List of National Park System areas in Maryland facts for kids
The state of Maryland is home to many amazing places managed by the National Park Service. These special spots include parks, trails, and historic sites. The National Park Service looks after 24 different areas in Maryland.
These areas are super diverse! Some are important historical places, like battlefields. Others are beautiful natural areas, full of plants and animals. There are even parts of the parkway system around Washington, DC. Many of these parks were once managed by other parts of the U.S. government. For example, Antietam National Battlefield was first looked after by the Department of War.
Eight of Maryland's parks are part of the National Capital Parks. The newest park in Maryland is the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. It was created by the U.S. Congress in 2006.
National Park System Areas in Maryland
A view of Antietam National Battlefield. This was the site of one of the bloodiest battles in the American Civil War.
The main entrance to Fort McHenry in Baltimore. The battle here in the War of 1812 inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner.
A sign on the old bumper car building at Glen Echo Park.
The main house and slave quarters at Hampton National Historic Site.
Haberdeventure, the home of Thomas Stone. He was one of the people who signed the United States Declaration of Independence.
| Name | Location | What Makes It Special | Established | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antietam National Battlefield | Washington County | This park protects the site of the Battle of Antietam. It was a major battle during the American Civil War. | 1890 | |
| Appalachian National Scenic Trail | Washington County | This is a very long hiking trail. It stretches for about 2,175 miles (3,500 km) from Maine to Georgia. | 1970 | |
| Assateague Island National Seashore | Worcester County | This is a 37-mile (60 km) long island. It is managed to protect its unique plants and wild animals, like the famous wild horses. | 1965 | |
| Baltimore–Washington Parkway | Anne Arundel and Prince George's Counties | This is a 29-mile (47 km) highway. It connects Washington, DC with Baltimore, Maryland. | 1954 | |
| Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail | Chesapeake Bay | This water trail follows the path of John Smith's explorations of the Chesapeake Bay. You can access it from many spots along Maryland's shoreline. | 2006 | |
| Catoctin Mountain Park | Frederick County | This is a 5,810-acre (23.5 km²) forest park. It is located in the Appalachian Mountains. | 1954 | |
| Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park | Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, and Allegany Counties | This park runs alongside the Potomac River. It preserves parts of the old Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. | 1938 | |
| Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network | Chesapeake Bay shoreline | This is a group of sites around the Chesapeake Bay. They are important for history and the environment. | 1998 | |
| Clara Barton National Historic Site | Montgomery County | This is the home of Clara Barton (1821–1912). She was the founder of the American Red Cross. | 1975 | |
| Fort Foote Park | Prince George's County | This fort on the Potomac River helped defend Washington, DC during the American Civil War. | c. 1946 | |
| Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine | Baltimore City | This star-shaped fort bravely defended Baltimore Harbor from a British attack in the War of 1812. This battle inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star-Spangled Banner. | 1925 | |
| Fort Washington Park | Prince George's County | This fort has a long history of protecting Washington, DC. | 1946 | |
| George Washington Memorial Parkway | Montgomery County | This parkway is mostly in Virginia and Washington, DC. A small part connects to Glen Echo Park and the Clara Barton National Historic Site in Maryland. | 1930 | |
| Glen Echo Park | Montgomery County | This park started as a special assembly in 1891. Later, it became a fun amusement park until 1968. | 1971 | |
| Greenbelt Park | Prince George's County | This is an 1,176-acre (476 ha) recreational area. It offers a natural escape within a city environment. | 1950 | |
| Hampton National Historic Site | Baltimore County | This site includes an 18th-century estate. It has a beautiful manor house, gardens, and original stone slave quarters. | 1948 | |
| Harmony Hall | Prince George's County | This is an 18th-century country house. It is surrounded by 65 acres (26 ha) of parkland. | 1966 | |
| Monocacy National Battlefield | Frederick County | This Civil War battlefield is located southwest of Frederick, along the Monocacy River. | 1976 | |
| Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm | Prince George's County | This park offers fun outdoor activities. It is located in Washington, DC and Prince George's County, Maryland. | 1959 | |
| Piscataway Park | Prince George's County | This park is across the Potomac River from Mount Vernon. It was created to protect the beautiful view from Mount Vernon. | 1961 | |
| Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail | Potomac River shoreline | This is a network of trails along the Potomac River. It stretches from the river's mouth to its beginnings. | 1983 | |
| Suitland Parkway | Prince George's County | This is a 9.35-mile (15.05 km) historic parkway. It was built during World War II to connect military places near Washington, DC. | 1944 | |
| Thomas Stone National Historic Site | Charles County | This site protects the home and land of Thomas Stone. He was one of the signers of the United States Declaration of Independence. | 1978 |
See also
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List of National Park System areas in Maryland Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.