Elk Neck State Park North East River is a saltwater beach in Cecil County, Maryland. Across 369 bacteria samples collected between 2021 and 2025 at nearby monitoring stations, it earns a Beach Safety Grade of D — Poor.
About 14% of samples at Elk Neck State Park North East River exceeded the EPA Beach Action Value of 104 CFU/100 mL for Enterococcus — the threshold at which water managers typically post a swimming advisory. In practice that means the safe-swimming limit was frequently crossed here over the monitored period. Bacteria samples frequently exceed the safe-swimming threshold; swimming advisories are common here.
The evidence behind this grade is deep for a beach page: 369 results from 3 monitoring stations, spanning 2021 to 2025. Enough sampling, from enough places, over enough seasons that one bad week can't drive the letter.
Elk Neck State Park North East River was not under a swimming advisory in the most recent EPA snapshot. Conditions can change quickly after heavy rain or high runoff, so it's still worth checking the current advisory the day you go.