Westmoreland State Park
Montross, VA
Take I-95 south to Route 3 east at Fredericksburg; the park entrance is on Route 3 just past Lerty. Travel time is about 90 minutes from the Beltway. The beach is open from 8 a.m. until dusk. Admission is $1 per person on weekdays, but adults are $2 each on weekends and holidays. Kids under 3 always free. Call 804/493-8821.

Chesapeake Beach, MD
Bayfront Park has a very small sandy public beach on the Chesapeake Bay. There are only about20 parking spaces, and illegally parked cars will be towed. No lifeguards, no amenities. Open daylight hours only. From the Beltway, take Route 4 south, to Route 260 east. At second traffic light (Route 261) turn right. The park is about a half-mile on the right, but does not have a sign. Time from D.C. Beltway: 40 minutes. 301/855-8398.

North Beach, MD
Small public beach near fishing pier at North Beach (no lifeguards), open 5 a.m. to midnight; no beach fee. From the Beltway, take Route 4 South, to Route 260 East. At second traffic light (Route 261), turn left. Time from D. C. Beltway: 40 minutes. 301/855-6681.

Elm's Beach
Leonardtown, MD
Sandy Chesapeake Bay-side beach, maintained by St. Mary's County, no lifeguards; picnic areas on wooded grounds, as well as a pavilion and a playground. No beach fee. Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends only, Memorial Day through Labor Day. Closed during off-season. Take the Beltway to Route 5 south to Route 235 south, go approximately seven miles south of the Patuxent Naval Base main entrance to Bay Forest Road. Turn left on Bay Forest and follow 1 1/2 miles to Elm's Beach entrance on the left. Time from D.C. Beltway: 1 hour 20 minutes. 301/863-6068 or 301/475-4572.

Miami Beach Park
Bowley's Quarters, MD
This 400-foot-wide sandy beach on the Chesapeake Bay is bordered by a 60-acre park in a secluded residential area. Nature trail, playground, picnic pavilion. $5 beach fee, $2 children. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Open daily. Take I-95 to Baltimore, I-695 east to Route 150 (Eastern Boulevard), Chase exit, to right on Carroll Island Road, to right on Bowley's Quarters Road, to left on Goose Harbor Road, to park entrance. Time from D.C. Beltway: 90 minutes. 410/887-3873.

Point Lookout State Park
Point Lookout, MD
Sandy beach on bay side of Maryland's southernmost point, wooded with open and shady areas. Hiking trails, camping and small camp store. Weekdays free. Weekends, $3 per person beach fee; children under 5 in car seats free. From the Beltway take Route 5 South. 8 a.m. to dusk. After Mechanicsville, take Route 235 Southto Point Lookout. Time from D.C. Beltway: 1 hour 45 minutes. 301/872-5688.

Rocky Point Park
Essex, MD
Newly renovated beach on Chesapeake Bay with boat rentals, play area, fishing pier, volleyball and picnic areas. Park open dawn to dusk; beach 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. $5 park admission, $2 children under 12. Take I-95 north to I-695 to Essex exit, Route 702 west to Back River Neck Road to Rocky Point Park. Time from D.C. Beltway: 1 hour 15 minutes. 410/887-3873.