The 18 Best Playgrounds in Southern Maryland

Looking for the best playgrounds in Southern Maryland? Whether you’re a local or visiting for the day, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties are full of incredible parks where kids can climb, swing, slide, and explore.

From waterfront playgrounds with stunning views to shaded nature-themed play areas and fully inclusive equipment, these spots are perfect for toddlers, big kids, and everyone in between. Many also feature walking trails, picnic pavilions, and sports courts—making them ideal for turning a quick play stop into a full family day out.

Calvert County

Calvert Cliffs State Park Tire Playground

I don’t know why we love tire playgrounds so much, but we do. Maybe it is because they just seem so… scrappy. (ha. pun intended).

Kids can climb on the spine of a fire breathing dragon and then pull its tongue out. Or, maybe pretend they are swashbuckling pirates and sail the open seas on board the huge pirate ship made out of tires.

There are tire swings, tire spider web bouncy play features, tires towers, and tires, tires everywhere!

Address: 10540 H G Trueman Rd, Lusby, MD 20657

Hallowing Point Park

This is a great local park and playground. There are plenty of ball fields and walking paths. The playground has great slides, climbing structures, and more. Oh, and there is shade! Whoop whoop!

Address: 4755 Hallowing Point Rd, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Callis Park

This is such a lovely playground, about 1 block from North Beach and Boardwalk.

The playground has play features that would appeal to younger and older kids. Tons of climbing structures, slides, swings, spinning features, and more. There is a nice tot lot too that is fenced in and a shaded picnic area.

Address: 2910 Chesapeake Ave Suite 101D, North Beach, MD 20714

Cove Point Park

Another fantastic playground in Lusby, MD. This playground is massive with tons of slides, climbing walls, ride-on’s, and more! There is a separate tot lot area, as well as numerous swings.

Address: 750 Cove Point Rd, Lusby, MD 20657

Dunkirk District Park

This park houses two Calvert County landmarks: Drum Point Lighthouse & The W.B. Tennison.

The play structures for older kids are super fun, including a three story tower with giant slides and a big glider structure; and what a great zip line

️The playground is huge with 4 play structures,10 different slides, a giant zipline and lots and lots of swings for all abilities. (ADA compliant playground)

There is shaded seating for parents and caregivers was a nice touch

Small gazebo structure covered picnic tables and some that are not covered.

porta potty like bathrooms but stationary near larger playground, smaller playground has regular flushing toilets there

Address: 10750 Southern Maryland Blvd, Dunkirk, MD 20754

Charles County

Laurel Springs Regional Park

This park has a fantastic playground that is a fully inclusive playground. They even have a swing for kids in wheelchairs!

There is also a walking trail that is wooded and goes around the perimeter of the park.

Address: 5940 Radio Station Rd, La Plata, MD 20646

Bensville Park

Another great playground in Charles County that recently got a new zipline upgrade. Fun!

This playground has plenty of slides, swings, climbing structures and more. There are separate play areas for younger and older kids.

Address: 6980 Bensville Rd, White Plains, MD 20695

Gilbert Run Park

This is a great park near La Plata that has great options for hiking, a playground, and boating. There is a nice lake and paddle boat, kayak, and canoe rentals. The playground is a good size with separate areas for younger and older kids. It also has a super fun zipline!

There are public restrooms.

Address: 13140 Charles St, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622

St. Mary’s County

Judge P.H. Dorsey Memorial Park

A little further out of the main Leonardtown area, Dorsey Park’s newly renovated playground is a climber’s dream. One of their playsets is almost entirely made of ropes and ladders, plus there’s a separate dome rope ladder structure.

Sitting beside the toddler playset are also multiple musical instruments like xylophones and a metal drum that is pleasant on the ears no matter who is playing it. If you’ve got a little one who likes to swing, there’s even an adult and child swing so you can swing together!

Finding shade is also easy because there’s a pavilion and picnic table right in the center of the playground.

Also on park grounds, you’ll find multiple tennis courts, multi-sport fields, and baseball fields, as well as a lighted batting cage. Nestled behind the playground are also a grass volley ball court and basketball court. You’ll also find a hiking trail behind the basketball court where you can go geocaching. And, don’t forget to hunt for the More to Explore code during the summer months. This one is tricky, though. We still haven’t found it!

There are public restrooms by the ball fields.

Address: 24275 Hollywood Rd, Hollywood, MD 20636

Seventh District Park

The Seventh District Community Park in St. Mary’s County is about 10 minutes from downtown Leonardtown and right on the way to St. Clements Island State Park and Colton’s Landing.
I am sure the park gets busy when there are sports games on the fields but when we visited there were literally 4 other people there. 4. 😁

🚽 yes! Public restrooms next to the playground.
🧺 a covered pavilion and lots of space to run around.

Address: 23035 Colton Point Rd; Bushwood, MD 20618

Miedzinski Playground/Wieck Playground

There used to be a beloved wooden playground at this spot… and then a few years ago they tore it down and in it’s place built this amazing.. even better… playground. This playground is great for kids of all ages and has a lot of super fun play features.

There are great slides, climbing features, a pirate themed play structure for younger kids, ride-on’s, and more.

This playground is fenced in, plenty of parking, some shade, and public restrooms.

Address: 23145 Leonard Hall Dr, Leonardtown, MD 20650

John G. Lancaster Park

Note: This park was completely renovated in 2023! Click here to see photos from the new playground.

While visibly worn from the sun, the playground at this park is really quite neat. There are two playsets-one is built to look like an airplane, complete with wings, departure slides, and steering wheels.

Surrounding this set are various spring riders shaped like airplanes and dinosaurs kids will love. Also attached is a table and benches shaped to look like an airport lounge. The second playset my kids refer to as “the exercise park” because it has child-height pull up bar, climbing net, zip line, and various climbing structures to work their way around.

The park also features multiple sports fields, including two newly renovated synthetic turf fields. Intertwined throughout the park is a paved path that leads you through the woods, around the fields, and even passed the fenced-in dog park. The dog park is split into large dog and small dog sections and has lots of running space as well as tunnels, climbing structures, and various picnic tables for you to rest.

There are multiple picnic spots, including tables under trees, near the playground, and under 4 different pavilions. You can find a More to Explore code in the summer months (hint: not near the playground), and do some geocaching while at the park.

Tucked behind the monument honoring the 700 black soldiers from St. Mary’s County who fought for the Union Army during the Civil War, you’ll also find a disc golf course. As of summer, 2021, the course is currently under renovation. While you’re still welcome to play, signs ask you to yield to construction workers.

There are public restrooms.

Address: 21550 Willows Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653

Chancellor’s Run Playground

Located just off Chancellor’s Run Road, Chancellor’s Run Regional Park has a lot to offer, including a basketball court, sand volleyball court, bocce ball courts, and a fenced in pickleball and tennis courts. You’ll also find two nearly renovated synthetic multisport fields as well as two Bermuda grass fields. In the center of the park are multiple baseball diamonds and a batting cage surrounding the bathrooms inside the center building.

The playground is located near the back of the park and has a climbing net, older child playset, and toddler playset. There are swings and a rock wall tunnel. A pavilion and lots a grass for running surround the playground as well. And don’t forget to hunt for the More to Explore code during the summer months.

With entrances behind both rear fields as well as behind the senior center, you can also enjoy a simple half-mile fitness trail that’s great for kids of all ages. There are some muddy spots after rainy days, so be prepared with boots or mud-friendly footwear. The best part of the trail, though is the small stream it runs along that’s perfect for finding bugs or just splashing around.

There are public restrooms.

Address: Horsehead Rd, Great Mills, MD 20634

St. Clement’s Shores Park

This is really a lovely, quiet park with some excellent play features and a bright and updated playground.

There are great slides and swings for older and younger kids, as well as climbing features and more.

I love the forest grove that the playground backs up to as well.

Plenty of parking and port-a-potties.

Address: 22300 Meadow Ln, Leonardtown, MD 20650

George B. Cecil Park

Another excellent playground with really bright and updated play features. There are great slides for older kids and a tot lot play structure for younger kids.

This lovely park also has climbing walls, a big climbing knot, and some faux boulders for scrambling opportunities.

There are public restrooms and plenty of parking.

Address: 19241 St Georges Church Rd, Valley Lee, MD 20692

Chaptico Park

Chaptico Park is a lovely park with great play features for younger and older kids. There are slides, swings, and climbing features.

This park is also co-located with SoMD BMX.

There is plenty of parking and public restrooms available.

Address: 26600 Budds Creek Rd, Mechanicsville, MD 20659

John V. Baggett Park

This is a fantastic playground. It has really fun slides and climbing features. There are swings for younger kids, older kids, and kids with accessibility needs.

The 3-notch trail runs behind the playground and is a wooded trail that is about 2 miles end to end.

Address: 26929 Three Notch Rd, Mechanicsville, MD 20659

Fifth District Park

Plenty of parking and port-a-potties available. This is a fantastic playground for both younger and older kids! There are tons of climbing features, swings, and slides for older and younger kids.

Address: Google Maps Directions

Southern Maryland is packed with playgrounds that blend fun, fresh air, and plenty of space for kids to burn energy. Have a favorite we didn’t include? Drop it in the comments or tag us in your next playground visit—we’d love to see it! If this guide helped you discover a new park to explore, be sure to save it for later or share it with a friend so you can plan your next Southern Maryland adventure together.

The 18 Best Playgrounds in Southern Maryland

Calvert County