If you’re looking for one of the best sunrise spots on the East Coast, look no further than Sandy Point State Park. This state park in Annapolis, Maryland sits right on the Chesapeake Bay and gives you a clear view of two lighthouses and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, which makes it a favorite among landscape and sunrise photographers.
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Planning Your Visit
Sandy Point State Park is at 1100 East College Parkway in Annapolis, Maryland, right at the western foot of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. A few things are worth knowing before you go, especially since the park changed its reservation rules in 2025.
Getting There
The park sits right off Route 50, so it’s an easy drive from the DC and Baltimore areas. As you approach the Bay Bridge heading east, watch for the Sandy Point State Park exit signs. Once inside, there’s plenty of parking. For the best view of the lighthouses and the bridge, park in the easternmost lot and walk the short path out to the eastern point.
Hours, Entry Fees, and Reservations
The park is open 7 a.m. to dusk year-round. Entry fees are seasonal and charged at a machine at the gate (cash or card):
- October 1 to April 30: around $3 per vehicle.
- May 1 to September 30, weekdays: around $4 per person.
- May 1 to September 30, weekends and holidays: around $5 per person.
The big change: as of spring 2025, Maryland requires an advance day-use reservation on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The summer beach crowds fill the park and it turns cars away once it hits capacity, so book ahead on the Maryland DNR site if you’re visiting on a summer weekend. Fees and rules change, so confirm current pricing before you go. Outside of summer weekends, you can still just drive up and pay at the gate.
One photographer’s note: in winter the park opens at 7 a.m., which is right around sunrise, so you can drive in and still catch first light. In summer the sun is up well before the 7 a.m. opening, so you’ll miss the actual sunrise from inside the park.
Sandy Point State Park on Google MapsWhat to Photograph
From the eastern point of the park you have three main subjects lined up across the water, all best at sunrise.
- The Chesapeake Bay Bridge: Officially the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bay Bridge, this 4.3-mile dual-span crossing is the dramatic centerpiece to the south. A telephoto compresses the towers into a silhouette against the sunrise; a wide angle works for long exposures with rocks in the foreground.
- Sandy Point Shoal Light: The red-brick caisson lighthouse offshore to the northeast. Built in 1883, it replaced an earlier onshore light that stood where the park is now. It’s still an active aid to navigation and isn’t open to the public, but it photographs beautifully from the rock jetties. My favorite composition lines the jetty rocks up directly with the lighthouse.
- Baltimore Harbor Light: A second caisson lighthouse farther out across the bay to the north. A long telephoto pulls it in over the open water.
Gear I’d bring: a telephoto lens for tight shots of the bridge and lighthouses, plus a wide angle for the beach and jetty foregrounds. A 10-stop ND filter is worth packing to smooth the water into glass during long exposures, which is what I used on my visits. A tripod is essential for the low-light sunrise window.
Best Time for Sunrise
Sandy Point faces east over the Chesapeake Bay, which makes it a true sunrise location (not sunset). Winter is the photographer’s season here for two reasons. First, the sun rises later, right around the park’s 7 a.m. opening, so you can drive in and still catch first light instead of arriving before the gates open. Second, in winter the sun rises further to the southeast, lining up closer to the Bay Bridge for that classic sun-behind-the-towers shot. In summer, sunrise lands well before the park opens and the sun rises to the northeast over open water, away from the bridge.
Check a golden hour calculator for exact sunrise times and aim to be set up 20 to 30 minutes early to catch the color before the sun crests the horizon. If you’re driving in from the eastern shore, I built a tool to check the status of the Bay Bridge before you cross.
Sandy Point State Park Photos
Here are photos from my sunrise and summer visits to Sandy Point State Park, including the Bay Bridge, Sandy Point Shoal Light, and Baltimore Harbor Light.
Sandy Point State Park FAQ
How much does it cost to get into Sandy Point State Park?
From October through April it’s around $3 per vehicle. From May through September it’s charged per person, roughly $4 on weekdays and $5 on weekends and holidays. Fees change, so check the Maryland DNR site for current pricing before you go.
Do you need a reservation for Sandy Point State Park?
Yes, on summer weekends. As of spring 2025, Maryland requires an advance day-use reservation on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The park fills to capacity and turns cars away without one. Outside of those summer weekends, you can drive up and pay at the gate.
What time does Sandy Point State Park open?
The park is open 7 a.m. to dusk year-round. For sunrise photography, winter is ideal because the sun rises around the 7 a.m. opening. In summer the sun is up before the gates open.
Can you see lighthouses from Sandy Point State Park?
Yes. Sandy Point Shoal Light (built 1883) sits just offshore to the northeast and is the easiest to photograph. Baltimore Harbor Light is visible farther out across the bay to the north. Both are best captured with a telephoto lens at sunrise.
Is Sandy Point State Park good for sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise. The park faces east over the Chesapeake Bay, so the sun comes up over the water and the Bay Bridge. It’s one of the best sunrise photography spots in the Annapolis area.
Sandy Point is one of my favorite easy sunrise trips in Maryland. A big thank you to Adam Brockett, who showed me the best angles to shoot the park. If you’re in the area, it pairs well with other photo spots around DC and Maryland.
