Gambrill State Park
| Gambrill State Park | |
| Maryland State Park | |
 | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Maryland |
| County | Frederick |
| Elevation | 1,549 ft (472 m) [1] |
| Coordinates | 39°28′43″N 77°29′29″W / 39.47861°N 77.49139°WCoordinates: 39°28′43″N 77°29′29″W / 39.47861°N 77.49139°W [1] |
| Area | 1,191 acres (482 ha) [2] |
| Established | 1934 |
| Management | Maryland Department of Natural Resources |
| IUCN category | V - Protected Landscape/Seascape |
| Nearest city | Frederick, Maryland |
  Location in Maryland
| |
| Website: Gambrill State Park | |
Gambrill State Park is a state-owned, public recreation area located near the City of Frederick in Frederick County, Maryland, in the eastern United States. The state park's stone overlooks were built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and offer dramatic views of the surrounding area.[3]
Location
The park is approximately 51 miles (82 km) northwest of Washington, D.C. and 53 miles (85 km) west of Baltimore on Catoctin Mountain. Gambrill Park Road is located approximately six miles (10 km) away from Frederick on Route 40 West. The park road traverses Catoctin Mountain, and accesses the campground, the trailhead, and the High Knob areas of this park.
History
The park is named after James H. Gambrill, Jr. (1866-1951), a participant in the grain industry and in Frederick city politics, who was both a conservationist and frequent visitor to Catoctin Mountain. In an effort to establish a park, Gambrill convinced his fellow businessmen to purchase the land that now makes up the park and donate it to the city of Frederick. The city then donated the land one year later to the state of Maryland. The state park was dedicated on September 7, 1934.[4] A majority of the buildings and structures in the park were constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The stone lodge called the Tea Room is an example of the CCC's craftsmanship.[3]
Activities and amenities
The park has several hiking trails and is a popular destination for area mountain bikers. There is also a picnic area with a playground and a small pond for fishing.
- Overlooks
Three native stone overlooks, strategically located on the 1600-foot (490 m) summit of High Knob, midway between the Mason–Dixon line and the Potomac River, offer views of the surrounding area. On a clear day, looking north, a visitor can see the rugged tree-covered mountains of the Frederick City Municipal Forest. Looking south, one can see Crampton's Gap, a Civil War landmark and the site of Gathland State Park, and the Middletown and Monocacy Valleys. South Mountain, where many engagements between Confederate and Union troops took place during the Civil War, can be seen to the West.
- Trails
Gambril State Park hosts several hiking trails that go up and through Catoctin Mountain. Each trail is blazed, and each is maintained by a different area volunteer group. Descriptions below are adapted from the official trail guide offered by the State of Maryland.[5]
- White Oak Trail - white blaze (1 mile – 1.6 kilometers) This trail is open only to hikers (no mountain bikes).
- Red Maple Trail - red blaze (1 mile – 1.8 kilometers) This trail connects the campground area with the rest of the park. One short section of the trail is somewhat steep. The trail is maintained by The Trail House, an outdoor store in Frederick.
- Green Ash Trail - green blaze (2.0 miles – 3.2 kilometers) There are several steep slopes and very little level ground on this trail. The trail is maintained by Wheel Base, a bike shop in Frederick.
- Black Locust Trail - black-on-white blaze (3.3 miles – 5.3 kilometers) This trail features several steep slopes mixed with fairly level areas. This trail truly shows the beauty of Gambrill State Park from its wooded slopes to the views of both Frederick Valley to the east and Middletown Valley to the west. The trail is maintained by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, West Virginia Chapter.
- Yellow Poplar Trail - yellow blaze (7.1 miles – 7.4 kilometers) The longest of the Gambrill Trails. Hikers who have several hours can enjoy the beauty of nature. Bringing you up the mountain and out into the far reaches of the park, the trail passes two stone overlooks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The trail is maintained by M.O.R.E. (Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts).
- Catoctin Trail - blue blaze (26.5 miles – 42.4 kilometers) This trail traverses Gambrill State Park for approximately 3.0 miles (4.8 km), and continues north through the Frederick City Watershed, Cunningham Falls State Park, and Catoctin Mountain Park (CMP). The trail ends at Mt. Zion Road, 1.3 miles (2.1 km) north of Owens Creek Campground in CMP. Along the trail within Gambrill State Park, camping is permitted only at the Rock Run Campground.
References
- 1 2 "Gambrill State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
- ↑ "Fiscal Year 2015 DNR Owned Lands Acreage" (PDF). Maryland Department of Natural Resources. August 18, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
- 1 2 "Gambrill State Park". Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
- ↑ "The man behind the founding of Gambrill State Park". The Frederick News-Post. June 23, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
- ↑ "Gambrill State Park Trail Guide". Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Archived from the original on February 7, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
External links
- Gambrill State Park Maryland Department of Natural Resources