The place was over price and never open to public when we wanted to go will not waste my time

Rebuild the dam and bring it back. Generations of Americans of all backgrounds have made memories m at cascade lake, it's such a shame to see it dried up and reduced to a concrete pond!! read more

Soooooo after reading the reviews I was not looking forward to our family event at the park ..... I was pleasantly surprised. We reserved a covered pavilion (our pavilion had more than 10 picnic tables , an oversized grill, and outlets (for the DJ we hired) . After reading various reviews / tips I reserved a paddle boat a few days before the event (full day rental was $60) . We had a blast. No the water is not crystal clear (it's looks to be a murky brown color from a distance) the "sand" is more like dirt, the path to the water can be a little rocky , and there was a huge hill to walk up from the "beach" area but we aren't in the Caribbean, we are in a very rural area (to be more specific farmland) of Maryland. The kids loved the slides that dropped them into the water. The area for guests that didn't or wouldn't take the swimming test is small (but I think that's a good thing) There was a wooden structure in the deeper water for guests to jump off of and dive off of (you must take a swimming test to participate in that activity) . The lifeguards (and there are many) were super vigilant (actually standing in the water monitoring the guests). You can also fish here (but anything you catch you must and release ) The kids enjoyed the paddle boats (of course they would) the adults are doing all of the work . I didn't think the prices, at the shops on the grounds, were unreasonable . Actually I thought they were quite fair. The venue gift shop has just about EVERYTHING you may have forgotten (sunscreen, insect repellent , shower shoes, sunglasses, beach toys etc... ) keep in mind the shops are CASH ONLY (but an atm is located on the grounds) Our event was catered by an outside vendor so I didn't get to taste the food the venue sold. FYI .... There are numerous spaces available for families to use that had picnic tables and smaller grills throughout the venue. Lastly my experience with the owner was phenomenal , he was extremely kind and accommodating. For those considering bringing your families here, please try it. As long as you don't go in with the mindset of a 5 star experience , you'll enjoy it. I guess this would be the equivalent of camping , not glamping. LOL read more

You know what? Surprisingly, I am giving Cascade Lake a five star rating. Maybe it's because I had such a bad impression going into it, I was pleasantly surprised. The lake is 1.5 hours away from Washington, DC., which isn't too bad compared to other lakes in the area. There's plenty of space for people to have a BBQ with tons of picnic tables everywhere. They let you bring in your own alcohol. The lake itself has three awesome water slides. One for adults and two smaller ones for children. In the middle of the lake is a tour for people to "cliff jump." Then there are several platforms to play on in the lake. The lake itself is in an area of Maryland near the Pennsylvania border that feels like you're in the 1970s with a small ice cream parlor and other things that will give you nostalgia. The only down side is that it costs $15 per person to go, but it's worth it to give it a try. read more

I used to come to Cascade Lake with KAH ( my summer camp when I was younger) and I loved it! I came there this past weekend with my family and the lifeguards are RUDEEEE! A 20 YEAR OLD SWIM TEST ???!?? Yes, I had to take a swim test with "elbows out of the water". The lifeguard was FAILING SOOO MANY KIDS (with 1 per day swim test policy). THE WATER WAS DIRTY. BAND AIDS EVERYWHERE. I'm giving this place a 2 star because I enjoyed spending time with my family out of the house, away from our phones. The wood platforms in the lake were fun. the lake IS OVERPRICED FOR SURE. Will come back but will lie about my age so that I wont have to take a 20 year old swim test. read more

We came here for a group picnic recently on a warm summer day. This place is very strange, kind of a throwback to something in the 70s with a more modern pool and splash area. The 'lake' is really gross, brown water that looks like swimming in a stormwater pond. The 'beach' is very small. The kids enjoyed jumping off the high tower, but I didn't see many adults in the water. If you have to come here for a group function, its fine, especially in the pool area. I wouldn't think of paying the cost of admission for my family. I'll take a pass on this place. read more

Bottom Line: OVERPRICED, INADEQUATE SAFETY STAFF, POOR MANAGEMENT, CROWDED, DIRTY If you are looking for a clean, safe, family friendly environment, where you can spend an afternoon without feeling taken advantage of as far as price is concerned---this is NOT the place for you. Try Oregon Ridge instead. I've even been treated better at Roosevelt Park in Inner City that costs $1!!!!! This experience cost 66 times and much and sucked. The young men and women they have on staff at Cascade Lake seem friendly, attentive, and sympathetic to patrons who find the facility less than dazzling for the cost...but the manager/owner would not budge on his money making-no refund-trap that mixes alcohol, unclear water and too many people and calls it a "Great Way to Spend Your Day!"...More like a great way to spend your money... Set up a Slip and Slide in the backyard. You are better off! read more

I been going too cascade lake for a couple of years now and my favorite part about it has too be the lake and the jumping platform they have in the middle of it, the little sprinkler park is okay but is more geared towards kids under 10, no real amusement for adults there. The grilling area is okay I just wish there actual grills were a bit bigger. read more

Cascade Lake - Jump off - Swimming Pools Near Me - Hampstead, Maryland

We paid $15 each to get in - a steep price to pay given how we took only one look at the stormwater detention pond that is Cascade Lake before deciding to leave. Still, the pricing is more outrageous than the lake itself. Ended up regretting the loss of money more than enjoying the rest of my day. read more

A great setting for a fun day getting together with friends and family. Maybe the music selection could have been better but that was one of the few weak spots in an otherwise great day. read more

Took a day off to take the kids someplace fun and totally regret my choice. This place is rustic at best. Overpriced and overrun with camp kids. Staff does its best with crowd control but it's a struggle when the ratio is 1/50. Camp kids all descend at the same time and basically chased mine out of the water. Won't be back. read more

I have been purchasing season passes to Cascade Lake since I was 13 years old, until I moved out of the area several years ago. I am now a mother and grandmother at the age of 61. I took my son there as an end of year celebration with his pre-school class. I stopped by with my sister on Sunday, June 4, 2017 to inquire about family season passes (this would have been 5 different families purchasing season tickets) since she is purchasing a house a block away from the lake. We asked if we could see the lake and the changes that have taken place prior to purchasing the season passes since we haven't been there for years. The young lady at the gate explained that she wasn't allowed to let us in to observe per the owner "Patrick" whom I might add is not a native of the US (from Ireland). We explained that we just wanted to see the premises before we made such costly purchases. She asked it we would like to speak to the owner, which we replied "yes please". Shortly thereafter, the owner pulled up on his golf cart and said we would NOT be permitted to view the lake unless we paid $15.00 each, and that would be applied to our season tickets if we decided to purchase family season tickets, but would NOT be refunded if we chose not to. We again explained that we grew up in the area and as adult grandmothers would like our grandchildren to experience the lake the way we did in the past, but would prefer to see it before purchasing season passes. The owner was very rude and stated that we may not return to our vehicle in the 15 minutes we requested and might "stay the day and swim for free". How dare this man smirk at us, be so rude and question our integrity! He also could have offered to escort us to the lake (to ensure we weren't trying to enter without paying) or could have offered to drive us to see the lake on his golf cart, but he did not. Thank you "Patrick" for letting us know how your business is operated prior to spending a fortune on 5 family season passes! I would NOT recommend anyone spending their time on money to fund such a rude owner who apparently has no social skills, let alone operate a business that local people would have loved to enjoy. I should have listened to another business owner in the area that warned us how rude "Patrick" was. Shame on you Patrick!!! PS: Patrick: My husband and I helped Ed Osborn to rebuild the Cascade Lake damn in 1972 when Agnes tore it down. We were always treated well by Ed Osborn and his wife (who were the owners) who apparently knew how to treat local people in a small town. Too bad you will most likely never have the experience of knowing how local people come together to work and help another in need, with NOTHING expected in return other than a smile and a friendly hello. read more

Decent. The waterside is kind of cool. I loved the splash and play even though it's geared toward little kids. Pricing is not too bad.

What a ripoff. The kids swim area at the lake was very dirty. You can see scum, feathers, etc., floating on the water. The lifeguard indicated it was due to the float-rope that partitioned the kids swim area from the rest of the lake. Well, implement something to keep it cleaner! We discovered there was a pool and water slide just up the hill from the lake. We attempted to go in but there was a private party. This pool was not advertised on the website. Apparently it's only rented out. So disappointed! The splash pad area was lame. No one was tending the ice cream shack! read more

Zero stars, if possible. Way overpriced, dirty, and run down in my opinion. Does not allow for refunds. Do not go!!

I've never experienced anything as totally disgusting as this "lake" on 4 July 2010. I was there 5 minutes with my kids... it was unbelievable. Marijuana permeated the atmosphere, as drunk and obnoxious individuals stumbled into my kids, using language that was surreal and so foul that they actually cried. I had to leave there before I got into a fight... uncivilzed, and the fact that the ownership would condone such behaviour... unbelievable. When I asked for a refund of my $72 spent for five minutes of terror, the owner laughed at me... literally... and said I must not have read the "no refund" policy. His eyes were clearly bloodshot from drinking. And it was so scary... and I spent three tours in Iraq. Makes me wonder who I should fighting against... those folks over there, or this filthy and disgusting culture alowed to permeate our US countryside. My kids begged me to leave, and I did. The worst experience in my adult life... and on a day when we should be celebrating our freedom... I don't feel very free. I went home and showered. I wouldn't recommend this to my worst possible enemy. read more