Seneca Creek State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seneca Creek State Park |
|
|---|---|
Clopper Lake
|
|
 Seneca Creek State Park
Location in Maryland
|
|
| Location | Montgomery County, Maryland, United States |
| Nearest city | Gaithersburg, Maryland |
| Area | 6,313 acres (25.55 km2) |
| Elevation | 223 ft (68 m) |
| Designation | Maryland state park |
| Established | 1958 |
| Administrator | Maryland Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Seneca Creek State Park |
Seneca Creek State Park is a large outdoor area in Montgomery County, Maryland. It covers over 6,300 acres along 14 miles of Seneca Creek. This creek flows into the Potomac River. The park offers many fun activities for visitors. You can go boating and fishing on the lake. There are also trails for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources manages this beautiful park.
Contents
Park History: How Seneca Creek State Park Began
Seneca Creek State Park first opened its doors in 1958. Back then, it was simply called Seneca State Park. From 1965 to 1968, the state government, known as the Maryland General Assembly, approved money to buy more land for the park.
In 1966, the General Assembly approved more funds. This money helped build important things like camping spots, picnic areas, roads, and other facilities. A big change happened in 1975. That's when Clopper Lake was created. They built a dam on Long Draught Creek, which is a smaller stream flowing into Seneca Creek. This lake was made for both fun activities and to help control floods.
Fun Activities and Cool Features at the Park
Seneca Creek State Park has lots to do for everyone!
Clopper Lake: A Great Spot for Water Fun
The main part of the park is built around Clopper Lake. This lake is about 90 acres in size. It's located in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Clopper Lake is usually about 18 feet deep. It has some shallower areas too.
The lake is a great place for fishing! It's stocked with many kinds of fish. You can find largemouth bass, tiger muskie, and channel catfish. There are also sunfish, bluegill, and pumpkinseed sunfish. Boating is allowed on the lake, so you can enjoy the water.
Exploring the Park's Trails: Hiking, Biking, and More
The park has over 50 miles of trails to explore. Some trails are near Clopper Lake. Another 12 miles of trails are in the Schaeffer Farm Trails Area. These trails are perfect for many activities. You can go hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding. When it snows, you can even go cross-country skiing!
The Lake Shore Trail goes all the way around Clopper Lake. The Seneca Creek Greenway Trail is a long trail, about 16.5 miles. It follows Great Seneca Creek through the park. The Seneca Bluffs Trail is a natural path about 7.5 miles long. It connects Black Rock Mill to the C&O Canal. The Seneca Ridge Trail is another natural trail, about 5.8 miles long. It's great for hiking, running, and biking.
Kayaking Adventures on Seneca Creek
You can also go kayaking on parts of Seneca Creek. It's especially good for kayaking south of Route 28. If the water levels are high, you might be able to go further north. Sometimes, you might need to carry your kayak around fallen trees.
Other Exciting Things to Do at the Park
Besides trails and the lake, the park has more to offer. There are picnic areas where you can enjoy a meal outdoors. Kids will love the tire playground. If you like disc golf, there's a 27-hole course. You can also visit a restored 19th-century cabin. In some areas of the park, hunting is allowed.
Annual Events: Winter Lights Festival
Every year since 1995, the park hosts the Winter Lights Festival. This is a special drive-through holiday light show. It happens at the end of the year in the Clopper Lake Day Use Area. It's a fun way to celebrate the holidays!
Historic Places: Stepping Back in Time
Seneca Creek State Park is home to some interesting historic sites.
Seneca Quarry: Stone for a Famous Castle
The remains of the Seneca Quarry are located near where Seneca Creek meets the Potomac River. This quarry was built in 1837. It was famous for cutting red sandstone. This stone was used to build the Smithsonian Castle in Washington, D.C.! The restored house where the quarry master lived stands above the quarry site. Both are part of the state park.
Black Rock Mill and Seneca Schoolhouse
The Black Rock Mill has been partly restored. It has exhibits that tell the story of floods in the area. The Seneca Schoolhouse is a restored school from the 1800s. It was built for the children of the workers at the quarry.
The Clopper Family and Woodlands Area
Parts of the park used to be owned by the Clopper family. The Woodlands area near Clopper Lake remembers this family. There's a self-guided trail there. It lets you imagine what life was like in the 1800s.
Images for kids
-
Remains of Black Rock Mill
