekend destination for swimming, fishing, paddling, or simply unwinding by the water.

The park also carries a deeper layer of history: during the Civil War, Point Lookout served as the site of a Union hospital and, later, one of the war's largest prisoner-of-war camps, and today the grounds include restored fortification earthworks and a memorial honoring those who died there. Living-history programs run several times a year, giving visitors a chance to step into that history alongside a day at the beach. Whether you're drawn by the natural scenery, the wildlife and birdwatching along the shoreline, or the chance to walk through a genuinely significant piece of American history, Point Lookout offers a rare combination of relaxation and meaning within easy reach of Leonardtown.