Maryland Parks and Recreation Areas with State Park

Picturesque Fort Washington sits on high ground overlooking the Potomac River and offers a grand view of Washington and the Virginia shoreline. Today, only one silent gun stands behind the masonry wall-the last armament of the powerful fort that once guarded the water approach to our Nation's Capital. The old fort is one of the few U.S. seacoast fortifications still in its original form.

Phone: (301)763-4600   Price Range: $3 - $5   Open Season: N/A   Camping: No
Nearest Popular City: Fort Washington   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: State Park   Activities: Biking / Bicycling, Birding, Fishing, Hiking, Wildlife Watching, Nature Walks, Interpretive Programs   Details Provided By: Fort Washington

The primary feature of Oxon Cove Park is Oxon Hill Farm which operates as an actual working farm, representative of the early 20th century. You can see a farm house, barns, a stable, feed building, livestock buildings and a visitor activity barn.

Phone: 301-839-1176   Price Range: N/A   Open Season: N/A   Camping: No
Nearest Popular City: Oxon Hill   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: State Park   Activities: Biking / Bicycling, Hiking   Details Provided By: Oxon Cove Park & Oxon Hill Farm

First thoughts of the Chesapeake Bay often bring up images of crabs and oysters. But, as the largest estuary in North America, the Chesapeake Bay has touched and influenced much of the American story, early settlement, commerce, the military, transportation, recreation and more. The Bay and its surrounding 64,000 square mile watershed hold a treasure trove of historic areas, natural wonders and recreational opportunities.

Phone: 1-888-BAYWAYS   Price Range: N/A   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Annapolis   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: State Park   Activities: Backpacking, Biking / Bicycling, Birding, Boating and Watercraft, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting and Shooting, Kayaking, Swimming, Wildlife Watching, Auto Touring, Nature Walks, Interpretive Programs   Details Provided By: Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network

The tranquil view from Mount Vernon of the Maryland shore of the Potomac is preserved as a pilot project in the use of easements to protect parklands from obtrusive urban expansion. The project began in 1952 to preserve the river view as in was during George Washington's day. Piscataway Park stretches for 6 miles from Piscataway Creek to Marshall Hall on the Potomac River.

Phone: (301) 763-4600   Price Range: $2 - $5   Open Season: N/A   Camping: No
Nearest Popular City: Fort Washington   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: State Park   Activities: Birding, Fishing, Hiking, Wildlife Watching   Details Provided By: Piscataway Park

Eight miles downriver from the capital, Fort Foote was considered a powerful peace of work by its chief engineer. The long oval earthwork was constructed on Rozier's Bluff from 1863 to 1865 to strengthen the ring of fortifications that encircled Washington, D.C., during the Civil War.

Phone: 301-763-4600   Price Range: N/A   Open Season: N/A   Camping: No
Nearest Popular City: Fort Washington   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: State Park   Activities:   Details Provided By: Fort Foote

Opened in 1954, the parkway is a 29-mile scenic highway that connects Baltimore, Maryland with Washington, D.C. The part of the parkway from Washington, D.C. to Fort Meade,Maryland is managed by the National Park Service.

Phone: 301-344-3948   Price Range: N/A   Open Season: N/A   Camping: No
Nearest Popular City: Greenbelt   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: State Park   Activities:   Details Provided By: Baltimore Washington Parkway

Glen Echo began in 1891 as a National Chautauqua Assembly to promote liberal and practical education, especially among the masses of the people; to teach the sciences, arts, languages, and literature; to prepare its patrons for their several pursuits and professions in life; and to fit them for the duties which devolve upon them as members of society.

Phone: 301-492-6229   Price Range: N/A   Open Season: N/A   Camping: No
Nearest Popular City: Glen Echo   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: State Park   Activities: Nature Walks   Details Provided By: Glen Echo

In the 1930's, after years of making charcoal to fuel the iron furnace, mountain farming, and harvesting of trees for timber, land was purchased to be transformed into a productive recreation area; helping to put people back to work during the great depression. Beginning in 1935, the Catoctin Recreational Demonstration Area was under construction by both the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Phone: 301-663-9388   Price Range: N/A   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Thurmont   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: State Park   Activities: Birding, Cross Country Skiing, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Rock Climbing, Wildlife Watching, Interpretive Programs, Snowshoeing   Details Provided By: Catoctin Mountain

Greenbelt Park is a retreat from the pressures of city life and a refuge for native plants and animals just twelve miles from Washington, D.C.

Phone: 301-344-3948   Price Range: N/A   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Greenbelt   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: State Park   Activities: Backpacking, Biking / Bicycling, Birding, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Wildlife Watching, Nature Walks, Interpretive Programs   Details Provided By: Greenbelt Park