One of the most beautiful state parks in Maryland. Amazing views of the valley and is only a 2 mile…read moredrive away from iconic High Rock. It is situated right on the Appalachian Trail and is a perfect place to enjoy a peaceful picnic. A great play area makes this an ideal location for get togethers for families.

I love Pen Mar Park! It a great way to escape to take time look around take in the unique art work…read morethe kids do. Also aside from the art the view is breathtaking! You can see for miles lifts the spirits especially these times we face and what we're about to face.

Really neat park. Lots to see. Fantastic day outside with the kids. They had a blast around the…read morepond and spotted a bunch of turtles.

This park is a nice use of an old industrial space, which seems to have included a quarry, a mill,…read moreand a watercress farm, at minimum. Numerous kid-friendly facilities, both outdoor but also an indoor nature center were available. There were plenty of live nonhuman animals and some chatty humans inside the nature center, which is now open on weekends. The sights on the outdoor trails were numerous, and tables to eat at were plentiful. All the facilities were clean and new. As a play date for kiddos (not mine), it was very impressive.

The second of the remaining three covered bridges in Maryland we visited. It was built in the first…read morehalf of 1800 and was still being used. My oldest daughter also drove her vehicle through it. Bridges was beautiful but a fresh coat of paint was needed. There was a adjacent free parking lot. It also had a park with restroom facility.

Seeing these old bridges how they were built and the materials used back when they were built is…read moreamazing craftsmanship to see and be able to drive across so many years later. There are three covered bridges in the area. Go check them out.

Tony and I stopped to enjoy the roadside park. Waterfall, playground, bathrooms, grills and picnic…read moreareas. Great free park to enjoy. People we're eating, fishing and swimming

Nice spot to fish take the boat out or just chill with family as they have small grills make sure…read moreyou got a grilling license tho!

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.

Hikes in a Sunday with friends. 100% recommend. I'd say it's beginner friendly. Beautiful water…read moreviews both on the hike and in the picnic areas. Hammocks, rental canoes. Such a nice all day event with families or a mate. Trash free park, wheelchair accessible, clean bathrooms. 100% recommend

This is a decent size park! You can rent a canoe, row boat or a motored one but those go very quick…read moreas there are not many! We saw a few people kayaking there. The lake is pretty huge for you to go around. It was well kept when we went during the fall! Such a pretty view and place to get away from the hustle and bustle of life if needed. Can go fising here and they give life vests for when you rent a boat if you dont have your own. But no littles under 3 can ride on their boats if you rent. Cant wait to go back when it is warmer.

A beautiful park my old church has been coming to for summer picnics for years! $12 admission for…read moreout of county residents, free for seniors. They only take card. You can reserve pavilions and they come by and help with trash. There is a dock where you can rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boats & row boats. Paddle boats are $30 an hour, the other ones are $17 I believe. Beautiful tucked away location. So soothing to sit near the water. I recommend letting a senior drive so you can get in free, or drive with a Carroll county resident.

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.

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!

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!

Spring time in Baltimore does not get any better without a visit to Sherwood gardens for the full…read morebloom of the tulips. Me and my friends made a quick stop on the way home from brunch in the Cross Keys area, and the day was perfect for it. The park was alive with families and their furry friends just having small picnics and taking in the scenery. If you're not familiar with Sherwood Garden's, it's a privately owned community park in the Guilford section of Baltimore City. It's been famous for its annual tulip since the 1920's by John Sherwood, whose home bordered the park. To this day up to 70000 tulips are planted annually along with other flowers such as magnolias and dogwoods to name a few. Best time to visit is always towards the end of April and beginning of May. Although a private park, the public is always invited to stroll at your leisure throughout the grounds. The ongoing displays are 100% privately funded and depends entirely on contributions to fulfill its mission of providing a natural place for recreation for the community and related education.

I love tulips, so when I read about this place, I couldn't wait to visit. It's located as the…read morecenter of an expensive Baltimore block, surrounded by million dollar homes. There is no start or end, so just park on one of the surrounding streets and walk over. We were there the third weekend in April, and while the tulips were definitely past their peak, and many were completely gone, there were plenty of flower beds of tulips still blooming. Plus, almost all of the azaleas were blooming. I loved that they had so many different colored tulips and azaleas. They did different combination of colors in all the different flower beds, so we ended up seeing some surprisingly beautiful displays, even with some tulips no longer blooming. We weren't there very long because it was cold out, but this would be a great spot for engagement pictures or a picnic.

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