Overview
Point Lookout is the southern-most point of Southern Maryland.
4 sights · 3 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Point Lookout
Confederate Memorial Park
During the Civil War, General George McClellan's Peninsula Campaign failed to capture Richmond, and the Union Army built a hospital at Point Lookout to treat the injured soldiers. After the Battle of Gettysburg, the Unio…
Civil War Museum
A museum about Point Lookout's history as a prisoner-of-war camp for captured Confederate soldiers and civilians.
Fort Lincoln
Fort Lincoln was one of three forts built to defend Point Lookout during the Civil War. It is the only surviving structure from the Civil War at Point Lookout. Fort Lincoln is a four-sided earthen fort with cannon platfo…
Point Lookout Lighthouse
Lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula, built in 1830.
Boat Launch Ramp
Fishing Pier
A 710-foot-long fishing pier. A valid Coastal Sport Fishing license and appropriate stamps are required for those age 16 and older.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 34°F. Wettest: Jul and Aug. (climate data from nearby Eastern Virginia)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SBY Salisbury Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport, Salisbury — 49 mi away. Directions
- PHF Newport News Williamsburg International Airport, Newport News — 64 mi away. Directions
- RIC Richmond International Airport, Richmond — 66 mi away (major hub). Directions
Point Lookout is found at the end of Maryland Route 5.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Fort Lincoln, Swimming Beach, Fishing Pier
- Lunch Buzzy's Country Store
- Afternoon Boat Launch Ramp, Point Lookout Lighthouse
- Dinner Ridge Market
Day 2
- Morning Confederate Memorial Park
- Afternoon Civil War Museum
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Point Lookout is found at the end of Maryland Route 5.
From the Washington, D.C., area, take the Capital Beltway to Exit 7A, Route 5 South. Take it to the end.
From Annapolis, take Route 2 South. At the end, make a left onto Route 4 South. After crossing the Gov. Johnson Bridge, make a left onto Route 235 South. At the end, make a left onto Route 5 South. Take it to the end.
There are ferries between Point Lookout and Smith Island.
See
See Confederate Memorial Park
During the Civil War, General George McClellan's Peninsula Campaign failed to capture Richmond, and the Union Army built a hospital at Point Lookout to treat the injured soldiers. After the Battle of Gettysburg, the Union established a prisoner-of-war site at Point Lookout for captured prisoners. During its two-year existence, more than 50,000 prisoners were at the site. Only tents were provided to prisoners for shelter, which were insufficient, and 3,384 prisoners died. The prisoners were originally buried in two cemeteries nearby. In 1870, the state of Maryland moved the bodies to a more favorable site one-mile inland, and the individual graves could not be identified, so the remains were buried in a common grave. An 80-foot-tall granite monument was built at the gravesite, with the known names of the people buried at the site. There is a marble monument as well.
See Civil War Museum
A museum about Point Lookout's history as a prisoner-of-war camp for captured Confederate soldiers and civilians.
See Fort Lincoln
Fort Lincoln was one of three forts built to defend Point Lookout during the Civil War. It is the only surviving structure from the Civil War at Point Lookout. Fort Lincoln is a four-sided earthen fort with cannon platforms, a powder magazine, and a sally port entrance. The fort itself is original, but the four buildings inside the fort are reconstructions based on military blueprints.
Do
Do Boat Launch Ramp
Do Fishing Pier
A 710-foot-long fishing pier. A valid Coastal Sport Fishing license and appropriate stamps are required for those age 16 and older.
Buy
Shop Park Store
The park store sells snacks, ice cream, drinks, bait, ice, souvenirs, and supplies for boating, picnicking, and camping. Canoe rentals are available.
Eat
Sleep
Stay Point Lookout State Park Camping and Cabins
143 wooded campsites, including 26 with full hook-ups, 33 with electric, and 1 for youth groups. Also has 5 four-person camper cabins for overnight stays. There are fire rings for cooking. Pets, smoking, and cooking are not allowed inside the cabins.
Go next
Nearby
St. Mary's City
City / town · 8 listings · 11 mi away
Lexington Park
City / town · 19 listings · 16 mi away
Smith Island
City / town · 4 listings · 17 mi away
Hooper's Island
City / town · 5 listings · 18 mi away
Solomons
City / town · 7 listings · 21 mi away
Leonardtown
City / town · 7 listings · 24 mi away
Crisfield
City / town · 6 listings · 26 mi away
Cobb Island
City / town · 6 listings · 32 mi away
My experience
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