The Point Lookout lighthouse is widely cited by paranormal investigators as one of the most haunted locations in the United States.
During the Civil War, the prisoner population at the camp often exceeded the designed capacity of 10,000, leading to severe outbreaks of disease and high mortality rates.
The lighthouse was decommissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1966 before being transferred to the state park system.
The park serves as a critical habitat for the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel.
The site was originally explored by Captain John Smith during his 1608 voyage up the Chesapeake Bay.
Point Lookout State Park is located at the confluence of the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River, marking the southernmost tip of Maryland’s Western Shore. It is historically significant as the site of a Union-run Civil War prisoner-of-war camp that held over 52,000 Confederate soldiers between 1863 and 1865. The park preserves a historic lighthouse constructed in 1830, which stands as one of the oldest in the region. Visitors can access a dedicated Civil War museum and a memorial cemetery where thousands of soldiers are interred. The landscape comprises 643 acres of varied terrain including marshes, beaches, and wooded areas. Recreational activities include fishing, kayaking, and camping within designated zones. Its position on a peninsula makes it a strategic point for migratory bird watching. The site operates under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as a protected public land area.
The historic Point Lookout lighthouse exterior during sunrise or sunset.
Check the official website for seasonal beach closures or water quality advisories before swimming.
Bring insect repellent, as the marshy environment supports a high population of mosquitoes and biting flies.
Visit the visitor center first to obtain a map of the Civil War trail markers.
Do not attempt to swim in areas marked as restricted, as the currents where the river meets the bay are often unpredictable and dangerous.
The campground is typically seasonal; the museum may have limited hours during winter months.
Respect the memorial cemetery grounds by maintaining a quiet demeanor and staying on marked pathways.
