Point Lookout

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Established: 1964
Location: Eastern Maryland
Acres: 1,046
At the very tip of the Maryland peninsula at the end of Rt 5 jutting between the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River lies Point Lookout State Park. A small but enchanting park with Maryland's newest and longest fishing pier. The wheelchair-accessible pier extends 710 feet into the Chesapeake Bay and is known for its seasonal catches of bluefish, rockfish, and blue-claw crabs. The park has a small sandy beach on the Potomac, campground, picnic area, large boat ramp, dock, and boat rentals.


MD, Point Lookout State Park, Marina Rental Boats

The campground is one of the finest in the state with 20 of the 143 campsites overlooking the Chesapeake Bay (55 have electrical hookups). Some of the best waterfront campsites are # 97-99, 104-105, and 132-133 ($14 tents, $18 full hookups). On a boat you can ply the calm waters of the estuary or venture into the open waters of Chesapeake Bay.

In 1830 the federal government erected a lighthouse on the tip of the Point. This lighthouse, now owned by the U.S. Navy, has been completely restored.

During the Civil War Union authorities built a prison and hospital at Point Lookout and started sending Confederate prisoners to the Point. As many as 20,000 rebel captives were held inside. Exposure, disease, and starvation were rampant at the prison and nearly 4,000 Confederate soldiers died here between 1863 and 1865. Portions of the barracks, officer quarters, and prison pen have been recreated for visitors to view. Point Lookout State Park, PO Box 48, Scotland, MD 20687 (301) 872-5688. www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/southern/pointlookout.html




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All text and photos copyright ©1994-2005 Charles A. Read and ScenicUS.
Comments or Suggestions, Contact the Author Charles A. Read.