happyly approved

Gambrill State Park

8602 Gambrill Park Road Frederick MD 21702

8 a.m. to Sunset, April-October 10 a.m. to Sunset, November-March

$$

hikes, camping, road-trips

Gambrill State Park is part of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources system of state parks and provides camping, hiking and some of the most idyllic scenic views Maryland has to offer.  Thanks to the Civilian Conservation Corps’ efforts in the 1930s these views can be easily accessed via stone overlooks that allow for various types of nature watching. It’s located just about 50 miles west of Baltimore and about 50 miles northwest of DC making the trip from either location a convenient getaway from city life.  

The camping loops provide tent camping that’s not too crowded along with some adorable cabins bordering a small lake stocked for fishing.

Don’t miss The Tea Room, constructed in the 1930s by the CCC from locally sourced wood and stone, the building can be rented for weddings and other functions.

Gambrill also offers a wide variety of hiking challenges ranging from the more kid friendly one mile trails to the 26 mile trails geared toward more experienced hikers. All trails begin at the Trailhead Parking Lot on Gambrill Park Road, between the Rock Run area and the High Knob area. Most of the trails are rated moderate to difficult. However, the White Oak Trail is an easy one-mile loop trail, which makes it a good choice for families with small children.  

(Photos Courtesy of Maryland DNR)

Thoughtfully captured by:
Katie Raspa
Our work in Baltimore is truly a family affair. Husband and wife, Matt and Katie, work together to head up our ambassador team in Charm City. Katie is a Maryland native and has lived in the state her whole life. She moved to Baltimore in 2007 after graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. She has been working in the field of early childhood education as a teacher and family coach for the past 12 years. Katie also holds a Masters of Education in Literacy from Loyola University. She is passionate about giving kids and families the knowledge and tools that they need to thrive. Matt grew up in the Highlandtown neighborhood of Baltimore. As a city native, Matt is a great resource on all that the city has to offer. After months of helping Katie explore the city for her role at a Happy Active Family, he decided to put his love of writing to use and officially come on board as an ambassador. Matt and Katie have two girls, ages 5 and 7. They spend their weekends camping, hiking, or exploring other hidden gems in their area. Tap into their insider knowledge by downloading the app today!
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