‹‹ All-Things-Water
Take a peek at these summer opportunities that shouldn’t be missed:
Shown in order of distance from Dulles Airport…
Greenbrier State Park
Boonsboro, MD ∙ Approx 55 miles from Dulles Airport
Greenbrier’s man-made lake offers sandy beaches, tree-shaded picnic areas, and seasonal boat rentals. After soaking up the sun, hit the trail — the Appalachian Trail passes right through the park! Advance reservations are required for day-use entry on summer weekends and holidays; during peak season, the park often reaches capacity and stops entry.
Updated/verified Sept 2026.
Aquia Landing
Stafford, VA ∙ Approx 55 miles from Dulles Airport
Aquia Landing features marshes and woodlands and has deep historical roots as a pivotal Civil War transportation hub and a designated site on the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Set on a peninsula, this waterfront park welcomes swimmers, but conditions vary, so check local advisories before visiting.
Updated/verified Sept 2026.
Cunningham Falls State Park
Thurmont, MD ∙ Approx 60 miles from Dulles Airport
Cunningham Falls State Park features Catoctin Mountain views, a sandy beach along Hunting Creek Lake, and trails ranging from easy walks to rugged climbs. Take the accessible Lower Trail or Cliff Trail to see Maryland’s largest cascading waterfall, the 78-foot Cunningham Falls (swimming and climbing on the rocks are strictly prohibited). During peak season, the park often reaches capacity and stops entry.
Updated/verified Sept 2026.
Brownie’s Beach at Bay Front Park
Chesapeake Beach, MD ∙ Approx 60 miles from Dulles Airport
Access is restricted to Chesapeake Beach town residents and their guests — the beach is no longer open to the general public, and non-residents cannot purchase entry.
Updated/verified Sept 2026.
North Beach
North Beach, MD ∙ Approx 60 miles from Dulles Airport
North Beach, known as the “Jewel of the Chesapeake Bay,” offers swimming, a boardwalk, Wetlands Overlook Park, and local shops along Maryland’s western shore. Visitors can purchase a beach pass, while residents show proof of residency for entry. Paddleboard and kayak rentals are also available during warmer summer months.
Updated/verified Sept 2026.
Mayo Beach Park
Edgewater, MD ∙ Approx 60 miles from Dulles Airport
Mayo Beach Park offers a shallow beach area for water play and wading, plus space to enjoy canoes, kayaks, and water toys. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, free reservation passes are required on weekends and holidays.
Updated/verified Sept 2026.
Patapsco Valley State Park
Ellicott City, MD ∙ Approx 65 miles from Dulles Airport
With more than 200 miles of trails, including dozens of miles of maintained routes, Patapsco Valley State Park, along the Patapsco River, offers endless opportunities for hiking, picnicking, and more. Water lovers can also swim in the river (unless noted), paddle, and tube. During peak season, the park often reaches capacity and stops entry.
Updated/verified Sept 2026.
Sandy Point State Park
Annapolis, MD ∙ Approx 65 miles from Dulles Airport
Sandy Point State Park, a 786-acre Maryland destination, features sandy beaches perfect for swimming, castle-building, and picnics. Lifeguards are on duty in designated swim areas from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Reservations are required on weekends and holidays during peak season, and per-person entry fees apply. Drive-up cash payment isn’t accepted on reservation days, but same-day digital reservations may be available if space remains.
Updated/verified Sept 2026.
Beach at Kentmorr Restaurant
Stevensville, MD ∙ Approx 75 miles from Dulles Airport
Located at Kentmorr Restaurant and Crab House, this private beach offers a place to relax, fish, play in the sand, sightsee, and swim. Beach access is reserved for restaurant, Tiki Bar, or Marina patrons, and wristbands or daily cover fees may apply during peak summer periods, so call ahead. Outside food and drinks are prohibited and must be purchased on-site.
Updated/verified Sept 2026.
Beaver Dam Swimming Club
Cockeysville, MD ∙ Approx 80 miles from Dulles Airport
The Beaver Dam Swimming Club is a deep freshwater quarry with an infamous rope swing! Please note, children under 4 years old are strictly prohibited from entering the quarry, and kids ages 4-8, as well as weak/non-swimmers, must wear a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times in the water. Daily admission at the gate is cash-only; credit cards are not accepted.
Updated/verified Sept 2026.
Flag Ponds Nature Park
Lusby, MD ∙ Approx 80 miles from Dulles Airport
For hundreds of years, nature has reshaped the Chesapeake Bay shoreline at Flag Ponds Nature Park, creating environments ranging from sandy beaches and freshwater ponds to the forested heights of Calvert Cliffs. Visitors can swim in the Chesapeake Bay, hunt for fossils, and hike. A short, half-mile hike leads to the sandy beach, while longer trails offer more opportunities to explore.
Updated/verified Sept 2026.
North Point State Park
Edgemere, MD ∙ Approx 80 miles from Dulles Airport
Located on the Chesapeake Bay, North Point State Park includes the site of former Bay Shore Park, one of the state’s premier amusement parks during the first half of the 20th century. Today, visitors will find restored remnants of the amusement park, hiking trails through protected wildlands, and a sandy shoreline perfect for wading and swimming. During peak season, the park often reaches capacity and stops entry.
Updated/verified Sept 2026.
Lake Anna State Park
Spotsylvania, VA ∙ Approx 85 miles from Dulles Airport
Lake Anna offers plenty for a day trip or a stay lasting weeks! Families can camp or rent a cabin and bring boats, bikes, and horses for outdoor adventure. With fee-based entry, enjoy swimming, concession stands, and bathrooms. A multi-mile trail is also available for walking, biking, and horseback riding. During peak season, the park often reaches capacity and stops entry.
Updated/verified Sept 2026.
Calvert Cliffs State Park
Lusby, MD ∙ Approx 85 miles from Dulles Airport
The massive cliffs that give Calvert Cliffs State Park its name were formed millions of years ago when a warm, shallow sea covered Southern Maryland. When the sea receded, the cliffs were exposed and began eroding. Today, they reveal remains of prehistoric species, including sharks, whales, rays, and seabirds — some the size of small airplanes! The park also offers a sandy beach, recycled-tire playground, fishing, a freshwater/tidal marsh, and miles of hiking trails. The shortest route to the beach is 1.8 miles on the red trail, and no lifeguard is present.
Rocky Point Beach & Park
Essex, MD ∙ Approx 85 miles from Dulles Airport
Rocky Point Beach is a waterfront park near the Back and Middle Rivers, perfect for cooling off in the Baltimore area. Amenities include pavilions, a fishing pier, picnic areas, boating ramps, and a bathhouse. The nearby Baltimore County Sailing Center offers private and group lessons. Visitors can also relax in the sun while enjoying views of the Chesapeake Bay, Craighill Light, and Hart-Miller Island.
Greenwell State Park
Hollywood, MD ∙ Approx 90 miles from Dulles Airport
St. Mary’s County is home to Greenwell State Park on the Patuxent River. Visitors can fish, hike, cycle, and horseback ride along miles of trails year-round, while seasonal activities include picnicking, hunting, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming. Managed in part by The Greenwell Foundation, the park also offers accessible and inclusive programs, services, and facilities. Visit the Rosedale Manor House to see its Victorian-style rose garden and river view.
Gunpowder Falls State Park
Middle River, MD ∙ Approx 90 miles from Dulles Airport
Gunpowder Falls, one of Maryland’s largest state parks, offers a wide range of activities, including swimming. Enjoy a long stretch of beach and a swimming area along the Gunpowder River, plus picnic tables, grills, playgrounds, food concessions, rentable picnic pavilions, and bathrooms with showers. Swimming at the Hammerman Area beach is unguarded, so swim at your own risk. Other activities include boat rentals, fishing, and hiking. The beach often fills on weekends and holidays, so arrive early!
Myrtle Point Park
California, MD ∙ Approx 95 miles from Dulles Airport
Myrtle Point Park, located in St. Mary’s County on the Patuxent River near the Chesapeake Bay, features historic sites — some dating back thousands of years — plus a waterfront and saltwater ponds home to various wildlife. The park offers miles of shoreline, including beach areas, an informal canoe/kayak launch, hiking trails, parking, and portable restrooms. An online hiking and trail map is available for download.
Rocks State Park
Jarrettsville, MD ∙ Approx 100 miles from Dulles Airport
Plan a day of exploration at Rocks State Park! Among hundreds of acres of scenic forests, preserved structural remains, and trails, visitors will find Deer Creek, a secluded spot for wading, tubing, fishing, and relaxing. A few miles north of the central park, Falling Branch (Kilgore) Falls offers a picturesque hiking trail leading to Maryland’s second-highest waterfall.
Elm’s Beach Park
Lexington Park, MD ∙ Approx 105 miles from Dulles Airport
Spend the day at Elm’s Beach Park on the Chesapeake Bay, home to hundreds of feet of sandy shoreline for swimming or fishing, plus crabbing from the pier. Trails and rentable pavilion seating areas with grills offer views of the Bay, while a playground and acres of open green space give kids room to run. A changing area and parking are available on-site. Admission is $10 per car for out-of-county residents or $5 for St. Mary’s County residents.
Betterton Beach
Betterton, MD ∙ Approx 110 miles from Dulles Airport
Betterton Beach is a landscaped waterfront park with hundreds of feet of frontage for swimming and plenty of shoreline access. This family-oriented beach includes a bathhouse with public restrooms, boardwalk, lighting, accessible entry, fishing jetty, and public pier. Bring a picnic and enjoy the pavilion on a bay-view bluff!
Point Lookout State Park
Scotland, MD ∙ Approx 115 miles from Dulles Airport
Point Lookout State Park is a picturesque peninsula formed by the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River. Enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, and camping in this beautiful setting. The sandy beach has a designated swimming area with lifeguards, grills, picnic tables, and a playground. The park store carries snacks, ice cream, drinks, bait, ice, souvenirs, boat fuel, and camping and picnicking supplies. Canoe rentals are also available, and visitors can stop by the Civil War Museum/Marshland Nature Center.
Elk Neck State Park
North East, MD ∙ Approx 115 miles from Dulles Airport
Nature lovers will find plenty to enjoy at Elk Neck State Park! Located on a peninsula, this expansive park features marshlands, woods, cliffs, and beaches for hiking, camping, fishing, boating, and swimming. Miles of trails accommodate all skill levels. Visitors can also explore Turkey Point Lighthouse at the peninsula’s southern tip and enjoy views of the Chesapeake Bay.
Rocky Gap State Park
Flintstone, MD ∙ Approx 120 miles from Dulles Airport
Rocky Gap State Park in Allegany County, MD, offers a variety of activities and programs across thousands of acres. One of Western Maryland’s most popular parks, it features a picturesque hemlock forest and opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming in Lake Habeeb, overlooking Evitt’s Mountain. Visitors can also hunt, hike, or enjoy interpretive activities and programs at the Nature Center. Campers can stay in mini cabins or the one-of-a-kind Easter Hill Chalet.
Sherando Lake
Lyndhurst, VA ∙ Approx 135 miles from Dulles Airport
Sherando Lake, divided into upper and lower lakes, offers plenty of family recreation. Lower Sherando, the larger of the two, features cool, spring-fed water for swimming, fishing, or relaxing on the sandy beach. Hiking options include the Blue Loop Trail, Lakeside Trail, and Torry Ridge Trail, which leads to Bald Knob. Weekend campfire programs are held at the amphitheater from Memorial Day through Labor Day, along with other seasonal events and family activities.
Via the Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation, check out these other Virginia State Parks that offer swimming, too:
Via the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, check out these other Maryland State Parks that offer swimming, too:
Keep safety top of mind and swim at your own risk (many areas with shorelines and water access do not have lifeguards and are subject to tides, currents, and weather-related changes).
Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.
Updated July 22, 2026
