Camp Wood
Campground
0.4 mi
5 (1)
Parkton, MD 21120
Public showerTent sites
CreekMD
Gunpowder Falls State Park Hereford Area Swimming Holes
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan Gunpowder Falls' Hereford area with documented parking approaches, cold-water cautions, trail rules, overnight options and reviewed river and trail photos.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
Confirm water-entry restrictions with park staff and current signs. Hammerman's beach supervision and swimming arrangements do not apply to Hereford. Do not use old rope-swing or jumping advice.
Official sources checked:
Water type
Creek
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
DNR's park overview lists no Hereford parking or access fee. Cottage and permitted youth-group overnight arrangements are separate; do not transfer Hammerman admission rules to this area.
Best season
DNR lists Hereford day-use hours from sunrise to sunset. Check current restrictions and leave time to return to the correct parking area
Nearby towns
Baltimore, Hereford, Monkton
Water body
Big Gunpowder Falls Downstream Of Prettyboy Reservoir
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Baltimore, Hereford, Monkton
Access location not verified
39.6108, -76.6806
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.
A closer look
Photos of Gunpowder Falls State Park Hereford Area Swimming Holes
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.
Choose Hereford for a river or trail outing
The Hereford area has multiple access points, not one universal swimming entrance. Its park-area pin is unverified as a water entry. Hammerman Beach is a separate destination with its own swimming arrangements.
Use documented parking approaches
Consult DNR's directions for Bunker Hill, Masemore or Falls Road. The former York Road roadside and bridge-walking itinerary is not retained as verified advice. Plan the return route before leaving the parking area.
Cold water changes the decision
The river-recreation page explains reservoir-release cold water and paddling difficulty that varies by reach. A warm afternoon or shallow-looking photo is not proof of suitable water-entry conditions. Private property begins downstream of Big Falls Road; a float is not permission to land anywhere.
Keep overnight facilities separate
Camp Wood is a permitted youth-group option, while Mill Pond Cottage is separate lodging. Neither allows casual riverside camping or guarantees amenities at another trailhead.
Read the gallery as setting, not clearance
The reviewed river, footbridge, path and park-sign photos illustrate historical surroundings without identifiable visitors. Follow present signs and the official trail guidance; no photograph verifies today's river depth, supervision or accessibility.
Getting There
Choose a documented access point before departure. DNR describes Bunker Hill Road via I-83 north exit 27, east on Mount Carmel Road, north on York Road past Hereford High School, then Bunker Hill Road to the large asphalt lot. Its other approaches use Masemore Road to a lot before the iron bridge, or Evna Road and Falls Road to a riverside lot. Consult the official directions and trail map for the chosen approach. The historical pin is about 1.2 miles from the saved named area record, not a verified water entry. Old York Road roadside parking and sidewalk-free bridge-crossing instructions have been withdrawn.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
The area is noncontiguous with multiple trailheads. A park-area map pin is not an entrance to each river reach. Arrange an appropriate return and take-out plan before paddling.
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
Confirm water-entry restrictions with park staff and current signs. Hammerman's beach supervision and swimming arrangements do not apply to Hereford. Do not use old rope-swing or jumping advice. 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
Gunpowder - Falls Rd. Trailhead
Hiking area
0.8 mi
4.7 (67)
1001 Falls Rd, Parkton, MD 21120
Hillbilly Beach
Park
1.2 mi
4.6 (56)
17910 York Rd, Parkton, MD 21120
Parking lot
Parking grounds
1.2 mi
Monkton, MD 21111
Gunpowder Falls State Park Hereford Area
Park
1.2 mi
4.6 (232)
17910 York Rd, Parkton, MD 21120
Gunpowder Big Falls Rd. Parking
Hiking area
2.4 mi
4.6 (34)
17569-17587 Big Falls Rd, Monkton, MD 21111
Cub Hill Ranger Station - Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service
Forestry service
16.2 mi
3 (1)
9405 Old Harford Rd, Parkville, MD 21234
Restrooms
Public bathroom
18.3 mi
9650 Honeygo Blvd, Perry Hall, MD 21128
Frequently Asked Questions About Gunpowder Falls State Park Hereford Area Swimming Holes
Is Hereford the park's designated swimming beach?
No. Hammerman is the separate beach destination. DNR describes paddling and tubing at Hereford; this review did not verify permission for the old named swimming holes.
Can I park anywhere along York Road?
Do not assume roadside space is permitted. Use DNR's documented parking approaches and current signs, rather than the old bridge-crossing itinerary.
Are bicycles allowed on Hereford trails?
DNR prohibits bicycles on Hereford trails. Hiking and horseback routes still require appropriate terrain planning and designated-path use.
Can I camp beside the river?
Do not assume that is permitted. Camp Wood requires an organized youth-group permit and operates seasonally; Mill Pond Cottage is separately arranged lodging.
Highlights
Documented parking choices
Hereford versus Hammerman distinction
Cold-water and paddling cautions
Trail and overnight-use rules
Reviewed river and approach gallery
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- DNR reports 45 to 50 F reservoir-release water year-round, not a live reading
- Its river page requires flotation devices for canoeists and kayakers, and helmets from Prettyboy Dam to York Road
- These boating rules do not establish swimming clearance
- Assess current flow and restrictions before any river activity
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Hereford's protected wildlands and trout waters are distinct from the park's tidal Hammerman beach area. Plan around the correct section, not the park name alone.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Four historical images show wooded river scenery, a small footbridge, a natural-surface path and a Gunpowder Falls park sign. They do not identify a safe swimming depth, current access or a maintained rope swing.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
DNR prohibits bicycles on Hereford trails and asks visitors to remain on designated paths. Pack out trash and observe the area's alcohol restriction. Respect private property below Big Falls Road.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
DNR lists Hereford day-use hours from sunrise to sunset. Check current restrictions and leave time to return to the correct parking area.
Difficulty Level
DNR describes rocky and sometimes steep hiking trails. A footbridge photo does not prove a continuous accessible route.
Fee
DNR's park overview lists no Hereford parking or access fee. Cottage and permitted youth-group overnight arrangements are separate; do not transfer Hammerman admission rules to this area.
Facilities
Camp Wood's comfort station belongs to its permitted youth-camping facility; Mill Pond Cottage's bathrooms are lodging amenities. Neither establishes restrooms for every river visitor.
Activities
Hiking, scenic viewing and condition-dependent paddling or tubing; specific swimming-hole permission unverified
Phone
410-592-2897 (Gunpowder Falls State Park)
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
DNR offers permit-based organized youth camping at Camp Wood from May 1 through September 30. Mill Pond Cottage is separately arranged lodging, not permission to camp at a riverbank or trailhead. Check availability with park staff.
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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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