St. Clements Island State Park Guide (Boat Ride, Lighthouse, & Maryland’s First Landing)
Planning a visit to St. Clements Island State Park? Here’s how to reserve the boat, climb the lighthouse, and explore Maryland’s first landing site.
Estimated reading time: 14 minutes
St. Clements Island State Park is not convenient.
That’s the first thing you need to know.
It’s way down in St. Mary’s County. You don’t “swing by” this park. You commit to it.
And then you get on a boat.
That alone makes it different from every other Maryland state park.
But wow… this is a Maryland state park experience I mightily recommend. We decided to check it out on a Southern Maryland weekend trip, and I am so glad we did. Apart from the rich history of this state park, just the fact that it’s so remote, so gorgeous, and kind of an adventure– that made this a must do experience for any Maryland family!
Related: The 20 Best Maryland State Parks for Families
You Don’t Drive Here — You Board Here
The adventure starts behind the St. Clements Island Museum in Coltons Point.
There’s a small dock.
A covered water taxi.
A handful of people waiting quietly.
When we climbed aboard, the captain untied the lines and we eased away from the pier. The mainland started shrinking behind us, and ahead — just a small stretch of green in the middle of the Potomac River.
The ride is only about 10 minutes. Long enough to feel like you’ve gone somewhere. Short enough that kids don’t get restless.
We passed old wooden pilings sticking out of the water. One had a huge osprey nest on top. The bird lifted off as we approached, wings wide against a bright blue sky.
That’s when it hit me — this place still feels wild.
Related: Another nearby historical site is Historic Sotterly.. definitely worth a visit!
Boat Taxi Details (Because You Do Need a Plan)
The island is only accessible by the seasonal water taxi run by the museum.
Departure Location:
38370 Point Breeze Road
Coltons Point, MD 20626
Season: Typically late March through October (always double-check before you go)
Cost (round trip):
Adults: around $7–8
Children: reduced rate
Very young kids: often free
The boat runs on a schedule. It does not run continuously.
If you’re driving more than an hour (and you probably are), call ahead or reserve online when possible. Southern Maryland does not operate on “we’ll figure it out when we get there” energy.
Related: You can also visit Piney Point Lighthouse, not too far from this area
First Landing of Maryland (March 25, 1634)
This tiny island is where Maryland began.
In 1634, Governor Leonard Calvert and roughly 140 settlers arrived aboard two ships — The Ark and The Dove. They landed here first before establishing St. Mary’s City.
A cross was erected.
Mass was celebrated.
The colony was officially underway.
Today, that moment is marked by the enormous white memorial cross near the lighthouse.
When you stand at the base of it and read the plaque — the one that begins “To this island in March, 1634…” — it feels weighty without feeling theatrical.
There’s something grounding about reading that inscription with the wind coming off the water.
What the Island Actually Feels Like
Yeah, this island is actually really quiet.
Not the “curated peaceful” kind of quiet.
Just open grass. Trees. Water in every direction.
A shaded pavilion sits off to one side — picnic tables underneath, filtered light through the leaves. It looks like the kind of place where a family reunion could unfold slowly over an afternoon.
There’s no snack stand. No playground. No gift shop.
Just space. (Note: There are plenty of restroom facilities though.. so you don’t have to ‘rough’ it in that sense).
Related: Another nearby state park with great beach access is Point Lookout State Park!
The Lighthouse (And Yes, You Can Climb It)
The reconstructed Blackistone Lighthouse stands white and simple against the sky.
From a distance, it looks almost modest.
Up close, it feels sturdier.
My daughter walked ahead of me along the brick path toward the door. The grass was dotted with tiny yellow flowers. Three flags — Maryland, U.S., and St. Mary’s County — snapped in the breeze.
Inside, the staircase curves tightly along the brick wall. The wood steps are polished smooth from years of visitors.
It’s narrow. You’ll brush the wall on your way up.
When you reach the top, the view opens suddenly — water in every direction, the mainland stretching thin along the horizon.
The views are honestly spectacular. I mean, it helped that it was a perfectly sunny late spring Maryland day. I have no idea how warm the top of the lighthouse is in the summer. But being on an island, there is likely a cross breeze.
Related: Calvert Cliffs State Park in Calvert County has a lot to offer families!
The Porch View (Don’t Rush This Part)
On the lighthouse porch, there are white wooden rocking chairs facing the river.
If it’s not occupied, sit in one of them and just chill.
The railing frames the shoreline below. The wind moves through the trees. The Potomac shifts from gray to blue depending on the light.
It’s one of the simplest views I’ve seen in Maryland.
And one of the best.
Related: Want to hunt for shark teeth? Here are the best places in Southern Maryland to find them!
Wildlife & Water
Old wooden markers rise from the water around the island — some topped with osprey nests, some empty.
We watched one bird glide low across the surface, barely touching the air above the river.
The shoreline itself is rocky in places. You won’t swim here. You won’t sunbathe here.
But you’ll stand at the edge and just look.
Don’t Skip the St. Clements Island Museum
Before or after your boat ride, go inside the museum.
It’s small.
It’s also surprisingly engaging.
The main gallery has Maryland flags suspended overhead. There’s a massive painting depicting the first landing. Exhibits explain who came, why they came, and what happened next.
One display covers the “Black Diamond Incident,” a Civil War-era ship explosion that occurred nearby. The interpretive sign sits outside on the mainland overlooking the water — history layered on history.
Inside, there’s a life-sized cutout of Josephine Freeman McWilliams, a lighthouse keeper. Her story is displayed beside photographs and family details. That human element makes the lighthouse feel less abstract.
There’s even a small interactive “touch zone” exhibit with colonial-era items — something kids will actually lean into instead of walking past.
Practical Info
St. Clements Island State Park
Accessible only by boat
Boat Departure & Museum Address:
38370 Point Breeze Road
Coltons Point, MD 20626
Island Hours:
Open sunrise to sunset
Lighthouse Interior:
Seasonal hours (typically late spring through early fall; check current schedule)
Parking:
Free at the mainland dock
Island Admission:
Free
Boat ride requires ticket purchase
St. Clement’s Island Museum
Open daily, 10am to 5pm, and only closed on 3 days in the entire year, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. (note: currently closed for renovations)
Museum Admission $3 for adults, $1.50 for children age 6 and up. Note: If you purchase water taxi tickets, the museum admission is included.
Bring water. There are no concessions on the island.
Watch your return boat time. It will leave without you.
Related: The Calvert Marine Museum has a ton of exhibits on Maryland’s maritime history
Is It Worth the Drive?
If you want:
- Crowds and boardwalk snacks — no.
- A traditional beach day — no.
- A unique Maryland experience with real historical weight — absolutely.
This park requires effort.
But that effort makes it feel earned.
You board a boat, cross open water, and then step onto the same shoreline where Maryland began.
And for a few hours, everything slows down.
How to Turn This Into a Proper Southern Maryland Day Trip
Because let’s be honest.
You probably didn’t drive all the way down to Coltons Point just to spend 90 minutes on an island and turn around.
If you’re coming from Baltimore, Annapolis, or even DC, this is at least a half-day commitment in the car.
So let’s make it worth it.
Here’s how I would structure the day.
Related: Spend an enchanting afternoon at the Annmarie Sculpture Garden
Stop #1: St. Clements Island + Museum (Morning)
Start with the boat ride.
Mornings tend to be calmer on the water, and you’ll avoid the heat climbing the lighthouse stairs later in the day.
Plan for:
- Boat ride (10 minutes each way)
- 60–90 minutes on the island
- 30–45 minutes inside the museum
Longer if you linger. And honestly, you probably will.
Stop #2: Lunch in Leonardtown
After you finish at the island, drive about 20 minutes to Leonardtown.
It’s charming. Walkable. Waterfront-adjacent.
You’ll find:
- Casual seafood spots
- Sandwich and café options
- Ice cream for kids who need a bribe
The downtown area is small enough that you can park once and stroll. After spending the morning in open grassy space and historical exhibits, it feels nice to reset somewhere with food and air conditioning.
Stop #3: Seventh District Community Park (If You Have Wiggle Monsters)
If your kids are like mine, history has a time limit.
On the drive back toward St. Clements Island and Coltons Point, you’ll pass Seventh District Community Park.
You can actually do this before lunch or after lunch. It all depends on how much your family’s blood sugar is crashing.
And it is a fantastic stop.
Big playground.
Open fields.
Space to run.
It’s the perfect “you were patient all morning, now go burn energy” reward.
You could easily:
- Do island + museum in the morning
- Lunch in Leonardtown
- Playground stop mid-afternoon
- Head home happy and tired
That’s a full day without feeling rushed.
Related: Check out this guide to all the best playgrounds in Southern Maryland!
Want It All Planned Out for You?
If you’d rather not piece this together yourself, I created a mobile-friendly St. Clements Island Day Trip Itinerary that walks you through the entire day from start to finish.
It includes:
- A complete start-to-finish family day trip plan
- Curated stops and timing suggestions
- Kid-friendly activity ideas
- A streamlined, done-for-you schedule
Basically — no research spiral required.
It’s designed specifically for Maryland families who want a fun day out without spending three hours Googling logistics.
