It's time for another exclusive scoop on a locals-only spot- and this time it's in Baltimore! If you're looking for a picturesque swimming hole that boasts two rope swings and plenty of rocks to jump off of; than the Jones Road part of Gunpowder Falls State Park is for you.
Jones Rd. is located in Kingsville, just a 15 minute drive east up Route 40 from the beltway. The left turn onto Jones Rd. is a little hard to spot, but it is just after you pass the Gunpowder River. If you hit Joppa Farm Rd., you've gone too far. Almost immediately after turning onto Jones Rd., there will be a gated parking lot on your left. Be sure to park there; otherwise you could get a ticket. After you park, just follow the trail down to the water. The trails are a little labyrinthine, but they are all inter-connected. Just stay on the wider trails and they will lead you to the water.
There are two major swimming areas; one directly under a train bridge (with lots of rocks for jumping off of), and one a short hike past the rocks. Both spots have rope swings, but the swimming hole that lies beyond the rocks is usually much less crowded, and you don't have to contend with the noise of the train passing overhead.
As great as this spot is for cooling off after a long, hot day; it does have one major downside: trash. People bring trash bags, fill them up, and then just leave them behind. Others will down a soda and just throw the bottle into the river. The amount of refuse here is as depressing as it is infuriating. Someone really needs to do something about it; and yours truly is concocting a plan.
So if you want to take a day trip out to Jones Road, please remember to pack out what you pack in. Maybe while you're there, take a few minutes to pick up a couple of pieces of trash. If we all work together, we can get this swimming hole to look like something off of a post card.
Rope swinging at Jones Road
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