Out of the 24 counties in Maryland, 10 are home to several National Parks. Visitors can see historic homes, Civil War battlefields, mountain trails, and more.
National parks are a great way for tourists and locals to enjoy the outdoors. They offer a little for everyone including, hiking, biking, camping, historical tours, and more. People are able to explore a new state, or learn more about their own home. Below is a list of the many different national parks within Maryland to explore and some of the things to do at each one.
National Parks by County:
Allegany County
Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal National Historical Park
The C&O Canal National Historic Park goes through four counties. People go to enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, and other seasonal activities. The park also offers living history demonstrations and includes a museum, visitor center and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.
Baltimore City
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historical Shrine
Fort McHenry is the home of our National Anthem. As the Maryland State Archives notes, “On September 14, the American flag was raised over the Fort. Upon seeing it, Francis Scott Key wrote ‘The Defence of Fort McHenry,’ a poem later known as ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.'”
Baltimore County
Hampton National Historic Site
The Hampton Mansion was the largest private home in the United States. The Mansion has a rich history along with the people who worked and lived here.
Charles County
Piscataway Park is home to many trails that weave through both wetlands and woods. The Park includes the National Colonial Farm as well as a living history museum of what life was like on an 18th – Century farm.
Thomas Stone National Historic Site.
As the Maryland State Archives notes, “Thomas Stone was a lawyer and plantation owner from Maryland who signed the Declaration of Independence. The estate remained in the Stone family from the 1770s to 1936.”
Dorchester County
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park
The Maryland State Archives notes, “Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in Dorchester County, but later escaped to Philadelphia. To lead other slaves, including family members, to freedom in the North, she returned multiple times to Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The Park includes a Visitor Center and trails through the surrounding area.”
Frederick County
Catoctin Mountain Park was created during President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s term and offers camping, and a variety of trails from hiking or horseback riding.
Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal National Historic Park
The Maryland State Archives notes, “In Frederick County, the C&O Canal National Historic Park includes the Monocacy Aqueduct, and the Catoctin Creek Aqueduct.”
The Monocacy National Battlefield was the last time Confederate forces invaded the North. Maryland State Archives notes, “The battle thereafter was known as “The Battle that Saved Washington.”
Montgomery County
Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal National Historical Park
As one of counties that has the C&O Canal running through it, Montgomery County offers standard amenities found in the other locations. It also includes The Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center and the Georgetown Visitor Center. Both locations are sites to ride the canal boats.
Glen Echo Park was founded in 1891 and offers visitors many art galleries, a theatre, an arcade, horse stables, and trails.
Prince George’s County
As stated by Maryland State Archives, “When the Civil War ended, the forts around Washington were taken apart and the confiscated lands on which they stood, were returned by the government to their previous owners. Fort Foote, however, was kept by the government and its structure expanded.”
Visitors of Fort Washington National Park can enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, and picnics, along with many different historical reenactments and lectures.
Greenbelt Park is a great location for camping, hiking, picnics, and paths for hiking and horses.
Maryland State Archives notes, “Aside from the mansion, the 62.5-acre grounds also contain the remnants of Want Water or Lyles House, a partial-brick structure built circa 1704 and one of the oldest buildings in the County, as well as a canal. While the mansion is closed to the public, visitors can walk through the grounds.”
Washington County
Maryland State Archives notes, “After twelve hours of combat, nearly 23,000 men died, were wounded, or missing, making Antietam the bloodiest one-day battle in American history.”
Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal National Historical Park
Maryland State Archives notes, “In Washington County, the C&O Canal National History Park connects to Fort Frederick State Park and runs just south of Antietam National Battlefield. It offers a number of boat launches and campsites, as well as access to the Appalachian Trail.”
Worcester County
Assateague Island National Seashore
Assateague Island National Seashore is known for its wild horses, swimming areas, nature trails, campsites and amazing views.
For full site information on Maryland’s National Parks through the Maryland State Archives, please visit HERE.
If you would like your county featured in Fun Facts, please contact Amanda Grosskrueger at agrosskrueger@mdcounties.org.
