1. Bear Branch Nature Center

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Westminster, MD

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Bear Branch Nature Center

5.0 (1 review)
Closed • 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

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10 years ago

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Westminster Community Pond - Port-A-Pots

Westminster Community Pond

4.5(2 reviews)
3.9 mi

Have only fished it once had a few bites after 3 hours of grinding though was finally able to get a…read morelil pounder in on a banditto bug.I tried throwing a jackhammer with a green and white natural bait fish color along with running it on a Texas rig seedless and couldn't get anything to sniff it I got a the pounder to reaction hit the bandit to bug right next to the tunnel the pond overall is nice though I saw a lot of gills and this year downed bass on the shores I'm gonna keep grinding it though and figure out what these fish really like to hit I threw many other things at like a jerk bait a lunker log the chatter bait(jackhammer) and even a rage craw with no real success

A popular spot for locals, this park, often called The Duck Pond, is a serene oasis right off of…read moreRoute 140 just before Rt. 97 North (Littlestown Pike). A few years ago, a renovation was done that widened the pond and improved the walking paths around it. There are also nice fountains which add a nice touch. Benches have been installed along the paths, and in the play areas. The paths are meant for walking and jogging, and bikes are not permitted ( though occasionally there are rule breakers). These flat paths allow for an easy walk. There are waterfowl and fishes as well as a pier for light fishing. A large parking area means there is no fighting for a space. A few picnic benches are in the large grassy area between the rows of parking. There is a large and well kept playground for little ones, and a nice size pavilion that can be rented for gatherings. A few negatives--in addition to the ducks, there are lots of geese. The geese can form gangs that can honk and chase people. But even worse, they leave waste all over the paths. There have been times when it looked cleaner, and other times where it was hard to keep from stepping in it. Yuck. Please don't feed them, it makes them more aggressive. The swing set, which is in a separate area from the playground, seems to be missing the regular swings. There are two toddler ones, and an ADA swing. And only Port-A-Pots. The "Duck Pond", while not without its flaws, is a great park to come with kids for a few hours of play or to walk, jog, or do a little fishing.

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Westminster Community Pond - Fishing pier

Fishing pier

Westminster Community Pond - View of the Pond with fountain and path in foreground.

View of the Pond with fountain and path in foreground.

Westminster Community Pond - Rules

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Rules

Highpoint Scenic Vista & Recreation Area - Sumit view of the Susquehanna River

Highpoint Scenic Vista & Recreation Area

4.2(6 reviews)
35.0 mi

After my Yelp friend David H. posted about this small gem last month, I had to take a look myself…read moreas I have been in the area numerous times but had honestly never heard about this place. Just to keep the history lesson short, it was built by York County in 2007 and it is one of a series of ten overlooks that are at different points in the county all of which give views of the Susquehanna River. susquehannariverlands.com/the-great-outdoors/scenic-overlooks/highpoint-scenic-vista-rec-area/ The set up is fairly simple. There is a small parking lot at the base of the overlook on Hilt Road. At the base there is a picnic bench and a port-a-blaster along with some literature about York County parks/area trails. From there it's up and around the trail which is a 1/2 mile loop with five way point stops that I guess are made to have you appreciate the view from different angles? At the top the view is very nice. It's literally the same as if you were over at Samuel S. Lewis State Park except that now you're two-ish miles closer to the river. The overlook from Samuel S. Lewis is higher and is visible from here and the top of the vista here is very visible from Sam Lewis. We were here around 35 minutes and the parking lot was packed but people were at different point of the incline and on other trails nearby so things never felt cramped or rushed. While I'm not necessarily sure that this place needs a return visit, I'm glad we came and I appreciate David putting this one on my/everyone's Yelp radar as it is a unique spot worth a brief stop.

An absolute and positive must! It's an inclined walk but beautifully and impeccably paved -…read morecouldn't be easier. And it literally feels like you're in the clouds. Truth be told we went on a cloudy day, but if it's sunny I would avoid since there is absolutely no shade. There are rocks positioned to take a break during the five points.

Photos
Highpoint Scenic Vista & Recreation Area - Beautiful view.

Beautiful view.

Highpoint Scenic Vista & Recreation Area - Same one

Same one

Highpoint Scenic Vista & Recreation Area - View of York county

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View of York county

Agricultural History Farm Park - Dahlias

Agricultural History Farm Park

4.5(11 reviews)
34.6 mi

All seasons of the year I ride my bike through this place…read more Fording a stream, crossing bridges, winding through the corn fields and yes, even through the tunnel passing under Airpark Road. Beautiful place for great exercise and tranquility.

This place is remarkable!!!…read more I was lost coming back from my car's VEIP inspection and thought I was on my way to Taco Bar but since I have no sense of direction and all of Gaithersburg/Germantown/Clarksburg/Urbana/Damascus all look the same to me, I ended up on this random country road and decided to stop at this agricultural park for a run/hike. I am absolutely glad I did. I do not know what an agricultural park is but I assume it's a park with wide open spaces, barns, porch swings, goats, cows, baby bacons (piglets), donkeys, chickens, vegetable and flower gardens and fields of soy beans. This is a great place to bring the kids for an educational play time, bring your dog to let them run in open fields, or a date for a picnic. You could seriously wander around here for hours exploring farmhouses or getting close ups with animal friends(the pigs and the cow like to lick dogs by the way so be aware I am pretty sure this is how zoonotic disease spreads) or jumping in bales of hay. I came here on a Friday afternoon and had the whole place to myself. I can't believe this is in Montgomery County and it is FREE!!

Photos
Agricultural History Farm Park - Pretty tree in autumn

Pretty tree in autumn

Agricultural History Farm Park - Chickens

Chickens

Agricultural History Farm Park - Scenery

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Scenery

Bear Branch Nature Center - parks - Updated October 2026

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