Maryland boasts 23 national park units, which display a collection of the state's best scenery, nature, culture, history and recreational opportunities. Visit and experience the parks, battlefields, historic sites, scenic trails, a national monument and a national seashore that make Maryland unique.
At the Atlantic Ocean, Assateague Island National Seashore is famous for its wild ponies and offers sparkling white sands beaches amid dunes and marshes for a natural seashore experience. National Battlefields, such as Antietam and Monoacy, interpret the bloodiest day in the Civil War and a battle that became the Civil War's turning point. Historic sites honor Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross and Thomas Stone, the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence. But, perhaps Maryland is best known for the battle that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen "The Star Spangled Banner" during the defense of Baltimore from Fort McHenry, now a National Monument and Historic Shrine.
Camp at Greenbelt Park while visiting Washington, D.C., located just a few miles away. Or enjoy the splendor of fall color changes at Catoctin Mountain Park while staying in an authentic 1930's log cabin. Take in a scenic view of ridge tops and valleys along the Appalachian Trail that runs from Maine to Georgia, or bike the Potomac River valley on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath in the C&O Canal National Historical Park. In Maryland's National Park Service sites, you can immerse yourself in the stories of preserving America, experience our national culture, or jest get away from it all!
Maine Tourism