Rocky Gap State Park, Maryland, Guide

"This 243-acre, spring-fed lake is famed for having some of the bluest water in the state and serves as the park’s recreational centerpiece. Fed by a local run, it permits electric boats and paddle sports year-round (24/7), offers fishing throughout the year with trout popular in summer and ice fishing for yellow perch in winter, and even features an underwater scuba diving trail. Multiple beaches and designated roped swim areas welcome dogs, rentals allow pets with life jackets available, and water-sport lessons make it a top spot for kayaking, paddleboarding and casual boating." - Trudy Haywood Saunders Trudy Haywood Saunders Trudy Haywood Saunders is a writer and editor based in North Carolina. Her work has been featured in Travel + Leisure, Southern Living, Garden & Gun, Our State, Okra, and more. A lifelong Southerner, Trudy draws her writing inspiration from personal experiences and love for the region, focusing on culture, food, and travel in the South and beyond. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines