Union Bridge MarylandBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Union Bridge, Maryland.
1. Little Pipe Creek Park
PEACEFUL CREEK EXPERIENCE
Little Pipe Creek Park is a free public park located between Main Street and Green Valley Road in Union Bridge. The park features a portage on Little Pipe Creek located next to the bridge on West Locust Street where kayaks and canoes can be launched for a peaceful journey. Visitors can enjoy the creek's twists and turns along the Frederick County/Carroll County line until it joins Big Pipe Creek outside of Detour, MD.
2. Pipe Creek Water Trail
SCENIC WATERWAY ADVENTURE
The Pipe Creek Water Trail offers a serene watercraft experience starting from Union Bridge as the first portage point. The trail winds through beautiful small farms, small red cliffs, and old copper mines as it follows Little Pipe Creek. Most of the water is slow and flat, making it perfect for beginners, with only one notable three-foot dam beneath the railroad trestle bridge in Keymar requiring a short carry around.
3. Liberty Reservoir
EXPANSIVE RECREATIONAL WATERS
Liberty Reservoir is a substantial body of water spanning 3,100 acres located near Eldersburg, just a short drive from Union Bridge. The reservoir offers excellent fishing opportunities with species including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and various panfish. Visitors can also enjoy non-motorized boating, hiking along shoreline trails, and picnicking in designated areas with beautiful water views.
4. Cascade Lake
FAMILY-FRIENDLY SWIMMING DESTINATION
Cascade Lake is a popular summer destination featuring a spring-fed lake with a sandy beach area about 20 miles from Union Bridge. The attraction offers swimming, fishing, and paddle boat rentals in a family-friendly environment. Visitors can enjoy water slides, floating platforms, and picnic facilities that make it perfect for a full day of water recreation.
5. Cunningham Falls State Park
WATERFALL AND LAKE PARADISE
Cunningham Falls State Park, located in the Catoctin Mountains about 25 miles from Union Bridge, features Maryland's largest cascading waterfall. The park's 43-acre Hunting Creek Lake offers swimming at a guarded beach area, boating, and fishing opportunities. Visitors can hike to the scenic 78-foot waterfall or enjoy camping, picnicking, and wildlife viewing throughout the diverse parkland.
6. Greenbrier State Park
MOUNTAIN LAKE RETREAT
Greenbrier State Park centers around a 42-acre man-made lake nestled in the rolling hills of the Appalachian Mountains approximately 30 miles from Union Bridge. The park features a 1,000-foot sandy beach with lifeguards during summer months, making it a popular swimming destination. Visitors can also enjoy fishing, canoeing, hiking on numerous trails, or relaxing in picnic areas surrounding the scenic lake.
7. Prettyboy Reservoir
PRISTINE FISHING WATERS
Prettyboy Reservoir is a scenic 7.2 billion-gallon drinking water reservoir located within a reasonable drive from Union Bridge. The reservoir is renowned for excellent fishing opportunities, particularly for smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and various trout species. Visitors can enjoy shoreline fishing, non-gasoline powered boating, and hiking along the surrounding trails with beautiful overlooks of the pristine waters.
8. Codorus State Park
LAKE RECREATION PARADISE
Codorus State Park, just over the Pennsylvania border from Union Bridge, is centered around the 1,275-acre Lake Marburg. The park offers a swimming pool with splash zones, boat rentals, and extensive shoreline fishing opportunities. Visitors can enjoy water activities in summer months and hiking along scenic lakeside trails year-round.
9. Antietam Creek
HISTORIC WATERWAY EXPERIENCE
Antietam Creek flows through historic Sharpsburg, offering a peaceful waterway experience about 35 miles from Union Bridge. The creek provides excellent opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing in a setting rich with Civil War history. Visitors can access the water at various points along the Antietam Creek Water Trail and enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside.
10. Rocky Gap State Park
MOUNTAIN LAKE GETAWAY
Rocky Gap State Park features the 243-acre Lake Habeeb, known for having some of the clearest water in Maryland, located within an hour's drive from Union Bridge. The park boasts a beach area for swimming, boat rentals, and fishing opportunities surrounded by scenic mountain views. Visitors can also enjoy hiking trails, camping facilities, and the adjacent Rocky Gap Casino Resort for additional entertainment options.