A Rewarding Hike to a Swimming Hole in Marriottsville, Maryland.

This amazing park is spread out over 14,000 acres along 32 miles of the Patapsco River west of the city of Baltimore. The McKeldin area is about an hour from DC and in one of the northernmost areas of the state park, up toward the Liberty Reservoir. The parking area is limited, but it is also a far less frequented part of the park, and generally smaller lots enable you more solitude on nearby trails.

You can access the McKeldin Rapids Trail here and explore the ghost towns that exist inside the park along the moderate 16.3-mile trail (out and back) that has a 1,240-foot elevation gain, but if you just want to keep it to around a 0.7 mile hike each way you can simply head to the rapids and back.

Horses and bikes are welcome in certain areas, but we prefer to check out his area of the park on foot, so we can better view the rapids and access the pond beneath. In periods of rain, be sure to wear appropriate footwear, because the terrain can be rocky and muddy. During the summer, we were happy in durable water shoes, because we will inevitably at least wade in the river at some point. As a matter of fact, to cross and continue at the McKeldin Rapids you will find yourself following a "path" across the river that can be nearly up to your knees.

If you park at the lot in the McKeldin area there is a very small fee ($2 for MD residents and $3 for non-residents). This is the easiest access to the rapids, and you can grab a trail map (or print it at home). We actually prefer to park along the street less than half a mile below the entrance to the parking area, where you can see trail markers. The walk from there is lovely, showcasing different elements of the area's natural beauty, as well as a surprising diversity of terrain along the way despite not being a long hike. It is also fairly quiet.

To directly access the pond beneath the McKeldin Rapids when you park along the street as mentioned, keep the River to your right, (there are numerous hiking offshoots along the way). Toward the end when you approach the paved part of the trail coming from the lot it gets slightly steeper.

At this point, you will find a number of picnic areas for families on both sides of the walk, each one separated by a healthy amount of distance, and generally with trees in between for a little privacy. Each picnic area has at least one table and a grill, and some also have great views! These are first-come-first-served, and while we generally make our way up on weekdays, we did visit on a Sunday, and surprisingly there were a couple of picnic areas open. I doubt this is common however - it seems most people had set up early with the intention of spending the day.

You can check out the Overlook, and then make your way down to the riverside to see the rapids from there. The descent to the river bed is a steep one, which large steps carved into the hillside, so keep in mind little legs or your older family members may struggle a bit toward the bottom. You can cross the river on the shallow pass (knee deep) and continue hiking, or just relax beside the river.

I have read online that swimming is not permitted, but upon arrival, there were two signs that said not to swim near or in the rapids. People spread out swimming and wading safely and there were plenty of different areas to do so without approaching the rapids, including wading or swimming over to one of two little islands in the water. It's basically a pond within a river because once the rapids come down and form this pool, the river turns sharply and is relatively narrow at the turn, so it naturally forms a distinct swimming hole. 

This leg of the McKeldin Rapids Trail is fun and relaxing, but moderately challenging. Your family can get some exercise and keep your hiking fans engaged without scaring off those who don't love the longer hikes. Every age seems to always enjoy it equally, even my little three-year-old (though he was on daddy's shoulders at the tail end of the walk back to the car!)

Keep in mind, if you hang out through the afternoon, bring bug spray! They aren't noticeable early in the day, but when you head back to the car, they may be active. Since that is the time when most kids are running out of steam and want to take a more leisurely pace, come prepared!

On your way back home, reward your family with a stop at Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, just seven minutes down Marriottsville Road en route to the highway,