Not far from Annapolis, Sandy Point State Park marks a narrow neck on the Chesapeake Bay between the mainland and Delmarva Peninsula. This popular little bayside park overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Any time you have beautiful water setting on the Chesapeake Bay, you’ll find Maryland residents enjoying their splendid view and plenty of water related activities. One of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network special places, the 765 acre Sandy Point State Park not only provides swimming beaches, boat rentals and fishing access, but also land-based hiking trails, picnic grounds and group shelters. Understandably the park's focus is on the water, and the marina facility offers launch ramps, finger piers, boating services, and crabbing, fishing, and picnicking supplies.
   Offshore about a half mile, lighthouse fans will appreciate the Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse. The two and a half story brick structure was built in the Empire style during the late 1800s. The first two stories were used as living quarters to house the light keepers, with the upper story housing a watch-room and a 4th order Fresnel lens. Mindless vandals destroyed the lens in 1979, marking further deterioration of the lighthouse. Sold to a private bidder, the lighthouse desperately needs a dedicated group to help with lighthouse restoration. While the owner hopes to gather interest from a group of concerned lighthouse fans, the Coast Guard continues to monitor the navigation aid.

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