Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
St. Michaels, MD
A waterfront campus with a screwpile lighthouse, working boatyard and the largest collection of Chesapeake Bay boats.
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels was founded in 1965 by the Historical Society of Talbot County. Its 18-acre (7 ha) waterfront campus is on Navy Point and has more than 35 buildings, including historic structures moved here from elsewhere. By its own account, the museum has the world's largest collection of Chesapeake Bay watercraft, with more than 100 boats and boat models. The 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse was moved to the grounds in 1966 and has been open to the public since May 1967.
A working boatyard operates on site: the marine railway and boat shop date from 1974 and 1977 and offer restoration projects and hands-on programs. The floating fleet is moored at the docks, including the Edna E. Lockwood, a bugeye sailboat built in 1889 and a National Historic Landmark. Check the museum for current hours and programs.
- Nearest town
- St. Michaels, MD
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 38.7881, -76.2209
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Cold, short days in January. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
© Office of Naval Research from Arlington, United States · CC BY 2.0U.S. Naval Academy
© Ser_Amantio_di_Nicolao · CC BY-SA 3.0Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center
© Ser_Amantio_di_Nicolao · CC BY-SA 3.0Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
© Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0Calvert Cliffs State Park
Campsites nearby
- Madison Bay Campground, Marina, and RestaurantMotorhome stopover19 mi from Chesapeake Bay Maritime MuseumTentsMotorhomesElectricity
- Breezy Point Beach and CampgroundCampsite20 mi from Chesapeake Bay Maritime MuseumTentsCaravansDrinking waterToilets
- Tuckahoe State Park Non-Electric LoopCampsite21 mi from Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum · 21 pitchesTentsCaravans
- Bay Shore CampgroundCampsite21 mi from Chesapeake Bay Maritime MuseumTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking water
- Martinak State Park Camp Loop BCampsite21 mi from Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum · 30 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricity
- Martinak State Park Camp Loop ACampsite21 mi from Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum · 30 pitchesTentsCaravans
All campsites in Maryland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum?
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is in St. Michaels, MD, at GPS 38.7881, -76.2209. It is about 8 mi from Oxford.
Can you camp near Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camp Wright, about 14 mi away; within 25 mi there are 11 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum?
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Chesapeake Bay: Annapolis to Blackwater.
What is there to see near Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum?
Places worth a stop nearby: U.S. Naval Academy (20 mi), Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center (24 mi), Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (24 mi) and Calvert Cliffs State Park (30 mi).
When is the best time to visit Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)