A few weeks back, I was hiking in the Jerusalem Mill area of Gunpowder Falls State Park. After hiking, I checked the bulletin board and made an exciting discovery. The flier in question said that there was a part of Gunpowder that had a beach, hiking trails, and water craft rentals. What's more, it was apparently only 15 minutes from my house! "Check out the Hammerman Beach area!" read the flier. I had nothing to do that day, so I thought, "Why not?"
As an ex-beach bum, I was obviously excited by the prospect of beach closer than Ocean City. I was quite surprised when I got there just how much more Hammerman has to offer than Sun and sand. It is the ultimate family weekend spot. For the pittance of $3 a head, you have access to a clean, intimately sized beach, hiking trails, a plethora of picnic tables and playgrounds, several grilling areas, and a few large pavilions. For a little extra cash, they also have a concession stand and boat rentals. They offer everything from kayaking, to canoeing, to windsurfing and paddle boarding. Rentals range from $15 an hour (for single, sit-on-top kayaks) to $30 an hour (for performance sea kayaks). Ultimate Watersports is the company that handles the rentals, and you can find more information as well as pricing on their website.
Sadly, the hiking at Hammerman is limited. They have two short circuit trails. One, the Muskrat Trail, can be found in the "Ash" parking lot (the first lot on your right from the entrance).The trail is only about a mile round trip, but it leads to a rather interesting, tiny cabin that looks out over a swamp. The Dogwood Trail, fittingly located in the "Dogwood" parking lot, is a bit of a different story. It isn't so much of a trail as it is a scavenger hunt for white blazes. The trail is poorly cut through the woods, and disappears frequently under the foliage.
Hammerman Beach is a wonderful way to while the weekend away. It has something for everyone; whether you're a family man looking for a place to take the kids, a beach bum, a water craft nut, or if you are just looking for a place to do a spot of grilling with friends. It is the most fun you can legally have for $3!
Comments
To get to Hammerman Beach: from I-695 take the route 40 exit East towards Aberdeen. Make a right on Ebenezer Road. After a couple of miles, the park will be on your left.
Very nice reporting, you have helped me out in ways you cannot foresee.
Congratulations on your first article! I look forward to reading more.
I love this beach, we spend a lot of time there in the summer
Great article Alex! We actually had a family reunion there years ago and I had forgotten about it. Thanks for reminding me!!
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