Love coming here and doing walks, plus the scenery is great - huge lake. On my recent visit I went…read morewalking with a friend - off the beaten path. Also, took a short visit through the Discovery Center (my first time inside) - will have to check it out another time. I'm already looking forward to my next visit to this park as it is one of my favorites in the county. Visited November 2024

Enjoyed a wonderful barbecue here. The park is large and it's beautiful. We had a picnic pavilion…read moreright next to a playground. The facilities are well maintained here.

Kyacking here over the summer was amazing. The water clear and clean. Never crowded and an…read moreenjoyable day with beautiful views!

This is the largest lake in Montgomery County. It is one of my favorite places to go out on my…read morekayak. Being as large as it is, there is quite a lot to see. There are two canoe trails (suitable for kayaks as well!). The shoreline is full of interesting birds. Down at the spot where Ten Mile Creek flows into the lake, I have floated right over the top of some enormous snapping turtles. During the summer, this is quite a popular place to be. There is a concession that rents boats for only $8 per hour. But the lake is big enough that it does not seem crowded. My boat is a bit tight for two people, so I often use this concession when I want to take a friend with me. Boaters should beware and make certain they have a permit attached to their boat. You can get a daily permit for $5 at either of the two boat launch sites. You can buy a seasonal pass at the visitor's center. Also beware if you own an inflatable boat (like I do). Your boat must have at least three separate air chambers or it is not allowed on the lake. This lake has probably become my favorite paddling spot. Unlike Clopper Lake, I have not yet found this lake's secret turtle hiding spot. But the sheer size of the lake makes it hard to get tired of Little Seneca Lake.

I visited this park on Saturday as my friend planned a surprise proposal to take place in front of…read morethe fountain. It was the perfect backdrop for such a special moment. I saw a few other groups arrive for pictures in the park - a wedding party and a quinceañera court. There was also a playground near where a few kids/families played. There was a bathroom area, but they were locked. It would have been nice to be able to use the facilities, especially since I didn't see any other options around.

Baker Park has so much to offer. It is a must-go if you are in the Downtown Frederick area. They…read moretend to have a lot of events in the summer, including the firework show on the Fourth of July and their Summer Concert Series at their outdoor stage. They also have tennis courts, softball and baseball fields, a swimming pool that is open to the public, and playgrounds. It is also dog-friendly with a dog park near. There is plenty of parking available. Whether your attending an event or riding your bike or going for a jog, Baker Park has such a scenic vibe!

Another fun lake to walk around with family and dogs. No big hills here and about a mile around…read more This is a great walking spot. There are plenty of joggers and bikers here as well. Parking near Whole Foods and the fountain is a great place to start. There are often lake side concerts and activities in the summer as well

Lake Kittamaqundi is such a cool spot! Whether you're out for a run, a casual walk, or just want to…read moreenjoy the outdoors, this lake has an awesome vibe. The trail around the water is super easy to follow and gives you great views the whole way. It's the perfect mix of nature and community, peaceful but never boring. What makes it even better is the atmosphere. People are out with their dogs, families stroll by, and sometimes you'll even catch someone playing guitar by the benches. In the summer, the lake area gets even more fun with local events, live music, and festivals right by the water, great energy without feeling too crowded. Plus, it's right near the Columbia Lakefront area, so you can grab a coffee, ice cream, or bite to eat after your workout. Clean paths, beautiful scenery, and a laid-back vibe. Lake Kittamaqundi is definitely one of my favorite spots in Columbia.

This is a huge park, great for camping, hiking, walking, beach relaxing and more…read more Be aware: constructions are currently going on at different places of the park including the main entrance. After the constructions are completed, the park will start to request campers or day visitors to make reservations online during holidays and weekends visitors. Atmosphere: it's a large park filled with nature's love, trees, water, birds, logs, dirt paths, bugs, wildlife, fresh air and tables benches roads for visitors. Service: staff in the visitors' center are friendly and knowledgeable. Value: you cannot put a price tag on your love of nature and experience of outdoors. Parking: there is no issue to find parkings inside the park, just depending on how far you are willing to walk. Beautiful park, highly recommend.

Visited Greenbrier State Park this summer and had plenty of fun in the sun! My family and I went on…read morea weekday and it was fairly busy (but of course I can't imagine how much busier it would be on weekends, let alone holiday weekends). I think families with young kids (or even new swimmers) really appreciate the "beach" area because the water level doesn't exceed 5.5 feet (swimming vests are encouraged). There are life guards present as well. There are spacious bathrooms available for use a short walk up from the water and have changing rooms in addition to shower areas as well. The bathrooms were clean as well as the changing rooms, but there was a lot of standing water in areas. I'd definitely recommend walking carefully. Bring a picnic and come early if you plan on getting a grill. Those were all taken even on the weekday we went. Costs Day-use Admission Fees: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day- $5/person After Labor Day to Memorial Day weekend - $5/vehicle https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/oc.aspx

A beautiful place to spend the day surrounded by nature. The hiking trails are well-marked and the…read moreviews along the way are refreshing especially when the sunlight hits through the trees. The walk to the waterfall is moderate and enjoyable, not too long but enough to make you feel like you earned the view at the end. The sound of the water and the peaceful atmosphere make it a great escape from daily routines. The park is clean and well maintained and there are plenty of picnic areas where you can relax after your hike. I also liked that the parking was easy to find and there were signs guiding the way clearly. It can get a little crowded during weekends so coming earlier in the day is definitely a better idea. Overall it's a calm and scenic spot for hiking relaxing or just breathing some fresh air. It's not the biggest waterfall you'll see but the overall vibe of the park makes it worth visiting at least once if you're around the area.

A bit of a mixed bag for me at Cunningham Falls…read more.. I was excited to find a listing of parks that supposedly had wheelchair accessible trails. I've never been to Cunningham Falls before and the idea of seeing a waterfall seemed lovely. However, the accessible boardwalk has strips on pretty much everything board which made me feel like I was riding a very angry horse. Each bump shot pain up my spine. I'm writing this a day later and I still hurt, and I think I'm a pretty tough chick... and the view of the falls was mostly blocked and not worth the actual pain. The Falls is more like a small stream of water that splashes down some rocks. It's a soothing noise but I was expecting something more grandiose... I suppose I could blame climate change. Most of the old stream beds are dry. We also checked out the "south beach" which I enjoyed. There's plenty of pavement, and packed gravel. I couldn't get close to the water, but that's okay because it was a sunny day and I prefer to stick to the shade. I was impressed by the fact that every picnic table has a grill nearby. If I lived closer I'd like to think I'd come to the south beach often, hide in the trees near the river, grill something delicious... but I was a several hours long trip from Dundalk, so it's unlikely that I'll return. It was a nice day-trip though. I don't regret going.

Located in the Derwood/Rockville area of Moco!…read more My alumni association recently did a hike here but I missed it so I decided to explore this trail on my own. I visited on an early Sunday morning. I parked off Avery Road and there were a few cars already there. The change of scenery was nice. I enjoyed the scenic and peaceful views!

This is a lovely park, with plenty of hiking options and the feel of being in deep woods while…read moreactually located in the middle of town (Rockville). The lake itself is gorgeous, and always so picturesque.... I have hiked the Lakeside Trail a few times, which is about three miles and mostly wooded, with two creek crossings (one easy, the other more difficult, requiring stepping on stones that could be slippery or even, at times, underwater). The first time we hiked the trail we did get lost as we skipped the difficult creek crossing and ended up going straight, and almost right back out of park...so bring water to drink and wear (or bring) a pair of shoes that can handle the creek water (it's not safe to swim--so I'm assuming, or wade around--in). UPDATE: Part of the Lakeside Trail has construction going on around it (near the easier stream crossing) and last time we encountered it we decided to turn around rather than trying to get around the mess...but there are other parts of the trail to explore, including hiking along the path that' intersects with Rock Creek Trail (or you can go around the other end of the Lakeside Trail, close to the Avery Park entrance...) Usually when we're here we don't do the entire trail, anyway, but turn around at various points, depending upon how long we want to walk. Although the park does get busy on weekends (and it can be difficult to get a parking spot at the Avery Park lot) the further along the trails you go the less people you'll encounter. Weekdays are also pretty peaceful. I look forward to visiting the Meadowside Nature Center when it reopens--this is located at the other park entrance at Muncaster Mill Road.

I've been here twice and have hiked the same loop, but both times it has been enjoyable!…read more On this occasion I brought a friend. We parked at the visitors center and went inside to use the facilities prior to our hike. It's a cute visitors center with historical information about the area, the wildlife, and trees. They also sell trinkets, magnets, bug spray, etc. The rangers are always cordial and will answer any questions you may have. They have a charging station!!!! This was clutch as I drove my EV this time. It's free and had me charged and ready to go by the end of my hike. We hiked up to Wolf Rock, Chimney Rock, and back. The trails are rated (if you have the All Trails app and/or based on the map). I'd say this hike was moderate. It's mostly shaded which is nice. There weren't too many insects, but you should apply insect repellent nontheless. They have several other trails. This one was a bit over 3 miles, but the full loop connects all the trails. I would like to make it to Cunningham Falls. This is a great option for me as I live in Maryland. The trails are clean, litter free so take your trash with you. Come check it out!

Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center -- A Quiet Gateway to the Mountains…read more Tucked into the scenic hills of Frederick County near Thurmont, the Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center is a great starting point for exploring one of Maryland's more serene outdoor escapes. It's part of Catoctin Mountain Park, a federally managed park offering about 25 miles of hiking trails, plus camping and trout fishing. Worth noting: it's separate from nearby Cunningham Falls State Park, so plan accordingly if you're trying to hit both. We stopped by on a brisk, sunny weekday and were rewarded with light crowds and a peaceful atmosphere. There was some noticeable truck traffic passing through the area--turns out much needed road improvements are underway--but it didn't take away from the overall experience. The visitor center itself is on the smaller side but well maintained and thoughtfully curated. Informational displays, posters, and plaques highlight the region's history--from its Native inhabitants to the communities that later shaped life in these mountains. It's a nice touch that adds depth before you hit the trails. Inside, you can find maps, books, and a modest gift shop selection. The park rangers were approachable and knowledgeable, offering helpful updates on trail conditions and access points. Bonus points for clean restrooms and a convenient place to refill your water bottle before heading out. For the youngsters in your group. Don't forget to join the Junior Ranger program and get your booklet stamped! Fun way to get kids excited to visit and appreciate the many beautiful National Parks in our country throughout their lifetime! Whether you're gearing up for a hike or just passing through, this is a solid place to get oriented, learn a bit of history, and soak in the surrounding natural beauty.

very nice walking/running options. Its paved but still scenic with a lot of trees and foliage…read morearound the gated quarry. There is a good set of stairs as well to work out on. nice and quiet not on a main road so you can really zone out. Adding to my rotation of walks

This is not my first time here. However, its been a very long time since I came here. They have…read morepaved this and made it more scenic. Meaning it was more dirt paths and weeds/scrubs atleast 10+ years ago. However, they still seem to preserve the natural habits (forest) for the wildlife. This is very very clean.!!! There are benchs along the paths. They have iron fencing in place as well. Parking is not abundant but its in place. And last but not least I did not see any place to potty properly legally. One can run, stroll, bike, walk your pup or sit on the manicured lawn. Please pick your dog poop up and dispose of such. There are poop bag and disposal stations around the path!! One complete lap is 1miles.