Frederick Parks & Recreation

Frederick Parks & Recreation

Frederick’s location in Central Maryland places it in a lovely area of the state, with rolling foothills and the edges of the Allegheny Mountains. The county lies among some beautiful National, State and County parks. One of the many things to love about living in Frederick is the abundant outdoor things to do. Frederick Parks & Recreation facilities offer many places to enjoy the outdoors and celebrate our beautiful area.

National Parks Near Frederick Md

National Parks include a mix of historic locations and scenic areas:

Monocacy National Battlefield

Monocacy National Battlefield is now a 2,344-acre park that preserves the land where the battle was fought. There are a number of things that visitors can do at the park, including:

• Take a guided tour of the battlefield
• Hike or bike the park’s trails
• Visit the visitor center, which has exhibits about the battle.
• See the Worthington House, a historic home that was used as a hospital during the battle.
• Attend one of the park’s special events, such as living history demonstrations or Civil War reenactments.

Catoctin Mountain Park

Catoctin Mountain Park is a 5,770-acre park located in the Catoctin Mountains of north Frederick County. The park offers a variety of recreational activities, including:

• Hiking: There are 25 miles of hiking trails in the park, ranging from easy to strenuous. Some popular trails include the Chimney Rock Trail, the Hog Rock Trail, and the Thurmont Vista Trail
• Camping: There are two campgrounds in the park, with a total of 175 campsites. The campgrounds offer flush toilets, showers, and drinking water.
• Fishing: There are two trout streams in the park, the Hunting Creek and the Owens Creek. Fishing licenses are required.
• Biking: There are 12 miles of biking trails in the park. The trails are mostly easy to moderate, but there is one challenging trail.
• Cross-country skiing: There are 18 miles of cross-country skiing trails in the park. The trails are open from late fall to early spring.
• Picnicking: There are several picnic areas in the park, with tables, grills, and drinking water.
• Wildlife viewing: The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, bears, and foxes.
• The visitor center has exhibits about the park’s history and ecology, as well as a bookstore and a theater that shows a film about the park.
• There are several ranger-led programs offered throughout the year, including hikes, talks, and demonstrations.
• The park is open year-round, but some facilities may be closed during the winter months.

The park is also home to Camp David, the presidential retreat. The public is not allowed to visit Camp David, but it can be seen from some of the park’s trails.

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is a 2,190-mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. It is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world.

passes through Maryland for 40 miles, most of which follow the ridgeline of South Mountain. There are a number of things that visitors can do on the Appalachian Trail (AT) in Maryland, including:

• Hiking: The AT is a great place to hike, with a variety of trails to choose from, ranging from easy to strenuous. Some popular trails in Maryland include the Weverton Cliffs Trail, the Swallow Falls State Park Trail, and the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Trail.
• Camping: There are several campsites along the AT in Maryland, with some offering more amenities than others.
• Backpacking: The AT is a popular destination for backpackers, who can hike for days or even weeks on the trail.
• Birdwatching: The AT is home to a variety of birds, including warblers, thrushes, and hawks.
• Fishing: There are a few streams along the AT in Maryland where fishing is allowed.
• Wildlife viewing: The AT is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, bears, and foxes.
• The best time to hike the AT in Maryland is during the spring or fall, when the weather is mild.
• There are a number of ranger-led programs offered throughout the year, including hikes, talks, and demonstrations.

The C & O Canal

The C & O Canal, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, is a historic canal that runs 184.5 miles from Georgetown, Washington, D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland. It was built in the early 19th century to provide a transportation route for goods and people between the East Coast and the western United States. The canal was eventually abandoned in 1924, but it has been restored and is now a popular recreational destination.

There are a number of things that visitors can do at the C&O Canal in Maryland, including:

• Hiking: The towpath, which is the path that the mules used to walk alongside the canal, is a popular hiking trail. It is a relatively flat trail that is easy to walk, and it offers stunning views of the canal and the surrounding countryside.
• Camping: There are several campgrounds along the canal, where visitors can camp overnight.
• Biking: The towpath is also a popular biking trail. It is a great way to see the canal and the surrounding countryside, and it is a relatively easy trail to bike. (check out the C & O Canal Bicycling Guide),
• Fishing: There are a few spots along the canal where fishing is allowed.
• Boating: Visitors can rent canoes or kayaks and paddle along the canal.
• Birdwatching: The canal is home to a variety of birds, including eagles, hawks, and herons.
• Wildlife viewing: The canal is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and rabbits
• There are a number of ranger-led programs offered throughout the year, including hikes, talks, and demonstrations.

Antietam National Battlefield

Antietam National Battlefield preserves the site of the Battle of Antietam, which was fought on September 17, 1862 during the American Civil War. The battlefield is located in Sharpsburg, Washington County, northwestern Maryland.

The battle was a tactical draw, but it was a strategic victory for the Union because it forced Lee to retreat back to Virginia. The Battle of Antietam is also known as the “Bloodiest Day in American History” because it resulted in over 23,000 casualties.

There are a number of things that visitors can do at Antietam National Battlefield, including:

• Take a guided tour of the battlefield: There are a number of guided tours available, led by park rangers or Civil War historians. The guided tours are offered on a regular basis and cover different aspects of the battle.
• Hike or bike the battlefield: There are over 10 miles of hiking trails and 5 miles of biking trails on the battlefield.
• Visit the visitor center: The visitor center has exhibits about the battle, as well as a bookstore and a theater that shows a film about the battle. The visitor center is closed on Christmas Day.
• See the Antietam National Cemetery: The Antietam National Cemetery is the final resting place for over 6,000 Union soldiers who died in the battle.
• Visit the Dunker Church: The Dunker Church was the site of some of the heaviest fighting in the battle.
• Attend a special event: The park hosts a number of special events throughout the year, including living history demonstrations, Civil War reenactments, and concerts.

Gettysburg National Military Park

Gettysburg National Park preserves the site of the Battle of Gettysburg, which was fought on July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during the Civil War. The battle involved the largest number of casualties of the entire war and is often referred to as the “High Water Mark of the Confederacy”.

There are a number of things that visitors can do at Gettysburg National Military Park, including:

• Visit the visitor center: The visitor center has exhibits about the battle, as well as a bookstore and a theater that shows a film about the battle.
• Take a guided tour of the battlefield: There are a number of guided tours available, led by park rangers or Civil War historians. The park hosts a number of special events throughout the year, including living history demonstrations, Civil War reenactments, and concerts.
• Hike or bike the battlefield: There are over 50 miles of hiking trails and 13 miles of biking trails on the battlefield.
• See the Gettysburg National Cemetery: The Gettysburg National Cemetery is the final resting place for over 3,500 Union soldiers who died in the battle.
• Visit the David Wills House: The David Wills House was used as a field hospital during the battle.

State Parks Near Frederick Md

State Parks include:

• Cunningham Falls State Park  is the largest state park in Frederick County. It is located in the Catoctin Mountains, west of Thurmont and has a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and swimming. The state park is the home of Cunningham Falls, the largest cascading waterfall in Maryland, a 43-acre man-made lake, and the remains of a historic iron furnace.
• Monocacy River State Park is located along the Monocacy River. It is a natural resources management area of 1,800 acres. It has a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, and boating. The park also has a visitor center and a museum.
• South Mountain State Park is located in the South Mountain range. It has a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and horseback riding. The park also has a visitor center and a museum.
• Gathland State Park is located in the town of Jefferson. It is home to a collection of historic buildings, including the Gathland Inn, which was built in 1856. The park also has hiking trails, picnic areas, and a Civil War museum.
• Greenbrier is located in the South Mountain range. It has a 42-acre man-made lake that is popular for swimming, boating, and fishing. The park also has hiking trails, picnic areas, and a playground.
• Washington Monument State Park is located Boonsboro, Maryland. It preserves the Washington Monument, a 40-foot-tall tower honoring George Washington. The monument sits along the Appalachian Trail near the summit of South Mountain’s Monument Knob. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
• Gambrill State Park is also located in the Catoctin Mountains. It is known for its 16 miles of hiking trails, which range from easy to strenuous. The park also has a campground, picnic areas, and a swimming pool.

Frederick County Parks

Frederick County has many regional parks, for Frederick Parks & recreation, including:

• Fountain Rock Park, where children can learn in the nature center, all can enjoy picnics, playgrounds, trails and a visit to the lime kilns.
• Pinecliff Park has baseball fields, playgrounds, grills and picnic shelters, volleyball nets and boat ramps (to the Monocacy River.  During the winter there is a sled run and ice skating.
• Rose Hill Manor is an historic mansion and park, once owned by Governor Thomas Johnson, Maryland’s first governor.  The manor has many educational programs for children, as well as tours for all ages.
• Ballenger Creek Park and Linear Trail
• Urbana District Park
• Read about the other 26 Frederick County Parks.

Frederick City Parks

Frederick City parks include 422+ acres and over 76 parks. You can find out about all of the great programs they offer on their William R. Talley Recreation Center Facebook Page.

Frederick is truly a park-lover’s paradise. Be sure to explore the many Frederick parks and recreation facilities.

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