What are the opening hours?

Wednesday 10am - 4pm Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm Sunday 10am - 4pm

Locust Grove Nature Center, Montgomery Parks

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Locust Grove Nature Center, Montgomery Parks

Locust Grove Nature Center is a facility of Montgomery Parks, which is part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

Conveniently located in Cabin John Regional Park, Locust Grove Nature Center provides a natural sanctuary from the surrounding urban bustle. While designated the outreach center for area schools, Locust Grove continues to offer quality public programs for all ages. From homeschool to preschool to adults and seniors, our programs will delight and inform. You’re also welcome to come and wander our t

rails, enjoy our observation deck, explore our exhibits indoors and out, or discover the wonder of the Center’s natural playground. The Park is open from Dawn to Dusk, Nature Center program room hours are afternoons seasonally for the public as we run pre-registration programs every day of the week.

05/30/2026

Not sure what to do if you come across a baby animal or perhaps a turtle ? Then come to Locust Grove Nature Center and check out out our new "What to do " bulletin board.

This display provides guidance in wildlife scenarios in where visitors could encounter a baby bird, a baby mammal or a turtle.

05/27/2026

We will be switching over to our summer hours on June 1, Locust Grove Nature Center and the Nature Exploration Area will only be open on Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 4pm.

05/04/2026

Is Mom a gardener? Does she suffer the aches and pains of gardening? Give the gift of being able to garden for years to come. "Gardening With Your Body: Getting in the Dirt without the Hurt" is on mother's day from 2-4pm, https://mocoparks.org/4tmOlfR

05/02/2026

For just a few magical weeks in the Spring, the forest floor is studded with our most beautiful woodland wildflowers, including spring beauties, bluebells, and bloodroot. Take a leisurely stroll through the park with our Master Naturalists who will interpret this spectacular show before it disappears entirely (at least until next spring!).

Now a three part series, you may join us for one class or sign up for all three to watch the season unfold before your eyes. This trail difficulty is moderate. The trail is on natural surfaces with dirt, rock and rut. Trails steepness varies and some trails will only be accessible with stairs.

To register check out the following link: https://mocoparks.org/42Edhnw

04/16/2026

Join a naturalist for a tea party and nature poetry under Grandmother Sycamore on Sunday, April 19, from 4:30pm to 5:30pm.

Refreshments and snacks will be offered during the program. If you have any dietary restrictions please email us a week prior to the program date. Trails are on natural surfaces with dirt, rock and rut. Trails steepness varies and some trails will only be accessible with stairs.

Registration is required for this program, please register each child and their accompanying adult for the program: https://mocoparks.org/4tSRSTr

04/15/2026

Join us on May 30 from 5pm to 7pm for our end of the season celebration of our nature art programs. Gather with fellow nature enthusiasts as you walk through our gallery of nature journal entries and nature drawings submitted by program participants.

Refreshments and snacks will be served, there will also be an opportunity to roast a marshmallow over the campfire as well.

If you are interested in having a nature journal entry or nature art piece displayed in the gallery, please send an email to [email protected] for further inquiries. All levels of nature drawers and journalers welcome.Registration is required for this program: https://mocoparks.org/4dIrBT2

To register for any of our upcoming Nature Drawing or Nature Journaling, check out the following link: https://mocoparks.org/3Q3gIkN

04/12/2026

Join a Park Naturalist for an off-site hike and get to know a new park with our Hike to Parks Unknown Beginner program.

This program will be a 1 hour hike. The Nature on Wheels vehicle will provide seating, water and bathroom access (using stairs). This event is for beginner hikers with more emphasis on nature interpretation. Trail is selected for level or grassy walking surface and distance will be under 1.5 miles. Slopes on these trails can be moderate.

This hike meets at Needwood Mansion, Rock Creek Regional Park. Look for the Nature On Wheels vehicle. This program is scheduled for Sunday, April 19 from 9:30am to 11am.

To register, click the following link:https://mocoparks.org/4cNbsLE

04/10/2026

Join a Park Naturalist for an off-site hike and get to know a new park with our Hike to Parks Unknown Intermediate program.

This program will be a 90 minute hike. The Nature on Wheels vehicle will provide seating, water and bathroom access (using stairs). This event is for experienced hikers. Trail may be rocky and distance will be around 2 miles. Look for the Nature On Wheels vehicle.

For this program we will meet at Bucklodge Conservation Park, 22900 Slidell Rd., Boyds, in the Parking area to hike the Bucklodge Loop Trail. This program will be on Friday, April 17, from 1pm to 2:30pm.

To register, click the following link: https://mocoparks.org/4bbaAza

04/06/2026

Looking for a springtime gift for the gardener in your life (even if it's yourself)?

Our Plant Native series runs Sun 2-4pm on April 12th, April 19th, and May 3rd to help you learn about Nativescaping and create your own Nativescaping plan for your garden, turn your wish to bring native species home into reality.

Check out the following link to register: https://mocoparks.org/41FDCRG

04/03/2026

In celebration of spring we need visitors to fill Locust Grove with color by finding all the blooming wildflower on the trails.

Ask the nature center host at the front desk for more information on how you can help.

Address

7777 Democracy Boulevard
Bethesda, MD
20817

Opening Hours

Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm
Sunday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

(301) 765-8660

Website

http://www.LocustGroveNature.org/

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