Secret's out! The once-hidden U.S beach that's now so popular that reservations are needed
The secret is out.
A Maryland state park with a beach once considered a hidden gem is now so popular that a reservation system has been introduced.
From this Saturday, May 24, visitors to Greenbrier State Park will need to book a day-use reservation for weekends and holidays through Labor Day, the first Monday in September.
Last year 504,262 people visited Greenbrier State Park, in the Appalachian Mountains, and lines to gain entry formed as early as midnight, according to marylandmatters.org, with visitors desperate to secure a prime spot next to its 42-acre man-made freshwater lake and white sandy beach.
A reservation system has also been introduced for Maryland's Sandy Point State Park, located along the northwestern shore of Chesapeake Bay.
In 2024, it received more than one million visitors, its popularity partly down to the one-mile-long strip of sand there that offers views of Chesapeake Bay Bridge.
Day-use entrance fees ranging between $3 and $7 for both parks are already in place.
However, Tim Hamilton, Maryland Park Service marketing manager, told marylandmatters.org that "something had to be done" about crowds that sometimes ballooned to a point where they became a safety issue.
Park rangers in place to keep an eye on hikers and swimmers ended up being stretched thin as they managed swelling visitor numbers.
The Maryland Park Service said: "This new system requires all visitors to reserve their day-use passes in advance during peak times, to reduce overcrowding, limit traffic backups at park entrances, reduce the frequency of capacity closures, and ensure that every visitor knows they have a space before arriving."
Maryland Park Service Director Angela Crenshaw said: "The goal of this new day-use reservation system is making our parks more welcoming and accessible to all.
"By allowing visitors to plan ahead, we're helping families make the most of their time outdoors — with less stress and more confidence that they'll have a great day in our state parks."
Reservations can be made up to seven days prior to arriving.
The system at Maryland isn't a first, with Lake Tahoe's Sand Harbor State Park introducing a reservation process in April following a trial run in 2024.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
9 minutes ago
- Fox News
Rory McIlroy's new driver brings about concern as he shoots second-highest PGA Tour score before U.S. Open
Rory McIlroy might have some serious driver troubles heading into next week's U.S. Open. The 2025 Masters winner missed the cut by 12 strokes at the RBC Canadian Open, shooting an 8-over 78 on Friday, which was his second-highest score in any PGA Tour event for his career. The last time McIlroy shot a 78 was in the first round of The Open in 2024. McIlroy said his round "concerns me," and what professional golfer wouldn't be worried after carding a quadruple bogey as well as one double bogey and four bogeys to go with just two birdies. "You don't want to shoot high scores like the one I did today," McIlroy said, per ESPN. "Still, I felt like I came here obviously with a new driver thinking that that sort of was going to be good and solve some of the problems off the tee, but it didn't." McIlroy's driver has been a point of emphasis since the PGA Championship last month, where it was leaked that he had a nonconforming driver that was unusable after pre-tournament testing. Scottie Scheffler, the winner at Quail Hollow Club that week, also had a nonconforming driver, but his name wasn't publicly known. However, McIlroy was ticked off his name got out there, and he skipped media sessions the entire tournament. He went on to finish T-47th. Before teeing off this week in Toronto, McIlroy admitted being upset that his driver conundrum had been made public. "I was a little p----d off because I knew that Scottie's driver had failed on Monday, but my name was the one that was leaked," McIlroy said in a press conference, via The New York Post. "It was supposed to stay confidential. Two members of the media were the ones that leaked it. "I didn't want to get up there and say something that I regretted either, because I'm trying to protect Scottie. I don't want to mention his name. I'm trying to protect TaylorMade, I'm trying to protect the USGA, PGA of America, myself." So, McIlroy's tee shots were going to be under a microscope this week because he would be working with a new driver, and it wasn't as consistent as it usually is. McIlroy is one of the best drivers on tour, currently ranking first in strokes gained off the tee, while being third in driving distance with an average shot of 319.3 yards. But with the rough at Oakmont Country Club having the ability to swallow golf balls and ruin rounds next week at the U.S. Open, McIlroy's accuracy needs to be much better than it has been. He ranks 170th in driving accuracy, hitting the fairway 51.13% of the time. At least being cut from this week's tournament gives McIlroy a couple more days to figure out his driver before teeing it up at the U.S. Open on Thursday. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Daily Mail
10 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
The top 5 mistakes people make in a divorce that cost them thousands
Getting divorced can be an expensive experience, but experts warn that many don't realize the hidden traps that can rack up the bills. The average cost of a divorce in the US is a staggering $11,300, with lawyers' fees making up the bulk, according to personal finance site The Motley Fool. However, a marriage split is not just a one-off expense; there are often long-term implications too. Many women in particular are at risk of ending up worse off after divorce – especially if they have taken time off work to raise a family. Yet both men and women can end up regretting financial mistakes made during the sound and fury of splitting up. 'People making such mistakes often regret it long term, because they can be irreversible,' divorce lawyer Bari Weinberger told the Wall Street Journal. Experts argue it is important to be prepared and ensure you are completely informed about your financial situation. These are the top five mistakes they urge those embarking on a divorce to avoid. 1. Heavy spending One of the most common mistakes new divorcees make is splurging right after the papers are signed. Some take their settlements and throw a 'divorce party', or indulge in retail therapy after months or even years of acrimonious legal wrangling. Common post-divorce purchases include new cars that become unaffordable on finance plans. Another mistake is rushing to buy a new home too quickly, according to divorce coach Liza Caldwell. Caldwell tells her clients to wait for their lives and especially their finances to stabilize before buying a new property. Caldwell told the Journal that those rushing a fresh start can end up overpaying, or tie up too much of their money in their home while reducing flexibility elsewhere. However, costly spending mistakes can also occur just before a marriage fails. Weinberger warns that committing to expensive vacations or new joint debts such as a mortgage on a new home can complicate their process of dividing marital assets during divorce. 2. Hidden assets Some spouses will hide assets before they ask for a divorce in order to gain more from the overall settlement. A common tactic is giving money to friends and family on the understanding that it will be returned after the divorce is settled. Florida accountant Mirtha Valdes Martin told the Journal that she has frequently seen small business owners use this tactic to avoid a fair settlement. Martin said that one way to avoid becoming the losing party is to file for divorce first. Those who suspect their partner may be hiding assets can also seek a settlement that includes even division of assets discovered after the divorce is complete. There is also the option to hire a private investigator or a forensic accountant to get to the bottom of any suspicions. Many women in particular are at risk of ending up worse off after divorce New Jersey divorce lawyer Bari Weinberger says divorcees can regret their financial mistakes 3. Emotion bills Divorce can be a painful time but experts warn that allowing your emotions to prolong proceedings can rack up ever larger bills. Maggie Kim, author of the 'Divorce or Die' newsletter, told the Journal that she spent $500,000 on legal fees over a seven-year divorce process. 'Emotions were the biggest reason that my divorce and custody fight took seven years,' she explained. Now Kim tells her readers to draw on support from their friends and family rather than treating divorce lawyers like therapists. You won't feel better 'when you get a five-figure bill later because you spent two hours sobbing in their office — again,' Kim said. 4. Illiquid assets Illiquid assets such as stock options, individual retirement accounts and real estate, can be among the hardest parts of a divorce to settle. This is because by their very nature they cannot easily be turned into cash and split evenly. Selling stocks can stop an investment from growing over time and incur heavy transaction fees. Retirement accounts can also incur heavy penalties if withdrawn before retirement age. Financial advisor Stacy Francis told the Journal she asks divorcing couples to take all of these constraints into account when deciding how to divide their marital assets. For example, if illiquid assets are too big of a sum to be able to give up a claim to them completely, then 'it may indeed be worth waiting until they vest, mature or are able to be sold,' Francis explained. 'Negotiating for structured payouts or even a co-ownership agreement can be a creative workaround.' Maggie Kim spent $500,000 on legal fees over a seven-year divorce process 5. Underestimating expenses Couples who have been together decades can often forget a time before two incomes. Individuals going through a divorce may therefore underestimate how much it will cost to run a household alone again. Major expenses can include housing and health insurance, as well as discretionary spending such as restaurant meals and subscriptions. Rick Jones, a divorce lawyer from Seattle, told the Journal that his male clients can often misjudge the cost of both child support and running their own home. 'Fathers paying full or partial child support don't anticipate the additional cost of having a home big enough for their kids' visits,' he said. To avoid financial pitfalls later on, Jones urges divorcing couples to make realistic budgets setting out what cash-flow they will need to cover their expenses.
CBS News
10 minutes ago
- CBS News
Decomposing body found in alley, Colorado police investigate "suspicious death"
Police in the Denver metro area are investigating what they called a "suspicious death" after a body was discovered in an alley. According to Lakewood police, they were contacted around 5 p.m. Friday when someone discovered the body in an alleyway in the 9600 block of W. Colfax Ave. Authorities said the body was in advanced stages of decomposition and could not be identified, but they believe the person was an adult. The Jefferson County Coroner's Office is scheduled to conduct an autopsy tomorrow to determine the cause of death. This is a developing story. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
