Maryland requires reservations at 6 parks

Maryland is requiring advance day-use reservations at six state parks starting Memorial Day weekend, a move the Maryland Park Service says is aimed at reducing overcrowding and long entrance lines. The requirement applies on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays through Labor Day, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Visitors must book online before arriving at the parks. The change affects some of the state's busiest summer destinations, including Sandy Point State Park near Annapolis and Swallow Falls State Park in Garrett County. ### Which parks now require a reservation? The Maryland Department of Natural Resources lists six parks in the day-use reservation system: Sandy Point, Greenbrier, North Point, Point Lookout, Newtowne Neck and Swallow Falls. The agency's park reservation page says those locations require reservations on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. WMAR reported the rule Thursday as Maryland prepared for holiday traffic at beaches, lakes and swimming areas. (dnr.maryland.gov) The Baltimore Sun also reported Friday that advance reservations are required for those same six parks. ### When does the rule apply, and when does it start? Memorial Day weekend is the start date for the requirement, and Maryland DNR said visitors planning trips beginning this week must reserve before arrival. (dnr.maryland.gov) The policy remains in place on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays through Labor Day. May 23, 2026, is the specific start date cited in a Garrett County notice about Swallow Falls State Park, one of the six parks in the system. (wmar2news.com) That notice said visitors going to Swallow Falls and several other state parks for Memorial Day weekend are required to make reservations online before arriving. (news.maryland.gov) ### Why is Maryland doing this at these parks? The Maryland Park Service said it is using the same reservation system as last year to prevent sudden capacity closures and long entrance lines. The department's day-use reservation page says the system is meant to ease overcrowding at certain parks and help ensure visitors are not turned away after driving to the site. (business.garrettcountymd.gov) The agency's FAQ says the reservation system is designed to manage capacity, improve the visitor experience and reduce traffic issues on surrounding roads. That FAQ page appears to reference the 2025 season, but it describes the same program Maryland is continuing in 2026. ### How do visitors make a reservation? Maryland DNR directs visitors to the state's park day-use reservation website to book a parking spot before arrival. (news.maryland.gov) The department's Greenbrier State Park page repeats that instruction and says reservations are required beginning Memorial Day weekend. The reservation requirement is for day use, not camping. Maryland maintains a separate reservation system for campsites and cabins, with different rules and minimum stays at some parks during the summer season. (dnr.maryland.gov) ### Is this expanding beyond the original list? A Maryland DNR news release published May 20 said the announcement had been updated with an additional park and briefly listed Rocky Gap among the parks requiring reservations. (dnr.maryland.gov) But the department's current day-use reservation page and related coverage from WMAR and the Baltimore Sun identify six parks, not seven. Based on those current state pages, the active statewide list appears to be the six parks named in the reservation system. (dnr.maryland.gov) Labor Day is the end point for the weekend-and-holiday reservation rule, according to Maryland DNR. Visitors planning trips to the six parks over summer holiday weekends can check availability and reserve entry through the state's park day-use portal before leaving home. (dnr.maryland.gov) (news.maryland.gov)