Summer lake vacation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not to be a downer but the lakes around here are gross and I wouldn’t let my kid swim in them. Warnings for toxic contamination are not uncommon. I’d try for an area on the bay instead or just go to the beach.

This is OP. I didn’t realize this was an issue! We went to a bay beach last year and couldn’t swim because of the jellyfish. We have one family member with a disability, and longer car rides aren’t possible, so I don’t think we can make it to an ocean beach.

As between bay beach and lake, which is our best bet if we’re doing this for elementary aged kids? They want to play in the sand and get in the water. They also like a nice pool with a water slide or diving board, but I think that might not happen either place. Adults like a clean place to stay that’s not absurdly expensive.

Chesapeake Bay Hyatt seems like it wouldn’t all of your needs.

*would fit

Except there are jellyfish in the Choptank.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not to be a downer but the lakes around here are gross and I wouldn’t let my kid swim in them. Warnings for toxic contamination are not uncommon. I’d try for an area on the bay instead or just go to the beach.

This is OP. I didn’t realize this was an issue! We went to a bay beach last year and couldn’t swim because of the jellyfish. We have one family member with a disability, and longer car rides aren’t possible, so I don’t think we can make it to an ocean beach.

As between bay beach and lake, which is our best bet if we’re doing this for elementary aged kids? They want to play in the sand and get in the water. They also like a nice pool with a water slide or diving board, but I think that might not happen either place. Adults like a clean place to stay that’s not absurdly expensive.

Chesapeake Bay Hyatt seems like it wouldn’t all of your needs.

This is OP. Thank you. I called, but they said there is no beach there. Otherwise this would be perfect.

[Anonymous]

Rocky Gap Resort (in the state park). About two hours from DC. Sand beach on a clean mountain lake. Hotel. Pool with retractable roof. No diving board, but diving boards are hard to come by, for insurance reasons these days. Playground. Kayak/pedal boat rentals. Western and Scenic Railroad. And a huge state park for your kids to run around in. It’s not glamorous, but it meets your needs.

Yes, there is an attached casino, but you can avoid it.

Deep Creek is a little further away, and there is only one property with a beach: Will O the Wisp. They have an indoor pool (I think). Or you could rent a condo/house/cabin, and use the beach in the state park. My kids liked this beach when they were younger.

[Anonymous]

Lake Monocan at Wintergreen Resort in VA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not to be a downer but the lakes around here are gross and I wouldn’t let my kid swim in them. Warnings for toxic contamination are not uncommon. I’d try for an area on the bay instead or just go to the beach.

This is OP. I didn’t realize this was an issue! We went to a bay beach last year and couldn’t swim because of the jellyfish. We have one family member with a disability, and longer car rides aren’t possible, so I don’t think we can make it to an ocean beach.

As between bay beach and lake, which is our best bet if we’re doing this for elementary aged kids? They want to play in the sand and get in the water. They also like a nice pool with a water slide or diving board, but I think that might not happen either place. Adults like a clean place to stay that’s not absurdly expensive.

Chesapeake Bay Hyatt seems like it wouldn’t all of your needs.

This is OP. Thank you. I called, but they said there is no beach there. Otherwise this would be perfect.

Hmm there is. We were on it and took a little inflatable boat out. Check the website or call again. They also have s’mores at night. It’s fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not to be a downer but the lakes around here are gross and I wouldn’t let my kid swim in them. Warnings for toxic contamination are not uncommon. I’d try for an area on the bay instead or just go to the beach.

This is OP. I didn’t realize this was an issue! We went to a bay beach last year and couldn’t swim because of the jellyfish. We have one family member with a disability, and longer car rides aren’t possible, so I don’t think we can make it to an ocean beach.

As between bay beach and lake, which is our best bet if we’re doing this for elementary aged kids? They want to play in the sand and get in the water. They also like a nice pool with a water slide or diving board, but I think that might not happen either place. Adults like a clean place to stay that’s not absurdly expensive.

Chesapeake Bay Hyatt seems like it wouldn’t all of your needs.

This is OP. Thank you. I called, but they said there is no beach there. Otherwise this would be perfect.

Hmm there is. We were on it and took a little inflatable boat out. Check the website or call again. They also have s’mores at night. It’s fun.

We went there as well- there was no beach.
But without the beach part it would fit your other criterias OP.
Maybe one weekend here and another at Lake Anna?

[Anonymous]

There is a very small tiny beach at the Chesapeake Hyatt Regency in Cambridge.

There is one inside pool with life guard and there are several outside pools and also water slides etc.

It is a fun place for kids.

Please note the Choptank River does get jellyfish generally around July and certainly by August.

[Anonymous]

Agree the Chesapeake Hyatt in Cambridge is a great place for kids. The beach is tiny but you can sit/play in the sand with young kids, and it’s very close to the outdoor pool. Plus some water sports are available (kayak, pedal boards).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lakes are awful in the summer. Generally stagnant water. Heat, bugs, no coastal breeze.

They aren't idilic or what you picture from '80s movies and generally awful food/dining options.

Just go to a beach on the Ocean. No need to search for something that doesn't exist, unless you have a Bigfoot obsession.

Or unless one of your children has a serious disability.

I disagree. Ocean beach hotels are going to be a significantly easier option than any lake or bay option in this region.

I know I should let this go, but I cannot believe the hubris of some people on DCUM to believe you know better than the OP what my disabled child is capable of or what would be easier for us/her. We cannot get her to an ocean beach. It’s too far in the car. She will stop breathing.

I cannot imagine a person who thinks he knows better than I do where we can take my child WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING MY CHILD.

I'm getting the same crap on a different thread. So I'm guessing there is a troublemaker on DCUM at the moment. Anyway, another option is Colonial Beach, VA. About 1.5 hours and on the bay. Easy to access beaches too. You can park right in front of the beach.

Ick NO. We enjoyed this beach several years ago but we went last year in July and it was gross... sand washed away, jellyfish washed up on sand, and many jellyfish in the water. Only a few people were brave enough to swim in the water. My son wanted to leave less than an hour after we arrived. And the town looked shabbier than in years past.

That said, there was a storm and sewage spill upstream within a week of our visit so perhaps we just visited there at a bad time. There are online jellyfish trackers you can check before visiting local beaches.

One local trip we really enjoy is Calvert County and St Mary's county. Apx 1.5 hour drive from DC and several parks with water access to Chesapeake bay or Potomac River. Sometimes when we go there are few jellyfish.

Jellyfish for both areas depend on the time of year- July/August being peak. For Colonial Beach I prefer south beach and Dockside for the better sandy areas.

[Anonymous]

If you could go further, the Poconos has several lakes but you’d be looking at house rentals and probably for a full week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not to be a downer but the lakes around here are gross and I wouldn’t let my kid swim in them. Warnings for toxic contamination are not uncommon. I’d try for an area on the bay instead or just go to the beach.

This. Unsafe.

lol Deep Creek’s temperature high is maybe 75 in August. You’re not getting sick from the water, moron.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not to be a downer but the lakes around here are gross and I wouldn’t let my kid swim in them. Warnings for toxic contamination are not uncommon. I’d try for an area on the bay instead or just go to the beach.

This. Unsafe.

lol Deep Creek’s temperature high is maybe 75 in August. You’re not getting sick from the water, moron.

I wouldn’t name call, but I do find it funny all of these people calling the area lakes “unsafe.” Yes, they are human-made, but I somehow never hear about anyone getting sick from these lakes.

[Anonymous]

Let's change the topic slightly. What is the closest natural (not man made reservoir) lake to the DC area? One that is presumably fed by natural springs and aquifers?

[Anonymous]

Smith Mountain Lake is amazing. Also Cunningham Falls Lake - An hour from DC

[Anonymous]

The 2.5 hr time restriction is tough because depending where you are coming from and traffic even Lake Anna is pushing it. Smith mountain lake and deep creek are both probably too far. We’ve camped at greenbrier state park and the beach is fine for kids, but I don’t know of a close hotel.

With the bay, the key to avoiding jellyfish is to go early in the summer- like before the 4th of July.