There are tons of stunning parks located in the Old Line State, all of which you can visit year-round. It’s difficult to choose a favorite because they’re all so different. Some have mountain views, some have beaches, and some are full of hidden trails. Here are 11 state parks to visit in Maryland that won’t disappoint.

  1. Patapsco Valley State Park

Chesapeake Bay Program/Flickr This park extends 32 miles, covering parts of Howard, Baltimore, and Anne Arundel Counties. It contains streams, waterfalls, viaducts, bridges, and is just all-around amazing. It may just be one of the best state parks in Maryland!

Read our previous coverage to learn more. Patapsco Valley State Park, Woodstock, MD 21163, USA

  1. Tuckahoe State Park

Lisa G / Flickr Tuckahoe State Park is located in Caroline and Queen Anne’s Counties. The scenic lake is perfect for fishing, kayaking, and boating and there are also plenty of trails for land lovers for those looking for some amazing hiking trails in Maryland.

Read our previous coverage to learn more about kayaking at Tuckahoe State Park. Tuckahoe State Park, 13070 Crouse Mill Rd, Queen Anne, MD 21657, USA

  1. Gambrill State Park

Rob Speed / Flickr Located in Frederick County, this state park offers some of the most amazing views and offers plenty of things to do outside in Maryland.

Read our previous coverage to learn more. Gambrill State Park, 8602 Gambrill Park Rd, Frederick, MD 21702, USA

  1. Assateague State Park

yuan2003 / Flickr This park in Worcester County is adored by all creatures and was named one of the best state parks in Maryland. This is one park that deserves a spot on your bucket list.

Read our previous coverage to learn more. Assateague State Park, 6915 Stephen Decatur Hwy, Berlin, MD 21811, USA

  1. Seneca Creek State Park

Mr.TinDC / Flickr This 6,300-acre park is a gem in Montgomery County, containing 50 miles of trails and a 27-hole disc golf course.

Visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website to learn more. Seneca Creek State Park, 11950 Clopper Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA

  1. Deep Creek Lake State Park

Jon Dawson / Flickr The grand lake in Garrett County is only one of the features of Deep Creek State Park. This park is a popular location for water sports, fishing, and mountain biking if you’re looking for things to do outside in Maryland.

Read our previous coverage to learn more. Deep Creek Lake State Park, Maryland 21561, USA

  1. Calvert Cliffs State Park

Fred Schroeder / Flickr Calvert County is home to Calvert Cliffs State Park. It’s known for - you guessed it - the cliffs. This is also a notable location to go fossil hunting.

Visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website to learn more. Calvert Cliffs, Maryland 20657, USA

  1. Janes Island State Park

Big Dog 91 / Flickr Over in Somerset County you can find Janes Island State Park, one of the best parks in Maryland. The calm water here is great for kayaking and canoeing.

Read our previous coverage to learn more. Janes Island State Park, 26280 Alfred J Lawson Dr, Crisfield, MD 21817, USA

  1. South Mountain State Park

Wikimedia Commons South Mountain State Park spans parts of Washington and Frederick Counties. It also contains Maryland’s 40-mile section of the Appalachian Trail, and the views are breathtaking.

Visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website to learn more. 21843 National Pike, Boonsboro, MD 21713, USA

  1. Susquehanna State Park

acoolerclimate / Flickr This beautiiful park is located in Harford County. It’s a popular spot for fishing and camping. There are also historical sites throughout the park as well.

Read our previous coverage to learn more. Susquehanna State Park, Maryland 21078, USA

  1. Sandy Point State Park

Chesapeake Bay Program / Flickr Located in Anne Arundel County, this sandy park is the perfect place for a summer day trip. This park also hosts the annual Polar Bear Plunge in the winter. Brrrr! It’s one of the most beautiful state parks to visit in Maryland.

Visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website to learn more. 1100 E College Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21409, USA

How many of these state parks to visit in Maryland have you been to? Do you have a favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Chesapeake Bay Program/Flickr

This park extends 32 miles, covering parts of Howard, Baltimore, and Anne Arundel Counties. It contains streams, waterfalls, viaducts, bridges, and is just all-around amazing. It may just be one of the best state parks in Maryland!

Read our previous coverage to learn more.

Patapsco Valley State Park, Woodstock, MD 21163, USA

Lisa G / Flickr

Tuckahoe State Park is located in Caroline and Queen Anne’s Counties. The scenic lake is perfect for fishing, kayaking, and boating and there are also plenty of trails for land lovers for those looking for some amazing hiking trails in Maryland.

Read our previous coverage to learn more about kayaking at Tuckahoe State Park.

Tuckahoe State Park, 13070 Crouse Mill Rd, Queen Anne, MD 21657, USA

Rob Speed / Flickr

Located in Frederick County, this state park offers some of the most amazing views and offers plenty of things to do outside in Maryland.

Read our previous coverage to learn more.

Gambrill State Park, 8602 Gambrill Park Rd, Frederick, MD 21702, USA

yuan2003 / Flickr

This park in Worcester County is adored by all creatures and was named one of the best state parks in Maryland. This is one park that deserves a spot on your bucket list.

Read our previous coverage to learn more.

Assateague State Park, 6915 Stephen Decatur Hwy, Berlin, MD 21811, USA

Mr.TinDC / Flickr

This 6,300-acre park is a gem in Montgomery County, containing 50 miles of trails and a 27-hole disc golf course.

Visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website to learn more.

Seneca Creek State Park, 11950 Clopper Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA

Jon Dawson / Flickr

The grand lake in Garrett County is only one of the features of Deep Creek State Park. This park is a popular location for water sports, fishing, and mountain biking if you’re looking for things to do outside in Maryland.

Read our previous coverage to learn more.

Deep Creek Lake State Park, Maryland 21561, USA

Fred Schroeder / Flickr

Calvert County is home to Calvert Cliffs State Park. It’s known for - you guessed it - the cliffs. This is also a notable location to go fossil hunting.

Visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website to learn more.

Calvert Cliffs, Maryland 20657, USA

Big Dog 91 / Flickr

Over in Somerset County you can find Janes Island State Park, one of the best parks in Maryland. The calm water here is great for kayaking and canoeing.

Read our previous coverage to learn more.

Janes Island State Park, 26280 Alfred J Lawson Dr, Crisfield, MD 21817, USA

Wikimedia Commons

South Mountain State Park spans parts of Washington and Frederick Counties. It also contains Maryland’s 40-mile section of the Appalachian Trail, and the views are breathtaking.

Visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website to learn more.

21843 National Pike, Boonsboro, MD 21713, USA

acoolerclimate / Flickr

This beautiiful park is located in Harford County. It’s a popular spot for fishing and camping. There are also historical sites throughout the park as well.

Read our previous coverage to learn more.

Susquehanna State Park, Maryland 21078, USA

Chesapeake Bay Program / Flickr

Located in Anne Arundel County, this sandy park is the perfect place for a summer day trip. This park also hosts the annual Polar Bear Plunge in the winter. Brrrr! It’s one of the most beautiful state parks to visit in Maryland.

Visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website to learn more.

1100 E College Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21409, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

State Parks To Visit In Maryland March 21, 2022 Melissa M. Are there any waterfall hikes in Maryland? If you enjoy chasing waterfalls, take one of these best waterfall hikes in Maryland. In Harford County, you can take a 1.3-mile hike to the stunning Kilgore Falls at Rocks State Park. Head to Frederick County for a round-trip hike of fewer than three miles to Cunningham Falls. These are just two of the highlights in our waterfall hikes article. What are the best state parks for camping year-round in Maryland? State parks offer more than just a place to spend the day. Some even offer camping year-round. Herrington Manor State Park and Assateague State Park are just two parks in Maryland where you can camp any time of the year.  What are some of the best things to do outside in Maryland? Maryland offers plenty of adventure for the average outdoor enthusiast. Read our article, 10 Perfect Places To Go In Maryland If You’re Feeling Adventurous, and learn about biking the East Coast Greenway, rock climbing at Carderock, taking a walk through wetlands at Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, and more.

The OIYS Visitor Center

State Parks To Visit In Maryland

March 21, 2022

Melissa M.

Are there any waterfall hikes in Maryland? If you enjoy chasing waterfalls, take one of these best waterfall hikes in Maryland. In Harford County, you can take a 1.3-mile hike to the stunning Kilgore Falls at Rocks State Park. Head to Frederick County for a round-trip hike of fewer than three miles to Cunningham Falls. These are just two of the highlights in our waterfall hikes article. What are the best state parks for camping year-round in Maryland? State parks offer more than just a place to spend the day. Some even offer camping year-round. Herrington Manor State Park and Assateague State Park are just two parks in Maryland where you can camp any time of the year.  What are some of the best things to do outside in Maryland? Maryland offers plenty of adventure for the average outdoor enthusiast. Read our article, 10 Perfect Places To Go In Maryland If You’re Feeling Adventurous, and learn about biking the East Coast Greenway, rock climbing at Carderock, taking a walk through wetlands at Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, and more.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

If you enjoy chasing waterfalls, take one of these best waterfall hikes in Maryland. In Harford County, you can take a 1.3-mile hike to the stunning Kilgore Falls at Rocks State Park. Head to Frederick County for a round-trip hike of fewer than three miles to Cunningham Falls. These are just two of the highlights in our waterfall hikes article.

What are the best state parks for camping year-round in Maryland?

State parks offer more than just a place to spend the day. Some even offer camping year-round. Herrington Manor State Park and Assateague State Park are just two parks in Maryland where you can camp any time of the year. 

What are some of the best things to do outside in Maryland?

Maryland offers plenty of adventure for the average outdoor enthusiast. Read our article, 10 Perfect Places To Go In Maryland If You’re Feeling Adventurous, and learn about biking the East Coast Greenway, rock climbing at Carderock, taking a walk through wetlands at Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, and more.