Tired of swimming pool water? Take a dip in a lake or the bay.

Beaver Dam Swimming Club, 10820 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, Md.,www.beaverdamswimmingclub.com, 410-785-2323.  For swimming there is a large freshwater quarry (average depth 40 feet) with rafts, diving area, and a rope swing.  In addition, there are two pools (average depth four feet), volleyball courts, a basketball court, and shaded areas with grills suitable for picnics and cookouts. There is a snack bar that serves sodas, hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, etc. Use of the quarry and pools is at swimmer's own risk.  Life guards cannot guarantee your safety.  Swimmers using the facilities at Beaver Dam assume all risk of any injury. Visitors age 14 and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Hours of operation are Monday - Friday 11:00 - 6:30, Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays 11:00 - 7:00. No tickets are sold after 4pm.

Betterton Beach Waterfront Park, take Route 292 from Chestertown, Kent County, 410-778-1957, www.kentcounty.com.  This 5 acre landscaped, family oriented waterfront park is the largest of two public beaches in the county on the Chesapeake Bay. (The other is in Rock Hall). The exceptional sandy beach has 300 feet of frontage for swimming and 700 feet of shoreline access. It is equipped with a bathhouse with public restrooms and 500 feet of boardwalk, with benches, lighting and handicap access. A picnic pavilion is located on a bayview bluff. There is a fishing jetty with a surface walk, a public pier and improved parking areas. Boating is available from a public landing and pier. The park is located near the mouth of the Sassafras River at the northwest part of the county, where fresh water currents lower the salinity of the upper Chesapeake and free Betterton's waters of sea nettles, which in late June or July often interrupt swimming lower down in the Bay. Beach and pavilion closed from dusk to dawn. Parking lot and public landing closed 10:00 p.m. until 5:00a.m.

Cascade Lake, 3000 Snydersburg Road, Hampstead, Md, 410-374-9111, www.cascadelake.com . Step back in time a beautiful 6-acre lake, nestled among 25 acres of rolling hills and wooded areas. Cascade Lake is a natural spring-fed lake with a gently sloping sandy bottom. It has a large roped-off area for swimming which includes waterslides, a high dive platform, and floating rafts. All of the swimming areas are guarded by certified lifeguards. Fishing and boating are available, scattered throughout the property are picnic tables and charcoal grills for outdoor dining. Other facilities include a bathhouse, playground, horseshoe pits, hiking trail, arcade, hot food snack bar and gift shop. Open 10 am to dusk, Swimming 10am-7pm.

Cunningham Falls State Park, 14039 Catoctin Hollow Road, Thurmont, Md. 301-271-7574, www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/cunninghamfalls Swimming--Swimming is permitted in three designated areas of Hunting Creek Lake. Lifeguards are on duty during posted hours Memorial Day to Labor Day. In addition there is also boating, picnicking, trails, and a playground available.

Gunpowder State Falls, Central Area, 410-592-2897, www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/central/gunpowder. The Hammerman Area located off Rt. 40 off Ebenezer Road offers 1,500 feet of beach and swimming area on the banks of the Gunpowder River. The swimming area is supervised by lifeguards from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Swimming is permitted at your own risk when lifeguards are not on duty. Three picnic shelters are available for rental. The area also has a food concession, picnic tables and grills, playground equipment and a windsurfing beach. Hours are 8 a.m. to sunset.

Oregon Ridge Beach, 13401 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, 410-887-1817, www.co.ba.md.us/Agencies/recreation/countyparks .  The beach operates Memorial Day weekend and subsequent weekends until school is dismissed for the summer, then daily through Labor Day. The quarry has designated shallow and deep swim areas and is staffed with independently certified lifeguards. Additional features include a bathhouse, concession stand, picnic tables, grills, playground, sand volleyball court and horseshoe pits. A small pavilion which accommodates 50, and the Lake Overlook Room located above the bathhouse are available to rent for that special occasion.

Pocomoke River State Forest and Park, 3461 Worcester Highway, Snow Hill, Md. 410- 632-2566, www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/swimming. The pool opens for weekend use on Memorial Day and daily beginning mid June. The 25-meter pool ranges from three to twelve feet. There is a wading pool for small children. All children must be accompanied by an adult. There is a service charge to use the pool. Contact the park for further information.

Point Lookout State Park, 11175 Point Lookout Road, Scotland, Md., 301-872-5688, www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/swimming. Swimming is available from Memorial Day to Labor Day. No lifeguards are on duty. The beach area has grills, picnic tables, and a playground. Facilities include showers and restrooms. Jelly fish can be found in our swim area. The number of jelly fish changes daily depending on the time of year and rainfall

Sandy Point State Park, 1100 East College Parkway, Annapolis, Md., 410-974-2149, www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/swimming. The park's beaches, among the finest on the Chesapeake Bay, are guarded during the summer season. Picnic areas are located adjacent to the beach with picnic tables and limited grills. Facilities include showers and restrooms. A food concession, selling snack food and beach and picnic supplies, is located in the South Beach area.