Dans Mountain State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dans Mountain State Park |
|
|---|---|
 Dans Mountain State Park
Location in Maryland
|
|
| Location | Allegany County, Maryland, United States |
| Nearest city | Frostburg, Maryland |
| Area | 482 acres (195 ha) |
| Elevation | 2,208 ft (673 m) |
| Designation | Maryland state park |
| Established | 1952 |
| Administrator | Maryland Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Dans Mountain State Park |
Dans Mountain State Park is a fun place for outdoor activities in Allegany County, Maryland. It's about 9 miles (14 km) south of Frostburg. This park covers 482 acres (195 hectares) on Dans Mountain, which is a long mountain stretching about 16 miles (26 km). The Maryland Department of Natural Resources takes care of the park.
History of Dans Mountain State Park
Dans Mountain got its name from an interesting story about an early settler. Daniel Cresap, the son of Thomas Cresap, was hunting bear cubs on the mountain. He accidentally fell from a tree.
According to the story, Daniel's friend, a Delaware Indian named Nemacolin, found him. Nemacolin carefully used a horse and a special stretcher to bring Daniel home safely.
The state park first opened its doors in 1952. Many of the park's features were built later in the 1970s. The Maryland General Assembly helped by providing money for things like the park's swimming pool. They spent over $800,000 between 1973 and 1978 to plan and build these improvements.
Fun Things to Do at Dans Mountain State Park
Dans Mountain State Park is a great spot for enjoying nature and having fun. You can see lots of different animals and plants here. There are also pretty mountain streams flowing through the park.
- Swimming Pool: The park has a big Olympic-sized swimming pool. It comes with a bathhouse where you can change. There are also snack stands open during the warmer months.
- Fishing Pond: If you like fishing, there's a pond that gets new fish added every year. It's a perfect place to cast a line.
- Scenic Views: You can find beautiful spots to look out over the landscape. These overlooks offer amazing views of the area.
Discovering Dan's Rock Overlook
Dan's Rock is a very special spot near the park. It is the highest point in all of Allegany County. This amazing overlook sits at 2,898 feet (883 meters) above sea level.
Dan's Rock is about 3 miles (5 km) away from the main park area. It is located at the edge of the Dan's Mountain Wildlife Management Area. You can reach it by driving on Old Dan's Rock Road, which starts in Midland.
It's important to know that you cannot get to Dan's Rock directly from Dans Mountain State Park. You need to use a separate road to visit this high point.
