Frederick, located less than 60 minutes from D. C., Gettysburg, and Baltimore, is a friendly and peaceful city in Frederick County, Northern Maryland, United States.
Like its neighbors, Frederick offers many gorgeous old architecture, intriguing histories to discover, natural areas to explore, and storied landmarks to see.
Although the city isn’t large, it has an abundance of things that draw tourists and keep the locals singing the praises of their hometown.
Whether you feel like spending some quality time with nature, want to stroll around the vibrant downtown, or have a picnic with your loved ones, Fredrick will provide you with a memorable adventure.
Here are the best parks in Frederick, MD.
Best Parks in Frederick, MD
1. Baker Park
Baker Park is a 58-acre park that hosts some of the most famous events in the city. It is reputed as one of the top parks in Frederick, MD.
This linear Park, located within the heart of the historic downtown, is the entertainment heartbeat of the city. It features bicycling and jogging pathways, many playgrounds, a panoramic lake, and more.
After over seventy-five years, this pet-friendly Park remains a cherished location for sporting events, concerts, recreational activities, and festivals.
The Fourth of July celebration, Frederick’s Fourth, offers different entertainment, including a fireworks display.
The Summer Concert Series invites everyone to get up and dance to live music.
Other features in Baker Park include tennis courts, a band shell, baseball and softball fields, a public swimming pool, and a carillon.
Furthermore, you can make use of the two hours of free parking at the west end of the Park.
Address: 121 N Bentz St, Frederick,
2. Gambrill State Park
Gambrill State Park is a gorgeous mountain park located on the bluff of the Catoctin Mountains in Frederick County. It is among the top parks in Frederick, MD.
This state park is well-known for its scenic views of its surrounding areas. The view can be seen from the stone overlooks constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Gambrill State Park’s most famous feature is the 16 miles of horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking trails. The Park is divided into two areas: The Rock Run area and the High Knob Area.
From the 16-000 foot High Knob, three stone overlooks provide astonishing views of the Frederic and Middletown Valley, then proceeds to the northern reaches of the Shenandoah Mountains.
The High Knob area offers three picnic shelters, wooded picnic areas, and an extensive stone lodge known as the Tea Room. The Tea Room and the picnic shelters are available for reservation.
The Rock Run Area offers a comfortable family-style campground, a small pond for fishing, and a picnic area:
Gambrill State Park also offers an accessible campground building and a comfort station.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources runs the Park. It is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Address: 8602 Gambrill Park Rd, Frederick, MD 21702, United States
3. Ballenger Creek Park
Ballenger Creek Park is a public space with numerous sports fields, play equipment, grills, and picnic areas.
The 4.2-mile Ballenger Creek Trail is a smoothly paved trail that links residential areas to parks, schools, business places, and entertainment centers.
The ten-foot-wide multiuse trail is ADA-accessible and can be used by skaters, runners, cyclists, and joggers.
The other Park’s features include horseshoe pits, a community building, gardens, and a dog park.
This extensive green space is the perfect recreation spot for the whole family. Ballenger Creek Park is undoubtedly one of the fun parks in Frederick, MD.
Address: 5420 Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick, MD 21703, United States
4. Urbana District Park
Urbana District Park is a vast park with many sports grounds and playgrounds. There are also pavilions, walking trails, picnic areas with grills, and other interesting areas.
Also, Urbana District Park has a dog park that is a well-known spot for canines. The Park also has a community garden for visitors interested in flowers and horticulture.
Other amenities in the Park include the clean restrooms and the free Wi-fi, making it a convenient place to stay as long as possible.
All these features make Urbana District Park a wonderful place to visit with family and friends.
Address: 3805 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD 21704, United States
5. Carroll Creek Linear Park
Carroll Creek Linear Park is an incredible burst of lush greenies and one of the top parks in Frederick, MD.
See local artworks and sculptures scattered across the Park and enjoy a cozy seat amongst the benches while taking in this lovely destination’s calm and serene surroundings.
At Carroll Creek Linear Park, you can stroll through the many trails, enjoy a peaceful time, and cross the different bridges within to get a peek at the gorgeous lily pads and fishes.
The Park also has a remarkable theater where many events are held throughout the year, with immaculate and cozy picnic spots.
Carroll Creek Linear Park is open for rentals for school functions, private events, and fundraising events for non-profit organizations.
The Park is also a venue for numerous events, live outdoor concerts, and multiple community functions.
Address: Carroll Creek Linear Park, Frederick, MD 21701, United States
6. Pinecliff Park
Pinecliff Park is an incredible, family-friendly fun center. The Park comprises four softball fields, extensive green spaces, and a playground with plenty of play equipment.
Pinecliff Park also has a boat ramp, which makes it a great place for fishing and boating, with a nature trail for jogging, running, and walking.
It is a lovely park with multiple picnic areas consisting of picnic tables and picnic shelters where you and your family and friends can unwind and grab a meal together.
Pinecliff Park also has grills, pits, horseshoe pits, and ice skating open from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Address: 8350 Pinecliff Park Rd, Frederick, MD 21704, United States
7. The Frederick Municipal Forest
Frederick Municipal Forest is a well-known recreational area and one of the fun parks in Frederick, MD.
The Forest spreads over 7,000 acres and is open to the public for biking, hiking, picnicking, horseback riding, and more.
Some great reasons to visit the Frederick Municipal Forest include its eclectic outdoor activities, stunning scenery, and serene atmosphere.
Visitors can wander along the Forest’s numerous trails, which differ in difficulty and length, and absorb the views of the surrounding mountains and wildlife. Plenty of picnic areas, shelters, and a playground for kids exist.
Frederick Municipal Forest is home to the Gambril State Park, which features a panoramic overlook of the Forest, and the Blue Trail, a famous hiking trail leading to a gorgeous waterfall.
Other outstanding attractions include the Maryland National Golf Club, which is situated on the eastern edge of the Forest, and the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo, which is located close to the entrance of the Forest.
Frederick Municipal Forest was founded in 1942 and is one of the largest municipal forests in America. The Forest is also home to various plant and animal species, including bald eagles, white-tailed deer, and black bears.
Frederick Municipal Forest is open throughout the year and offers various activities and experiences depending on the season. For instance, visitors can go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in the winter or dip in the Forest’s Lake during summer.
Address: Frederick, MD 21702, United States
8. The Jug Bridge Monument Park
Jug Bridge Monument Park
This roadside park showcases the historical stone demijohn from the earliest Jug Bridge.
The Jug Bridge was built in 1808. It cuts across the Monocacy Rivers as part of the National Road and consists of four 65-foot arches stretching 425 feet.
In 1942, a part of the bridge crumpled. In 1944, the bridge was replaced completely, and its unique orientation and original span were destroyed. The demijohn was rescued and kept as a monument until 1965.
That year, the city relocated it to a tiny park near the intersection of Bowman and East Patrick Street, approximately 1.2 miles west of the location of the old bridge.
The Jug Bridge Monument Parl also contains picnic tables and a marker that commemorates the French General Marquis De Lafayette’s visit to Frederick, MD.
Address: 6851, 1501 E Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701, United States
9. David Lane Park
David Lane Park, a 131-acre park, offers various activities for visitors, including fishing, hiking and boating.
The Park’s primary attraction is its 22-acre lake, which is stocked with fish and is a famous spot for anglers. The lake once served as a water source for the neighboring town of Sykesville.
Other points of interest at this Park include its many hiking trails, a playground for kids, and a picnic area. The Park is also home to different wildlife, including foxes, deer, and a wide variety of bird species.
The Park was named after a local activist who worked to keep open spaces in the area.
Spring and Summer are great times to boat and fish on the lake, while fall is perfect for hiking and relishing the changing colors of the leaves. Winter is peaceful in the Park, but it can still be excellent for a quiet walk.
Address: 201 McCain Dr, Frederick, MD 21703, United States
10. Little Bennett Regional Park
Little Bennett Regional Park spreads over 3,700 acres. The Park is mainly forested and lies amidst the tributaries of Little Bennet Creek.
It features gorgeous scenery, an expansive campground, a small playground, over 25 miles of picturesque natural surface trails, and more than a dozen historic sites. The Park also contains an 18-hole golf course.
The Little Bennet Regional Park also has a campground with 91 campsites. Explore the Park’s numerous natural wonders by foot, horseback, or mountain bike in over 25 miles of natural surface trails.
Keep your eyes out for the timberdoodle and the eastern bluebird as you wander along the forests.
Aside from surplus animal and native plants, Little Bennett Regional Park contains 14 historical sites and points of interest- including the one-room Kingsley School House and the Hyattstown Mill- which preserves the memories of pastoral life in Montgomery County through the 1700s, 1800s, and 1900s.
For those who enjoy the solitude of the Forest and meadows, you can explore the Park’s trails on foot, mountain bikes, or horseback.
Little Bennett Regional Park is in Clarksburg, MD, 25 minutes from Frederick, MD.
Address: 23701 Frederick Rd, Clarksburg, MD 20871, United States
10. Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park
Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park is a gorgeous park frequently visited by locals and tourists. This 290-acre Recreational Park is located west of Ridge Road in Clarksburg.
It is home to three picnic shelters. Families can spend quality time in the Park while enjoying their scrumptiously prepared snacks.
Ovid Hazen Wells Park also has a playground that kids can enjoy. Sports lovers can take advantage of the sports fields, including soccer, baseball, and softball fields.
Pack a picnic and bring your loved ones to Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park for a fun and memorable time.
Address: 12121 Skylark Rd, Clarksburg, MD 20871, United States
11. Clarksburg Village Community Park
Clarksburg Village Community Park is an amazing park you may want to explore in Clarksburg, MD.
This expansive green space features beautiful natural views and fascinating amenities that everyone can use.
It contains a fun playground where children can slide and swing all day long, a gorgeous swimming pool with comfortable seating, a picnic shelter with rectangular tables, a clubhouse, and a splendid open space well-known for hosting special events.
Clarksburg Village Community Park also has a bike rack and water fountain, making it an excellent Park for a local outing.
Additionally, the Park has a basketball court and lighted tennis courts, open until 11 p.m.
Guests can rent an air-conditioned park activity building offering kitchen facilities for special events or occasions.
Address: 22900-22927 Turtle Rock Terrace, Clarksburg, MD 20871, United States
12. Audrey Carroll Sanctuary
The Audubon Society of Central Maryland (ASCM) purchased the Audrey Carroll Sanctuary from Audrey Carroll’s estate in 1991.
The Sanctuary spreads across 129 acres and features various habitats, including streams, meadows, wetlands, and forests.
Even kids will love this serene haven, filled with vast fields and many wildlife to see. Choose from an assortment of trails, each offering a distinct experience.
This location is also fantastic for bird-watching, as you might come across various migrating and breeding birds at other times of the year.
In some parts of the Sanctuary, species management systems assume control, while others depend on natural processes.
The Audubon Society of Central Maryland maintains these sites to aid wildlife and individuals with habitat management, research, and education.
Audrey Carroll Sanctuary is a stunning site to visit in any season of the year. Bring your camera to capture all the details in the Sanctuary.
Audrey Carroll Sanctuary is in Mt. Airy, 24 minutes from Frederick, MD.
Address: 13030 Old Annapolis Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771, United States
13. Old National Pike Park
Old National Pike Park is a great option for a peaceful outdoor recreation getaway with your entire family.
The spot has been a hub for family activities within Mt. Airy with its horseshoe pits and multi-use green fields.
It also contains a ball field for those who want to practice their shots, defense, and aims.
The playground on site does not have barriers, so your little kids are free to play as much as they want.
Old National Pike Park also contains walking trails, picnic facilities, and grills for your cook-out activities.
Address: 12406 Old National Pike, Mt Airy, MD 21771, United States
14. Gillis Falls Recreation Area
Gillis Falls Recreation Area covers about 1,200 acres of land. It has more than 4 miles of walking trails.
Though its trails are primarily used for cross-country activities, numerous hikers and equestrians use the routes.
Gills Fall Recreation Area’s trails are not open during the hunting seasons, so it is better not to come then.
You can get to Gillis Falls Recreation Area through Gillis Falls Road.
Address: Mt. Airy, MD 21771, United States
15. Watkins Park
Watkins Park, located between Main Street and Route 27, offers a day of entertainment and fun for everybody. This 20-acre Park features an ADA-accessible facility.
The Park’s soccer fields and baseball diamonds are a standard hangout spot for sports lovers and families.
Watkin’s Park’s one-mile-walking trail also provides a serene escapade from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Address: 615 Center St, Mt Airy, MD 21771, United States
Meet some of the best cities in Maryland. Here is a list of things to do in Hagerstown and things to do in Columbia for a fun time.
Plan Your Trip to Frederick
Frederick undoubtedly reflects abundant Civil War leftovers in American history.
With plentiful attractions, parks, and mountainous sceneries, this city guarantees remarkable experiences. The parks in Frederick, MD, will make your stay memorable.
Don’t hesitate to make this city your next vacation destination.