Bonfires on the Chesapeake

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BigWalmac

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Aug 3, 2012
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Maryland
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It's been 20 years since I overnighted on the hook on the Chesapeake. As I plan to do a lot of that this year I was wondering what the rules are for setting a bonfire/ campfire on the beach in various coves. Is it always a no-no? Are there beaches where it is allowed? Etc. Etc.

I'll be boating out of the south river but willing to cruise for an hour or two north and south of it means I can find a nice cove that allows this idea.

Thanks!


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In Maryland, every county has their own rules. You need to look them up depending on where you are planning on going.

As a general rule in Maryland. Don't. Just don't. :smt013 Only kidding. Every county and park seems to have a different take on things.

For Hart-Miller Island.

Camping
Camping is available from May 1-September 30. Hart-Miller Island State Park offers 22 campsites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are 6 campsites at the main camping area on Hart-Miller Island, 11 sites at Hawk Cove, and 5 sites on Pleasure Island. All sites have a picnic table, lantern post and campfire grill. Water supply and restrooms are available only on Hart-Miller Island. A registration fee of $6.00 per site/per night will be collected after you set up. Campfires may only be built in the fire rings provided.
 
Good to know. I'll check the counties. Heart Miller was all I saw too. Any other places to camp like Heart Miller? Also any ideas on Eastern shore rules?


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15 years ago we did it at Still Pond all the time. Not sure if anything has changed.


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I have seen the remnants of a bonfire or two at Fairlee Creek on the little stretch of beach on the right as you go in. I don't know if they were legal or not.
 
quality time said:
15 years ago we did it at Still Pond all the time. Not sure if anything has changed.


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That's exactly what and where I remember... But as you say it's 15 years ago and questionable legality... Trying to figure both other locations and legality out now...


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BigWalmac said:
It's been 20 years since I overnighted on the hook on the Chesapeake. As I plan to do a lot of that this year I was wondering what the rules are for setting a bonfire/ campfire on the beach in various coves. Is it always a no-no? Are there beaches where it is allowed? Etc. Etc.

I'll be boating out of the south river but willing to cruise for an hour or two north and south of it means I can find a nice cove that allows this idea.

Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Anyone else have anything to lend?


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Coasties have been chasing people off of the point at Still Pond for a while. At least someone I know (not ME of course, I would never do such a thing LOL) was chased off in 2012 or so. But you could try the spit at the mouth of Churn Creek (also in the general Still Pond area). Belly Button Beach is a good place for it. That's a cove between Fair Lee and Worton Creek. Marked on maps as Button Beach. Not sure it is "legal" per se in any of these places, but people sure do it. And there is a ton of fuel (driftwood) right on the beach at BB. Not an ideal place to overnight as it is exposed to the open Bay, but on the right night it is doable... if you have a dinghy. Big boat needs to stay offshore a bit, but the little boat can be sued as a landing craft.
 
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