MARYLAND SWIMMING
HOLES |
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ON STATE MAP BELOW: BLUE = swimming hole, GREEN = road trip dip (click here for info) , RED = hot spring. Hold cursor over map tags for info(click here if you don't see this info), then click to go to detailed listing. The map location is very approximate. Use our directions with a highway map.
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Swimmingholes.info
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| TOWNS | BALTIMORE, HUNT VALLEY | |||
| LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=39.47931, lon=-76.65703(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP | |||
| STATE | MD | |||
| WATER | Quarry | |||
| TYPE | Quarry | |||
| DESCRIPTION | This is a commercial swim club with some unique features. A
filled quarry with diving floats and rope swings. See their web site for fees, hours, etc: BEAVER DAM SWIM CLUB. Things have unfortunately changed here - I received this in 6/2005: "Thanks for your website. I was a season pass holder at Beaver Dam Swimming Club in MD from 1991 to 2002. In early 2002 they closed off about 1/4 of the smimming hole. In 2003 to present they closed off more than 3/4 of the hole. Now only the corner is open near the ropeswing, even the cliffs are roped off. The roped off portion includes one of the logs. The reason for closing it off was 1) lost lawsuits and 2) Baltimore County regulations. My problem (aside from missing my summer swimming) is that neither Baltimore Magazine(who listed it last month) , your website, or the Beaver Dam website(link below) mention this. In fact they post old pictures on their website that indicate that long closed portions of the swimming hole are open. I wish you would indicate this on your website." | |||
| AREAS | None | |||
| SANCTION | Official | |||
| FEE | Yes | |||
| FACILITIES | Picnic tables, rest rooms, snack bar | |||
| ACTIVITIES | Swimming, Diving, Rope Swing | |||
| PHONE | (410)785-1826 | |||
| CAMPING | Unknown | |||
| BATHING SUITS | Required | |||
| DIRECTIONS | From Baltimore, take I-95 N to I-695 W toward Towson. Take I-83 north to exit 18 (Warren Rd. ) go left at Beaver Dam Rd.. | |||
| CONFIDENCE | Highly confident | |||
| VERIFIED | no | |||
| DATE UPDATED | 6/22/2005 |
A Family-Friendly 
Swimmingholes.info
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| TOWNS | CHESTERTOWN, BETTERTON | ||
| LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=39.37083, lon=-76.06667(source: Topozone) (accuracy:approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP | ||
| STATE | MD | ||
| WATER | Sassafras River | ||
| TYPE | River (Tidal) | ||
| DESCRIPTION | A public, sandy beach on Sassafras River where it empties into the Chesapeake Bay. This is a tidal river, like swimming in the Bay, but word is that the jellyfish that plague the lower Chesapeake don't reach up this far. NOTE: In 8/2007, a Washington Post article noted that upper Chesapeake Bay beaches frequently exceed pollution levels for human and animal waste. We DO NOT recommend swimming here unless you have specific information that it is acceptably clean here at the time you are visiting. | ||
| AREAS | Eastern Shore | ||
| SANCTION | Official | ||
| FEE | No | ||
| FACILITIES | Picnic tables, toilets | ||
| ACTIVITIES | Swimming | ||
| PHONE | Unknown | ||
| CAMPING | None at site; camp at Tuckahoe S.P. and Martinak S.P., both a good distance South of here. | ||
| BATHING SUITS | Customary | ||
| DIRECTIONS | From Chestertown (on Maryland's Eastern Shore), take RT 213 NE then RT 292 N to Betterton. | ||
| CONFIDENCE | Highly confident | ||
| VERIFIED | Yes, 6/99 | ||
| DATE UPDATED | 8/8/2007 |
Swimmingholes.info
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| TOWNS | SHARPSBURG, ANTIETAM | ||
| LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=39.45383, lon=-77.73269(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP | ||
| STATE | MD | ||
| WATER | Antietam Creek | ||
| TYPE | Creek | ||
| DESCRIPTION | Swimming place at a rope swing on Antietam Creek near Burnside Bridge in the Antietam Battlefield N. P.. There is also tubing on Antietam Creek in this general area. Antietam Creek is usually slow flowing & mostly shallow (4 feet, usually less). Well shaded. I received this from a fan in 2004:"My friends and I ventured out to Burnside Bridge, or near there today. It was such a beautiful area too. We walked down to the hole, and everything was there. There was the rope swing and a large swimming area that is a pretty consistent 4 feet. The water was chilly, but very refreshing (I guess that it is a very well shaded stream and comes from the hills and underground springs). The current was somewhat swift -- a very strenuous swim would be required to move upstream at all. There were remnants of an old dam though, which made the water get shallower and thus, hard to get caught in the current. The rope swing was fun. Some recommendations though: Shoes are pretty necessary, as the water isn't deep enough to break your drop completely. In every jump, one comes in contact with the stony river bed. There is also a lot of poison ivy." | ||
| AREAS | Antietam Battlefield N. P. | ||
| SANCTION | Unofficial | ||
| FEE | No | ||
| FACILITIES | None | ||
| ACTIVITIES | Swimming, Tubing | ||
| PHONE | none | ||
| CAMPING | Nearby at Greenbrier S.P., C&O Canal Park. | ||
| BATHING SUITS | Customary | ||
| DIRECTIONS | From I-270 West from the DC area, go onto I-70 West. Exit Alt. RT 40 West, head south on RT 34 to Sharpsburg. In Sharpsburg, go southeast on Burnside Bridge Rd. into the national park. The swimming place is at a rope swing near the Old Burnside Bridge in Antietam Creek. | ||
| CONFIDENCE | Very confident | ||
| VERIFIED | no | ||
| DATE UPDATED | 11/6/2004 |
Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | WESTMINSTER, HAMPSTEAD |
LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=39.61636, lon=-76.89000(source: Topozone) (accuracy:exact) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE | MD |
WATER | Unknown |
TYPE | Waterfall |
DESCRIPTION | CASCADE LAKE WEB SITE. |
AREAS | None |
SANCTION | Official |
FEE | Yes, see web site |
FACILITIES | All |
ACTIVITIES |
Swimming, water slide, petting zoo, fishing |
PHONE | (410) 374-9111 |
CAMPING | None at site. |
BATHING SUITS | Required |
DIRECTIONS | From Baltimore take: I-695, exit 19 to I-795 north to RT 30 north to Hampstead, left on RT 482, right on Snydersburg Road. |
CONFIDENCE | Very confident |
VERIFIED | No |
DATE UPDATED | 11/8/2004 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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| TOWNS | FREDERICK, THURMONT | |||
| LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=39.63139, lon=-77.47167(source: Topozone) (accuracy:exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP | |||
| STATE | MD | |||
| WATER | Unknown | |||
| TYPE | Waterfall | |||
| DESCRIPTION | Seventy eight foot high cascading falls, has numerous pools for dipping. PHOTO AT FALLS. Cold water, rocks can be slippery, be very careful. (Not for small children - take them the lake for "official" swimming.) Brief hike to falls, wheelchair access to bottom of falls. Swimming in falls is not officially sanctioned. Official swimming lake is nearby in the S.P. PHOTO OF LAKE. Web site: CUNNINGHAM FALLS S. P. | |||
| AREAS | Cunningham Falls S.P. | |||
| SANCTION | Unofficial | |||
| FEE | Yes | |||
| FACILITIES (at lake) | Toilet, Changing room, Picnic tables, | |||
| ACTIVITIES | Swimming, | |||
| PHONE | (301)271-7574 | |||
| CAMPING | Camping at state park, reservations available, very well developed. Some sites are "camper ready" with tents, stoves, etc provided. Call (301)271-7574. | |||
| BATHING SUITS | Customary | |||
| DIRECTIONS | From Frederick, follow RT 15 N for about 15 mi to signs for Cunningham Falls S.P. | |||
| CONFIDENCE | Very confident | |||
| VERIFIED | yes | |||
| DATE UPDATED | 6/30/1999 |
Swimmingholes.info
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| TOWNS | WILMINGTON (DE), ELKTON, NORTHEAST | ||
| LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=39.50278, lon=-75.97917(source: Topozone) (accuracy:approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP | ||
| STATE | MD | ||
| WATER | Chesapeake Bay | ||
| TYPE | Bay | ||
| DESCRIPTION | A large, public, sandy beach on the northern reaches of the
Chesapeake Bay. Not really a swimming hole, but attractive because the jellyfish that plague the lower Chesapeake don't reach up this far.. NOTE: In 8/2007, a Washington Post article noted that upper Chesapeake Bay beaches frequently exceed pollution levels for human and animal waste. We DO NOT recommend swimming here unless you have specific information that it is acceptably clean here at the time you are visiting. | ||
| AREAS | Elk Neck S. P. | ||
| SANCTION | Official | ||
| FEE | Yes, $2.00 per vehicle | ||
| FACILITIES | Picnic tables, toilets, playground | ||
| ACTIVITIES | Swimming | ||
| PHONE | 410-287-5333 | ||
| CAMPING | At site, also cabins to rent. | ||
| BATHING SUITS | Required | ||
| DIRECTIONS | From Wilmington DE, go south on I-95 (toll) to exit 100 then take RT 272 south to the state park. | ||
| CONFIDENCE | Highly confident | ||
| VERIFIED | Yes, 6/99 | ||
| DATE UPDATED | 8/8/2007 |
Swimmingholes.info
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| TOWNS | HANCOCK, CUMBERLAND, LITTLE ORLEANS | ||||
| STATE | MD | ||||
| WATER | Fifteen Mile Creek | ||||
| TYPE | Creek | ||||
| DESCRIPTION | Swimming holes in Fifteen Mile Creek in the Green Ridge State Forest (and nearby) in western Maryland NOTE: In all cases, getting a map from Green Ridge S.F. Ranger's Station is a necessity! The Ranger Station is at Exit 64 (near GREEN RIDGE 3 below). Green Ridge S.F. Web Site. See also nearby in West Virginia: MOUNT STORM AREA . See "DIRECTIONS" below for details. | ||||
| AREAS | Green Ridge State Forest | ||||
| SANCTION | Unofficial | ||||
| FEE | None | ||||
| FACILITIES | None | ||||
| ACTIVITIES | Swimming (Tubing in Potomac River, at Green Ridge 4 below) | ||||
| PHONE | 301-478-3124 | ||||
| CAMPING | There are 100 primitive camping sites (no tables or toilets, $7.00)in the State Forest; get a permit at the State Forest Visitor's Center at Exit 64. Can also camp at the C&O Canal at GREEN RIDGE 4 (see below, tables and Johnny toilets, $10.00). For luxury, go west 15 miles on I-68 to Rocky Gap S.P., expensive camping but very nice - on a big lake with swimming and boating and a lodge. | ||||
| BATHING SUITS | Varies, see below | ||||
| DIRECTIONS | From Hancock, take I-68 west. Then:
GREEN RIDGE 2 [GRE2]: Near the town of Little Orleans in Fifteen Mile Creek are a series of pools along the creek. Also an outstanding large pool called Longs Pond. Great informal (backpack) camping spots. Bathing suits optional. To get here: From I-68, take Exit 62 (Scenic 40 and Fifteen Mile Creek Rd). Go south on on Fifteen Mile Creek Rd (gravel, sometimes rough but passable in car) for 2.6 miles, keeping left at all decision points (e.g., do NOT go onto Greenridge Rd.) At 2.6 miles (past campsite #55 but BEFORE campsite #56) you will go down a hill and cross a creek and see a trailhead on the immediate other side of this bridge. Park here and take the trail downstream (left). There is a trail information sign here saying, in part, "Fifteen Mile Creek - .6 miles." (This trail is called Wellsley Hollow Trail but is not signed as such here.) Take your Tevas and keep them on - walk .6 mile along the white blazed trail, lots of wet creek crossings. There are some camping places and swimming holes along this trail. In .6 miles, you come to Fifteen Mile Creek, where there is an information sign and a trail register. Follow the downstream trail (right) along Fifteen Mile Creek. Here there are are some camping spots and swimming holes also. In a short distance, when the trail begins to go steeply uphill, leave the trail and wade across the creek and bushwhack pretty much straight downstream (there is an old overgrown road here which you are roughly following) for about 100 yds and come to Long Pond, which is a wide and deep spot on Fifteen Mile Creek with a rock bluff on the far side. PHOTO OF LONG'S POND. Long's Pond: LAT, LON [N83/W84]: lat=39.65842, lon= -78.44737(source: measured) (accuracy: exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP . Very confident. Verfified 4/04. Updated 4/04.
GREEN RIDGE 4 [GRE4]: Swimming hole where 15 mile Creek dumps into the Potomac River. There is a boat ramp and there is usually a rope swing attached. The water is between 4' and 8' deep, depending on area and water level. The C&O Canal towpath allows you to cross the creek so you can enter the water on either side. You can swim in the creek or in the Potomac and even cross over to West Virginia.PHOTO. NOTE: Only adults who are also strong swimmers should enter the main stream of the Potomac, as the current is very strong. Sharing the area with locals and fishermen needs to be taken into account. For rafting / tubing, hike up the Potomac on the C&O Canal towpath as far as you want and you can raft down the Potomac back to your car. To get here: From MD I-68 take Exit 68 and go south on Orleans Road for about 6 miles. After 6 miles, take a left (east) at an intersection, where the signs point to the C&O Canal (right/straight continues west as Oldtown Orleans Rd). Pass by a small country store and outfitter shop called "Bill's Place", pass under railroad tracks, and turn right immediately. Turn left at the campground entrance and cross the wooden bridge over the C&O canal. There is plenty of parking and several fee camping spots, with self-registration at $10 a night. (Recommend camping at one of the many camping spots at Green Ridge State Forest, which are more private ($7 a night). LAT, LON [N83/W84]: lat=39.62412, lon= -78.38626(source: measured) (accuracy: exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Very confident. Verfified 4/04. Updated 4/04. | ||||
| CONFIDENCE | Very confident | ||||
| VERIFIED | Yes, 4/04 | ||||
| DATE UPDATED | 4/19/2004 |
Swimmingholes.info
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| TOWNS | BALTIMORE, HEREFORD, MONKTON | ||
| LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=39.6108, lon=-76.6806(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:general area) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP | ||
| STATE | MD | ||
| WATER | Big Gunpowder Creek | ||
| TYPE | Creek | ||
| DESCRIPTION | Gunpowder Falls S.P. is comprised of separate parks where you can access the Gunpowder Falls River via several trails. This one, which is called the "HEREFORD AREA", is up I-83 north of Baltimore. It includes several river access points and trails, several with swimming places. I name these (below) by the road from which you access the river. See directions below for details. | ||
| AREAS | Gunpowder Falls S.P. | ||
| SANCTION | Unofficial | ||
| FEE | No | ||
| FACILITIES | Toilets, picnic tables at Bunker Hill, nothing at the other points | ||
| ACTIVITIES | Swimming, Tubing | ||
| PHONE | (410)592-2897 Gunpowder Falls S.P. | ||
| CAMPING | None at site. Continue up I-83, just past York, PA follow signs to Gifford Pinchot S.P.. Great camping and lake swimming. | ||
| BATHING SUITS | Customary | ||
| DIRECTIONS | From Baltimore, take I-83 north to exit 27 (RT 137, Hereford). From here: BUNKER HILL RD. [BUNK]: Go east (right) at the bottom of the ramp onto RT 137. Then north (left) onto York Rd. RT 45). Go about 1 mi to just past Hereford High School (on the right) to Bunker Hill Rd. on the left. Go left onto Bunker Hill Rd. which ends at a parking lot for Gunpowder Falls S. P. and a picnic area. Walk upstream (left) on the south side of the river, keeping on the trail closest to the stream. After you get through the picnic area (about a 5 min. walk altogether), there is a deep swimming hole in the stream with a beach area. BUNKER HILL RD. PHOTO 1 - PHOTO 2 YORK RD. [YORK]: Continue north on York Rd. past Bunker Hill Rd. until you reach the bridge over Gunpowder Falls River. Park on either side of York Rd. south of the bridge (before you cross the bridge.) The most easily accessible place here is "Hobo Beach". It is right near the parking area with a grassy lawn and deep swimming place on the far side of the creek with a rope swing and large rock. Cold water! Popular spot for ending tubing trips down the Gunpowder. For other places, walk north along York Rd. across the bridge (carefully, there is no sidewalk.) After you cross the bridge, on the east (right) side of the road there is a sign saying "Wiseburg". At this sign, there is a trail going down steeply toward the river. Where you first reach the river is an apparent swimming place by a couple of large rocks. Continue on this trail (blue blazes) downstream (this is the Gunpowder Falls North trail, it is a very easy and pretty walk) for about 30 minutes and you will come to Raven Falls (a very small but picturesque falls)YORK RD. PHOTO 1 entering the river from the left. There is a small pool at the very bottom of the falls but a better swimming hole is there in the Gunpowder Falls River where a large rock goes down to the water.YORK RD. PHOTO 2 Another trail: Across York Rd. from the Wiseburg sign there is another trail going down to the river and following it in the upstream direction. There is said to be a local swimming hole a short distance down this trail but I did not see any real swimming places on a visit 2/20/01, except maybe right under the I-83 bridge, but it is very noisy and not very scenic there. BIG FALLS RD. [BIGF]: From RT 137 in Hereford, go south on York Rd. (RT 45) a short distance then east (left) on Monkton Rd.(RT 138) Take Monkton Rd through Hereford to Big Falls Rd on the left (before Monkton). Turn left on Big Falls Rd, bear right at the "T" intersection to stay on Big Falls Rd. Just before Big Falls Rd crosses the river, park here and walk upstream on the south side of the river (the Gunpowder Falls South Trail). There are several deep swimming holes here, tubing also. Rental of tubes at the train station in Monkton. FALLS RD. [FALL]: From Exit 27, go west (left) at the bottom of the ramp onto RT 137 (Mount Carmel Rd.). Continue past several roads and turn north (right) on Evna Rd.. Follow Evna Rd. and turn right on Falls Rd.. As Falls Rd. descends to the Gunpowder Falls River, park in the last parking area on the left just before you cross the bridge. A trail begins in this parking area (designated the Gunpowder Falls South Trail) and goes down to the river then heads upstream on the south side of the river. There are several deep places with large rocks and small falls for swimming in the first 10-15 minutes of this walk.FALLS RD. PHOTO 2 - PHOTO 3 (The trail gets rocky and narrow if you go further and there are no apparent swimming places further up.) There is also an apparent swimming place just downstream from this bridge. FALLS RD. PHOTO 1 | ||
| CONFIDENCE | Very confident | ||
| VERIFIED | yes, 2/21/01 | ||
| DATE UPDATED | 2/21/01 |
Swimmingholes.info
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| TOWNS | BALTIMORE, PERRY HALL, BENSON, BALDWIN | ||
| STATE | MD | ||
| WATER | Varies-see below | ||
| TYPE | Creek/River | ||
| DESCRIPTION | Gunpowder Falls S.P. is comprised of separate parks where you can access the Gunpowder Falls River and the Little Gunpowder River via several trails. This one, which is called the "CENTRAL AREA", is up RT 1 northeast of Baltimore. | ||
| AREAS | Gunpowder Falls S.P. | ||
| SANCTION | Unofficial | ||
| FEE | No | ||
| FACILITIES | None | ||
| ACTIVITIES | Swimming | ||
| PHONE | (410)592-2897 Gunpowder Falls S.P. | ||
| CAMPING | None at site. Susquehanna S. P. and Elk Neck S. P., both northeast of here, have camping. Elk Neck also has swimming in the Chesapeake Bay. | ||
| BATHING SUITS | Customary | ||
| DIRECTIONS | From the Baltimore beltway, I-695, take Exit 32 and go north on RT 1, then: LONG GREEN CREEK [LONG]: This swimming hole is in a tributary creek (Long Green Creek) that empties into the Gunpowder Falls River. To get here, go north on RT 1 about 5 miles from the beltway. Just after crossing the Gunpowder Falls River, park in the large lot on the east (right) side of the RT 1. There is a large scale trail map painted on the sign in the parking lot. Near the right hand edge of this map, see an area marked "POOL" in "LONG GREEN CREEK". This is the swimming hole. This report from a visitor in 2007:"Just visited this swimming hole about two weeks ago. I planned my own circuit hike that finished up at the swimming hole, then followed the trail you described back to the parking lot. It's there, with some nice rocks for sunning afterward. The water isn't particularly deep, but enough to swim around. Mostly smooth rocks and some mucky stuff on the bottom - I didn't have water shoes but didn't have a problem. There weren't many other people when I got there, but as I stayed more and more people showed up. Probably not a private spot on a hot weekend afternoon, but I enjoyed the dip after nearly 10 miles of hiking." To get here: Follow the trail as described in this map - go under RT 1 then along the north shore of the river. There are various trails that go off to the right - DO NOT TAKE THESE; stay on the trail that runs along the river. At about 1.2 miles, the trail will encounter Long Green Creek and bend to the right. The swimming hole is near here in Long Green Creek. (May be too shallow to swim at some water levels.)LAT, LON [N83/W84]: lat=39.43758, lon= -76.46314(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. GUYTON ROAD [GUYT]: Nice little local swimming place in the Little Gunpowder River. Sandy beach, shallow near beach, deeper across the river with some large rocks there also. Relatively warm water. To get here, continue north on RT 1 through Kingsville and across the Little Gunpowder River then turn left on Reckord Rd.. Follow Reckord Rd. across RT 147 then turn left on Guyton Rd. (before you get to Old Fallston Rd). Follow Guyton Rd., soon paralleling the Little Gunpowder River, until you get to Bottom Rd.. The swimming place is here near the intersection of Guyton and Bottom. LAT, LON [N83/W84] lat=39.50364, lon=-76.42967(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. SWEET AIR [SWEE]: A detached portion of Gunpowder Falls S. P. Central Area, called the Sweet Air area, with a nice 2 mile hike along the Little Gunpowder with (maybe) some swimming and/or shallow water-play places along the hike (not sure). To get here: Continue north on RT 1 past Reckord Rd (see Guyton above) to Lynchs Corner then turn northwest (left) on Rt 152. Take RT 152 about 6 miles RT 165. Turn left heading south on 165 (Baldwin Mill Road). In a very short distance, turn right onto Greene Road, then right onto Moores Road, and left onto Dalton Bevard Road. Park at the end of this road. Numerous trails leave from this parking area, making return loops. Follow the one with white blazes. The (possible) swimming places are in the Little Gunpowder along this trail. Not certain. LAT, LON [N83/W84] lat=39.52953, lon=-76.51325(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: general area) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. | ||
| CONFIDENCE | Pretty confident | ||
| VERIFIED | No | ||
| DATE UPDATED | 2/28/2006 |
Swimmingholes.info
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| TOWNS | BALTIMORE, TIMONIUM | ||
| LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=39.44219, lon=-76.55014(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP | ||
| STATE | MD | ||
| WATER | Loch Raven Reservoir | ||
| TYPE | Lake | ||
| DESCRIPTION | Small corner of large lake (reservoir) with rope swing and cliffs to jump. PLEASE NOTE: SWIMMING IS NOT PERMITTED HERE - the rules state""Bathing, wading, swimming and water skiing are prohibited." | ||
| AREAS | Unknown | ||
| SANCTION | Unofficial | ||
| FEE | No | ||
| FACILITIES | none | ||
| ACTIVITIES | Swimming, Rope swing, Jumping | ||
| PHONE | none | ||
| CAMPING | None at site | ||
| BATHING SUITS | Optional | ||
| DIRECTIONS | From the north side of the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) take Exit 28, Providence Rd, north. Follow Providence Rd for about two miles. As you are about to enter the forest of the reservoir, park on the shoulder (there are always plenty of cars parked there). Walk along the path that follows the road through the park and go all the way down the hill to where the road tees. The trailhead you want is there just to the right. Follow that trail for about 0.5 miles until you get to the water. PLEASE NOTE: SWIMMING IS NOT PERMITTED HERE - the rules state""Bathing, wading, swimming and water skiing are prohibited." | ||
| CONFIDENCE | Pretty confident | ||
| VERIFIED | No | ||
| LAST UPDATE | 2/27/2006 |
Swimmingholes.info
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| TOWNS | BALTIMORE, ELLICOTT CITY, SYKESVILLE | ||
| LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=39.11075, lon=-77.10603(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP | ||
| STATE | MD | ||
| WATER | North Branch Rock Creek | ||
| TYPE | Creek | ||
| DESCRIPTION | Small place for a cool dip in suburban creek just before it empties into Lake Bernard Frank. Unsure of cleanliness of water due to suburban location - be cautious, do not submerge your head here. | ||
| AREAS | Rock Creek Stream Valley Park | ||
| SANCTION | Unofficial | ||
| FEE | No | ||
| FACILITIES | none | ||
| ACTIVITIES | Wading, Swimming | ||
| PHONE | none | ||
| CAMPING | None at site | ||
| BATHING SUITS | Customary | ||
| DIRECTIONS | From Washington DC, go north from the Beltway (I-495) on either Connecticut or Georgia Avenues (Connecticut eventually merges into Georgia Avenue, which is aka RT 97). 3 miles north of the Beltway, turn left on Norbeck Road (it's a major lighted intersection, aka Rt 28). Almost immediately, turn right on Muncaster Mill Road (aka Rt 115). In a little over a mile, you will cross over the north branch of Rock Creek, then turn left to the Meadowside Nature Center (5100 Meadowside Lane). Follow a trail that drops down to the stream valley from the rear, left side of the Nature Center as you face it from the parking lot. It will bring you down to the north branch of Rock Creek. You will find a small swimming hole above where the creek empties into Lake Bernard Frank. It isn't much, but it's very close to DC. | ||
| CONFIDENCE | Very confident | ||
| VERIFIED | By another | ||
| LAST UPDATE | 1/21/2005 |
Swimmingholes.info
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| TOWNS | BALTIMORE, RANDALLSTOWN | ||
| STATE | MD | ||
| WATER | Quarry | ||
| TYPE | Quarry | ||
| DESCRIPTION | The official name is "Milford Mill Park and Swim Club". This is a commercial swim club with some unique natural (and man-made) features. A filled quarry surrounded by sheer cliffs, with a pier, diving board, 2 high rope swings, 2 zip lines, 2 sliding boards (must pass swim test to use deep parts of quarry, including rope swings and zip lines.) Also has a large outdoor swimming pool and a sandy beachfront. The water may be a bit murky with some debris floating at times. | ||
| AREAS | None | ||
| SANCTION | Official | ||
| FEE | Yes, about $12 for adults, $6 for kids. | ||
| FACILITIES | Picnic tables, rest rooms, snack bar, horseshoes, volley ball | ||
| ACTIVITIES | Swimming, Diving, Sliding, Rope Swing | ||
| PHONE | (410)655-4818 | ||
| CAMPING | None at site | ||
| BATHING SUITS | Required | ||
| DIRECTIONS | From Baltimore beltway, I-695, the west side, take exit 18 onto RT 26 west (Liberty Rd.). At the first traffic light (Washington Ave.) go right. Washington Ave goes right into the park. | ||
| CONFIDENCE | Highly confident | ||
| VERIFIED | no | ||
| DATE UPDATED | 2/27/2006 |
Swimmingholes.info
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| TOWNS | BALTIMORE, RANDALLSTOWN | |||
| STATE | MD | |||
| WATER | Quarry | |||
| TYPE | Quarry | |||
| DESCRIPTION | Baltimore County park with swimming in a water-filled quarry, sand beach, floating docks, and all facilities. | |||
| AREAS | Oregon Ridge County Park | |||
| SANCTION | Official-lifeguards | |||
| FEE | Yes, $6-7 for adults, $3-4 for children. See web site. | |||
| FACILITIES | Bathhouse, toilets, concession stand, picnic tables, grills, playground, sand volleyball court and horseshoe pits | |||
| ACTIVITIES | Swimming | |||
| PHONE | 410-887-1817 | |||
| CAMPING | None at site | |||
| BATHING SUITS | Required | |||
| DIRECTIONS | From Baltimore beltway, I-695, take I-695 toward Towson, at Exit 24 take I-83 north. Continue north on I-83 to Exit 20-B (Shawan Rd. West), at first light make a left. (Beaver Dam Rd.). Make an immediate right (between the red shed and the Oregon Grill). Go across bridge. Fork right (following ONE WAY signs). You will see the Beach Building on left...parking is on grass. | |||
| CONFIDENCE | Highly confident | |||
| VERIFIED | no | |||
| DATE UPDATED | 1/6/2003 |
Swimmingholes.info
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| TOWNS | BALTIMORE, ELLICOTT CITY, SYKESVILLE | ||
| LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=39.35861, lon=-76.96256(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP | ||
| STATE | MD | ||
| WATER | South Branch Patapsco River | ||
| TYPE | River | ||
| DESCRIPTION | River with some deep spots. THERE WAS A JUMPER WHO DROWNED HERE IN 2003, PLEASE DO NOT JUMP OR SWIM HERE IF THERE IS ANY QUESTION OF SAFETY. I CANNOT VERIFY THE SAFETY OF THIS PLACE. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY. | ||
| AREAS | Patapsco Valley State Park - Hugg Thomas Wildlife Management Area | ||
| SANCTION | Unofficial | ||
| FEE | No | ||
| FACILITIES | none | ||
| ACTIVITIES | Swimming, fishing | ||
| PHONE | none | ||
| CAMPING | Nearby at Patapsco River S. P. | ||
| BATHING SUITS | Unknown. These spots are very near the road except for the last area before private property that is sheltered by a steep embankment. This area is however popular for riding horses (from observation of trail condition). | ||
| DIRECTIONS | Take I-70 west of Baltimore to Exit 80. Take RT 32 north. At about 3.4 miles turn right onto River Rd.. You will see a park entrance sign and several pull-offs on the left side over the next mile, some have better swimming than others. One has a good sized rock with a large pool behind it. This is also a good place to explore for other opportunities. | ||
| CONFIDENCE | Pretty confident | ||
| VERIFIED | By W. Brunner | ||
| LAST UPDATE | 1/7/2003 |
Swimmingholes.info
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|---|---|---|---|
| TOWNS | OAKLAND, GORMAN, KEARNEY | ||
| STATE | MD | ||
| WATER | Potomac River & tributaries | ||
| TYPE | River | ||
| DESCRIPTION | Swimming holes in Potomac River and tributaries. CAUTION: HOLES IN POTOMAC WILL BE VERY DANGEROUS IN HIGH FLOWS. For details, see "DIRECTIONS" below. See also nearby in West Virginia: MOUNT STORM AREA | ||
| AREAS | Potomac S. F. | ||
| SANCTION | Unofficial | ||
| FEE | No | ||
| FACILITIES | Unknown | ||
| ACTIVITIES | Swimming, | ||
| PHONE | (301)334-2038 (Garrett/Potomac S.F.) | ||
| CAMPING | There are semi-developed camping places in the State Forest. Also, north of Oakland are Deep Creek Lake S.P. and Swallow Falls S.P. both of which have camping as well as swimming. (See Swallow Falls swimming hole info below). | ||
| BATHING SUITS | Unknown | ||
| DIRECTIONS | From Oakland (in far Western MD, Garrett County) take RT 135 then
RT 560 south (set odometer at this intersection). Then: LOSTLAND [LOST]: From the intersection of RT 135 and RT 560, go about 2.2 mi on RT 560 then turn left on Bethlehem Rd.. (From here, there will be signs to the State Forest). Go about 3.4 miles then turn left onto Combination Rd.. Go about .6 miles then turn left on Potomac Camp Rd.. Go about 1 mile then turn right onto Lostland Rd.. Pass park headquarters (where you can ask for maps and information) onto a dirt road (Lostland Rd) that goes down to the Potomac (set odometer). In 2.1 miles down this road, park in the large parking place on the right. There is a trail with a sign that says "Cascades" here. Follow the trail a very short way to the cascades and pool. This is an outstandingly beautiful cascade and swimming hole below - would be a great movie location! PHOTO 1 , PHOTO 2 Enjoy! LAT, LON [N83/W84] FOR CASCADES: lat=39.36559, lon=-79.24501(source: Measured) (accuracy: exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. At 2.9 miles down this road, there is a small parking area on the right. Take the wide trail leaves this area in the upstream direction (it has a trail register). When you get to the footbridge, there is a large swimming hole below. PHOTO . LAT, LON [N83/W84] FOR FOOTBRIDGE: lat=39.36140, lon=-79.23375(source: Measured) (accuracy: exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. At the end of the road, park and walk a short way to the Potomac River. There is a big swimming hole is just downstream on the Potomac with an interesting big cave formation above it on a hillside. LAUREL RUN [LAUR]: From the intersection of RT 135 and RT 560, go about 5.1 mi south on RT 560 then turn left on White Church -Steyer Rd. (at big sign for Potomac State Forest). Go about 1.2 miles then turn left on Audley Riley Rd. (very small sign for state forest). Go about 1.2 miles more (road turns to dirt) into the State Forest to the fork where Laurel Run Rd. goes left and Wallman Rd. goes right. Keep left onto Laurel Run Rd (set odometer here) which runs along Laurel Run and has camping areas along the road (tables but no drinking water or toilets). Laurel Run has a number of nice swimming holes. The first is at about 2 miles from the fork - a nice hole with a long cascade into it PHOTO . There is a small parking turn out here on the right. There are a series of cascades you can walk to just downstream from here ending with another nice swimming hole just behind campsite #29 at: lat=39.34462, lon=-79.26657(source: Measured ) (accuracy: exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Another is just at the parking area at the end of the road PHOTO . LAT, LON [N83/W84] AT PARKING AREA: lat=39.34140, lon=-79.2600(source: Measured ) (accuracy: exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. The last is: from the parking area, cross the run and walk the short trail to the Potomac River. There is a big swimming hole on the Potomac, just upstream of Laurel Run. PHOTO . | ||
| CONFIDENCE | Very confident | ||
| VERIFIED | Yes, 5/2007 | ||
| DATE UPDATED | 5/2007 |
Swimmingholes.info
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| TOWNS | EDGEWOOD, BEL AIR, JARRETTSVILLE | |||
| LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=39.64097, lon=-76.41592(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:general area) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP | |||
| STATE | MD | |||
| WATER | Deer Creek | |||
| TYPE | Creek | |||
| DESCRIPTION | Beautiful linear park along Deer Creek - lots of family fun picnicking, swimming and tubing! Can tube and swim here on 3 1/2 miles of Deer Creek. Bring your own tubes (includes class 3 rapid that most people walk around rather than tube through.) Several swimming holes, 10' - 12' deep, reachable by tube also from parking lots at picnic areas along creek. See "DIRECTIONS" below for details. | |||
| AREAS | Rocks State Park | |||
| SANCTION | Official | |||
| FEE | Park free on road or $2.00 per person in picnic area lots. | |||
| FACILITIES | Picnic tables, toilets with changing room | |||
| ACTIVITIES | Swimming, Tubing | |||
| PHONE | (410)557-7994 | |||
| CAMPING | Not at site, camp nearby at Susquehanna State Park | |||
| BATHING SUITS | Required | |||
| DIRECTIONS | From Baltimore, take I-95 north to exit 77 then RT 24 northwest through Bel Air to Rocks. The swimming areas are: WILSON CREEK PICNIC AREA [WILS]: Follow the sign on RT 24 to the Wilson Creek Picnic Area. The best swimming hole is to your right as you enter the parking area. HILLS GROVE PICNIC AREA [HILL]: Follow the sign on RT 24 to the Hills Grove Picnic Area. There is an excellent swimming hole here, with a nice gravel beach. Very clean water. HILLS GROVE PICNIC AREA PHOTO KILGORE FALLS [KILG]: Kilgore Falls is a very little known (and very scenic) wading/swimming place in a separate part of Rocks S. P. on Falling Branch Creek. From the sign on RT 24 to the above picnic areas, go about 4 miles more up RT 24 (through the traffic circle) then go left on St. Mary's Rd.. Go about .5 miles then take a right on Falling Branch Rd.. This is a dirt road. Take it about .6 miles where it takes a sharp right turn and ends in a parking area (very little parking available.). Park and take the trail about .3 miles to the falls. This looks like a nice place for kids and there is a gradual entry to the water for play. KILGORE FALLS PHOTO. LAT, LON [N83/W84]: lat=39.6918, lon= -76.4272 (source: measured) (accuracy: exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. | |||
| CONFIDENCE | Very confident | |||
| VERIFIED | Yes, all places | |||
| DATE UPDATED | 1/28/2002 |
Swimmingholes.info
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|---|---|---|---|
| TOWNS | BALTIMORE, LAUREL, SAVAGE | ||
| STATE | MD | ||
| WATER | Little Pautuxent River | ||
| TYPE | Waterfall/Creek | ||
| DESCRIPTION | There are two unoffical places to swim here in the Little Pautuxent River - in Savage Park, both quite different. No fee at either, not much for facilities either. See DIRECTIONS below for details. | ||
| AREAS | Savage Park | ||
| SANCTION | Unofficial | ||
| FEE | No | ||
| FACILITIES | None | ||
| ACTIVITIES | Swimming | ||
| PHONE | None | ||
| CAMPING | No camping at site. Camp nearby at Greenbelt Park, near Greenbelt MD., south on RT 1 from Savage. | ||
| BATHING SUITS | Customary in LOWER / May be optional in UPPER parts | ||
| DIRECTIONS | From Washington D.C., take I-95 north to exit 38 at RT 32. Take RT 32 east to RT 1. Take RT 1 south, then right onto Gorman Rd at the bridge and right onto Foundry St. Then: LOWER SAVAGE [SAVA]: Small waterfall ending in deep pool; local swiming hole. There are some small falls, and big pools, the 2 bottom falls are good for sliding down, in the pool for the lowest falls it is deep enough to leap from a cliff, at various heights, below the falls is a large beach water is 6-10 feet deep. This area has been much abused, glass and litter may be present. Much crowding on weekends. Sign says "no swimming". Please be careful and gentle with this area. PHOTO 1 , PHOTO 2 . To get here, take Foundry St. down to the Bollman Iron Truss Bridge on your right and park. It is about a 300 yd walk up a wide gravel path on left side of the creek to the swimming place. The town of Savage is here, historic Savage Mill and Savage Park. LAT, LON [N83/W84]: lat=39.13465, lon= -76.82966(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP About this location, I received this by e mail in 7/2003: "Starting in 2001, the Park & Planning Commission started patrols to cut down on alcoholic & drug issues. This has greatly increased the safety and security of the park. This has also reduced the number of voyeur/perverse activities that were occurring. It should be noted that police are using a very "hands-off" policy. Once or twice a year, they walk through and force people to dump their alcohol. In 2002, they also did a sting and made some drug arrests. However, they do not bother "discreet" drinkers. Nor do they bother swimmers, BBQers, or anyone else for that matter. They simply provide an occasional presence." UPPER SAVAGE [SAVU]: Much quieter, less trash and glass. Two swimming holes - one upstream and one downstream. PHOTO 1 , PHOTO 2 . To get here, do not park at the Bollman Iron Truss Bridge but just keep going straight on Foundry St. until you reach the next stop sign at Baltimore St.. Turn left on Baltimore St until it dead ends. Here you have two choices: Turning left will get you to the Savage Mill shopping center. Turning right will take you right into the park. Go into the park and park by the tennis courts. Walk past the courts and into the woods on a trail there. Or, you can drive to the end of the park (behind the baseball fields), park there, and walk down the trail to the river. LAT, LON [N83/W84]: lat=39.13935, lon= -76.83397(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: general area) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP Here is a report by a visitor in 2006:" Yesterday, I stopped by Savage Mill (SAVA) in Maryland. It is a great road trip dip and super-easy to get to from I-95. The driving directions on your site are excellent. I went to the Upper Savage swimming hole and parked near the tennis courts. I walked through the woods and found the river after maybe 3-4 minutes. At the river, you have many choices. You can turn left at the river and walk about 5-10 minutes and there are several spots along the way for a quick dip. (None are too deep, but you can swim a little). There is one spot in the river where there is a sandy beach on both sides and some big rocks to sun on, but there were soda cans, candy wrappers, and a lot of footprints so I don't think it's too isolated." "If you make a right and follow the river upstream there are several spots right off the pathway where the water is a little deeper and you can swim. Nothing too deep but enough to swim a little. After about 10 minutes walking upstream, the river will fork. I suggest taking the left branch as it provides privacy from the park pathways. Crossing the right branch to get to it was easy (didn't even get my feet wet!), and then you have a little unspoiled section of the river for yourself on the left branch. The river isn't deeper than 4-5 feet in each little swimming spot, but that's more than enough for cooling off before getting back on the road. There are a couple of rocks big enough to lay down and sun on. I was there about three hours exploring and didn't see another person the whole time. Bathing suits are very optional (I even did some sun bathing sans suit on one of the rocks). When you're done swimming, the park has bathrooms and a water fountain near the parking lot which was a nice plus. While I've been to better swimming holes, I loved that it is only about 10 minutes from I-95 and so private. Some photos below of the upstream location." | ||
| CONFIDENCE | Very confident | ||
| VERIFIED | Partially | ||
| DATE UPDATED | 3/4/2006 |
Swimmingholes.info
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| TOWNS | OAKLAND | |||
| LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=39.49667, lon=-79.42556(source: Topozone) (accuracy:general area) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP | |||
| STATE | MD | |||
| WATER | Youghigeny River/Muddy Creek/Tolliver Run | |||
| TYPE | Waterfalls/River/Creek | |||
| DESCRIPTION | There are two waterfalls in Swallow Creek State Park;
Swallow Falls (on the Yough. River) and Muddy Creek Falls (on Muddy Creek). There are several very fine swimming holes just below each falls and more in the creek and river downstream of each falls. The best swimming place is in Swallow Falls,the Lower Falls section PHOTO AT SWALLOW FALLS. Don't climb or swim in the immediate area ABOVE Muddy Creek Falls - people have fallen to their death here. However, if you go farther back upstream, above Muddy Creek Falls, there is a safe and nice place to swim. PHOTO ABOVE MUDDY CREEK FALLS. Also, in this park, if you follow a trail along Tolliver Run (very near Swallow Falls) you come to a gorge carved from rock and a small 5 foot waterfall with a pool and sandy beach (and very cold water). Overall, Swallow Falls S. P. is a very good place for family fun in the water. Camp and swim and spend a few days exploring. See also nearby in West Virginia: MOUNT STORM AREA | |||
| AREAS | Swallow Falls S. P. | |||
| SANCTION | Unofficial | |||
| FEE | Yes | |||
| FACILITIES | Toilet, Picnic tables | |||
| ACTIVITIES | Swimming, jumping, rope swing | |||
| PHONE | (301)334-9180 | |||
| CAMPING | Very nice wooded camping is available at Swallow Falls S.P. and nearby at Deep Creek Lake S.P. | |||
| BATHING SUITS | Customary | |||
| DIRECTIONS | From Oakland (in Western MD, Garrett County) follow county road RT 20 northwest about 9 miles to park. | |||
| CONFIDENCE | Very confident | |||
| VERIFIED | All but Tolliver Run | |||
| DATE UPDATED | 9/24/2003 |
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