Quiet Waters Dog Beach gives dogs an off-leash stretch of sandy shoreline on the South River in Annapolis, Maryland. The beach is only partly enclosed, and people may not swim or wade here. It is a different destination from Quiet Waters Park’s fenced dog runs, so check the park map before choosing where to walk.
Archival photo, July 4, 2017: Dog Playing at Quiet Waters Park in Anne Arundel County Maryland by JoshuaCrawford, CC BY-SA 4.0. Original image unchanged. Current conditions may differ.
Plan your visit
- Park entrance: 600 Quiet Waters Park Road, Annapolis, MD 21403. The dog beach is inside the park, beyond the entrance.
- Hours: The county lists 7 a.m. to dusk daily, with Thanksgiving and Christmas closures. Dusk changes with the season; do not plan around a fixed 8:30 p.m. closing time.
- Entry fee: The standard daily vehicle pass is $8. Check the county’s current pass options for discounts and annual passes.
- What to bring: A leash, waste bags, fresh drinking water, a bowl and towels for the trip home.
September 6, 2026 access notice: The county has announced a temporary closure of the park’s south end beyond the yellow gates from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Check the official park page before setting out, including for other temporary restrictions.
Find the dog beach entrance
Enter the main park from Quiet Waters Park Road, then use the county map and posted signs to reach the dog-beach trail. The map marks the beach on the South River shoreline, separately from the inland dog park. Parking M is shown beside the dog-park area, with parking N and restrooms farther along the road near the overlook approach. Expect to walk from parking to the beach; the map does not establish an accessible beach route or a guaranteed walking time.
Official park map: Open the Quiet Waters Park map to see the beach, dog park, parking and trails. The same map is linked from the county’s park reference page.
Beach play and the separate dog park
Dogs can play and swim at the beach, but partial enclosure makes reliable recall important. Keep your dog within the beach and the water directly in front of it, away from the woods behind the shore.
If separate small- and large-dog enclosures are your priority, those are at the fenced dog park elsewhere in Quiet Waters Park. Its Tuesday maintenance closure, 8 to 11 a.m., applies to the dog park; the county lists the dog beach as open during normal park hours. Do not expect the beach itself to have those separate runs.
Rules before you enter
The county’s dog-beach rules limit each adult to two dogs. Keep dogs leashed outside the beach, carry a leash inside, supervise them and clean up waste. Dogs must be healthy, vaccinated and wear identification. Children under six, puppies under four months, dogs in heat and aggressive dogs are not allowed. Food and smoking are prohibited. Swimming and wading are prohibited for people.
What other visitors say
Summer 2026 visitors describe dogs enjoying the water and owners combining a beach stop with walks around the wider park. Some mention a small beach that fills quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. August visitors had different experiences of cleanliness: one praised it, while another noticed debris washed in from the water.
Other visitors mention a warm walk from parking, limited room to spread out and fountains that were not all working. Bring your own drinking water and allow time for the walk. These are visitors’ experiences, and conditions can change. Read current Quiet Waters Dog Beach reviews before your trip; follow county rules whenever a review conflicts with them.
More options and updates
Browse other Maryland dog parks if a shoreline visit does not suit your dog. Last researched August 31, 2026; no site visit was made. For park access questions, the county lists 410-222-1777.