Swimming Hole Green Ridge State Forest
Park
4.7 (22)
15 Mile Creek Rd SE, Flintstone, MD 21530
Creek And River; Archived Multi-Location ListingMD
Green Ridge State Forest Swimming Spots
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan Green Ridge with current camping fees, headquarters directions, flood-related road checks and creek photos. Confirm permission for your intended water access.
Water type
Creek And River; Archived Multi-Location Listing
Swimming status
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
DNR publishes $10 nightly standard camping and $20 nightly group camping. Do not interpret a camping permit as a swimming admission or use the old $7 price. Verify other permits separately.
Best season
Choose conditions appropriate to your trail or camping plan and recheck roads first. No reliable swimming season or water-temperature guarantee verified
Nearby towns
Hancock, Cumberland, Little Orleans
Water body
Fifteen Mile Creek And Separate Potomac River Context
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
Hancock, Cumberland, Little Orleans
Access location not verified
LITTLE ORLEANS, MD
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
A closer look
Photos of Green Ridge State Forest Swimming Spots
Photos show past visits, not current water levels or swimming conditions. Select a photo to view it larger.
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
- Official sources checked . Swimming permission remains unconfirmed.
- 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.
Green Ridge: plan the route before the creek visit
The archived listing combined multiple informal water spots without complete directions. Today's official guidance supports forest recreation, but it does not establish swimming permission for each old creek reference. Call 301-478-3124 about your intended reach before water entry.
Headquarters and current road conditions
The DNR forest profile gives 28700 Headquarters Drive NE, Flintstone, reached from I-68 Exit 64 and M.V. Smith Road. Its office hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, not swimming hours. Flood damage may affect roads and campsites, so check your route before leaving. The old town point is withheld; headquarters directions are not a verified swimming approach.
Camping permits and trail choices
The current recreation guide lists standard sites at $10 per night and group sites at $20. Forest campsites have tables and fire rings, correcting the old price and facilities description. Obtain required camping permits, confirm availability and bring cash or check for the headquarters kiosk. Roads can require four-wheel drive depending on conditions. Pine Lick is a six-mile moderate trail and Long Pond a nine-mile difficult trail; neither length describes a confirmed swim approach. Keep dogs leashed, and do not import firewood.
Do not confuse two Fifteen Mile Creek destinations
The federal Fifteen Mile Creek campground is near Little Orleans at towpath mile 140, beside the creek's Potomac confluence. Its camping rules, toilets and seasonal hand-pump water belong to that facility, not every forest creek spot. Confirm federal camping arrangements separately. The DNR Potomac paddling route from Bond's Landing is also not a creek-swimming itinerary. River currents can be hazardous; use appropriate paddling equipment and current conditions information.
Use photos as context, not clearance
Four historical collection photos show creek scenery, a narrow wooden footbridge, a Pine Lick trail sign and a culvert. The named trail sign corroborates forest context, but no image independently fixes a camera location or proves current permission, safe depth or clean water. Do not jump from bridges, use rope swings or enter culverts. Ask about the precise route and accessibility you need rather than transferring an accessible-overlook claim to the creek. Reviewed October 9, 2026.
Getting There
For forest headquarters, DNR directs I-68 Exit 64 onto M.V. Smith Road, then Headquarters Drive immediately on the right. Headquarters is 28700 Headquarters Drive NE, Flintstone. Obtain current forest maps and route-specific road advice; this is not an exact creek-swimming approach.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
DNR warns some roads and campsites may be temporarily closed after flooding. Call headquarters before travel. Office hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, not verified water-access hours. Dogs must remain leashed.
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
Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check official rules, fees, hours, and closures before visiting. 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
Trail Parking - Lakeside Loop Trail
Hiking area
4.7 (29)
Old Hancock Rd NE, Cumberland, MD 21502
Ridge Rider Campground
Campground
4.5 (358)
31661 Green Forest Dr, Little Orleans, MD 21766
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Rocky Gap State Park
State park
4.6 (5790)
12900 Lake Shore Dr, Flintstone, MD 21530
Recreation area has a lake with a sandy beach, hiking trails & a popular campground with facilities.
Barbecue grillCycling lanesPicnic tablesPublic restroom
Lakeside Loop Trailhead
Hiking area
4.8 (68)
La Vale, MD 21502
(1) HILLCREST RIVER CAMPGROUND (2) CANAL TUNNEL RIVER CAMPGROUND
Campground
3 (19)
Campground 1, 10410B Hillcrest Drive, 1 Elizabeth St Campground 2, Cumberland, MD 21502
Public showerRestroomRunning waterTent sites
Hillcrest campground area 1
Campground
3.7 (3)
10408 Hillcrest Dr, Cumberland, MD 21502
Public Restroom
Public bathroom
Marine Dr NW, Boardman, OR 97818
Frequently Asked Questions About Green Ridge State Forest Swimming Spots
Is swimming at every archived Green Ridge spot authorized?
That was not established. Confirm the exact reach with forest headquarters; unresolved access is not a blanket prohibition.
Where should I start planning my route?
Use the official headquarters at 28700 Headquarters Drive NE, Flintstone, and current maps. I-68 Exit 64 leads to M.V. Smith Road and Headquarters Drive.
What does forest camping cost?
The current recreation page lists $10 nightly for standard sites and $20 for group sites. Obtain required permits and confirm current availability.
Are all forest roads open?
Do not assume so. DNR warns roads and campsites may be affected by flooding. Ask headquarters about your exact route and vehicle needs.
Is Fifteen Mile Creek campground the same as a forest creek spot?
No. The federal campground is near Little Orleans at the Potomac confluence, with separate arrangements and facilities.
Are the office hours swimming hours?
No. The published 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. hours refer to the headquarters office.
Are the creek paths accessible?
That was not verified. DNR's accessible Scenic Overlook Trail does not establish an accessible creek entry.
Can I bring a dog?
DNR permits pets throughout the forest on a leash at all times. Confirm any route-specific restrictions.
Highlights
Current primitive camping prices and permits
Route-specific flood checks
Four contextual creek and trail photos
Unique Features
Creek trails with separate Potomac and C&O corridor planning
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Avoid floodwater, unsafe crossings and unstable banks
- Do not jump, dive, use rope swings or enter culverts
- Photographs establish neither safe depth nor water quality
- DNR warns Potomac currents are strong and unpredictable
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Green Ridge is a western Maryland forest in the Ridge and Valley region; use operator interpretation for historical detail.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Four historical collection views show a leafless-season creek, narrow wooden footbridge, Pine Lick sign with bear guidance and culvert context. Culvert imagery is not a recommended water entry.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Carry out litter, keep pets leashed and follow firewood restrictions. Do not transport firewood into the forest from outside.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Choose conditions appropriate to your trail or camping plan and recheck roads first. No reliable swimming season or water-temperature guarantee verified.
Difficulty Level
Routes vary. DNR lists Pine Lick at six miles moderate and Long Pond at nine miles difficult; these are trail lengths, not swimming approaches. Accessible overlook guidance does not establish accessible creek entry.
Fee
DNR publishes $10 nightly standard camping and $20 nightly group camping. Do not interpret a camping permit as a swimming admission or use the old $7 price. Verify other permits separately.
Facilities
Water, toilets, changing facilities and lifeguards at an individual creek spot were not established. The separate federal Fifteen Mile Creek campground has its own facilities and seasonal water supply.
Activities
Hiking, permitted camping and fishing; Potomac paddling is separate from creek swimming.
Phone
301-478-3124
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
Around 100 primitive forest sites and three group sites are listed by the current recreation page. Obtain required permits and check site availability and flood closures. Federal C&O campground arrangements are separate.
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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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