South Mountain State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids South Mountain State Park
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
View from the Annapolis Rocks Overlook, found in the southern part of the park
South Mountain State Park Location in Maryland
Location	Frederick County & Washington County, Maryland, United States
Nearest town	Boonsboro, Maryland
Area	7,520 acres (30.4 km2)
Elevation	1,555 ft (474 m)
Designation	Maryland state park
Administrator	Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Website	South Mountain State Park

South Mountain State Park is a fun outdoor area in Maryland. It stretches almost the entire length of South Mountain. You can find it in both Washington and Frederick counties.

This state park connects to several other cool parks nearby. These include the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Gathland State Park. Other connected parks are Washington Monument State Park, Greenbrier State Park, and Pen Mar County Park.

Explore South Mountain State Park

South Mountain State Park offers many exciting things to see and do. It's a great place for outdoor adventures.

Hiking the Appalachian Trail

A famous hiking path, the Appalachian Trail, runs right through the park. About 40 miles of this trail are in Maryland. Along the trail, you can find amazing spots to look out over the landscape. These scenic overlooks include High Rock, Black Rock, and Annapolis Rock. You can also see White Rock and Weverton Cliffs.

Discovering History

The park is also home to part of the South Mountain Battlefield. This area played an important role in history. You can learn about past events while exploring the park's trails.

Camping and Outdoor Activities

If you love camping, this park is for you! You can set up camp at special shelters. There are also campgrounds for backpackers right off the Appalachian Trail. The park also has two areas for hunting. These are called Black Rock Hunting Lands and Lambs Knoll Hunting Lands.