A 6-acre spring-fed lake is the centerpiece of Cascade Lake's water park, which boasts floatiing platforms, a 150-foot water tunnel slide and a 'sprayground' where kids can keep cool.
Greenbrier State Park offers sandy beaches plus a shady lawn for blankets and a summer picnic.
Cascade Lake features shaded picnic pavillions, grills and a cafe for snacks.
There’s still a month to go before Labor Day and your kids love swimming, but they’re bored at the neighborhood pool.
Well kiss chlorine goodbye and take the family for a day of freshwater fun at one of the region’s many lake, bay and river swimming areas. That’s right, in less than one hour you and your kids can be floating on a neon-colored noodle on a mountain lake, a tidal river or the salty Chesapeake Bay. There are three state parks that allow swimming and one private water park with enough attractions to appeal to every member of the family. And the best part? They all have lifeguards.
Gunpowder Falls State Park-Hammerman Area
7200 Grace’s Quarters Road, Baltimore
410-592-2897
www.dnr.state.md.us/outdoors/swimming.html
Open 8 a.m. to sunset. Lifeguards on duty Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission is $3 per person for Maryland residents. Kids in car seats are free.
A tidal freshwater river, the Hammerman Area of the Gunpowder Falls State Park features a designated swimming area 1,500 feet wide that is divided into three distinct areas by narrow rock jetties. Each area stretches about 50 feet out into the river and has its own lifeguard. There are plenty of grassy areas with trees to place your blanket under and a bathhouse, first aid station and playground are close to the beach. The park sits at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, making it a breezy and entertaining spot to watch kayakers and windsurfers zipping about. Further out, speedboats pulse up and down the river, which is so wide that you only get a squinty-eyed view of the treeline on the opposite shore. Sand toys and beach umbrellas are allowed, and parking is close, so toting a day’s worth of food and toys is easy. Even though it’s close to the bay, there are no jellyfish in the river.
If you don’t feel like swimming:
There are two large ballfields and four playgrounds to explore, and Ultimate Watersports (www.ultimatewatersports.com) rents kayaks, catamarans and windsurfing boards on a first-come, first-served basis seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Children must weigh at least 50 pounds to accompany an adult 18 years or older.
Greenbrier State Park
21843 National Pike, Boonsboro
301-791-4767
www.dnr.state.md.us/outdoors/swimming.html
Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.
Admission is $3 per person on weekdays and $4 per person on weekends and holidays for Maryland residents. Kids in car seats are free.
One of the highlights of this 1,500-acre state park is its 50-acre cool mountain lake circled by deep woodlands. The 1,000-foot-wide beach and swimming area are roped off into two sections that are 3 feet deep and 6 feet deep. Inflatable toys and devices are allowed, but if it’s a crowded day, the lifeguard can restrict their use. Picnic tables and charcoal grills are available, and there’s a camp store near the lake.
If you don’t feel like swimming:
Greenbrier Lake is stocked with large- and smallmouth bass, trout and panfish. Keep what you catch, but a state fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older. Bring your own equipment. Rowboats and paddleboats can be rented for $10 an hour. In addition, Greenbrier Lake is on the Appalachian Trail and has eight miles of multi-use trails. If you feel like making a weekend out of it, Washington Monument State Park, South Mountain Battlefield and Antietam National Battlefield are all nearby.
Cascade Lake
Snydersburg Road, Hampstead
410-374-9111
www.cascadelake.com
Lifeguards on duty 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and to 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Water slides are open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and noon to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
Admission is $7 per person on weekdays before 2 p.m. for adults and children over 5 years old, and $5 each after 2 p.m. Weekend and holiday admission is $11 for adults and children over 5 years old. The rate for children 2 to 5 is $5 every day. Admission includes swimming, slides, sprayground, fishing and pavilion use.
A 6-acre spring-fed lake is the centerpiece of this miniature water park offering huge fun for all ages. Swim in the shallows or venture into the deep area with two floating platforms and one hard platform with three levels to dive from — 3, 8 and 17 feet above the water. There are three water slides, including a 150-foot tunnel of twists and turns. Guests must be at least 48 inches tall to use the slides.
The newest activity area is the sprayground, featuring water that tumbles from pink and turquoise mushrooms and shoots from geysers, water cannons and spray tunnels. Shaded picnic tables are nearby and it’s just a short walk to a large bathhouse. The Cascade Cafe — with an adjoining arcade — sells pizza, hot dogs and snacks.
Five pavilions with picnic tables, grills and electrical outlets can be reserved by groups but are not close to the swimming area.
If you don’t feel like swimming:
Cascade Lake is a well-stocked lake with bluegill, catfish and bass. Fishing is catch and release (bring your own equipment and no license necessary) or rent a paddleboat for $5 an hour on weekdays and $6 hour on weekends.
Sandy Point State Park
1100 East College Pkwy., Annapolis
410-074-2149
www.dnr.state.md.us/outdoors/swimming.html
Open 6 a.m. to sunset. Lifeguards on duty 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission is $4 per person for Maryland residents, $5 on weekends and holidays. Kids in car seats and boosters are free.
The mile-long beach at Sandy Point offers a wide view of the Chesapeake Bay, which can include sailing regattas on weekends and huge freighters passing under the bridge. Share the water with crabs, fish and sometimes jellyfish. Sundays, the park often fills to capacity in summer so arrive early. The 786-acre park also has a marina, trails and some of the greatest variety of wildlife spotting in the area. There are picnic areas, a few grills, pavilions for large groups, showers, restrooms, and a concession stand that also sells beach and picnic supplies.
If you don’t feel like swimming:
Walk two quarter-mile long trails to observe deer, rabbits, blue herons, cormorants, red-tailed hawks and bluebirds. The Symbi Trail leads you through a pine forest and marshes, while the East Beach Trail extends from East Beach to the Point through woods and over a marsh. Rent motor boats for fishing and crabbing. Supplies can be purchased at the marina store. There’s also a playground.