Maryland’s 7 Best Parks
Published: August 22, 2022
By Zooey Parker
National parks are sanctuaries for nature and humans. Maryland has an incredible plethora of diverse and mesmerizing recreation areas. It can be challenging to pick the most beautiful one! Many popular parks are accessible from cities and towns, creating a perfect space for relaxation and fun outdoor activities.
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Maryland’s parks are spacious, filled with colorful plants and greenery, and some of them even have lakes or rivers with swimming beaches and playgrounds for kids.
Without further ado, let’s explore together all the gorgeous parks in one of the best states in America!
1. Catoctin Mountain Park
Catoctin Mountain Park, located in north-central Maryland, is one of the most stunning parks in the area. This eight-square-mile park has an impressive 25 miles of hiking tracks, ideal for all those nature enthusiasts who love to stay active and enjoy natural wonders.
The park also offers many great outdoor activities for visitors of all ages! If you are a nature lover and an animal lover, this lovely park will be the perfect place for you. You can even view a fantastic exhibit about the history of the parking area and the wildlife in it. Catoctin Mountain Park also includes:
- Fishing streams
- Camp places
- Horseback riding
The entire area feels like paradise on earth. You will be able to explore mesmerizing landscapes and untacked nature full of hidden gems. It can be a good idea to visit the Visitor Center and learn more about this gorgeous place.
New displays show the mountain’s geology and Native American territories. The Visitor’s Center is open from 9 AM to 5 PM (March through November).
The park features some fantastic camping spots as well! You can enjoy the natural wonders, stay warm near a crackling fire every night, and sleep under the starry night. You can stay in some of the historic stone and wood cabins built in 1936 and feel the authentic spirit of Catoctin Mountain Park.
Valuable information:
- Admission to this park is free
- Pets are allowed in Catoctin Mountain Park
- Alcoholic beverages are strictly forbidden
2. Fort Frederick State Park
The heart of Fort Frederick State Park is the magnificent stone fort created by a colony during the war. The iconic fort was built in 1756, and today the fort has been converted into a museum and visitor center. The fort barracks are open Thursday to Monday from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
There is no doubt that the stone fort is something worth seeing, but that is not all that this popular place has to offer to all its visitors. The park area spreads across 585 acres, and it features campsites, boat launches, hiking trails, a playground for kids, a picnic area, and a large pavilion. Sounds perfect for a fun family day out, right?
Fort Frederick State Park is located near the beautiful Potomac River, and the hunting area spreads across 250 acres and is divided into three separate districts.
It’s a great idea to visit this fantastic place on weekends in the spring or fall because that is when volunteers dress in period clothing and demonstrate life in the area in the 18th century.
3. Assateague State Park
Assateague State Park definitely deserves to be on your bucket list! Did you know that this is Maryland’s only oceanfront park?
The park is pretty unique because it offers sandy beaches, perfect for swimming on hot summer days and soaking up the sun. But that is not all! You will also be able to explore maritime forests and coastal bays. What more could you ask for?
Located on beautiful Assateague Island, the park offer its visitors mesmerizing landscapes and great hiking routes. We are sure that all nature lovers will utterly enjoy exploring Assateague State Park and discovering its hidden treasures.
4. Gathland State Park
Gathland State Park is a public recreation area located on South Mountain. The most recognizable symbol of this lovely park is its authentic Stone Arch with access to the Appalachian Trail.
The history of Gathland State Park is quite interesting. The park is connected to the Civil War and the famous Blair Witch Trials. This area was once the mountain home of George Alfred Townsend, a well-known Civil War journalist.
Gathland State Park features an old building with unique architecture and structures that Townsend designed. Its main attraction is a large monument dedicated to war correspondents. Go check it out!
All hike lovers can hike to Maine or Georgia and rest in the Gathland Pavilion, a perfect picnic shelter that can easily accommodate up to 100 people.
5. Oxon Cove Park
Oxon Cove Park, located at Oxon Hill in Prince George’s County, includes a living farm museum handled by the National Park Service. If you want to experience first-hand farm life, this park is the right place.
If you visit Oxon Cove Park, you can enjoy wildlife, fishing, hiking, and many other outdoor activities. It’s a perfect place to escape the city’s hustle and bustle and enjoy quality time with your loved ones.
Maryland’s national heritage can be genuinely experienced at Oxon Cove Park. There is no doubt that the history of Oxon Cove is as beautiful and exciting as the park itself.
You will be able to get up close and personal with many animals, and some of them are cows, chickens, sheep, goats, and horses. We recommend taking a wagon ride around the grounds and exploring every corner of this popular and spacious park!
6. Patapsco Valley State Park
This popular park has eight developed recreational areas where visitors can enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, and horseback riding. It is located directly along the Patapsco River. Adventure lovers will be able to enjoy mountain bike riding, and all over the park, you will be able to find many pavilions ideal for picnics in nature.
Patapsco Valley State Park is Maryland’s first park run by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The park extends 32 miles of the Patapsco River and is most famous for its breathtaking natural landscapes.
One of the most famous symbols of Patapsco Valley State Park is the Swinging Bridge, located at the end of the new Grist Mill Trail in the Avalon area.
7. Rocks State Park
You are probably wondering how Rocks State Park got its name. The park has rocky forest land that spreads across 855 acres, creating one of the most beautiful landscapes in the area.
Rocks State Park is one of Maryland’s most impressive parks, so buckle up and head to this spacious park for a relaxing visit. The park is utterly gorgeous and full of natural wonders worth exploring.
You will be able to organize a picnic lunch in the central part of the park and can then hike and enjoy all the hidden gems. The park features two non-contiguous parts:
- Falling Branch
- Hidden Valley
Enjoy all the natural wonders Maryland has to offer…
Hopefully, our list of Maryland’s most beautiful parks gave you some interesting ideas. These areas are perfect for weekend getaways with your loved ones.
Sometimes we all need to take refuge in more beautiful and peaceful places, far from the hustle and bustle of our everyday life, and these parks are the perfect place for that. Don’t hesitate to visit them as soon as possible!
As you can see, Maryland is a beautiful state with many gorgeous natural wonders. Have you ever considered relocating there?
If the answer is yes, we are here to help! Wizard Movers offer superb moving services in the area! Give us a call today and get your free quote.
About the author
Zooey Parker
Zooey draws from her life story when writing about moving and creates informative content for our customers.
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