Greenbrier State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Greenbrier State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Sunset over Greenbrier Lake
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 Greenbrier State Park
Location in Maryland
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| Location | Frederick County & Washington County, Maryland, United States |
| Nearest town | Boonsboro, Maryland |
| Area | 1,420 acres (5.7 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,027 ft (313 m) |
| Designation | Maryland state park |
| Established | 1963 |
| Administrator | Maryland Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Greenbrier State Park |
Greenbrier State Park is a fun place for outdoor activities in Maryland, USA. It's found on South Mountain, about 3 miles (4.8 km) northeast of Boonsboro. This park offers camping, hiking, and a cool 42-acre (17 ha) lake. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources takes care of the park.
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Discovering Greenbrier's Past
Greenbrier State Park opened its doors in 1963. It was created at the same time as Janes Island State Park. Over the years, from 1964 to 1978, the state of Maryland spent over $2 million to buy more land for the park.
This money also helped build many of the things you see there today. They developed camping spots, picnic areas, a beach, and places for day visitors. They also added parking lots, a visitor center, roads, and hiking trails.
Fun Things to Do at Greenbrier
Greenbrier State Park has many exciting activities for visitors. You can go camping, fishing, or take a boat out on the lake. Swimming is popular, and there are also places for picnics. If you like to explore, you can go hiking or mountain biking.
The park's visitor center is open all year. There is also a nature center that opens during certain seasons.
Exploring Greenbrier's Trails
Greenbrier State Park has ten different trails for you to explore. These trails include Bartman Hill Trail, Big Red Trail, and Copperhead Trail. Their lengths vary from about 0.4 miles (0.6 km) to 4.5 miles (7.2 km).
Some trails are easy for beginners, while others are more challenging. All the trails are great for hikers. Most of them are also open for mountain biking. The famous Appalachian Trail even crosses a part of the park. You can get to it from the Bartman Hill Trail.
Enjoying Greenbrier Lake
Greenbrier Lake is a 42-acre (17 ha) lake made by people. It has a long beach area, about 1,000 feet (300 m) long, perfect for swimming. The swimming area slowly gets deeper, reaching about six feet (1.8 m).
If you enjoy fishing, you can try to catch trout, bass, or bluegill in the lake. If you are 16 years old or older, you will need a special fishing license from the state.
Greenbrier in the News
Greenbrier State Park has been in the news for some interesting reasons. In 1995, two very rare albino deer were seen in the park. These deer have white fur because of a special genetic condition.
In 2008, the park received a special grant of $130,000. This money was used to build concrete tunnels under Keadle Road. These tunnels help box turtles cross the road safely. This was the first project of its kind in the United States to help turtles cross roads.
