Park Pass & Fees
The Annual State Park and Trail Passport ($75 for Maryland residents, $100 for non-residents) provides unlimited day-use admission for up to 10 people in one vehicle, plus unlimited boat launching and a 10% discount on concessions and boat rentals. Valid for one year from month of purchase. First responders and law enforcement officers get a $40 discount. Without the pass, day-use fees range from $3–$5 per vehicle depending on park and season. Important for 2025: Some popular parks now require advance weekend/holiday reservations during summer.
Parks by Region
Western Maryland — Mountains
Deep Creek Lake State Park is the gateway to Maryland’s largest lake, with swimming, boating, and year-round mountain recreation in Garrett County. Swallow Falls State Park protects Maryland’s tallest waterfall — the 53-foot Muddy Creek Falls — along with old-growth hemlocks up to 360 years old. Green Ridge State Forest offers 47,000 acres of rugged backcountry camping and mountain biking. Rocky Gap State Park combines a mountain lake with a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course.
Central Maryland
Patapsco Valley State Park runs along 32 miles of river valley near Baltimore, with multiple recreation areas, suspension bridges, and the swinging bridge. Gunpowder Falls State Park offers diverse landscapes from river gorges to Chesapeake shoreline. Rocks State Park features the King and Queen Seat — a dramatic 190-foot rock outcrop over Deer Creek. Cunningham Falls State Park boasts a 78-foot cascading waterfall — the largest in the state.
Chesapeake Bay & Eastern Shore
Assateague State Park is Maryland’s only oceanfront park, famous for its wild horses and pristine Atlantic beach. Sandy Point State Park provides the closest Chesapeake Bay beach to the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Elk Neck State Park features dramatic bluffs and the Turkey Point Lighthouse overlooking the Chesapeake. Calvert Cliffs State Park contains fossil-rich cliffs dating back 10–20 million years — visitors can find ancient shark teeth on the beach.
Southern Maryland
Point Lookout State Park sits at the strategic confluence of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay, with Civil War history and excellent fishing. Smallwood State Park preserves the plantation home of a Revolutionary War general with Potomac River access.
Best Parks by Activity
Best for Hiking
- Cunningham Falls State Park — Waterfall trail and Catoctin ridgeline
- Swallow Falls State Park — Old-growth hemlock forest and waterfalls
- Patapsco Valley State Park — 200+ miles of trails along the river
- Rocks State Park — King and Queen Seat scramble
Best for Beaches
- Assateague State Park — Wild horses and Atlantic Ocean beach
- Sandy Point State Park — Chesapeake Bay swimming
- Point Lookout State Park — Potomac/Chesapeake shoreline
- Elk Neck State Park — Chesapeake bluffs and sandy beach
Best for Families
- Calvert Cliffs State Park — Fossil shark teeth hunting on the beach
- Cunningham Falls State Park — Easy waterfall walk and lake swimming
- Assateague State Park — Wild horses, beach, and camping
- Rocky Gap State Park — Lake beach and family campground
Best for History
- Point Lookout State Park — Civil War prisoner-of-war camp site
- Fort Frederick State Park — French and Indian War stone fort
- Antietam Battlefield (nearby federal) — Bloodiest day of the Civil War
- Smallwood State Park — Revolutionary War general’s home
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Spring (Apr–May) | Waterfalls at peak, wildflowers, birding migration |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Beach season, lake swimming, Chesapeake paddling |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Western Maryland foliage, fossil hunting, fewer crowds |
| Winter (Dec–Mar) | Cross-country skiing at Deep Creek, eagle watching |
FAQs
Are Maryland state parks free?
Day-use fees range from $3–$5 per vehicle. The Annual Passport ($75 resident / $100 non-resident) covers unlimited access for up to 10 people in one vehicle.
Can I see wild horses at Assateague?
Yes! Assateague State Park is home to wild horses that roam freely on the island. They’re often spotting grazing near campgrounds and along the beach.
Do I need a reservation for Maryland state parks?
Starting 2025, some popular parks require advance reservations on weekends and holidays during summer. Check the DNR website for current requirements.
Where can I find fossil shark teeth?
Calvert Cliffs State Park on the Chesapeake Bay has cliffs dating back 10–20 million years. Fossil shark teeth wash up on the beach — a family favorite.
Start Your Maryland Adventure
Maryland’s 80 state parks pack an extraordinary amount of diversity into America’s seventh-smallest state. Hunt for prehistoric shark teeth, watch wild horses on an Atlantic barrier island, stand beneath a 53-foot waterfall in an ancient forest — all within a few hours’ drive of the nation’s capital.
