Breezy Point* (Calvert County, MD)

 
FIG. 1A view of Breezy Point launch area   

*  the park and the launch are open only from May 1 to October 31
and from 6AM to dusk.  The launch is closed in the off season and
access to the launch during off season is trespassing.  If you come
when the park and launch are closed, the gate to the park will be
locked, and there will be no trespassing signs posted on a
chain-linked fence that encloses the launch. (see FIGS. 5 and 6 below)

 
               FIG. 1B aerial view of launch area

Breezy point is located in Calvert County, MD. 
The launch faces East into Chesapeake Bay.

Directions:  From Baltimore and Washington DC, exit the capital
beltway (I-495) at exit 11A at MD Rt 4.  Travel South on MD Rt 4
24.2 miles (shortly after Rt 2 joins Rt 4) and make a left hand turn
onto Ponds Wood Rd (see FIG. 4 below).  Travel 3.7 miles on
Ponds Wood Rd and then turn left onto MD Rt 261 (Bayside Rd). 
Travel 0.6 miles on MD Rt 261 and then make a right hand turn
onto Breezy Point Road.  Travel about 1.3 miles to toll booth and enter.

Note:  Mapquest tells you to turn left onto MD Rt 575 off of Rt 2-4.
As of April 2010, there is no signs for "MD Rt 575".  It is just
called Ponds Wood Rd.  (see FIG. 4 below)

Upon entering and after toll booth, park to the left.  Launch is to the left
(north).  Beach straight ahead is for bathers, and I have noticed that
this is unlaunchable in the off-season because of nets and poles in the
 water to keep out nettles.  To the right are piers and then a camping
 ground.  You are not allowed to enter the camp ground.  Therefore,
launch to the left of the bathing beach.

Fees:  $10 for a weekend, $6 for a weekday

Regs:  Park closed Nov 1 to April 30 (no trespassing).
 Launch to the left (north) of netted bathing beach,
            you must pack up and leave by 30 minutes before sunset

Comments:  no lifeguard on duty, parking is limited on summer weekends
                      holidays, there may also be no parking available outside
                      the park.

The website for the launch can be accessed by clicking here.
Starting in 2010, the park now has a year round manager whose name is
Jackie Waymire.  Her phone number is 410.535.0259 and her email address is
waymirje@co.cal.md.us.  The email address for other park staff is
brzystaff@co.cal.md.us. 

FIG. 2 view of toll booth with parking on the left beyond

FIG. 3 view of beach looking south -- note fishing poles in launch area and
restrooms in the background

FIG. 4 view of easy-to-miss turnoff from Rts 2-4 onto Ponds Wood Rd. 
Note Mapquest insists that this is Rt 575, but no such sign is present
at this turn off, nor are there any traffic lights or stop signs.  Just a
mere ramp lane on the left emerges.

FIG. 5 view of park when closed in April.  Gates are locked and
there are "no trespassing" signs and "no parking" signs everywhere.
  When closed, the park is still accessible to Breezy Point residents
only who have keys to ender the gate towards the left of photo

FIG. 6 view of chain link fence to left of toll booth with "no parking"
signs posted.  Do not be tempted to climb this fence when park
is closed--doing so is trespassing