With summer arriving, Maryland state parks are showcasing significant improvements designed to enhance visitor experiences across the state’s public lands network.
Over the past year, teams of park rangers, construction crews, historians, and planning experts with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources have worked to launch a new state park, construct additional trails, rehabilitate historic buildings, and create improved harbor facilities for public use.
The Maryland Park Service is currently operating two recreational challenges with prizes for participants – Miles for Maryland, which encourages visitors to complete 250 miles of hiking in state parks during 2026, and America in Miniature, featuring a photography treasure hunt throughout state parks to commemorate America’s semi-quincentennial celebration. Officials recommend purchasing an Annual State Park and Trail Passport for those interested in participating in these year-long outdoor activities.
Reservation System Grows
Following the effective implementation of a day-use booking and visitor management system at the state’s most popular parks in 2025, the Maryland Park Service will broaden day-use reservations during the current summer season.
Advance booking is required at Swallow Falls State Park daily from May 23 through Sept. 7.
Weekend and holiday reservations are mandatory at these locations: Greenbrier, Point Lookout, North Point, Newtowne Neck State Parks and Sandy Point. Bookings become available seven days ahead of time.
Additional public lands and attractions scheduled for inclusion in the reservation system are: Elk Neck – Turkey Point Lighthouse, Gunpowder Falls – Hammerman Area, Rocks, and Rocky Gap state parks, plus Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area (NRMA).
Visitors should watch for further announcements throughout the year. To secure your reservation, visit the online booking system. Officials encourage advance planning and recommend using the Park Dashboard to verify if your chosen park is operational, closed, or has any special conditions or events.
New Park Chronicles African-American Family’s Journey from Enslavement
This May, DNR and the Maryland Park Service held the opening ceremony for Freedman’s State Park, a 1,000-acre facility in Montgomery County. The park sits on land previously owned and cultivated by Enoch George and Harriet Howard, along with their descendants, who played important roles in Maryland’s Civil Rights Movement.
The park takes its name from “freedman,” referring to someone who gained freedom from enslavement. The Maryland General Assembly established Freedman’s State Park in 2022 to honor all Marylanders who were liberated from slavery.
Renovated structures and new exhibits planned for the location will chronicle the African-American family’s journey from enslavement to becoming a successful and influential presence in northern Montgomery County, Baltimore, and Canada. Plans include a trail system connecting different areas of the park.
Historic African-American Burial Ground Joins Cunningham Falls
Earlier this year, the Maryland Park Service received a two-acre land donation that includes a historic African-American burial ground, where enslaved skilled laborers from the historic Catoctin Furnace were laid to rest. The cemetery and adjacent property now belongs to Cunningham Falls State Park.
Catoctin Furnace began operations in 1776, supplying iron for the revolutionary war effort and George Washington’s military forces. The furnace ruins already exist within Cunningham Falls State Park, and adding the workers’ burial ground will allow Maryland Park Service to present the location’s full historical narrative.
The Maryland Park Service recognizes the contributions of the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, which helped discover, document, and maintain the cemetery’s history while managing the property.
The related nonprofit Catoctin Furnace Friends Group Inc. is actively raising money on behalf of DNR and the Historical Society to create a conservation and preservation management strategy and perform a ground-penetrating radar study for a planned trail connection to the location.
North Point Trolley Station Pavilion Restoration
The Historic Trolley Station Pavilion at North Point State Park has reopened following major renovations. Deteriorated concrete flooring was replaced with new decorative concrete designed to resemble winding trolley tracks approaching the station.
The structure received a new roof and updated electrical systems, with fresh shingles and lighting fixtures that reflect the former amusement park’s early 20th century era. The walkway linking the station, a historic fountain and the visitor center was also rebuilt, with over 2,000 feet of new pavement installed.
Flexible Recreation Options
Those seeking hiking or biking trails with adaptable difficulty levels can explore new Western Maryland paths that opened recently, featuring connected routes that allow users to switch between easier and more challenging sections.
The Margraff Plantation Trails launched last July within Savage River State Forest, offering six miles of newly-built trail systems.
Located in the Western Maryland mountains near Accident in Garrett County, the Margraff features a 1.4-mile beginner route, a 1.4-mile intermediate path, a 1.2-mile advanced trail and a 2-mile intermediate-level adaptive trail.
The trail network traverses varied terrain including pine forests, deciduous woodlands, mountain laurel groves and open meadows. At 2,800 feet elevation, the location provides spectacular mountain vistas.
Further east at Dans Mountain State Park, a small connector trail has expanded options for hikers on the Lonacona Loop. The 4.5-mile Lonacona Loop travels through hardwood and conifer stands, and with 650 feet of elevation change, the complete circuit presents a significant challenge. A new quarter-mile connecting path through the middle now allows hikers to take a shorter route without retracing their steps.
Also in Allegany County, trail users seeking variety can experience the Bear Ridge Area of Rocky Gap State Park – four miles of pathway featuring two connecting loops. The red-marked trail is less demanding, the blue-marked trail is more challenging, and both are wide enough for adaptive mountain bike users, with consistent grade changes.
Boating Improvements
Rocky Gap visitors will notice an enhanced campground boat launch on Lake Habeeb. When operational, users will benefit from numerous ADA improvements including a vault restroom, boat trailer parking spaces, additional standard parking, beach access using MobiMat, a beach wheelchair, and an ADA compliant kayak launch. The facility is currently closed due to low water conditions from drought.
DNR has also finished major improvements to Rogues Harbor boat launch at Elk Neck State Park. A protective breakwater now shields users from wind and boat wakes, creating safer conditions for launching and retrieving watercraft. The breakwater will minimize seasonal maintenance requirements by protecting the ramp and pier from ice damage and floating debris.
The pier remains available for fishing and crabbing activities, continuing to serve as a popular venue for bass fishing tournaments with capacity for up to 50 boats.
Assateague Facility Upgrades
At the Atlantic coastline, Assateague State Park has completed extensive renovations to its beachside amenities, featuring completely new fixtures, updated restrooms, fresh changing areas and new shower facilities.
Key improvements include 12 new ADA-compliant showers positioned along the boardwalk for visitors to wash away salt and sand. The renovated restroom facilities feature abundant natural lighting through solar tube systems, highlighting new lighter-colored tile and durable non-slip flooring materials.
