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LOCAL RESOURCES

​Explore local parks, trails, and outdoor spaces where families can play, learn, and connect with nature in Frederick and Washington County, Maryland and surrounding areas

Programs

PARKS & NATURE CENTERS

  • Fountain Rock Park nature play area and Nature Center

  • Ballenger Creek Park Trails

  • Catoctin Creek Park Nature Center

FREDERICK COUNTY

HIKING, TRAILS & STATE PARKS

  • Cunningham Falls State Park, Lower Trail and Cliff Trail (1.2 mile loop)

  • Gambrill State Park, White Oak Trail (1 mile loop)

  • Gambrill State Park, Red Maple Trail (1 mile loop)

  • Frederick Municipal Forest, Rocky Stream Bed Trail (1.4 mile loop)

  • Frederick Municipal Forest, Killer Bee, Monarch and Stoner Road loop (1 mile loop)

UNIQUE SPOTS

Programs

PARKS & NATURE CENTERS

  • Pen Mar Park: Offers a playground, hiking options, and a pavilion with stunning views.

  • Devil's Backbone Park: Features a stream and natural rocky features, often described as scenic and peaceful.

  • Regional Park: Features a modular playground, sensory panels, and tunnels.

  • Other Potential Nature Spots: Camp Harding Park, Chestnut Grove Park, and Clear Spring Park

WASHINGTON COUNTY

HIKING, TRAILS & STATE PARKS

  • C&O Canal Towpath

  • Appalachian Trail through South Mountain State Park

  • Scenic overlooks at Weverton Cliffs or Maryland Heights

UNIQUE SPOTS

Programs

PARKS & NATURE CENTERS

  • BEAR BRANCH NATURE CENTER (Westminster):

    • Offers an outdoor water feature, a Discovery Room with puzzles/puppets, raptor enclosures, and over 5 miles of trails including a wheelchair-accessible path.

  • HASHAWHA ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER (Westminster):

    • Features Lake Hashawha, a 19th-century log cabin, a "tot lot" play area, hiking, and bird feeding stations.

  • BARK HILL PARK (Union Bridge):

    • Features a nature-themed GameTime playground, including a vine climber, log climber, conifer tree toppers, and leaf seats.

  • PINEY RUN PARK & NATURE CENTER  (Sykesville):

    • Features a nature center with live animals, nature programming, and a 300-acre park with trails.

  • KRIMGOLD PARK (Woodbine):

    • Features a lightly themed nature playground with timber slats, mushroom steppers, and a log crawl-through.

SURROUNDING AREAS & MARYLAND

HIKING, TRAILS & STATE PARKS

  • Gillis Falls multi-use trails (Mt. Airy)

  • Union Mills Recreation Area (Westminster)

  • Morgan Run Natural Environment Area

UNIQUE SPOTS

Programs

MARYLAND ONLINE RESOURCES

Maryland Nature Play Spaces, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Park Service:“What is a Nature Play Space? A space intentionally designed or designated to integrate natural components into a place for structured and unstructured play and learning.”​

 

Provide an important early connection ​for children with nature and create future environmental stewards;Provide an opportunity for both physical and creative play; andSupport children’s physical, intellectual, and socio-emotional development”

 

List of Inclusive Playgrounds, Playgrounds for All – Maryland25 Ways to Enjoy the Outdoors in Maryland, VisitMaryland.org Physical Activity Guidelines, State of Maryland Department of Education Public Lands and Accessible Parks: Outdoor Activities and Amenities in Maryland, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Park ServiceOutdoor Preschool Licensing in Maryland, Association for Nature-Based Education

 

Nature Play Spaces: Activities, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Park ServiceWhat is Forest School?, Natural History Society of MarylandChesapeake Bay Foundation, Environmental Education, No Child Left Inside

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