![[Herrington Manor State Park Trail Guide]](/publiclands/art/abouthead.gif)
Welcome to Herrington Manor State Park. Herrington Manor State Park is located within Western Maryland's Garrett State Forest. Families and outdoor adventure enthusiasts enjoy hiking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and mountain biking on the park's more than 21-miles of trails. A featured trail connects Herrington Manor to Swallow Falls State Park and includes 5.5 miles of beautiful woodland, streams, mature hemlock forest and a beaver pond. Enjoy the park's popular rustic wood cabins and a 53-acre lake, for swimming, boating and fishing.
Heritage Three hundred years ago, Western Maryland was a wilderness frontier. Consequently, much of the park's rich heritage tells the story of pioneer expansion and settlement into the Ohio River Valley and beyond. One of the area's earliest roads runs just west of the park and was a Native American path called Nemacolin's Trail. Garrett State Forest was first established through a 2,000-acre donation from the Garrett family, the county's namesake. The Garretts owned the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad, which traversed the region and contributed significantly to its early settlement. Herrington Manor State Park was named after Abijah Herrington, who built a manor house on the property in the mid-1800s, which was later purchased by the State in 1935. During this decade, the park was the site of many Federal Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.) work projects. Young men from throughout the State lived at a camp located nearby at present day Swallow Falls State Park. These C.C.C. crews created Herrington Lake, planted trees and constructed ten log cabins and the beach Lake House. Wildlife and Nature Appreciation Herrington Manor's diverse habitat of woodlands and wetlands supports an abundance of wildlife, including wild turkey, white-tailed deer, fox and black bears. Notice fallen trees along the lake's shoreline, evidence of beaver activity. Pick up your birder's checklist at the park visitor center. Look for songbirds and migratory waterfowl, such as teal, buffleheads, grebes, loons, scaup and mergansers diving and bobbing on the lake. Osprey fly over the park on a regular basis. Look for rectangular holes pecked in trees, the signature of the pileated woodpecker. The spring walk through the park's eastern hardwood forest will reveal flowering plants, such as saxifrage, rue and wood anemone, spring beauty, may apple and many violet species. Summer brings milkweeds, spiderwort, mints, butterfly weed and dog bane to the roadsides and meadows. Ironweed, asters and goldenrod varieties brighten the fields in the fall. A native butterfly habitat area is maintained in a field near the dam. Trails Please Play Safe! Herrington Manor is a natural area with certain hazards, such as poison ivy, rocky and slippery trail surfaces, venomous snakes, spiders and insects. Remember, you are responsible for having the necessary skills, knowledge and equipment for a safe and environmentally sensitive visit.
Lake Recreation The park's dominant feature is a manmade 53-acre lake, averaging a depth of eight feet. Fed by Herrington Creek, the lake was dammed in the early 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and is open from 8:00 a.m. until Sunset, seven days a week for swimming, fishing and boating. Enjoy excellent fishing opportunities for large and smallmouth bass, catfish, several species of panfish and brown and rainbow trout that are stocked several times a year. For the mobility-impaired, fishing areas are located near the boat ramp at the western end of the lake and near the dam. Consult your freshwater sportfishing guide issued with the purchase of a Maryland fishing license, for detailed information on rules, regulations and creel limits. A public boat ramp is located at the southern end of the lake for non-gas powered boats only. Boat rentals, including canoes, rowboats, kayaks and paddle boats are available. The park's Lake House provides restrooms, showers and a snack bar. Cabins The park has 20 rustic log cabins available year-round for rent. With a country charm, the cabins provide modern conveniences, such as electric heat, bathroom with shower, fully equipped kitchen and furniture. A covered porch with a view of the surrounding woodland, wood-burning fireplace insert and easy access to park trails and the lake make them an ideal natural haven. To make picnic, pavilion and camping reservations spring through fall, call Park Reservations at 1-888-432-CAMP (2267). Or, make your reservation on the Internet: reservations.dnr.state.md.us Trail Stewardship You can help support trails at your favorite forest or park by volunteering on trail projects or purchasing a tax-deductible Trail Stewardship sticker. Your support helps maintain and construct trails to protect the environment and benefit trail users. For more information call the park headquarters at 301-334-9180.
Herrington Manor State Park is enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year. Please help us protect the forest's natural and historic resources by following these Leave No Trace ethics. For more information on Leave No Trace, visit their website at: www.lnt.org
Remember that all of Maryland's State Parks are Trash-Free, so pack out what you pack in! Thanks for being a good steward of Maryland's outdoors.
Park Watch The Maryland Park Service's Park Watch program encourages visitors and neighbors to take an active role in protecting personal property and preserving the park. If you observe suspicious activities, vandalism or safety hazards, please report these problems to any park employee or call: 1-800-825-PARK (7275) from any 410/301 area code telephone. Guides and Outfitters As part of DNR's Nature Tourism Program, the park office can provide information on commercial guides and outfitters or organizing group outings at 301-334-9180. Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers Join a dedicated and supportive group of individuals who are interested in assisting the staff in park operations, outreach and special events. Call the park for further information or to join. Directions From Baltimore/Washington (3-5 hours): Follow I-70 west to Hancock, Maryland. Exit onto I-68 west and proceed for approximately 60 miles. Take Exit 14 onto Route 219 south, Keysers Ridge. Proceed 19.5 miles to Mayhew Inn Road (located 2 miles past McHenry, Maryland). Turn right on Mayhew Inn Road, travel 4.5 miles to end of road. At the stop sign turn left onto Oakland-Sang Run Road. Travel 0.3 miles, take first right onto Swallow Falls Road. Proceed 5.8 miles to Herrington Manor State Park. From Pittsburgh and points west (2.5 hours): Follow I-79 south to Morgantown, WV. Take I-68 east. Take Exit 14 onto Route 219 south, Keysers Ridge. Follow directions above.
Herrington Manor State Park Herrington Manor State Park is open from dawn to dusk, year-round.
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