The Maryland Park Service has announced that it will temporarily close Greenbrier State Park, the home of “Maryland’s Secret Beach” from May 5-9 as contractors repave the entrance road as part of ongoing upgrades to the park’s front entrance and contact station. These upgrades will help reduce traffic backups on busy weekends and holidays.
Greenbrier State Park, located at 21843 National Pike in Boonsboro, MD (Washington County), allows for a variety of activities without having to make the commitment of an overnight stay. The lake is man-made, as every lake in the state of Maryland is, but the white sandy beach makes for a unique experience in the area.
Per the Maryland Department of Natural Resources: “We appreciate our visitors’ patience and look forward to welcoming everyone back with a smoother, more convenient entry experience this summer,” said Maryland Park Service Western Region Manager Sarah Milbourne. “We timed this project based on the likelihood of agreeable weather for the road work, and also before the busiest part of our season begins Memorial Day weekend.”
Greenbrier State Park is among the most visited public lands in Maryland, welcoming about 500,000 guests in 2024. Due to its popularity, the park in recent years has experienced lengthy delays for visitors to enter the park as well as more frequent capacity closures. The construction work at the entrance is designed to help reduce those issues.
During the closure, visitors can explore nearby public lands, including Cunningham Falls, Gambrill, Gathland, South Mountain, and Washington Monument State Parks; Monocacy River Natural Resource Management Area; and Gravel Hill Swamp, Ridenour Swamp, and Frederick City Watershed Cooperative Wildlife Management Areas.