Gunpowder Falls State Park: Hammerman Area

As Gunpowder’s featured day-use park, Hammerman features a swimming beach, food concessions, four rentable picnic pavilions, picnicking, playgrounds, canoe/kayak rentals, fishing, and short hiking trails.

As Gunpowder’s premier day-use park, the Hammerman Area features a 1,500 feet beach and swimming area on the banks of the Gunpowder River. Food concessions, picnic pavilions and tables, playgrounds, canoe/kayak rentals, fishing, and short hiking trails round out your park experience. Plus, the swimming beach, beach bathhouse and day use pavilions are accessible for all.

Beach and Swimming Area

Lifeguards are on duty at the swimming area from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Swimming is permitted at your own risk when lifeguards are not on duty. *Lifeguard hours are subject to change. Call 410-592-2897 to confirm.

Open Water Swimming
Open water swimming and long distance swim training are permitted between the hours of 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Swimmers are required to sign a distance swimming agreement with a lifeguard before entering the water and must only swim between beaches 1 and 5.

Picnicking
Picnic tables and grills are available free-of-charge on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please keep all fire in the grills provided and be sure to extinguish all fires before departing.

Fishing and Boating
Anglers 16 years-of-age and older must possess a Maryland Bay Sport Fishing License.

Fishing is not permitted from the Hammerman Beach. Fishing is permitted north of the beach and near the canoe ramp.

The Hammerman Area has a small boat launch, however the water is extremely shallow and is only appropriate for unpowered boats such as canoes, kayaks and row boats.