Camp Harding Park
Park
4.7 (103)
13029 Pecktonville Rd, Big Pool, MD 21711
Barbecue grillBasketball courtPicnic tablesPublic restroom
Creek / County Park ContextMD
Camp Harding Park
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan Camp Harding Park in Big Pool with county park services and seasonal access, while distinguishing the historical off-park Licking Creek swimming reference.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
Use authorized entrances and obey current notices. Do not jump, dive or use rope swings or natural rock slides.
Water type
Creek / County Park Context
Swimming status
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
Confirm the destination and activity charge; no blanket free-access claim.
Best season
Check the named destination, current notices and weather before choosing a date
Nearby towns
Big Pool, Pecktonville, Hagerstown
Water body
Licking Creek
Status summarizes our reviewed record, not today's opening or safety. Check current rules, swimming boundaries and notices before visiting.
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Big Pool, Pecktonville, Hagerstown
Access location not verified
Hagerstown, MD
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check with the land manager before entering the water.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
County park and creek are different destinations
Camp Harding Park is a Washington County recreation destination in Big Pool. The historical swimming reference describes Licking Creek behind the park, not a designated bathing area inside it. County park access does not establish permission to enter an adjoining bank.
Plan a park visit first
The county lists picnic pavilions, a playground, restrooms, drinking fountains, parking and a boat ramp, with canoeing and trout fishing among the activities. Its posted park season runs from the first Saturday in May to the last Sunday in October, with walk-in access year-round. Confirm service availability and any reservation charges before arranging a picnic.
Keep the water approach separate
Use the county's current park address and permitted routes. The old creek directions are not a surveyed entrance, and neither a boat ramp nor a fishing listing verifies bathing permission. Do not cross private land, jump from banks or treat a quiet-looking reach as a depth or water-quality report.
Getting There
Use the linked current source to identify the named destination and authorized approach. Historical directions are retained as an archive, not a current bathing-entry route.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Use authorized routes and current notices. A trail, launch, campground or regional source does not authorize every archived water approach.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Use authorized entrances and obey current notices. Do not jump, dive or use rope swings or natural rock slides. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Sleepy Creek Family Campground
Campground
4.7 (169)
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Public restroomRestroomRunning waterTent sites
Berkeley Springs Visitor's Center and Historic Train Depot
Visitor center
4.4 (9)
342 N Washington St, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
Gender-neutral restroom
Berkeley Springs State Park
State park
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2 S Washington St, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
Stalwart, laid-back state park offering natural springs for bathing, a spa, events & other features.
Picnic tablesPublic restroom
Public Bathrooms
Public bathroom
15 S Washington St, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
Cacapon State Park
State park
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WV-9, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
Barbecue grillPicnic tablesPublic restroomSwings
Stoney Creek Campground
Campground
4.9 (19)
72 Stoney Creek Rd, Great Cacapon, WV 25422
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Frequently Asked Questions About Camp Harding Park
Is Camp Harding a designated swimming park?
The county lists park recreation, canoeing and fishing, but does not identify the historical creek approach as a designated bathing area.
Are the park and old swimming hole the same?
No. The archived description places the creek swimming reference behind the park. Confirm the exact bank and permission independently.
What services are listed at the park?
County park services include picnic pavilions, a playground, restrooms, drinking fountains, parking and a boat ramp. These are not a facilities inventory for the off-park creek bank.
When can I visit?
The county posts a first-Saturday-in-May through last-Sunday-in-October park season and year-round walk-in access. Check current notices and service availability.
Can I reserve a picnic pavilion?
Use the county's current reservation process and charges. A pavilion booking does not authorize creek bathing or overnight camping.
Can I use the old creek directions?
Treat them as historical context, not an authorized water entry. Obtain current access confirmation and stay on permitted land.
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Do not jump, dive or use rope swings
- Water appearance does not establish depth, current, water quality, underwater hazards or an exit
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Respect protected sites and local rules; no invented cultural associations.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Photograph only from permitted viewpoints and respect visitors' privacy. Scenery is not a current water-condition report.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Respect property boundaries, use authorized routes and carry out waste.
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Check water quality before swimming
Use this safety guide before entering any natural water.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Check the named destination, current notices and weather before choosing a date.
Difficulty Level
No verified accessible descent or surveyed route to an informal water entry.
Fee
Confirm the destination and activity charge; no blanket free-access claim.
Facilities
Named campground or pool services are not facilities at every riverbank.
Activities
County park picnicking, canoeing and trout fishing; creek swimming permission unresolved.
Phone
240-313-2700
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Book an authorized campground separately; no assumed overnight riverbank access.
Loading weather data…
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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