Break a sweat hiking and reward yourself with a refreshing swim after at Gunpowder Falls State Park in Baltimore County.
Cool off at the Hammerman Area of the park, which features a 1,500-foot beach perfect for swimming, boat rentals, a concession stand, playgrounds and hiking trails.
Cool off with a swim on the banks of the Gunpowder River. Lifeguards are on duty from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. You can even try your hand at windsurfing, paddle boarding and sailing. Ultimate Watersports has rentals at the Hammerman Area. Check out our story about giving windsurfing a try.
Plan a family barbecue and use the grills and picnic tables, which are available on a first-come first-serve basis, or rent out one of the four pavilions.
The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset, and admission is $3 per person on weekdays and $5 per person on weekends.
For more information about the Hammerman Area, visit the Gunpowder Falls State Park website.
For other nearby beaches with a shorter drive or fewer crowds than the popular ones, check out our list of beaches off the beaten path.
For more summer fun ideas, check out our 100 Days of Summer page for daily family activities and our daily calendar of events.
Photo courtesy of Ultimate Watersports.
