Montgomery Parks

Montgomery Parks An award-winning park system and part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

Montgomery Parks, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, manages 421 parks and offers a variety of programs and events. For Montgomery Parks' mission, vision, and values: https://www.montgomeryparks.org/about/parks/.

Registration for the 2026 Ice and Tennis Summer Programs officially opens on June 9. Your next summer adventure is just ...
05/31/2026

Registration for the 2026 Ice and Tennis Summer Programs officially opens on June 9. Your next summer adventure is just a click away! Register today by June 24: https://mocoparks.org/30iiV2h

Many people love watching birds, especially in the spring and summer, and one popular way to attract birds to people’s h...
05/30/2026

Many people love watching birds, especially in the spring and summer, and one popular way to attract birds to people’s homes is by installing bird feeders. But did you know the best time to hang bird feeders is actually from fall through early spring, when birds benefit the most as natural food sources are scarce? Throughout late spring and summer, birds primarily feed on insects, berries, and other natural foods which are plentiful during that time of year. Maintaining bird feeders is not necessary during this time of the year and can actually be linked to the spread of certain illnesses. The best way to attract and help birds is by planting native species, which attract insects and produce seeds for birds to consume all summer into early fall.

For more information on feeding birds, please visit https://mocoparks.org/3yPNcns

We’re ssssslithering into this week’s as we look at the Northern Copperhead Snake. One of two venomous snakes in Maryl...
05/29/2026

We’re ssssslithering into this week’s as we look at the Northern Copperhead Snake. One of two venomous snakes in Maryland, the copperhead becomes more active as temperatures rise- along with other wildlife. View all snakes, especially copperheads, from a distance, and treat them with caution and respect when encountered.

Copperheads can be identified by their elliptical-shaped pupils (similar to that of a cat), a triangular-shaped head, and hour-glass shaped bands along the body. Juvenile Copperheads are distinguished by a sulfur yellow colored tail. This feature is most important when comparing it to other similar looking snakes, such as a juvenile Eastern Rat Snake. The sulfur yellow tail fades over time as they grow into adults.

As pit vipers, Copperheads have a heat-sensitive pit organ between their eyes and their nostrils. These pits help them locate their prey and detect objects that are warmer than the environment around them.

Make sure to always watch your step as Copperheads have been sighted in several Montgomery Parks like the Lake Frank area, Black Hill Regional Park, and the Capital Cresent Trail.

To learn more about snakes and how to identify them, visit our "Living with Snakes” webpage: https://mocoparks.org/3jfdXZm

Photograph: Teddy Fisher

Want to spend less time on your phone and improve focus? Meet the original brick: going outside! Spending time in nature...
05/29/2026

Want to spend less time on your phone and improve focus? Meet the original brick: going outside! Spending time in nature has proven to improve creativity and enhance your attention span. Exposure to the outdoors can help lower stress, which in turn can reenergize the brain to focus. So next time you want to scroll on your phone, try going for a walk and scrolling your eyes on how many different types of plants you can see and tune your ears to how many different natural sounds you can hear.

Do something positive for your mental health and go explore a new-to-you park: https://mocoparks.org/3ruDyCk

On this day in 1907, Rachel Carson was born. Renown writer and biologist Rachel Carson (1907-1964) lived in Montgomery C...
05/28/2026

On this day in 1907, Rachel Carson was born. Renown writer and biologist Rachel Carson (1907-1964) lived in Montgomery County for much of her adult life. Her home near the Northwest Branch Stream Valley was where she wrote her most famous book—Silent Spring (1962). Carson’s readable account of the devastating impacts of the pesticide DDT is widely credited with spurring the modern environmental movement.

In Montgomery Parks, you can visit the Rachel Carson Greenway – a 25-mile trail corridor that winds through Montgomery County, Maryland.

This greenway offers hikers, birders, and equestrians a chance to explore diverse landscapes, from dense forests and meadows to scenic riverbanks. One of the highlights is the 4-mile loop in Rachel Carson Conservation Park near Brookeville, featuring tranquil stretches along the Hawlings River, striking rock outcroppings, and vibrant wildflowers in spring .

Between Colesville Road (U.S. Route 29) and Kemp Mill Road, the Rachel Carson Greenway Trail runs along the east side of the Northwest Branch, opposite the multi-use Northwest Branch Trail. This hiker-only segment offers a more rugged and secluded experience, with rocky terrain and serene woodland paths. Equestrian riders are permitted between Valley Brook Drive and the trail connection to the Northwest Branch Trail. South of Colesville Road, the Fall Line Trail connects to the Northwest Branch Trail and Copperhead Run, providing additional hiking opportunities.

The trail system also includes the Underground Railroad Experience Trail in Sandy Spring, commemorating the region's rich history. With its blend of natural splendor and historical significance, the Rachel Carson Greenway provides a rejuvenating escape and a testament to Carson's enduring legacy in environmental conservation.

In the mood to try out a new activity? Check out exciting Montgomery Parks Nature Center programs like:- Campfires at Bl...
05/26/2026

In the mood to try out a new activity? Check out exciting Montgomery Parks Nature Center programs like:

- Campfires at Black Hill: Saturdays, May 30 and June 20 | 7:30 to 8:30 pm | Ages 1+ | $7 | Black Hill Discovery Center

- Early Morning Pontoon Cruise: Wednesday, June 24 | 8 to 10 am | Ages 18+ | $15 | Black Hill Discovery Center

- Nature Hike and Seek - Colors: Wednesday, May 27 | 10:30 to 11:30 am | Ages 3 to 5 | $7 | Brookside Nature Center

- Afternoon on the Stream: Saturday, June 13 | 2 to 3 pm | Ages 3+ | $7 | Brookside Nature Center

- Nature Art Spring Celebration: Saturday, May 30 | 5 to 7 pm | Ages 8+ | $7 | Locust Grove Nature Center

- Spring Forest Bathing: Saturday, June 20 | 10 am to 2 pm | Ages 18+ | $10 | Locust Grove Nature Center

- WaterFest: Saturday, June 6 | 11 am to 2 pm | All Ages | FREE | Maydale Nature Classroom

- Family Craft Night: Thursday, June 18 | 5:30 to 6:30 pm | Ages 6+ | $7 | Maydale Nature Classroom

Want more programs? Read and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here: https://mocoparks.org/43uVxeR

With temperatures rising, encounters with snakes may increase, and you may be wondering: What kind of snake did I observ...
05/24/2026

With temperatures rising, encounters with snakes may increase, and you may be wondering: What kind of snake did I observe? Is it venomous? What should I do if I encounter one again? Are there ways to deter them from being around my home?
Visit https://mocoparks.org/3jfdXZm and view the “Living with Snakes” page to find information on snakes.

Slide, jump, and run into the muddiest day of the year! MudFest is back on June 13 from 11 am to 3 pm on the lawn of Woo...
05/23/2026

Slide, jump, and run into the muddiest day of the year! MudFest is back on June 13 from 11 am to 3 pm on the lawn of Woodstock Equestrian Special Park for $20 per car (we encourage carpooling). Dig up those old T-shirts from the back of your closet, leave your nice clothes at home, and slide down a giant mud slide, make mudpies, and play around the mud volcano.
Purchase your tickets today: https://mocoparks.org/3Sim3ml
Can't get tickets today? Bring $20 cash and join the fun!

,Looking for something turtle-y awesome for World Turtle Day tomorrow? This , we're learning all about Maryland's large...
05/22/2026

,
Looking for something turtle-y awesome for World Turtle Day tomorrow? This , we're learning all about Maryland's largest freshwater turtle, the Snapping Turtle!
The Snapping Turtle can get anywhere between 8 to 14 inches and can be easily identified by their large head, a long tail that has three rows of bumps, and a small yellowish-tan bottom shell.
In younger Snapping Turtles, three bumps can be seen along the centerline of the top shell, but as they get older, it tends to go away. These giant turtles can usually be found in any permanent body of freshwater, and can even be found in brackish water.
The Snapping Turtle does not directly bask in the sun like other turtles, but they tend to bury themselves near the muddy shorelines, keeping their nose and eyes exposed to breathe and see. These turtles are known for their bad temper and their tendency to SNAP their jaws as they forcefully extends its neck at any potential threat or food. The nesting season for these guys start during late April and go on to mid-June, where Snapping Turtles can be found pretty far from their homes in the water.
For more information on the Snapping Turtle, check out: https://mocoparks.org/49fI266

Address

2425 Reedie Drive, 12th Floor
Wheaton, MD
20902

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13014952595

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