Soldiers Delight
Natural Environment Area
Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area (NEA) is comprised of 1,900 acres of serpentine barren. The area has over 39 rare, threatened, or endangered plant species as well as rare insects, rocks and minerals. Rare grassland plant species are threatened by invasion of Virginia Pines. Currently, a five year effort of removing 1,000 acres of pines and prescribed burning are underway to return the area to natural serpentine habitat.
There are seven miles of marked hiking trails. Equestrians and cyclists are prohibited due to the sensitive nature of the area. The visitor center has meeting rooms, a reference library and exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the area. The visitor center is located at 5100 Deer Park Road in Owings Mills, Maryland. Call in advance to get current visitor center hours and upcoming events.
Soldiers Delight has two areas (at Ward Chapel Road and Deer Park Road) open for bow hunting from November 15, 2008 to January 31, 2009. A valid managed hunt permit is required. In addition, a Patapsco Valley/Soldiers Delight annual bow hunting parking permit is required. This permit is valid at Patapsco Valley State Park, Soldiers Delight NEA and Morgan Run NEA only. For further information, please refer to the hunting guide (see below).
FEATURES
Environmental education programs & hiking.
An active volunteer organization assists with hike leadership, barren preservation, exhibits, and visitor center assistance. For information, call 410-461-5005.
SOLDIERS DELIGHT HUNTING GUIDE
The Patapsco Valley State Park and Soldiers Delight NEA Hunter Parking Permits and Hunter Guide Books for the 2009-2010 season are now available. Click here for the hunting guide and associated maps of designated hunting areas.
TRAIL GUIDE
Check out a copy of the Soldiers Delight NEA Trail Guide. This trail guide, complete with a topographical map of hiking and geological interest, is available for sale at park headquarters.
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Soldiers Delight offers an accessible visitor center, parking lot and nature trail. For additional accessible amenities in Maryland State Forests and Parks, visit the Accessibility For All section of this website.
Location - Soldiers Delight NEA is reached via I-795, to Franklin Blvd. west, right at Church Road, left on Berrymans Lane, then left on Deer Park Road.
Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area
c/o Patapsco Valley State Park
8020 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City MD 21043
(410) 461-5005
Funding for Maryland's State and local parks and conservation areas is provided through The Department of Natural Resources' Program Open Space. Established in 1969, Program Open Space symbolizes Maryland's long term commitment to conserving natural resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities.
Top Photograph by: Anthony Burrows