Maryland State Parks T Did you know the state of Maryland has 5 state parks? Each one is different, and in total, they cover 97,000 acres. Many of the state parks in the Old Line State are great for all family members. Check out this list of my favorite state parks to visit in Maryland, and you might just find your family’s new favorite place to explore.
1. Tuckahoe State Park
If you love flower gardens, this park is for you. Tuckahoe State Park is home to the five-hundred-acre Adkins Arboretum, a garden and a preserve showcasing more than six hundred native plant species. Tuckahoe State Park has a 63-acre lake, cabins, and campgrounds. Fishing, boating, biking, hiking, and horseback riding are popular in this public recreation area along Tuckahoe Creek, located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
2. St. Clement’s Island State Park
If you want to get away from it all, the St. Clement’s Island State Park is a perfect choice. A tiny island in the Potomac River, the state park is only accessible by boat from Coltons Point. Boat tours to St. Clement’s Island State Park are provided daily, weather permitting, from April through October. St. Clement’s is the birthplace of the state of Maryland. Check out the huge cross commemorating the settlers who first arrived in Maryland. The 62-acre park has hiking trails and a picnic pavilion. Fishing and hunting are permitted. Be aware that portajohns are the only restroom facilities on the island, and there are no accessible amenities.
3. Assateague State Park
If you desire an oceanfront park, Assateague State -62- | ExtendedWeekendGetaways ~ May, 2022
Park is the one to visit. Located on Assateague Island, It is Maryland’s only oceanfront state park. The island is shared with Virginia, which owns the lower third. Another draw for Assateague State Park is the beautiful wild horses that roam the beach. Legend has it the horses descended from survivors of a shipwrecked Spanish galleon off the mid-Atlantic coast. No fences separate the horses from the public, and they sometimes wander onto beach towels and parking areas. Please don’t attempt to feed or pet the beautiful horses; they are wild and kick and bite. You can also be fined for being too close to them or bothering them. Don’t leave food out. The horses often forage through things to find food. So just enjoy their stately beauty. You can enjoy two miles of gorgeous beach great for swimming, fishing, and surfing on one side of the island and the bay on the other. The bayside is excellent for kayaking and canoeing.
