Sykesville, Maryland is one of those small towns with a lot of heart that we have so many of in our wonderful state. Sykesville itself is home to a beautiful little old town area with a great restaurant and some incredible history. But I bet you’d be interested to know that this small town is home to one of Maryland’s most serene and unfindable swimming areas – a perfect oasis of summer fun that has remained a local secret for years. It takes some searching, but when you manage to find it, you’ll never forget it.
For this swimming hole, you have to know where to turn off the main road. Along River Road, there are a few areas where you can pull your car off to the side, and you’ll find a couple of well-worn dirt trails from the street down to the river.
You’ll have to follow this trail for a short while, and since it’s not a well-known spot, you should be prepared to walk through a couple of spiderwebs while you’re at it. But you can wash those off once you get to the water.
Eventually, you’ll come out onto this little river bank beach, which is surprisingly wide enough to lay a towel or a blanket out and enjoy a picnic lunch if you so desire! The railroad runs up above the hill, so you’ll likely see a few trains come by every now and then.
The little beach gives full river access. It starts off only about shin-deep, but if you wade out just a bit you’ll drop right into the water right up to your neck. The river is constantly bubbling over the rocks, so it stays refreshing and cool!
There are also plenty of boulders that are large enough to dry off on when you need a break. Splash in the river, bask in the sun, hop back down into the cool Patapsco water when you’re ready - could there be a better way to spend a summer day?
This Sykesville swimming hole is a bit small, so if you’re looking for something a little larger (but almost assuredly less secluded), check out this incredible picnic area in Maryland! What are some of your favorite places to swim in the Old Line State?
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