Park Quest 2020 - Rules

Who May Participate

Park Quest is designed to get the whole family outdoors to explore and enjoy Maryland State Parks. Families of all kinds are encouraged to join the Maryland Park Service for Park Quest! A team is any family unit consisting of at least one adult and one minor 16 years old or younger. There is a maximum limit of 10 people per family team. We encourage the entire family to participate in all Park Quest activities!

The facilities and services of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources are available without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or physical or mental disability. It is the participant’s responsibility to have the necessary skills, and equipment for a safe and environmentally sensitive visit.

Park Quest Registration will OPEN on Thursday April 2nd at 10 a.m. on DNR Online Store.

Registration will be taken on a first come, first serve basis until the 1,000 team limit is reached. One Park Quest Passport Booklet per team. Please Note: There is no automatic pre-registration for previous teams. Park Quest Passport Booklets will be mailed out via USPS before May 1st.

Park Quest Season

In 2020, Park Quest will run from May 1st through October 31st. Please be aware that some quests do have specific time limitations or may require reservations/pre-registration. Contact the Park directly before your visit to ensure the Quest will be available when you plan to visit.

Cost

The registration fee for Park Quest is $10, which will provide you with a Park Quest Passport. The Park Quest Passport provides access to the sites and activities required for the 2020 Park Quest program. If you do not have a Park Quest Passport, you will be required to pay the daily entrance fees. It is recommended that frequent visitors to Maryland State Parks purchase an Annual Passport, which provides unlimited day-use access to all state parks for one year from purchase.

Camping

Camping and associated fees are not included as part of the Park Quest registration or Park Quest Passport. However, Park Quest teams are encouraged to go camping as part of their quest across Maryland! Teams who are planning overnight stays in state park campsites or cabins must pay the appropriate reservation service charges. Overnight accommodations in Maryland State Parks can be reserved through this website at:  parkreservations.maryland.gov.​

Registration

Park Quest Registration will OPEN on Thursday April 2nd at 10 a.m. on DNR Online Store.

Registration will be taken on a first come, first serve basis until the 1,000 team limit is reached. One Park Quest Passport Booklet per team. Please Note: There is no automatic pre-registration for previous teams. Park Quest Passport Booklets will be mailed out via USPS before May 1st.

Teams MUST register on-line. Registration will be conducted via the Maryland DNR Online Store. Registration for 2020 opens on April 2 at 10 a.m. There is a 1,000 team limit for Park Quest. Registration is done online only, on a first come, first serve basis. Park Quest Passports will be mailed out via the U.S. Postal Service before May 1st.

If you miss the Park Quest Passport registration process you may still participate in Park Quest activities without the Park Quest Passport. However, you will need to pay the daily entrance fee where required and will not be eligible for Park Quest prizes. It is recommended that frequent visitors to Maryland State Parks purchase an Annual Passport, which provides unlimited day-use access to all state parks for one year from purchase.

Teams must agree to the Liability Waiver on-line as part of the registration process.

Teams who properly complete the registration, and pay the $10 registration fee, will be issued a Park Quest Passport. Upon receipt of the Passport, teams will write their team name on the Passport. One Park Quest Passport Booklet per team. The Park Quest Passport provides access to the Park Quests sites and activities. The Passport only provides access to areas of the Park where the Quest is located. Other areas (such as Beach or Picnic Areas) may require standard park entrance fees.

Park Quest Passport

Park Quest Passports will be mailed before May 1st via the U.S. Postal Service to teams at the address provided during registration. The Passport is presented upon entrance at any staffed Park Quest site to gain access to materials needed to complete the Quest. At self-directed sites follow directions provided on the Park Quest Website. The Park Quest Passport provides access to the Park Quests sites and activities. The Park Quest Passport provides the team with free access to the Quest location ONLY on the day of the team's Quest. The Passport only provides access to areas of the Park where the Quest is located. Other areas outside of the Quest (such as Beach or Picnic Areas) may require the standard park entrance fees. For additional services such as camping or cabins, teams will be subject to applicable service charges.

You must maintain and present the original Park Quest Passport issued upon registration with all applicable endorsements to be eligible for Park Quest prizes. Teams that have completed a minimum number of Quests by October 31st, will be entered into a drawing for special Park Quest prizes!

Quests

Quest instructions and worksheets can be downloaded from the Park Quest website beginning in May. Teams will complete their Quests by following the instructions provided. At some locations, completed Quests will be verified by Park staff and the team’s Passport will then be endorsed. At self-directed sites, teams will follow the instructions provided on the Park Quest website to complete their quest. The Passport endorsement will be provided by successfully completing the Quest activity. Teams that have completed a minimum number of Quests by October 31st, will be entered into a drawing for special Park Quest prizes!

Accessibility

Park Quests can be physically challenging. Persons with disabilities can be accommodated with advance notice. Contact the facility directly at least one week prior to the day you want to complete your Quest and request assistance.

Questions about Park Quest may be addressed to:

Ranger Melissa Boyle Acuti
Maryland Park Service
E-mail: Melissa.Boyle@maryland.gov
(Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

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