Elk Neck State Park
Turkey Point lighthouse, North East Beach, an Elk River launch, and wooded camping occupy different parts of one Chesapeake peninsula.
Artwork inspired by Francis Blackwell Mayer
Elk Neck State Park is not one beach with a lighthouse beside it. Its four areas spread across a peninsula between the Chesapeake Bay and Elk River: Turkey Point offers a walk to a small light station and big-water views; North East Beach is the swimming and picnic choice; Rogues Harbor serves boaters; and the Elk River side holds camping.
Pick the area before driving, because roads and parking are not interchangeable. A lighthouse outing is a modest walk with exposure near the bluff, while a beach day brings a day-use charge and designated swimming space. The park’s appeal is the variety of shorelines—marsh, wooded edge, bluff, and sand—rather than a single all-purpose stop. Weather and seasonal facilities can change the experience quickly.
- Peninsula waters
- Bay and Elk River
- Lighthouse access
- Turkey Point trail
- Swim area
- North East Beach
Quick guide
- Choose an area
- Lighthouse, beach, launch, and camping have different arrivals.
- Protect the bluff
- Stay on the marked Turkey Point route near eroding edges.
Know before you go
- Decide on your shore
- A beach day and lighthouse hike are different trips.
- Follow the headland
- Turkey Point opens broad Chesapeake views.
- Watch the edge
- Erosion makes unofficial bluff shortcuts unsafe.
- Check facilities
- Beach, campground, and boat services have separate seasons.
Good to know
The park is geographically dispersed. Do not use a central map pin as a substitute for the specific beach, lighthouse, launch, or campsite arrival you plan to use.
Notice these
- Turkey Point Light
- North East Beach
- Four-area park