MD Nature
Where is the best swimming hole in nearish to Baltimore?
I recently moved from Atlanta where 15 minutes in any direction was a natural spring and river that made for great weekend picnics hangs. It seems like every river in the DMV is polluted but, after seeing kids get out of Herring run this weekend with out gills or three arms, I thought I should ask where are the good spots to swim that I haven’t found yet? Are we swimming in the harbor? What are your thoughts?
to be fair - bacteria levels vary by location and recency of rainfall! Baltimore Water Watch is Blue Water Baltimore's interactive map for water quality testing. It's a great tool to check before heading to your swimming spot! They rotate testing sites, but it is the reliable place to see if your swimming spot has been tested lately.
you may already know this, but: bacteria tend to be present shortly after rainfall, as stormwater inundates sanitary sewers and causes a mixture of both to run into waterways, especially downstream of densely settled areas. Considering that the harbor is the mouth of several waterways (mainly the Jones Falls, Gwynns Falls, and Patapsco rivers) you'll generally see elevated bacteria increasing downstream and heading towards the harbor. Most rivers and tidal waters will be clear from most storm runoff within about 48 hours of a rainfall event, though, unless there's a structural leak present (I know there's an active one by me in Stony Run unfortunately.)
so I don't swim within 48hrs of rain, and I try in general to swim in upstream locations. the Patapsco river up by Marriottsville Rd has many gorgeous clear-water spots to dip and soak, same with the Gunpowder and Little Gunpowder and lots of other little blue lines on the map! there's tons of great river spots for a little dip 'n' cool... IMO it is the best way to survive summer. go find your favorite!
Great point. I wouldn’t consider the Severn a “swimming hole” but used to spend most of the summer on/in it. Check out the readings after a good rain. I have seen dogs come out with infections and a good friend almost lose his arm from MRSA (yes, he did have an open cut when going in).
Good news is, hike up any section of either the little or the big in the county and you'll probably find a decent spot to swim, picnic, chill or really do whatever. Same with the patapsco.
I used to swim near Woodstock bridge HC/BC border and also used to swim near Woodbine inn. The counties have tried to stop the fun at both locations by eliminating parking.
Yeah I always see people in the water at the Avalon section of Patapsco. It’s kind of amazing. I never thought I’d see so many people having fun in the patapsco river.
Is that the Harford Road bridge over Herring Run? If so, I believe on the other side of the bridge, there is a natural spring coming out of the hill named Hall Springs. They used to have free concerts there (early 1970's). The bands would set up inside of one of the concrete arches and it sounds great!
Thanks for posting the picture. It brings back fond memories.
It’s not really a swimming hole, but Kilgore Falls at Rocks State park has a nice waterfall and there’s a small pool of water around it that at its deepest point is around 5 feet
Patapsco State Park Avalon Area too. Gunpowder State Park Hammerman area has a beach on the Chesapeake Bay. You can swim in Cunningham Falls State Park Lake, but the water levels might be low from drought :/
Drive all the way to the panhandle and go to Swallow Falls near DCL. The everything that runs off into rivers and streams around DC & Baltimore would give me the heebies to submerge myself in.
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u/cwood0613 21h ago
Please check the bacteria levels in ANY of these suggested waterways before swimming in them. Most carry E. coli