The boardwalk to the beach after a half-mile hike from the car
Happy first day of summer! Images of the beach seem like a perfect way to welcome the new season, so here are some scenes from our outing to Flag Ponds Nature Park yesterday. It was a nice time to be there — the sun was shining, the breeze off the water kept us cool on a hot day, and the water was calm (though unfortunately filled with jellyfish, so we didn’t go much more than ankle deep in it). But it was so nice to enjoy the sun, sand, and, of course, some shark tooth hunting.
You can read more about Flag Ponds Nature Park in this KFDC post. And a few new things to note: The admission fee is now $8/car. And we learned the hard way yesterday that they only accept cash at the entrance (luckily, there is an ATM about a 5-minute drive away). But put it on your summer to-do list. Just an hour’s drive from DC, Flag Ponds makes for a great day trip!
Looking for shark teeth on the shoreline
Colors of summer
Lounging in the sun
Beach goers bring fossil hunting gear here
There’s about a mile stretch where you can hang out by the Chesapeake
Shark teeth and fossil finds
The landscape is different every time we go as inlets change with the tides
The walk there and back winds through a pretty wooded area
Thanks for the update! How do you know about jellyfish- is there someone there updating, or do you see them washed up on the beach? Thanks!!!
There was a sign at the entrance, and we also saw a lot of them in the water. At least they were easy to spot, so we could stay away from them.
Also worth noting there is an annual car pass for $30 if you plan to go multiple times – the fall is awesome for exploring as well!
Thanks for sharing. Wondering are there restrooms near the beach?
There are! At the end of a short boardwalk from the beach, there are restrooms and a rinsing shower. This post talks about the park a bit more: http://www.kidfriendlydc.com/2015/06/25/beach-fun-fossil-hunting-at-flag-ponds-nature-park/
Have fun if you go, and be sure to note that it doesn’t open daily until Friday!