Parks and Recreation in and Around Carroll County, Maryland

If you live in Carroll County, Maryland, and you love outdoor activities, there are plenty of parks and recreational activities for you to enjoy.

Prettyboy Reservoir Park

Prettyboy Reservoir Park is a great place to visit if you want some beautiful scenery. You can fish or take a boat on the water, but because it's a reservoir, you're not supposed to swim. The reservoir is also a well-known hiking destination.

Codorus Sate Park

Across the Pennsylvania border to the north lies another reservoir at Codorus State Park. A huge pool that can hold up to 1,900 swimmers will satisfy your urge to cool down on a hot summer day. You can ride horses, walk the trails, fish, or just enjoy some time flying kites and cooking hot dogs on the numerous grills. There is mooring access for boats and camping facilities if you want to stay the night.

Hashawha Environmental Center

The Hashawha Environmental Center is located near Westminster, right in the heart of Carroll County. The surrounding area offers walking and biking trails and a recreation center. Hashawha also hosts events such as the yearly Maple' Sugarin Festival.

Piney Run Park

Another great destination in the area is Piney Run Park. The park offers fishing and boating, and rents out rowboats, kayaks, and paddle boats if you don't have your own. Note that there is an entrance fee; see the website for more information.

Catoctin Mountain Park

It's a little farther afield, but if you head west about forty-five minutes, you'll hit Catoctin Mountain Park near Thurmont. It's a great place to hike or camp, with available campgrounds and historic cabins that were built in 1936 by the Works Progress Administration. Nearby is Cunningham Falls State Park, which provides access to boating, fishing, and swimming areas. Some areas require you to pay a fee.

Recreational Sports for Adults

Looking for recreational sports for adults? Check out the Carroll County Sports Complex, located in Westminster. Options include softball, kickball, and basketball.

Ultimate Frisbee is a recreational sport that's gaining popularity across the country. If you live in Carroll County and you want to play, check out the game near Oregon Ridge Park. Although, depending where in Carroll County you live, the games in Baltimore or Eldersburg might be closer.

This is just a sampling of the enormous number of parks and recreational activities available in Carroll County. For more information, visit the Carroll County Parks and Recreation website.

Sources:

http://metro-naturalist.com/hikes/North_of_Balto/Prettyboy.html

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/Parks/codorus.aspx

http://ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/recpark/hashawha/

http://www.squidoo.com/piney-run-park

http://www.nps.gov/cato/index.htm

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/CunninghamFalls.html

http://ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/recpark/sports-c/default.asp