Cool Off at the Poolesville Swimming Hole near DC

Like the rest of the country and the world, confinement has been our way of life until very recently. Our frequent adventures had to be put on hold. However we still managed to venture outdoors and do some exploring. Heeding the CDC’s and state officials’ recommendations, we took all the necessary precautions during our outings and stayed local. We are actually grateful for the time to explore all the hidden gems our area has to offer. It had made for fun and unique adventures like this swimming hole in Poolesville, Maryland!

After a tepid start, summer is approaching with a vengeance: the heat is brutal almost unbearable and the humidity is at full strength (I haven’t had a fizz-free hair day for days maybe even weeks now). As of today, outdoor pools remain closed. I have been desperate to find other options to cool off. That’s when I remembered a couple years back, I stumbled onto a little creek perfect for wading around. Only a 20-mins drive away, this swimming hole was the perfect adventure not too far from home. To be honest, I was afraid it would be crowded and run down by people eager to find a spot to cool off just like us. But it was not the case.

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Where exactly is the Poolesville swimming hole?

So where is this swimming hole? Located off Old River Road in Poolesville, MD, Seneca Creek passes under a bridge and creates a perfect spot to take a dip. The best way to get there is to go to the Seneca Store, located at 16315 Old River Road, Poolesville MD 20837. Opened in 1901 as a general store, Seneca Store has since been acquired by Montgomery County Parks. Montgomery Parks is rehabilitating the building and perimeter to create a working store (to be leased by a commercial tenant) and a heritage tourism destination. Once there, you can park right in front or somewhere along the road. Although be mindful not to block entryway to the neighboring private residences.

The trail leading to the creek starts to the right of the store. Keep going straight on the path until you can find an opening on the banks to get to the water. The water is clear although there are some debris after heavy rainfalls. The stream is shallow (only about knee-deep) with large rocks perfect to lie or sit on. Some rocks are mossy and slippery so water shoes are a must. The current is gentle enough for little kids. The water was freezing cold but I suspect it warms up as summer drags on.

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Things to Bring

• Water shoes
• Bug repellent (watch out for the horseflies! They are very persistent)
• Floatie (you can tie to a tree so it won’t float away)
• Towel
• Be aware they are no stores nearby and you should bring snacks and drinks with you

We usually keep all our belongings in the car and only bring a towel with us as well as a small dry bag for electronics (phones, cameras) and keys. However we’ve seen families setting up picnic blankets on the banks. Just be aware that flat surfaces are very limited.

Things to Know

• It’s FREE!!! Free to park and free to swim
• There are no bathrooms
• The trail can be extremely muddy so plan accordingly

I am sure you will enjoy this swimming hole in Poolesville as it is very family-friendly. I’ve also seen teenagers in the water in years past but not yet this year. We’ve been down there a couple of times already this summer and both times it was quite empty. Granted, we went after work on a weekday and I have no ideas how things look like on the weekend. Please leave a comment if you decide to head over there or if you’ve been to other watering holes in the area.

Thank you for reading and make sure to subscribe to the blog for upcoming ideas on unique and fun family-friendly places to explore around the DMV area and beyond!

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