Visitors planning to attend several popular Maryland state parks over Memorial Day weekend must make advance reservations online before arriving. The Maryland Park Service is using the same reservation system that successfully managed crowds last year at Greenbrier State Park, Point Lookout State Park, Newtowne Neck State Park, North Point State Park, Sandy Point State Park, and Swallow Falls State Park.
The system is now live at parkdayuse.maryland.gov for Memorial Day weekend, May 23–25, 2026. Beginning Saturday, May 23, reservations can be made up to seven days in advance of a visit. Guests pay regular day-use fees at the time of reservation using credit or debit cards. Maryland Annual Park Pass holders, Golden Age Pass holders, veterans and individuals with disabilities still need to make reservations, with their status verified upon arrival.
Point Lookout State Park in St. Mary’s County and Newtowne Neck State Park in St. Mary’s County are among the participating parks. Both are popular destinations for Southern Maryland residents and visitors seeking beach access, camping, fishing, hiking and historic sites. Point Lookout, located at the southern tip of St. Mary’s County where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay, offers swimming beaches, a historic lighthouse and Civil War-era history. Newtowne Neck provides scenic waterfront trails and is a key site for birdwatching and nature study.
The reservation requirement is designed to prevent sudden capacity closures and long entrance lines that frustrated visitors in previous years. In 2025, the system processed more than 67,000 reservations and more than 4,000 calls through the associated call center, resulting in zero unexpected capacity closures at participating parks.
Swallow Falls State Park in Garrett County will require reservations every day during the summer period, while the other parks require them on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Additional parks and public lands will be added to the system this year, with announcements made as they go live.
Guests are encouraged to check the online Park Status Dashboard before traveling to confirm if a park is open and to review any important visitor information. Reservations can be edited or canceled until 8 a.m. the day before the visit.
The Maryland Park Service is reminding visitors that the reservation system helps maintain a safe and enjoyable experience while protecting natural resources. Overcrowding can lead to parking issues, trail erosion and strain on facilities. The system allows park staff to better manage capacity and provide consistent service.
For Southern Maryland families, the reservation requirement at Point Lookout and Newtowne Neck means better planning for popular summer activities. Both parks draw large crowds from Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties during holiday weekends. Advance reservations help ensure visitors are not turned away after long drives and can enjoy the parks’ beaches, trails and picnic areas without frustration.
The Maryland Park Service continues to expand access to outdoor recreation while balancing conservation goals. Program Open Space and other state funding have supported improvements at many parks, including accessibility upgrades and facility enhancements.
Reservations for Memorial Day weekend are available now. More information is available on the Maryland Park Service website.
