Fort Smallwood Park is a large public park bordering the south side of Baltimore Harbor. Ft Smallwood Park opened its gates in 1929, offering public beaches and recreation space. Any donations go directly to improving Smallwood State Park. Take advantage of over 5,300 acres of waterfront access to cast a line for freshwater fishing in Anne Arundel County parks. A Swim at Your Own Risk policy is in effect at all beaches except at Indiana Dunes State Park. Fishing is a popular leisure time activity enjoyed by many residents. You can see Baltimore in the distance. The park is also open for managed public access during the summer season on specific days. The park is available to groups on a permit basis for civic and nonprofit organizations, weddings, receptions, company picnics and family reunions. It is nestled away and offers camping, hiking trails, boating, fishing as well as the home of General Smallwood. Pool hours may vary by property. This is a small park along the Chesapeake, with small swimming beach, boat ramp and trailer parking and a concession stand. Smallwood state park is very interesting to say the least. Ask JohnBCowgill about Fort Smallwood Park. It's around 1 p.m. on Tuesday and John Condon and his two sons, Jack, 8, and Charlie, 5, are taking turns casting a fishing rod as they wade in the water at Fort Smallwood Park. For more information, visit the Fort Smallwood Park website. Mayo Beach Park is available for cartop boat launch during non-public open swim ⦠Date of experience: October 2018. For more summer fun ideas, check out our 100 Days of Summer page. You have to hike quite a while in the woods to get to the spots where you can swim. Fort Smallwood Park. For any up-to-the minute changes, contact the property you plan to visit. Residents of Baltimore City and from rural farms and villages had the means and time to travel by trains, steamships and, in ever-increasing numbers, automobiles, to the sea or mountains in search of rest, relaxation, and fresh air. Entry fee is $6 per vehicle. AD Being that it is a state park, there is an entrance fee to get in. I dont know Fort Smallwood. From the beach you can look across the water toward Baltimore City and out into the Chesapeake Bay beyond it. For other ideas for a hot day, check out these beaches off the beaten path⦠and other places to swim. Fishing in the Park. Anchoring the northern point of Pasadena and extending into Chesapeake Bay, Fort Smallwood Park (aacounty.org) has beach access, although swimming is not allowed. While permit is free of charge, please feel encouraged to make a donation to the Friends of Smallwood State Park. Photo courtesy of Fort Smallwood Park. Both of these, and Quiet Waters, get jellyfish starting in July so make sure to check charts on that before going. In order to obtain a permit, members of the community can call the park office at 301-743-7613 on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays ⦠The park is open daily from 5:30 a.m. to dusk. Fort Smallwood Park in 2008 The older pier was destroyed in 2003 by Hurricane Isabel, and replaced with this smaller one for fishing and crabbing. A century later, those same attributes make Fort Smallwood Park a wonderful place to spend a day with the family, splashing in the water with a pup, or just sitting alone with a fishing pole. Swimming pools and the beaches may close toward the end of the summer season when lifeguards are unavailable. Although the park is still owned by Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County took over operations of the park in 2006 and swimming is no longer permitted at the park. The park is somewhat small as compared to other state parks. Thank JohnBCowgill .