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Description
Point Lookout State Park has sandy beaches, rock jetties and seawalls, Loblolly Pine woods, deciduous woods, grassy open areas and scrub-shrub. More than 300 bird species have been recorded. Point Lookout also is a migrant trap and has a long list of rarities. The lighthouse area is a good spot to watch raptor migration or to scope for diving ducks, gulls, terns, loons, Brown Pelicans, and Great Cormorants in the winter. From the picnic area north to the historic fort, there is much scrubby habitat that provides excellent birding year-round, but particularly during migration.
The campground and the adjacent Civil War Museum are where you are most likely to find Brown-headed Nuthatches. Red-headed Woodpeckers may be found along the Periwinkle Trail behind the museum. The Fishing Pier juts out 710 feet into the Bay and provides excellent views of waterfowl in winter. Similarly, the Causeway, with deep water close to the road, offers close views of waterfowl on the Bay side.
Details
Access
Point Lookout State Park is located in St. Mary's County. The park provides many visitor amenities: boat launch, canoe rental, camp fire programs, camp sites (both tent and RVs), cabins, park store, dump station, fishing, flat water canoeing and kayaking, hiking trails, hunting, points of historic interest, pet trail, picnic area, playground, swimming, Civil War Museum/Marshland Nature Center, and picnic pavilion. Click on a P in the map to get directions or coordinates to a parking.
Hours of Operations: 7 a.m - Sunset (May through September), 8 a.m. - Sunset (October through April). Day-use Admission Fee: May-September: Weekends and holidays: $ 7/person. Weekdays: $ 5/vehicle. October-April: $ 5/vehicle. Note: The park may reach maximum occupancy in summer and on holidays and weekends; arrive early. The park does not observe a one-out, one-in policy, so once the park is full, no other vehicles will be allowed to enter.
The weather at Point Lookout may differ significantly from further inland, particularly in winter. Be prepared for harsh wind and cold!