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Assateague Island National Seashore
Address: 7206 National Seashore Ln
Berlin, MD 21811
Phone: 410-641-1441 or 410-641-3030
Fax: 410 641-1099
Overview. Famous for its herds of wild ponies, Assateague Island stretches for 37 wind-raked miles between the Atlantic Ocean and Maryland's and Virginia's Eastern Shore. Native Americans first populated this 6,000-year old ever-shifting sand island. After European settlers wrested the land away from the Algonquins, they used the island as a livestock grazing ground. Legend says the wild ponies swam onto the island from a sinking Spanish galleon, but they most likely were the property of English settlers. Pony penning has been a festive tradition since the 18th-century, and now during July a similar celebration takes place.
Despite the island's popularity with tourists and local day-trippers, it remains a valuable ecosystem preserving the habitats of many species. South of the Virginia state line, the island is designated as the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Some sections of the National Seashore are periodically closed to the public to protect nesting birds, especially the piping plover. Since the seashore was established in 1965, the island's varied resources have satisfied migrating birds, resident sika elk, and human visitors seeking respite by spending a day or two clamming, canoeing, or hiking.
What to see and do. On your way over to the island, stop at the Barrier Island Visitor Center. Here you can walk through exhibits and see an audiovisual program about the island's history and current uses. A balloon-tire beach wheelchair is available. Rangers can help you plan activities such as bird-watching, biking, or camping. Ask about guided island tours, audio cassette tours, and informative ranger lectures. If ecology interests you, pick up a copy of The Life of Assateague.This booklet guides you through the three nature trails located on the north end of the island. From the parking lot, you can easily walk to the three trails or find your way to the beach. Each trail, about a half-mile long, introduces you to the three distinct ecosystems characterizing Assateague: salt marsh/meadow, woodland, and dune. Most trails are wheelchair-accessible, as are the visitor center and two campsites, which you may reserve. When on the woodland walk, look for the loblolly pines and numerous deer. You may even spot a sika elk, a species imported from Asia earlier in this century.
If you'd like a longer hike, head for the beaches. Bikers are encouraged to stay on paved roads rather than flounder in the sand. Along the shore, you may want to search for seashells, or on the bayside catch a dinner of clams or crabs. Check with a ranger for the individual seasons governing the harvest of these creatures. Surf anglers will find the waters challenging, and canoers will enjoy exploring Chincoteague Bay. On the other side of the island, a 13-mile off-road zone on the beach is open to visitors with four-wheel-drive vehicles. In order to see the island this way, you must register in advance and pay a fee; certain equipment must be in the vehicle. Hunting is also permitted, but you must pay the off-road fee and check with rangers about specific seasons.
Exploring the island is encouraged, but the dunes are clearly marked as off limits. Dunes are extremely fragile, and even one person can unwittingly destroy years of natural work. As you move about the island, you'll not miss the famous ponies. They move in groups, munching their favorite salt marsh cordgrass and your food, too, if you're not careful. Rangers strongly urge visitors not to go near the ponies or tempt them with food. They may appear friendly and tame, but they are still sometimes-dangerous wild animals.
Because Assateague is on the Atlantic Flyway and boasts several favorable ecosystems, it's prime bird-watching territory. During the fall and spring migratory seasons, you're sure to spot herons and ibises, among others, while during nesting season oystercatchers, clapper rails, and many other species fill the marshes, coastal areas, and woodlands. Two campgrounds, one oceanside and one bayside, invite overnight stays. At nearby beaches, summertime lifeguards ensure safe swims, and separate areas are set aside for surfers. On your second day, you could consider driving south on the mainland to the Chincoteague crossing. In the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, you'll spot even more birds and get a chance to observe nature up close along several longer self-guided nature trails. Stop by the Chincoteague Refuge or Toms Cove Visitor Centers for information about ranger-led tours and programs.
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Address: 16500 Shepherdstown Pike mailing address: PO Box 4
Sharpsburg, MD 21782
Phone: 301-739-4200
Fax: 301-739-5275
Overview. With the successful 1825 opening of the Erie Canal, the nation began looking seriously at water transportation as a way to move goods past the formidable Appalachian Mountains and establish quicker trade routes with the western frontier. On July 4, 1828, with much fanfare, President John Quincy Adams turned the first shovelful of earth to begin construction on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, slated to connect Washington, DC, with Pittsburgh, PA, and the navigable Ohio River. Ultimately, the skilled workers imported from western Europe proved unruly and, at times, riotous, and financial and legal problems slowed progress on the project. Construction on the canal, which runs parallel to the Potomac River, took 22 years to reach Cumberland, MD, a little more than half the proposed length. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, begun the same day as the canal and a constant rival for land rights and commerce, had reached Cumberland a full eight years before. The canal would end at Cumberland, obsolete on the day of its completion.
Despite the railroad, canal boats were kept busy hauling coal, grain, and lumber, in addition to being instrumental in the Union supply effort during the Civil War. Whole families made their living on the boats, which could travel through the canal's 74 locks and 184.5 miles in four or five days; these were 18-hour work days! In 1889, a devastating flood drove the company into receivership and it was acquired by its rival, the B & O Railroad. The canal was repaired and continued to operate until it was destroyed and permanently shut down by another flood in 1924.
Today, the National Park Service preserves the length of the canal as a historical park. The first 22 miles of the canal have been restored and rewatered, and the towpath is a popular hiking trail and bike path. On many of the dry upper stretches, sycamore have taken over the canal bed, providing habitat for cardinals and bluebirds; the entire route provides a tranquil retreat into the dreams of an earlier time.
What to see and do. Access to the canal is available at many points along its lengthy route. In the 22-mile stretch between its eastern terminus in Georgetown, Washington, DC, and Violettes Lock near Seneca, the canal has been restored and rewatered, and is a favorite spot for canoeing. Mule-drawn canalboat rides are available during the summer in Georgetown and at the dock near Great Falls Tavern. Call 301-767-3714 (Great Falls) or 202-653-5190 (Georgetown) for further information.
The towpath runs the length of the canal, providing almost 185 miles of continuous hiking and biking trail through the scenic Maryland countryside. Horseback riders may use portions of the towpath; contact the park for more information.
There are five drive-in campgrounds and a series of 31 hiker-biker campsites spaced evenly along the canal. The Marsden Tract campsite requires reservations. There are no hookups, but toilets and water are available at the drive-in campgrounds from spring to autumn. Drive-in campgrounds can accommodate trailers up to 20 feet in length; no dumping is allowed.
Park headquarters is in Sharpsburg, MD. Visitor centers are located along the canal route in Georgetown, Williamsport, Hancock, Brunswick, and Cumberland, MD. The Great Falls Tavern in Potomac, MD, serves as a museum as well. The visitor facilities feature exhibits on the human and natural history of the canal, and offer invaluable information on the ongoing repair work being done around the park. Park headquarters are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hours for the visitor centers change seasonally; please call for hours. You'll find lodging in nearby communities, and food service is available each summer at Great Falls, Swains Lock, and Fletchers Boat House.
Fort Washington Park
Address: 13551 Fort Washington Rd
Fort Washington, MD 20744
Phone: 301-763-4600
Fax: 301-763-1389
Overview. Located across the Potomac River from Mount Vernon, Fort Washington was built between 1814 and 1824 after the British destroyed an earlier fort during the War of 1812. Featuring a moat and seven-foot-thick walls, this massive structure was part of the United States' early coastal defense system. After serving as a Union garrison during the Civil War, the fort was abandoned in 1872.What to see and do. Plan to spend an hour or two at this park just south of Washington, D.C. At the visitor center, open from 9 AM to 5 PM daily, a small museum and an eight-minute film introduce you to the fort's history. Sundays are a good day to visit because the park. Guided tours are usually offered on weekends and by request during the week. Otherwise, you can take a self-guided tour through the fort grounds, then explore the surrounding area on nature trails. Along the way, fish the Potomac River (with a Maryland license) and keep an eye out for the many species of birds living by the river. Take a picnic with you; if you come with a group, reserve a group spot in advance. Some special events, such as torchlight tours, take place during the summer. Call ahead for details.
Monocacy National Battlefield
Address: 4801 Urbana Pike
Frederick, MD 21704
Phone: 301-662-3515
Fax: 301-662-3420
Overview. South of Frederick and along the Monocacy River, a large force of 18,000 Confederate troops, under General Jubal Early, encountered General Lew Wallace's 5,800 Union soldiers on July 9, 1864. Early was embarked on the last Confederate campaign to capture Washington, D.C. Swinging around from the north, Early pushed toward the capital, hoping to attack the city quickly. But Wallace's smaller contingent stood in the way. Even though Wallace's outnumbered troops suffered defeat, they stalled the Confederate army long enough to enable Washington to shore up its defenses. This recently established park commemorates a small yet critical battle of the Civil War.What to see and do. Stop first at the visitor center, open from 8 AM to 4:30 PM daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day, and from Wednesday through Sunday the rest of the year. Inside you'll find an electronic map orientation program, which will help you visualize the battle. After working your way through an interactive computer program, view interpretive exhibits and artifacts. Check the park's schedule of ranger programs and living history exhibits. A self-guided auto-tour brochure for touring the battlefield is available from the visitor information desk. Walking tours are available. Leashed pets are permitted.
Antietam National Battlefield
Address: 5831 Dunker Church Rd PO Box 158
Sharpsburg, MD 21782-0158
Phone: 301-432-5124 or 301-432-7648
Fax: 301-432-4590
Overview. On September 17, 1862, Robert E. Lee led Confederate forces into Union territory and clashed with George McClellan's troops near Sharpsburg, MD, beside Antietam Creek. This day, the bloodiest of the Civil War, claimed over 23,000 casualties: more than 12,000 for the North and close to 11,000 for the South. Federal troops won a strategic victory by driving Lee and his forces back over the Potomac into Virginia. The battle prompted President Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves in states "in rebellion" against the Union. Today, more than 200,000 visitors a year visit the battlefield to take the self-guided driving tour and learn more about the Battle of Antietam and its repercussions. What to see and do. Before you tour the battlefield, be sure to stop by the visitor center and museum. There, you can see Antietam Visit, a 26-minute film that is shown throughout the day, or the one-hour documentary film that is shown each day at noon. Pick up a brochure detailing the 8.5-mile driving tour. The museum at the visitor center has numerous artifacts on display, including paintings by an eyewitness to the battle, weapons, and uniforms. A variety of ranger programs are offered throughout the year. There is a well-stocked bookstore at the visitor center where you can rent an audiocassette tape to enhance your drive though the park. On the first Saturday in December, the battlefield glows with the light of 23,110 candles, one representing each casualty, during the annual Memorial Illumination. On the Saturday closest to July 4th, the park hosts an Independence Day Commemoration, complete with a concert by the Maryland Symphony Orchestra and a fireworks display. In September, the park commemorates the battle anniversary with special ranger programs and events. Antietam National Battlefield is approximately 70 miles northwest of Washington, DC, and approximately 15 miles north of historic Harper's Ferry, WV. The visitor center is open from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM from June to August, and to 5:00 PM the remainder of the year. Park roads are open until dusk. The park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Group tours should call several weeks in advance to be registered.
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Address: E Fort Ave
Baltimore, MD 21230-5393
Phone: 410-962-4290
Fax: 410-962-2500
Overview. Built during the 1790s, this fortress, whose outer walls surround the structure in a star pattern, was named for Secretary of War James McHenry, who served under presidents Washington and Adams. On September 13-14, 1814, Washington lawyer Francis Scott Key nervously looked on from a truce ship as the fort suffered an assault by British naval guns. The hard-won battle by the Americans provided the inspiration for Key to write the U.S. anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner. The fort has been restored to look the way it did before the Civil War, and displays, weather permitting, a copy of the flag that flew above the fort during the War of 1812.
What to see and do. A visitor center and five fort buildings offer an interpretive film, exhibits, and audio programs. Open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM, the monument also has extended summer hours. Picnic areas are available at the site, as well as a seawall jogging and walking path. You can enjoy self-guided walking tours or join ranger talks during the summer season; call ahead for group arrangements and information. The Fort McHenry Guard presents demonstrations, in 1814 costume, of life at the fort, on weekend afternoons in the summer. Used as a prison for Confederate soldiers and Southern sympathizers, the fort also has a Civil War earthworks nearby. From I-95, take Exit 55 Key Highway and follow signs to Lawrence Street and then Fort Avenue.
Hampton National Historical Site
Address: 535 Hampton Lane
Towson, MD 21204
Phone: 410-823-1309
Fax: 410-823-8394
Overview. This estate, originally set on 24,000 acres, belonged to the Ridgely family over a span of 160 years and several generations. It was constructed between 1783 and 1790 by Captain Charles Ridgely, who amassed his wealth in the iron industry. Ridgely's plan for the estate included orchards, vineyards, formal gardens, and stables for Thoroughbred horses. He intended Hampton to be a place for entertaining and large gatherings. Among the more famous guests were the Marquis de Lafayette and Theodore Roosevelt. Hampton was a working plantation; Ridgely was a slave owner and also used indentured labor. A cupola tops off the three-story mansion, which was a departure from traditional Georgian architecture. Ridgely collaborated on the design with master carpenter Jehu Howell. The house has been preserved and restored, and contains many of the original furnishings. Ridgely had no direct descendants, so upon his death he turned the estate over to his nephew, who went on to become a Maryland legislator and governor. The property has lost much of its acreage in nearly two centuries, but has been well preserved by the family. Flower beds, English gardens, and a collection of tree varieties decorate the estate, as well as much of the original architecture. What to see and do. You can take a guided tour of the mansion; tours are offered on the hour between 9 AM and 4 PM daily. Expect to stay between a half hour and 40 minutes. Some of the highlights include original painted furniture, family portraits, crystal chandeliers, a collection of silver, and Oriental rugs. Feel free to explore the grounds, greenhouses, a reconstructed orangery, and stables. From Baltimore, take the Jones Falls Expressway to Towson and follow the signs. Pets: Leashed pets are permitted. Fees: A nominal interpretive fee is charged per person.
Clara Barton National Historic Site
Address: 5801 Oxford Rd
Glen Echo, MD 20812
Phone: 301-492-6245
Overview. This house doubled as Clara Barton's residence in her later years and as the headquarters of the American Red Cross, which she founded. Other staff lived here, as well as people who needed a temporary place to stay. Barton got started in her care-giving mission during the Civil War. Historical accounts say that she tended to wounded soldiers even during the heaviest fighting, and her fearless reputation earned her the nickname "Angel of the Battlefield." When the war was over, she facilitated a search for missing soldiers and was part of the effort to convert the prison camp at Andersonville into a national cemetery for veterans. She is also known for her efforts in helping former slaves. In 1870, when overseas for her health, Miss Barton offered her assistance in helping victims of the Franco-Prussian War. This was her first introduction to the International Red Cross, and upon her return home, she fought to start an American branch of the organization. In 1881, the American Red Cross was launched with Barton as its first president. What to see and do. You can tour the 38-room home; eleven rooms have been restored to their turn-of-the-century appearance and include some of Miss Barton's furnishings. The Park Service offers special events and programs at the site; call the Park Service headquarters for dates and times, or to make arrangements to see a short video on Miss Barton. Guided tours are given on the hour between 10 AM and 4 PM. The house is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Take I-495 to the Clara Barton Parkway to Glen Echo. Follow signs to the site. The site is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Catoctin Mountain Park
Address: 6602 Foxville Rd
Thurmont, MD 21788
Phone: 301-663-9388 or 301-663-9330
Overview. In the early days of European settlement, Lord Baltimore offered a 200-acre land grant in the mountains surrounding the Monocacy River to attract immigrants to Maryland. A homestead could be founded rent-free for three years, and then leased for a penny per acre per year thereafter. The land was claimed swiftly, forests were cleared for farms, and an iron smelting furnace was built to employ residents. Two hundred years later, the lush hardwood forests of the Catoctin Mountains were decimated and the farmland depleted. In an effort to provide employment during the Great Depression, the federal government bought the land and began developing it as a recreation area for federal employees. The Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps shared in constructing individual camps, including the presidential retreat, Camp David. Although Camp David is closed to the public, all visitors can enjoy the beauty of the restored forest, the comfortable camps, and the network of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing that Catoctin Mountain Park offers today. Many people visit Catoctin in the fall to drink in the gorgeous autumn foliage. What to see and do. Stop by the visitor center to see exhibits on the history of the park and the settlement of the Catoctin Mountains, then check out the schedule of activities or consult a ranger to help you plan your visit. If you plan to hike overnight and camp at Adirondack Shelter, you'll need a permit obtainable at no charge from the visitor center. Rock climbers (climbing helmets are required) must also register and receive a permit here. Rangers lead interpretive programs year-round; the park will send you a schedule if you call to request one. The visitor center is open year-round, from 10 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Thursday, with hours extended to 5 PM on Friday, and from 8:30 AM to 5 PM on weekends. The visitor center is closed for federal winter holidays; it is sometimes temporarily closed by heavy snowstorms. There are 25 miles of hiking trails in the park that range in length and difficulty from easy half-hour strolls to an arduous seven-hour mountain trek. The half-mile Spicebush Nature Trail is paved and wheelchair-accessible. In winter, weather permitting, several park roads are closed to traffic and serve as cross-country ski trails. Owens Creek Campground offers 50 sites on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no hookups, but restrooms and showers are provided. The campground is open from mid-April to mid-November. Youth Groups may camp at Poplar Grove Group Tent Camping Area year-round, except between March 1 and April 15. Groups of 60 or more can arrange to stay at Camp Greentop or Camp Round Meadow; these are environmental education facilities that provide cabins. Registration and reservation policies and dates vary; call the park for more information. Family cabins are available from mid-April to the end of October at Camp Misty Mount; call 301-271-3140 for more information. Cunningham Falls State Park, adjacent to Catoctin, features the remains of the old smelting furnace and a lake with a beach for swimming. There is a food concession here as well, open only in the summer. Additional lodging and dining opportunities are available in the nearby community of Thurmont.
Greenbelt Park
Address: 6565 Greenbelt Road
Greenbelt, MD 20770
Phone: 301-344-3944 or 800-365-2267
Fax: 301-344-8736
Overview. Only 12 miles from Washington, DC and 23 miles from Baltimore, MD, and surrounded on all sides by busy traffic arteries, Greenbelt Park is a tranquil oasis for outdoor leisure activity in a bustling urban environment. Created on land suffering from the effects of farming, the park features a recovering mixed forest of evergreens and deciduous trees well on its way to becoming the thriving eastern climax forest it was before it was settled in the 17th century.
What to see and do. The park offers 12 miles of nature and hiking trails over relatively flat terrain. Strolling through the forest on the 1.2-mile Azalea Trail, the 1.4-mile Dogwood Trail, or the 0.8-mile Blueberry Trail provides an easy way to enjoy the forest. The six-mile-long Perimeter Trail is also open to horses, but you'll have to bring your own mount. There are no stables or horse rental concessions in the park. Bikes are not allowed on park trails, but the paved park roads are not heavily traveled, providing ample opportunity for leisurely cycling.
The park's 174-site campground operates year-round on a first-come, first-served basis (though reservations are recommended). There are no hookups, but a dump station is provided, and drinking water, modern restrooms, and showers are located on site. Camping is limited to 14 days total per year, and costs $14 per night. Group camping reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance; contact the park for more details.
Greenbelt Park offers a Junior Ranger Program for children eight to eleven years of age during the summer. Rangers are on duty daily from 8 AM to 4 PM in summer (with campground hosts available after 4 PM), and to 6 PM the rest of the year. There is no ranger on duty Christmas Day, but the park is open.
The park is close to the historic attractions of Washington, Baltimore, and Annapolis, making it a good base of operations for those of you who want to combine an outdoor vacation with the amenities of an urban environment.
Pets: Leashed pets are permitted.
Reservations: The reservation fee for Greenbelt is $14.
Piscataway Park
Address: 13551 Fort Washington Rd
Fort Washington, MD 20744
Phone: 301-763-4600 or 301-283-2113
Overview. In order to preserve the outlook over the Potomac River from Mount Vernon as George Washington would have seen it, Piscataway Park stretches along six miles of the opposite shoreline. This protected area keeps urban sprawl at bay. Inside the park, a National Colonial Farm maintains period buildings that also enhance Mount Vernon's view.
What to see and do. This park is a quiet place to spend an afternoon. Take a tour through the National Colonial Farm, which features agricultural techniques from the eighteenth century. You'll get a good picture of how daily farm life operated on big farms like Mount Vernon across the river. Bring your bird book so you can pick out the various species that live along the waterway; there's a club of birdwatchers that meets every Sunday. After you explore the area, enjoy a picnic or go fishing. A boat dock is available. This park is open during daylight hours year-round.
Thomas Stone National Historic Site
Address: 6655 Rosehill Rd
Port Tobacco, MD 20677
Phone: 301-934-6027
Fax: 301-934-8793
Overview. Thomas Stone, lawyer and gentleman farmer, served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and the Maryland Senate, and was one of four men from Maryland to sign the Declaration of Independence. Habredeventure, the Georgian mansion that graced his plantation on the Port Tobacco River, was his primary home during his years of public service. Begun in 1771, the main house burned in 1977 and is currently being restored, but the 322-acre site, which features a visitor center, 19th-century farm buildings, and a landscape of fields and forestlands, remains open.
What to see and do. After stopping by the visitor center to view an audiovisual presentation about Thomas Stone and Haberdeventure, stroll around the grounds. Farm buildings dating from the 19th century include tobacco, horse, and cattle barns, a tenant house, and a corn crib, and are considered fine examples of farm architecture from that era. Ranger-led tours of the mansion are available hourly from 10am to 4pm; groups must make tour reservations in advance. There is a picnic area on site.
Thomas Stone National Historic Site is open 9am to 5pm daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Winter hours are limited; call for further information.
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