Purse State Park

About Purse State Park

Pse State Park is located on the Potomac River near Wades Bay and is an unforested area used as a recreational area for hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and other outdoor activities.

Parking is along Maryland Route 224, with a 0.25-mile trail leading to the water, and a sign for hunters is next to a parking lot. Hunters are only allowed to stay in the area for 10 one and two-stroke engines each; signs - in boxes for hunters are located in the nearest parking lots.

Fossil hunting has become a popular activity at Purse, and permanent waterfowl blinds are available on the "first come, first served" basis. While hunting waterfowl is at its best in the latter half of the season, Purse does not behave like other Maryland national parks.

There is very little beach at high tide, so check the tides before you come and check the tides before you come. I found a fossilized shark tooth in the water, as well as several other interesting fossils, such as a sea lion head and a shark jaw.

For birdwatchers who like to explore the parking lot on foot, there are some unmarked trails created by hunters. These paths wind through woodland and along the edge of small wetlands and are not marked. If you use these unmarked paths, you should be equipped with a map and compass.

Fishermen need a Bay Sport and Tidal fishing licence to fish in the area and Wades Bay is open to the public daily from 9am to 5pm.

During the summer months, Wades Bay is filled with flooded water and vegetation, which often makes fishing a challenge. In the winter months it is a great place for fishing, but in the summer it fills with flood water, vegetation that often makes fishing a challenge.