The Best Swimming Spots in Maryland: Lakes, Rivers, and More

Maryland has hundreds of beautiful swimming spots that would make perfect destinations for your family to spend summer afternoons. From serene lakes to majestic rivers and secluded waterfalls, the Old Line State has numerous aquatic gems for all water lovers.

This post will explore the 15 swimming spots and holes worth visiting in Maryland. We’ll also highlight amenities available, other recreational activities permitted, and restrictions within each destination. So, dive in and explore Maryland’s best swimming spots, immersing yourself in the blissful waters of these idyllic locations.

Cunningham Falls State Park 

One of Maryland’s most liked swimming spots is Cunningham Falls State Park, which fills up by mid-morning on weekends and holidays. The state park is absolutely stunning and has the tallest cascading waterfall in the state, a 43-acre artificial lake with a big beach, and many campsites.

The swimming season at Cunnigham Falls State Park begins on Memorial Day weekend, running through Labor Day. The state has lifeguards stationed at the designated swimming area from 11.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. However, they may not be available throughout, and families should be cautious while in the water. 

Pets aren’t allowed on the sandy beach or water during the swimming season. However, your furry friend can tag along on your boat ride but must always be on a leash. The state allows pets in the water after the swimming season is over on Labor Day. 

You may also enjoy camping, fishing, boating, and picnicking at the state park. Popular fish species at Cunningham Falls include crappie, sunfish, and catfish. You may have to pay a service charge to get to the park.

Deep Creek Lake 

Nestled in Garrett County, Western Maryland, Deep Creek Lake is a recreational public state park that offers exciting outdoor experiences throughout the four seasons. The park’s waterfront and picnic areas are open from 8.00 a.m.

Deep Creek is a 3,900-acre man-made lake, the largest freshwater body in the state. Swimming is permitted during the warmer months, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The two public swimming beaches are guarded, with lifeguards available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

The state park has a beach shower house and a separate changing statistician that makes it convenient to prep yourself for a day full of fun. There are picnic tables with grills for families interested in picnicking. The park has a daily service charge, paid per person entering. 

An excellent place for your family to unwind after swimming is the 1800-acre state park that encircles the lake and offers 20 miles of hiking and bike trails. Additional popular pursuits at Deep Creek Lake include canoeing, kayaking, boating, fishing, skiing, tubing, golfing, and camping.

Calvert Cliffs State Park 

Massive cliffs rising over 100ft above the shoreline dominate the landscape on the Chesapeake Bay in the Calvert Cliffs State Park. The park features a day-use recreational area with a sandy beach, a boat ramp, a children’s playground, unique fossils, and 13 miles of hiking trails. 

There’s an entrance fee with varying prices depending on vehicle size. Swimming is permitted on the public beach, with swimmers requested to maintain a safe distance from the restricted zones. When on the beach, your pet must stay leashed but can join you for a swim.

The beach has no lifeguards, so swimmers must exercise caution. The most popular activity at Calvert Cliffs is collecting fossils. The beach is littered with hundreds of unique fossils, with a large signboard at the entrance to help visitors identify over 600 common fossils. Other activities you can participate in include hiking and picnicking. 

Flag Ponds Nature Park

Flag Ponds is a 456-acre park with an extensive, kid-friendly beachfront with a boardwalk. You can delight your child with a fun-filled afternoon of swimming and finding shark teeth and other fossils on the expansive beach. The park opens from 9.00 a.m. through sunset, with extended hours during the summer swimming season. 

The park offers free parking, with a small entrance fee paid per vehicle. Swimming is permitted through the summer. Without lifeguards, you need to be extra cautious. You can collect shells and shark teeth while at the beach. 

Your whole family may also enjoy fly fishing or exploring the half-mile trails. It’s essential to note that the park fills quickly, so arriving early is prudent. Once at capacity, the park remains closed to new visitors until the other guests leave.

Sandy Park State Park 

Sandy Park overlooks the majestic Chesapeake Bay, with multiple picnic sites dotting its beautiful beach. The 783-acre park in ​Anne Arundel County has a recreational beach that opens at 7.00 a.m. through dusk. 

Swimming season begins from May 1st through September 30th September. Be assured that lifeguards are on duty all through the swimming season. The Sandy Park management recommends swimming within the designated areas for safety. Pets are not permitted in the park during the swimming season. 

You may have to part with a small entrance fee to gain access to the beach area. The beach also has a marina shop, food and beverage concession, and boat rentals. You may also access picnic shelters, tables, playgrounds, and bathhouses beside the beach. Other popular activities at Sandy Park include boating, fishing, and crabbing. 

Kilgore Falls 

Kilgore Falls is among the most beautiful swimming spots in Maryland. The waterfall is within the Rocks State Park and is the state’s second-highest waterfall. The pond at the bottom of the waterfall provides a serene environment to take a dip on a hot summer afternoon. 

Entrance during the swimming season is restricted, requiring reservation through the state’s website. The parking spots are a mile-and-a-half hike away from the swimming spot, which can be challenging for kids. There are no lifeguards present, and swimming is at your own risk. 

Parking the Kilgore Falls and the larger Rocks State Park is limited to only 28 vehicles, or 75 people, with entry closed to additional guests once the spots are filled. It may help to turn up early for your swimming expedition. 

Lake Habeeb

Lake Habeeb is one of the coolest swimming spots in the state, often dubbed as the “bluest waters in Maryland.” The lake sits on 243 acres, surrounded by Evitts Mountain in Rocky Gap State Park. Lake Habeeb is named after a local florist who pushed for development in the area. 

The lake has three designated swimming spots, one on a public campground and two day-use beaches. The camping beach area has 278 individual campsites, including 13 cabins making it an excellent destination for a weekend getaway. You can bring your dog to the water to swim at the pet swimming section. 

The two public swimming beaches on the lake’s shoreline have picnic tables, grills, and playgrounds dotting the area. One of the beaches is pet-friendly and has a large bathhouse with changing rooms. 

Visitors at Lake Habeeb can rent out canoes and kayaks or go hiking on the nature trails along the shoreline. Fishing is also a popular recreational activity, and you can expect to catch some smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, or sunfish. 

Greenbrier State Park

Drive three miles northeast of Boonsboro to a 42-acre man-made lake with white sandy beaches. Greenbrier is an extensive state park on the South Mountain. You may have to pay for a day-use pass through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. 

The public recreational area has white sandy beaches gently rolling into the water. The lake typically has crystal clear water, making it one of Maryland’s most popular swimming spots. You may need to arrive early to avoid being locked out after the park reaches capacity. 

The swimming area is open the first weekend in May through September, with lifeguards stationed at the beach. The park erects swim ropes that mark the permitted swimming zone during the season. The beach is wheelchair accessible, allowing all family members to enjoy the water. 

You can also carry some food to enjoy on the park’s playground picnic tables. Other amenities at the park include pavilions, nature trails, a boat launch pad, and paddleboat rentals. You can also head out to fish at the lake.

Patapsco Valley State Park

Outdoor enthusiasts interested in a swim on a Maryland river can opt for the Hollofield Area in Patapsco Valley State Park. The Patapsco River snakes through the 14,000-acre state park, with several swimming spots along its 32-mile course. 

The state’s Department of Natural Resources notes that swimming and wading are allowed on designated river sections. The only prohibition is on rapids and the pools below the rapids. Without lifeguards, swimmers must watch for swift currents and sharp rocks on the river bed. Some popular swimming sections on the Patapsco River are Hollofield, Avalon, Daniels, and Hilton. 

You may also take up a hiking trail at the park for a relaxing afternoon walk. Other popular activities at Patapsco Valley State Park include mountain biking, fishing, canoeing, camping, and horseback riding. 

North Point Beach

North Point Beach once hosted the Bay Shore Amusement Park, a popular recreational destination in the early twentieth century. Today, North Point is an extensive state park covering over 1,310 acres in Baltimore County, MD. 

The state park has a water-accessible area on the shores of Chesapeake Bay where you can enjoy a quick swim. The public beach area features an unguarded waterfront for wading and swimming. Without lifeguards, swimming is at your own risk. The park’s management encourages swimmers to wear water shoes while out in the water to prevent cuts and injuries. 

North Point Beach has two large fishing piers providing excellent fishing opportunities. Anglers above 16 years must have fishing licenses from the local authorities. Besides the water activities, you can also engage in picnicking, bicycling, and visiting the Takos Visitor Center. 

Gunpowder Falls State Park Hammerman Area

The Hammerman is a cool swimming spot along the banks of the Gunpowder River. It features a 1,500-foot beach with concession stands, picnic tables, playgrounds, and fishing tiers. It also has a large beach bathhouse that makes cleaning up after a day in the waters convenient. 

The swimming section in the Hammerman area opens at 8.00 a.m. Lifeguards patrol the beach on Thursdays through Sundays. during the swimming season. Swimming when the guards are not on duty is at your own risk. 

The park also allows long-distance swimming and open-water swimming. However, Interested swimmers must sign a distance swimming agreement with a lifeguard before getting to the water. 

The Hammerman section of the Gunpowder River also features an archery range for target practice. The targets vary from 10 yards to 60 yards. Other recreational activities available include fishing, hiking, canoeing, and kayaking.

Pot Rocks

Pot Rocks is a swimming hole on the Gunpowder River near the Big Falls. The Gunpowder River State Park covers over 18,000 acres in six conservational areas, including Hammerman, Central, Herford, Sweet Air, TCB Rail, and Dundee Creek Marina. Pot Rocks are within the Central region on a secluded part of the river. 

The section is unguarded, and swimming is at your own risk. You should take care of the protruding rocks on the river and the fast currents. The area gets its name from the tiny dimples on the large rocks lining the river bed. 

Other popular activities in the section include hiking, kayaking, and fishing. You can also head to Jerusalem Mill Historic Village, the park’s headquarters. You must be careful not to stray on private property while searching for this idyllic swimming spot. 

Elk Neck State Park

Right on the southern tip of the Elk Neck Penisula is the 2,370-acre state park established in 1936. The Elk Neck State Park is bordered by the Chesapeake Bay and the Elk River headwaters, offering large sections of wooded bluffs, marshlands, and beaches. 

The park has a northeast beach section that provides swimming access to the Susquehanna Flats. The area opens at 9.00 a.m. and closes at sunset. The shallow waters are unguarded, with swimmers and waders needing to take extra caution while out in the water. 

The park charges entry fees to access the public beach area. Luckily, pets on leashes are welcome but restricted from the beach during the swimming season. The park also runs 250 campsites, making it an excellent spot for extended stays. 

You can also hike the twelve-mile hiking trails running through the state park. Fishing, canoeing, and picnicking are also permitted. Other amenities at the beach area include parking, a concession stand, and a restroom with cold showers. 

Terrapin Beach Park 

Terrapin Beach is one of Maryland’s few natural swimming spots and falls within the Terrapin Nature Park in Stevensville. The 256-acre park has tidal ponds, nature trails, and sandy beaches with an incredible variety of wildlife, waterbirds, and plant species. 

In the warmer months, the beach section is open for swimming. However, there’re no lifeguards, and swimming is at your own risk. The water is pretty shallow and excellent for water lovers of all ages. 

A wheelchair-accessible boardwalk in the park provides a breathtaking view of the Chesapeake Bay. A 3.25-mile walking track with park benches bordering the edges is also present in the park.

Find Your Summer Fun In Maryland’s Best Swimming Spots 

Maryland offers a plethora of options to outdoor enthusiasts interested in swimming. From the scenic beauty of Kilgore Falls to the tranquil seclusion of Pot Rocks, each swimming spot has its own charm. 

Most of the areas highlighted have swimming rules that you need to follow. Reading the restrictions can help you stay safe and avoid unnecessary fines. Additionally, you may need to check out the water safety records from the state before plunging into the river, pond, or lake. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Hawkeye Aerial Imaging/Shutterstock.com