South Mountain State Park

For the state park in North Carolina, see South Mountains State Park.

South Mountain State Park
View
View from the Annapolis Rock Overlook,
found in the central part of the park
South Mountain State Park is located in Maryland
South Mountain State Park
South Mountain State Park
Location in Maryland
LocationFrederick and Washington counties, Maryland, United States
Nearest townBoonsboro, Maryland
Coordinates39°33′39″N 77°35′5″W / 39.56083°N 77.58472°W / 39.56083; -77.58472[1]
Area7,754 acres (3,138 ha)[2]
Elevation1,762 ft (537 m)[1]
Administered byMaryland Department of Natural Resources
DesignationMaryland state park

South Mountain State Park is a public recreation area that runs for nearly the entire length of South Mountain through Washington and Frederick counties in Maryland.[3] The state park is contiguous with several other national, state and local parks on the mountain, including the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Gathland State Park, Washington Monument State Park, Greenbrier State Park and Pen Mar County Park.

Features

Maryland's 40-mile (64 km) section of the Appalachian Trail traverses the length of the park,[4] offering access to scenic overlooks that include High Rock, Black Rock, Annapolis Rock, White Rocks, and Weverton Cliffs.[5] The park also contains part of the South Mountain Battlefield.[6] Camping is permitted at shelters and backpackers campgrounds off the AT.[3] The park also has two hunting areas: Black Rock Hunting Lands and Lambs Knoll Hunting Lands.[5]

View of the Cumberland Valley from High Rock in the northern part of the park

References

  1. ^ a b "Annapolis Rock". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ "DNR Lands Acreage Report" (PDF). Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "South Mountain State Park". Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  4. ^ "Appalachian Trail". Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Explore: South Mountain Recreation Area" (PDF). Maryland Department of Natural Resources. 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  6. ^ "Battle of South Mountain". Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved October 26, 2024.