Public Parking Spot
Parking lot
5 (1)
122 National Pike, Clear Spring, MD 21722
Regional River And Tributary ReferenceMD
Potomac State Forest Swimming Holes, Maryland
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Explore Potomac State Forest's Lostland and Laurel Run trail and camping context, without assuming six historical pools have verified swimming entrances.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
Use authorized entrances and obey current notices. Do not jump, dive or use rope swings or natural rock slides.
Water type
Regional River And Tributary Reference
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
Oakland, Gorman, Kearney
Water body
Lostland Run, Laurel Run And North Branch Potomac River
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
Oakland, Gorman, Kearney
Access location not verified
Kearney, 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.
Choose a named forest destination
This Garrett County reference groups historical stops around Lostland Run, Laurel Run and the North Branch Potomac River. It is not one managed beach with six verified entrances. Maryland DNR's current forest information is useful for trail, fishing and camping planning, but does not establish a designated bathing area at each archived pool.
Trails and camping need their own plan
DNR identifies trails and authorized camping areas around Lostland and Laurel Run. Backpack camping requires registration and a posted nightly fee; camping is prohibited within 200 feet of trails or streams. Confirm the current permit process and the precise campsite rather than carrying an old creek-side camping assumption forward.
River conditions and access
The forest's fishing guidance warns about strong currents, boulders and fallen trees. A fishing route or footbridge is not a verified swimming entrance. Stay on permitted routes, avoid dam structures and rapids, and do not use historical pool depths or jumping directions as present-day instructions.
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
Pen Mar Park Parking
Parking lot
4.7 (60)
Highfield-Cascade, MD 21719
Restroom
Swallow Falls State Park
State park
4.8 (3638)
2470 Maple Glade Rd, Oakland, MD 21550
Wooded park with a 1.2-mile trail to Muddy Creek Falls has a biking trail, picnic area & camp sites.
Barbecue grillPicnic tablesPublic restroom
Garrett State Forest
State park
4.7 (196)
1431 Potomac Camp Rd, Oakland, MD 21550
Large state park with campsites, hiking, fishing & a self-guided trail explaining forest management.
Picnic tablesPublic restroom
Fork Run Recreation Area Trails
Hiking area
4.5 (38)
Fork Run, McHenry, MD 21541
Gender-neutral restroom
Swallow Falls Campground
Campground
4.5 (42)
Oakland, MD 21550
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Deep Creek Lake State Park
State park
4.8 (17)
2410 State Park Rd, Swanton, MD 21561
Barbecue grill
Double G RV Park
Campground
4.6 (133)
76 Double G Dr, McHenry, MD 21541
Frequently Asked Questions About Potomac State Forest Swimming Holes, Maryland
Are there six verified swimming entrances?
No. The historical regional reference is not a current inventory of six authorized bathing entrances.
Which places does the reference cover?
It concerns Lostland Run, Laurel Run and nearby North Branch Potomac River reaches in Potomac State Forest.
Can I hike or fish there?
DNR publishes forest trail and fishing information. Choose the named destination, follow current route restrictions and obtain any required fishing license.
Can I camp beside a pool?
Do not assume creek-bank camping is allowed. Backpack camping requires registration and a fee, and DNR prohibits camping within 200 feet of a trail or stream.
Do campground facilities serve every water stop?
No. Confirm services at the exact authorized campground; they are not amenities at all historical pools.
Are the old jumping and depth descriptions reliable?
No. They are not a current survey. Avoid jumping and diving, and heed DNR's warnings about currents, rocks and fallen trees.
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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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
Authorized forest hiking, fishing and camping; exact historical bathing entries unresolved.
Phone
301-707-6539
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
Use DNR-authorized campsites or registered backpack camping; no camping within 200 feet of streams or trails.
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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