Scotland, Md. – Point Lookout State Park, perched at the vulnerable southern tip of St. Mary’s County where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay, is set for transformative renovations to combat sea-level rise, protect fragile habitats, and maintain public access for years ahead.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced March 11, 2026, that the park will receive $1.25 million from the Great Maryland Outdoors Act—a 2022 state law allocating funds for park expansion, maintenance, staffing, and specifically $5 million for climate mitigation efforts. This allocation marks the first of four selected projects under the act’s climate resilience funding stream.
Design work kicks off in early 2026, with on-site construction following. The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, chosen through a competitive public application process, will partner with the Maryland Park Service to oversee the project, deliver technical expertise, and handle community outreach.
Key elements include constructing a living shoreline to curb erosion and bolster marsh stability. This nature-based approach involves planting marsh grasses and shrubs, adding sand, and installing structures to foster oyster bed development. New interpretive signage will educate visitors on the marsh ecosystem’s vital role amid rising seas.
Two campground loops—Green’s Point and Lanier—face permanent closure to camping due to frequent tidal and nuisance flooding worsened by sea-level rise. Projections indicate sea levels at the park could climb 1.5 to 2.5 feet over the next 25 to 50 years. Decommissioned sites will either revert to marsh or convert to picnic areas for registered campers, who will retain access to the Green’s Point pier post-project.
The campground, shuttered since 2021 for urgent water and sanitary line repairs, plans to reopen for reservations in spring 2026. Available loops upon reopening include Tulip (full-service with water, sewer, and electric), Malone and Hoffman’s (mixed-use), and the six-site electric Conoy Loop geared toward families and groups.
“The Great Maryland Outdoors Act is building a more resilient future for Maryland State Parks,” said Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz. “The work at Point Lookout and other projects supported by this funding will use nature-based solutions to support our climate adaptation goals while also building community resilience to ensure our parks are accessible to the public for generations to come.”
“The Alliance is eager to collaborate with the Maryland Park Service and Maryland Department of Natural Resources on this important coastal resilience project,” said Laura Todd, Associate Green Infrastructure Program Director for the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. “The upcoming ecological restoration and outreach efforts at Point Lookout will enhance natural resources for the benefit of Chesapeake Bay fish, wildlife, and the many visitors to the park.”
“Support for initiatives such as this is incredibly important to our park system,” said Jonas Williams, Director of Planning for the Maryland Park Service. “With support from the Great Maryland Outdoors Act, we can ensure Point Lookout State Park is more resilient for future generations.”
“Climate change is reshaping Maryland now — bold adaptation on our state lands is showing how nature-based practices can strengthen Maryland’s resilience,” said Jackie Specht, DNR’s Resilient Systems Officer. “Great Maryland Outdoors Act projects, such as the one in Point Lookout, will protect important areas and serve as models for future action.”
The Maryland Park Service previously collaborated with University of Maryland landscape architecture students to develop concept designs for the restoration, incorporating innovative ideas to visualize adaptive strategies.
Separate but related efforts include a living shoreline project along the park’s causeway—funded through DNR’s Grants Gateway—that will establish low and high marsh zones across about 1,000 linear feet of flood-prone shoreline. This critical causeway serves as the sole entry to the park and links to historic sites: the renovated Point Lookout Lighthouse and the Civil War-era prisoner-of-war camp grounds.
The remaining three climate projects under the Great Maryland Outdoors Act, also slated to start in 2026, will showcase adaptation strategies across varied landscapes, targeting flood risks to infrastructure, habitats, and visitors in coastal and inland settings.
These upgrades arrive as Southern Maryland faces intensifying climate pressures, positioning Point Lookout as a model for blending ecological protection with recreational enjoyment in a high-risk coastal zone.