PORT TOBACCO, Md. — Visitors to Chapel Point State Park will soon be required to pay a vehicle entrance fee as part of a new automated gate system launching next month, according to state and county officials.
Beginning Monday, May 4, 2026, the park’s automated gate system will become operational, implementing a $5 per vehicle day-use fee. The fee will be payable by credit card only at the entrance.
According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the system will begin operating May 4, with a $5 per vehicle charge payable by credit card only.
Chapel Point State Park is managed in part by Charles County Parks & Recreation under a long-term lease agreement with the state. In 2018, the Maryland Board of Public Works approved a 25-year lease allowing Charles County to oversee approximately 50 acres of the park for public recreation, including access roads and shoreline along the Port Tobacco River.
The park, located at 8950 Chapel Point Road in Port Tobacco, operates daily from 7 a.m. to dusk and remains a popular destination for fishing, boating and other outdoor activities. The roughly 600-acre property offers waterfront access along the Port Tobacco River, a tributary of the Potomac River.
Officials said the automated system is part of ongoing efforts to improve park access and operations. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead, as no cash payment option will be available at the entrance.
For more information, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources park page at dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/southern/chapelpoint
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“The park, located at 2750 Sweden Point Road in Marbury,”
I think the anbove address belongs to Smallwood State Park. Chapel Point State Park is off Rt 301 onto Chapel Point Rd in Bel Alton.
What a great idea, putting a credit card reading device miles from anywhere! Surely no one will add a card skimming device to it. At least not for the first few days.
One would guess that the newer Chuck County residents wouldn’t be able to figure out the old ‘drop box – honor system’, whereas it requires honesty.
That’s a really good point about a card skimmer. The drop box worked for me. It’s a real shame what has happened to the beach with all the slobs who have no respect and throw all their “stuff” on the ground or in the water when a trash can is nearby.
Charge more $20 keep it clean they trash it