State & County Parks

Boonsboro is surrounded by State and County Parks!  Washington County, Maryland is home to more county, state, and national parks than any county in the rest of the country!

In addition to these State and County parks, don’t forget that we also have the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park, popular for hiking and scenic views, accessible nearby from Weverton, Sharpsburg, and Williamsport and many other communities east and west.

South Mountain State Park

Encompasses several recreation areas and other state parks along the ridge of South Mountain.

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

South Mountain is home to the Appalachian Trail, which follows its namesake mountain formations from Georgia to Maine.  Boonsboro is officially an Appalachian Trail Town!

The trail offers privative hiking and camping opportunities, with marked camping areas and springs, occasional restroom facilities, and free-to-use shelters

The trail can be accessed from the following locations in Maryland, this list starting in the south at the Potomac River.  The southernmost point, Weverton, offers a spectacular cliff overlook of the Potomac River.  Beyond this point south the trail follows the C&O Canal to cross the river at Harpers Ferry.

• Weverton (Weverton Cliffs) – Via C&O Canal or Weverton Cliffs Parking
• Gathland State Park
• Reno Monument Road
• Old South Mountain Inn Parking Lot – Old National Pike / Alt. US 40 (Our closest access with parking)
• Washington Monument
• Boonsboro Mountain Road (crosses twice)
• US Rt.40/Annapolis Rock & Black Rock Trailhead Parking
• Ensign Cowall Lot / Wolfsville Rd. near Smithsburg
• Foxville Rd. / Rt. 77 near Hopkins Lane
• Warner Hollow Road (no parking)
• Raven Rock Road
• Pen Mar Park
• Pen Mar Road @ State Line

Greenbrier State Park

Located near Boonsboro on US Rt. 40, just below the north end of Boonsboro Mountain Road (which is accessed from Orchard Drive across the street).

This park offers a manmade lake which is stocked for fishing, a boat launch for the lake, swimming beach, picnic areas, and reservation camping.  Several trails also traverse the park, though bright clothes are encouraged as hunting is permitted in the areas of the park away from the lake.

This park often fills up to capacity quickly on weekends in the summer.  Trailheads with gravel parking can be found on Greenbrier Road and Mountain Laurel Road.

Due to high volume use, reservation and an entry fee ranging from $3 (in-state weekday) to $7 (out-of-state weekend) per person is required.

Gathland State Park

Travel east on the Old National Pike to the traffic circle, and then stay on Rt. 67 for several miles, turning left onto Gapland Road.

Once the estate of writer and war correspondent George Alfred Townsend, only a portion of the original manor, the Summer kitchen, and remains of the barn still stand.  The centerpiece of this park is the War Correspondents Memorial Arch which he constructed in 1896 to honor of fellow war reporters and artists, and which is still at times updated with new names.

The park land is the site of the Battle of Crampton’s Gap, part of the Battle of South Mountain days before Antietam.  Today there is access to the Appalachian Trail, picnic pavilion, open fields, and tree shaded land.  The remaining structure from the estate is a seasonal museum and there are seasonal restrooms available.  Several historical information panels also line the property.

Access is free.  Pavilion may be rented.

Washington Monument State Park

Follow the Old National Pike to the top of the mountain, and turn onto Washington Monument Road until its terminus at the park entrance.

The first monument completed in honor of George Washington was constructed by the people of Boonsboro atop the mountain and overlooking our town!  The monument offers a spectacular view across several states and offers excellent bird watching.  Parking lot offers a short, gradual walk to the monument, lined with a timeline of events in President Washington’s life.  Surrounding the lot can be found a small seasonal museum, restrooms, playground, an open field area, and several picnic pavilions which may be rented.

Small entry fee required ($2/vehicle in-state, $4/vehicle out-of-state).  Pavilion may be rented.  Camp sites only for youth groups registered with state.

Other State Parks in the region:

Cunningham Falls

Rt. 77 between Smithsburg and Thurmont.  Adjacent to the Catoctin Mountain National Park, Cunningham Falls offers a lake with fishing and swimming, as well as hiking trails to a nearby waterfall.  Accessiblity-only parking available along Rt. 77 to see the waterfall.

Fort Frederick

On Fort Frederick Road.  Take Rt. 68 / Lappans Road from Boonsboro through Williamsport, near Clear Spring turn left onto Rt. 56, Big Pool Road and look for Fort Frederick Road on the left after a couple of miles.

A restored French & Indian War fort with two reconstructed barracks buildings.  Restrooms, trails, open fields, events and special programs.  River-side camping.

Gambrill

On Gambrill Road, Just off Rt. 40 west of Frederick.  Offers trails, several scenic overlooks, picnic grounds, a nature center, and a wedding and events venue known as the Tea Room.

Nearby County Parks

Devil’s Backbone County Park

Leave Boonsboro on Rt. 68/Lappans Road, the park is only a couple of miles out of town.

A quaint tree-shaded park alongside Antietam Creek, with an artificial waterfall, playground, picnic area, fishing, hiking trails, a historic stone bridge and other amenities.

Rose’s Mill Park

Take Old National Pike to Poffenberger Rd/Garis Shop Rd. and continue on to Garis Shop Rd.

A small county park alongside Antietam Creek centered around the remains of a mill and a historic stone multiple-arch bridge.  Offers open space, picnic area, fishing, and a canoe/kayak launch.

Other Parks to Consider

Beaver Creek

While not an official park, this small community has a historic mill (now a home), restored one room school house museum, and several locations near parking which are popular during fly fishing season.

Hagerstown City Park

Follow Alternate 40 (Old National Pike/Baltimore Street/Frederick Road) through Funkstown and into Hagerstown. turn onto Wilson Blvd. Turn right onto Virginia Avenue.  The park will be on the left.

A large municipal park with walking trails, two lakes, and several museums.  Home to the Jonathan Hager House Museum, City Park Train Hub and Western Maryland Railway Steam Locomotive 202, the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, and the Valley Art Association Art Center, as well as a band shell used for live performances and movies in the park.  Offers playgrounds and picnic areas, sports fields, numerous protected waterfowl.  No fishing allowed.

Historic Wilson Stone Bridge

An original 5-arch National Road bridge over the Conococheague Creek, now only accessible to pedestrians.  Parking available on both ends of the bridge.