As Marylanders continue navigating a cold and rainy Memorial Day weekend, visitors hoping to take advantage of warmer summer days ahead at “Maryland’s Secret Beach” will once again need to plan ahead before heading out.

Advance reservations are now required for day-use entry at Greenbrier State Park, the increasingly popular Western Maryland destination known for its freshwater swimming lake and white sandy beach.

Located at 21843 National Pike in Boonsboro, Greenbrier has become a favorite summer getaway for Montgomery County residents looking for a beach-style experience without the drive to Ocean City. Less than an hour from much of Montgomery County, the park features a 42-acre man-made freshwater lake, designated swimming areas, hiking trails, fishing, boating, camping, and access to portions of the Appalachian Trail.

The park has exploded in popularity in recent years, often reaching capacity on warm-weather weekends and resulting in long traffic backups and visitors being turned away at the entrance.

To help prevent those issues, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that visitors planning to attend Greenbrier and several other high-traffic parks must reserve day-use entry online before arriving on weekends and holidays through Labor Day.

The reservation system, available through Maryland State Parks Day Use Reservations, is designed to reduce sudden capacity closures and lengthy entrance lines.

Under the policy, reservations are required at Greenbrier, along with Sandy Point State Park, Point Lookout State Park, Newtowne Neck State Park, North Point State Park, Rocky Gap State Park, and Swallow Falls State Park.

Reservations can now be made beginning seven days in advance of a visit and may be edited or canceled until 8am the day before arrival.

Regular day-use fees are paid online at the time of booking using credit cards, debit cards, or other electronic payment methods. Visitors with Maryland Annual Park Passes, Golden Age Passes, or who qualify for free entry as veterans or individuals with disabilities are still required to make reservations ahead of time.

According to the Department of Natural Resources, the reservation system proved highly successful during its first full summer in operation last year. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day 2025, more than 67,000 reservations were processed and parks using the system experienced zero unexpected capacity closures.

State officials are also encouraging visitors to check the Maryland State Parks Status Dashboard before heading out to confirm park conditions, closures, and availability.

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