Rock Creek Regional Park

Rock Creek Regional Park Derwood MD is a great place to enjoy nature. It offers a multitude of hiking trails around Lake Needwood and Lake Frank.

It also features picnic shelters, boat rentals and lake tours. It is the perfect destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts. You’ll be glad you read this!

Lake Needwood

Located within Rock Creek Regional Park Derwood MD, Lake Needwood is a 75-acre lake that’s part of the 1,800-acre park. Here you can enjoy all the park has to offer by meandering along 13 miles of trails through woodlands and along the lake shores, picnicking, fishing or boating, or observing the many species of resident wildlife.

Birding is great here; a variety of waterfowl can be spotted year-round, including Wood Ducks, Pied-billed Grebes and Horned and Red-necked Grebes. In spring, you can also find White-winged Doves.

Lake Frank

Lake Frank is a 54-acre (219,000 m2) reservoir formed by damming the North Branch of Rock Creek. The lake is operated as a natural recreation area and has several trails to explore.

The lake is a great spot to watch waterfowl and also provides habitat for raptors, such as American Bald Eagles. In addition, the park offers a variety of outdoor activities to accommodate everyone from children to nature enthusiasts.

The Meadowside Nature Center is a popular destination with a seven-mile trail system that includes a shoreline trail at Lake Bernard Frank, as well as trails to Sunfish Pond and Pioneer Study Pond. You can also visit the raptor aviary or stroll through the nature center grounds. A great place to also visit is Bohrer Park.

Picnic Shelters

Whether you are looking to catch a fish or simply soaking up the sun on the shores of Lake Needwood, Rock Creek has it all. The park features 13 miles of trails spanning 1800 acres of verdant woodlands and shimmering lakes. The park is home to the oh so named Lake Needwood and its kin, the more tame and less snobbish neighbor Lake Frank. It is the perfect place to kick back, relax and forget about the hustle and bustle of the outside world for a while.

While there is no shortage of activities to occupy your time, you will need to pick and choose which ones are worth your while. For example, you can go on a guided tour of the famous Lake Needwood or just grab a fishing pole and head out on your own. You can also enjoy a meal at the Needwood Boat Rental and Snack Bar or take a spin around the Meadowside Nature Center.

Boat Rentals

The lake at Lake Needwood in Rock Creek Regional Park Derwood MD is a quiet place to get out on the water and enjoy the nature surrounding you. The 75-acre lake is a popular fishing destination.

Boat rentals are available here from Memorial Day through Labor Day (weather permitting). Rent a kayak, canoe or rowboat. Each rental includes a paddle, life jacket for each person and seat flotation device.

You can also take a guided tour of the lake on a pontoon boat. Private boats are also launched with permits.

There is a new accessible/ADA compliant dock and launch system that makes it easier for people with limited mobility to launch both canoes and kayaks. Visit the Boat House to rent a boat or purchase a boating permit. Fishing equipment is also for sale.

Hiking Trails

Rock Creek Regional Park Derwood MD offers multiple hiking trails around Lake Needwood and Lake Frank that wind through verdant woods and shimmering waters, offering dramatic views of the beautiful parkland. There are also playgrounds, picnic shelters, and boat rentals.

The main Rock Creek Trail route stretches from Lake Needwood in Maryland to the Inlet Bridge in Washington DC, along a stream valley. Several trails link up with it, including the Matthew Henson Trail.

Another popular trail is the Capital Crescent Trail that runs 11 miles from Georgetown in the District of Columbia to Silver Spring in Montgomery County. It follows an abandoned railroad right of way and traverses neighborhoods and parkland. Discover more interesting articles.

 

 

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