Think our national parks are only good for hiking and scenic drives? Think again, says our national parks columnist.

There is a vehicle entrance fee to enter Hawk Island year round - $3 for county residents ... 2,600 sprawling acres still features Lake Ovid and a swim beach. The park has bathrooms, a beach ...

The park’s amenities are free year-round and open ... Going for a lake swim is Mason Mercado, 10, a rising sixth-grader of Spring Grove at the Grand Opening Beach Party and Bike Rodeo on May ...

Tucked deep in forests, behind old mining trails or on islands only reachable by boat, these secret swim spots across the ...

The travel magazine Islands has declared Cleawox Lake — a small freshwater lake with sandy beaches — the state’s most popular swimming beach. Located in Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State ...

Forget swarming beach crowds and resort ... Water stays cool and deep year-round. Nearby: Try Jumping Off Rock overlook for a panoramic view of the lake before your swim. Why go: Remote and ...

As the sun starts to heat up, summer fun is right around the corner. And we all know that means it is time to cool off with water fun. Fortunately, Central Jersey is swimming with spray parks and ...

It’s open year-round and is especially popular ... more natural swimming spot. Lake Norman State Park offers a long, gently sloping swim beach, lots of shade, picnic areas, hiking trails and ...