Official State Park Map & Guide
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Guide
We are a proud member of America’s State Parks. This alliance is committed to enhancing the American quality of life by preserving recreational & historical opportunities close to home!
MUST DO IN ThE PARK: cAN’T MiSS iDEAS FOR yOUR VISIT
5 Fun Things to do Today in Your Park Chat it up
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Park rangers are the park experts. Take the time to talk with one to get the inside scoop. Before you start your adventure, ask a ranger where their favorite spot is, how long it takes to get there, and why it’s special to them. Their favorite part of the park may become yours too. For more ideas see the Ranger Recommendations article.
Hunt for treasure
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Do your kids love to hunt for treasure, how about planning a scavenger hunt? While hiking they can learn to identify different plants and trees. Put natural items like acorns and pinecones on your list of things to find. The first one to correctly identify a species checks it off their list. Use this time to talk about keeping the park clean and healthy for the next visitors. For list ideas go to www.parkvisitor.com/treasure.
Get smart
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Learn more about your park by stopping by the Visitor or Nature center, checking to see if tours are offered, or taking the time to read the placards, signs, and displays located throughout the park. What new fact will you take home with you?
Let technology meet nature
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Use your GPS-enabled cell phone or wrist top computer to trace your steps while hiking or exploring your state park. Take pictures at landmarks, during your road trip, or at interesting areas and then mark the waypoint on your device. When you get home, add the GPS tag to your photos when you post them to Flickr.com, Google maps or other web sites to show your photos tagged along the trail you walked or hiked. Now you have a trail map complete with photos for next time.
Go the distance
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How far do you plan on walking, running or biking today? Why not consider doing this at home? You can save money by not using your car, get some healthy exercise and see your neighborhood in a new way. Will you change your habits? We hope so.
WILDLIFE
Meet the Locals Mammals
You know about Maryland’s crabs and shoreline creatures, but inland you can see a tremendous amount of birds, mammals and trees. Here are a few:
Birds
Trees and Plants
White-tailed deer
Osprey
Loblolly Pine
The White-tailed deer can usually be seen throughout the state and is one of the larger animals in our State Parks. Look for these graceful creatures along the trails that run through our parks. Keep a close eye out for the males, who will regrow their antlers every season just like clockwork.
Also known as the “sea hawk”, this fish-eating bird of prey has a brown body and greyish head. They nest in any location near a body of water, so keep an eye out for them if you’re near water.
Generally 80 to 100 feet tall with a 24 inch diameter, the loblolly usually has a tall straight trunk free of branches on the lower portions of the tree. it grows on moist sandy soils and invades abandoned fields.
Eastern Wild Turkey Around since the days of the first settlers, this bird has a home range across the entire eastern half of the United States and number about 5 million in population. Look for their unique tracks and listen for their unmistakable gobble.
Beaver Watch nature’s busy builders at work in quiet coves throughout parks with water or wetland areas. Usually an elusive creature to spot, stay on the lookout for a broad tail gliding just above the surface of the water. You may not see this busy little critter, but you’ll know by his tail—and his handy work—he’s here.
Barred Owl Look for this owl at dawn or dusk, as it searches for food— preferably mice or other rodents. Though among all owls, the Barred is the most active during the day, especially if it is raising chicks.
Red Fox Their reddish-brown color makes it easy to spot this furry little animal—especially against the snow. Look for them during dusk hours when they tend to run around for food.
F A C T
White Oak The Official State Tree of Maryland prefers moist well drained soils, may grow 80 to 100 feet and is valued for timber, fuel wood and wildlife food and cover. Look for this deciduous shade tree’s broad crown of dense bluish-green foliage in the summer and reddishbrown in the fall.
Buttonbush A deciduous shrub that grows only on wet sites, the Buttonbush is usually 3 to 8 feet tall and has seeds that are consumed by small birds and ducks.
The Chesapeake Bay holds more than 15 trillion gallons of water.
YOUR BEST ShOT
Simple tips for Great Photos
Make your park memories last with strong outdoor photography. Follow these tips from the managing editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine. LESSON ONE
Get Up Early
Early morning and late afternoon offer “magic hour” light—rich in tone and low-angled, casting soft shadows that give definition and depth to your subjects. Midday light, on the other hand, casts harsh shadows, flattening your subjects. So get up early to catch the best light. LESSON TWO
Give it Scale
When shooting a mountain, meadow, body of water, snowscape, or other outdoor composition, add a sense of scale by including something of known size—whether a person, cabin, tree, or animal. This gives perspective, helping viewers understand what they’re looking at. LESSON THREE
Tell a Story
Shoot more than just scenery. Also get action shots of your loved ones enjoying the park: hiking, biking, setting up tents, preparing a meal, spreading out a trail map on a rock. Take a variety of wide shots, closeups, and portraits. Such pictures tell the story of your outing.
G E T I N VO L V E D
How You can Help Your Park
Leave your park better than you found it by following these few simple tips. By helping your park today, you will save it for future generations.
Volunteering
Join more than 8,000 volunteers who want to make a difference and ensure a sustainable future for your Maryland State Parks. Plant trees,
maintain trails, restore a natural area or clean up beaches. These efforts help protect,
preserve and restore the land we love to vacation and explore on. So please consider giving backeven an hour a month can make a difference. To learn more about fun opportunities to volunteer, visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands.
Sustainable Sense
The Maryland Park Service is leading the way to “green” with sustainable practices throughout your State Parks, including
insulating buildings and installing energy efficient light bulbs, tankless water heaters and rain barrels. New buildings now use state-of the-art green technologies and maintenance staff are busy replacing lawns with rain gardens, meadows and forests.
LESSON FOUR
Frame it
Paintings look better when framed, and photo compositions often do, too. Use an element in the foreground—a rock outcrop, doorway, window, person, trees, or branches—to lend depth to your picture. The frame can go along one, two, three, or all four sides of a picture.
More to Explore: • The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography by Scott S. Stuckey (National Geographic Books, 2010) offers many additional photo tips from 15 professional photographers. $21.95; http://shop.nationalgeographic.com. • Do you have great photos? Enter our photo contest! www.dnr.maryland.gov/photocontest
Recycle
Maryland State Parks are TRASH-FREE. We have eliminated all of the unsightly trash cans and now ask that you please pack out your waste using the trash bags provided in the park. The trash bags provided are made
from a corn-based material that is 100% biodegradable, easily decompose and will not harm the environment. We encourage you to recycle the contents when you get home if you’re able, compost what you can and then—as a last resort—throw away the rest in a trash bin.
“Petiquette” in the Park We want our dogs to enjoy the park as much as we do, while still preserving others’ experiences: • Keep your dog on a 6’ leash or shorter • Always clean up after your dog • Call ahead to confirm pets are allowed and if there are any restrictions • Keep your dog quiet and calm • All vaccinations must be current
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I D E A S FO R P L A N N I N G YO U R F U T U R E V I S I T
Greenwell State Park H6 Join the Greenwell Foundation for “River Riders,” a kayaking program offering lessons and guided trips. Program is ADA accessible.
Gunpowder Falls State Park
Rangers’ Recommendations SIGNATURE TRAILS
CAMPING
Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail H1 Find 20-miles of smooth, flat travel stone surface with several access points. It is considered one of the best hiking and biking trails in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Smallwood State Park G5 Imagine camping under the canopy of a hardwood forest along Mattawoman Creek in Charles County. Campsites with electric and cabins are also available to rent.
Swallow Falls State Park A2 Enjoy a leisurely hike through giant white pine and hemlock trees. The Canyon Trail winds along the Youghiogheny River and offers spectacular views of the beautiful waterfalls here. Seneca Creek State Park G3 Schaeffer Farm Trails are 10 miles of trail open to cyclists, hikers and equestrians. These trails provide a variety of challenges for different skill levels. Fair Hill NRMA L1 The scenic Green Trail is comprised of a combination of double-track and single-track trail. This trail consists of old farm roads and passes by the historic covered bridge.
Point Lookout State Park J8 Find a variety of paddling experiences that include one-totwo hour paddles and even all-day excursions. More than seven miles of water trails surround a 1,046-acre peninsula that hosts a beautiful refuge.
Pocomoke River State Park L7 Consisting of two camping areas— Shad and Milburn Landings— Pocomoke River welcomes all
Den (an Adirondack-style shelter), two mini-camper cabins and a Yurt are also available for campers. Martinak State Park L4 Located on scenic Watts Creek, campsites are available for trailer or tent camping, thirty of which feature electric hook-ups. Each are equipped with a camping pad, picnic table and fire ring. Boat ramp and Nature Center are also popular features here.
Take Your Pick
Pocomoke River State Park offers two areas in which to camp. Start your trip at either of them to explore all the park has to offer, including the well-paddled Corker’s Creek Water Trail. types of camping units. Explore the Nature Center and paddle Corker’s Creek Water Trail. Deep Creek Lake State Park A1 Meadow Mountain campground offers 112 campsites available in the spring through the fall. The Bear
CANOEING & KAYAKING Tuckahoe State Park K4 Offering a variety of opportunities to paddle on the 60-acre Tuckahoe Lake, visitors enjoy diverse flora and fauna when venturing upstream on the Mason Branch Water Trail.
Rocky Gap State Park C1 Enjoy the rugged mountains surrounding the park and Lake Habeeb. The lake is fed by Rocky Gap Run which winds its way through a long gorge displaying sheer cliffs, overlooks and a hemlock forest.
CABINS Mill Pond Cottage at Gunpowder Falls State Park J2 If you’re looking for a unique getaway that is both relaxing and yet close to nature, we have the place for you! At Mill Pond Cottage you can enjoy a cozy Bed and Breakfast atmosphere with fireplace, barbecue pit and air conditioning. The cottage sleeps up to eight. Duck House Lodge at Wye Island NRMA K4 Rent the Duck House Lodge for meetings, retreats, company picnics, family reunions, weddings and receptions. Scenic views of Granary Creek offer a lovely backdrop. There are overnight accommodations for 12 in a dormitory setting.
HISTORICAL INTEREST
FISHING/CRABBING
Fort Frederick State Park E1 The site of Maryland’s frontier defense during the French and Indian War (1754-1763), Fort Frederick is a stone fort, named in honor of Lord Proprietor, Frederick Calvert, Sixth Lord Baltimore, and was erected by Governor Horatio Sharpe in 1756 to protect English settlers from the French and their Indian allies.
Casselman River Bridge State Park B1 Located east of Grantsville, this is a popular area for fly fishermen in search of brown and rainbow trout.
Washington Monument State Park E2 Find the first monument in the country erected to the “father of our country,” George Washington, here at the park. A rugged stone tower was dedicated to the first president by the citizens of Boonsboro in 1827 and it stands to this day in his honor.
Mill Pond Cottage
Cunningham Falls State Park F1 Anglers can fish Hunting Creek Lake for trout, bass, sunfish, crappie and catfish. Big Hunting Creek provides year-round fly fishing opportunities.
Susquehanna State Park K1 Located near the mouth of Deer Creek, anglers have often reported much success in Deer Creek for white perch, yellow perch, large and smallmouth bass and hickory shad. Janes Island State Park K8 Located on the Tangier Sound in the Chesapeake Bay, this is a popular destination for recreational crabbing and fishing for striped bass, sea trout, Atlantic croaker, flounder and bluefish. An accessible fish-cleaning table is located at the marina.
Janes Island State Park
uide HIT THE ROAD
Have three days of fun: Historic Hike and Bike
Head to Fort Frederick State Park and make it your home base for the weekend. Here you will begin to explore a stone fort that was the site of Maryland’s frontier defense during the French and Indian War (17541763). The Fort’s stone wall and two barracks have been restored to their 1758 appearance and there are numerous historic displays in the Fort, barracks and Visitor Center. Tours are available by request. Daily Living History programming is available from Memorial Day through Labor Day and on weekends in the Spring and Fall.
Day Two
After a good night’s sleep, head just a half-mile west to the Western Maryland Rail Trail (WMRT), a 23-mile long paved path that follows the former Western Maryland Railway line. The Rails to Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization, recently chose the WMRT as one of the top 12 trails in the U.S. for viewing fall foliage. The peak foliage season in Western Maryland begins in mid-October and provides amazing photography opportunities. After a long day, head back to camp for a fire and S’mores before laying down your head.
Day Three
Before heading home be sure to visit nearby Hancock, MD, west on Interstate 70, where historic sites are now recreational opportunities along the C & O Canal. Preserving America’s colorful Canal era and transportation history, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park is 184.5 miles of adventure. Be sure to stop at the local orchard market for a fresh baked pie, fruits or vegetables, or better yet, plan to stay for lunch or dinner at local restaurants in Hancock before your drive back home to get the full Maryland experience.
Telephone: (301) 842-2155
Website: www.dnr.state.md.us/ publiclands/western/ FortFrederick.html 29 Campsites
Travel Times: Baltimore — 1.5 Hours Washington DC — 1.5 Hours Harrisburg, PA — 1.5 Hours Richmond, VA — 3 Hours
F A C T
Big Pool is a natural depression found within Fort Frederick State Park that was filled with water when the C & O Canal was created in the early 1800s.
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Day One
Fort Frederick State Park
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Where else can you get loads of pre-colonial history, a great camping area, some exercise and good window shopping all at once? Head for a weekend stay at Fort Frederick State Park and follow our two-night, three-day suggestion which will prove rewarding, both educationally and physically.