MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MARYLAND PARK SERVICE

Maryland State Parks Adventure Challenge 25 in 2025

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​New for 2025!

The Maryland State Parks “25 in 2025” Adventure Challenge is here! This program challenges you to get out to visit Maryland State Parks and complete at least 25 themed challenges- before November 15, 2025. Grab some friends, bring your whole family, or complete it solo- everyone is welcome (and encouraged) to participate! And don’t forget to bring your camera- that’s how you’ll “prove” that you completed each of these challenges. Once you’ve​ successfully completed all 25 challenges, you can be entered into the prize drawing!​

Things to Know:​

  • ​All information for this program is found online. There are no booklets, stamps or punches. You're not required to “register” to participate i​n the program, however you should sign up for our newsletter here to get more information, tips and ideas delivered right to your inbox!
  • If you want to be eligible ​to win prizes you have to
  • ​You do not necessarily need to visit 25 different parks to complete 25 challenges. It is entirely up to you to choose which parks you wish to visit and which challenges you want to take part in. We hope that you enjoy the thematic approach, which highlights important resources and unique features in our State Parks. Most cards have 3 to 6 different options to choose from to complete the challenge.
  • Employees of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and their immediate families are not eligible to enter.​
What you'll need
  • You will need a camera to take a photo to show you completed the challenge, similar to a photo scavenger hunt. Here is a tracking sheet so you can check off the challenges you’ve completed and the places you've visited.​
Things to keep in mind
  • Some parks are very busy during summer weekends and holidays and may fill to capacity, please be aware of this when planning your adventures.
  • Stay for a while! Make your reservations now to camp at a Maryland State Park or even stay in a cabin or yurt while you complete the “25 in 2025” Adventure Challenge! You can make a reservation by clicking here.
  • If you have questions about 25 in 2025 use this form to subm​it them, we'll be monitoring this all year and will get back to you as soon as we can.
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​Muddy Creek waterfall from a distance, this large waterfall is over 50 feet tall and it cuts through the dense forest in western Maryland

Chasing Waterfalls

Maryland is home to several waterfalls, and some of our parks’ names directly reflect that! This challenge is to get out to find (and photograph) one of Maryland’s waterfalls:​​
  • Swallow Falls​
  • Kilgore Falls (*remember to make a reservation if you are visiting between May 25 to Labor Day on Weekends and Holidays)
  • Cunningham Falls​​ (*suggest avoiding on weekends or holidays during the summer)
​​ View of the lighthouse, an old saltbox style home with the light in the center of the roof with kayakes on the beach in the foreground

Living on “Island Time”

Maryland has several State Parks that are Islands! Some can only be accessed by boat. This challenge invites you to enjoy some “island time” and visit one of these islands:
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Totally Trees

Did you know? Several of Maryland’s State Parks have names that refer to trees! This challenge asks you to find a State Park with a tree in its name and (safely) take a photo with the Park Entrance sign:
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​​ View of the lighthouse with the Bay Bridge in the background. The lighthouse is a cylinder shape, rust colored with windows. Almost like a house on the water.

Light the Way​

Long before google maps and Waze, even before mapquest and paper charts, lighthouses helped mariners find their way! Several Maryland State Parks are well known for their historic lighthouses. Find and take a photo with a historic lighthouse at one of these State Parks:
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​​ The bows of two canoes on a beach by a pier. You can see the blue water and forest topped mountains behind them.

Lake Life​

Did you know? Maryland has no naturally formed lakes- every lake in Maryland was constructed for one reason or another! And now many are popular destinations for outdoor recreation! Visit one (or more) of these State Park lakes and dip your toes in the waters of a Maryland State Park…pics or it didn’t happen:
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​​ Disc golf player taking a short shot to the basket. Green grass and spring trees are all around.

FORE​! Disc Golf Challenge

This game is played very much like the regular game of golf except for throwing a disc instead of hitting a ball with a club. The player's goal is to put the disc in the "hole" or basket in the fewest number of throws.​ If you can throw a Frisbee, you can play disc golf! Give it a try at one of these Maryland State Parks:
  • Tuckahoe - An 18-hole disc golf course is located in the Cherry Lane section of the park.
  • Seneca - The Clopper Day-Use Area is home to one of the best disc golf courses in the Mid-Atlantic, with 32 acres and 27 holes (three nine-hole circuits). Disc Golf
  • Patapsco Valley - McKeldin Area McKeldin has a nationally-known 18-hole disc golf course, which provides for challenging play for disc golfers no matter their skill level. Disc Golf​ https://youtu.be/xxI3k9YaHmw?si=Ul_WdcBstqGK3c3N
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​​ View from the overlook at Washington Monument State Park, sprawling farms for miles with blue skys and white puffy clouds.

What a View!​

Take the “Observation Tower Challenge” and soak in the sights and sounds from high. Take a photo from the view from the top, or a photo with the tower from ground level!
  • Merkle NRMA - A 40 foot observation tower at Merkle Natural Resources Management Area provides a spectacular overlook of the Patuxent River.
  • Janes Island State Park - A 24-foot-high observation platform located adjacent to the nature center provides a great view overlooking the saltmarshes on Janes Island.
  • Washington Monument - The Washington Monument is a rugged 30-foot stone tower that was initially erected by the citizens of Boonsboro in 1827, atop South Mountain. It was restored in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.​​
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​​ Painting of Harriet Tubman, standing with her hands folded, images of enslaved people escaping through the woods above her.

The Name Game!

Each of these park names are also names of a famous historical figure! Try to find a picture of the historical figure at the park and take your photo with them to complete this challenge! If you can’t find a picture, you may substitute a plaque, statue or monument in their name to complete the challenge.
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​​ Statue of Iron Mike a bronze male figure with a wide brim hat holding and axe.

The Tree Army:

Did you know? Roosevelt's “Tree Army”, or the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), were responsible for creating some of what are now Maryland State​ Parks. Find out more about the role of the 3-C’s at these Maryland State Parks and take your photo with something related to the CCC.
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​​ Cliffside exposed by years of erosion. There are visible layers showing the sediment stacked through time.

Geology ROCKS!

Several of Maryland’s State Parks are best known for their unique geological features. Take a moment to channel your inner geologist and go visit one of these “rocking” parks. Pick a spot that highlights some of the best geologic features and take a pic there! ​​
​​ Looking up at a giant tree, bark is peeling off the trunk and vines hang down from the upper branches like hair.

Big Tree Champions!

Go big or go home- did you know that several Maryland State Parks are home to some of the largest trees in Maryland, known as the Maryland State Champion Trees? Get out there and find one…and maybe give it a hug? Thank it for all it has done over the years- from producing oxygen and removing pollutants from the air to preventing erosion and absorbing excess nutrients. Then take your photo with it to show us which tree you visited! Be sure to include the distinct bark or leaves (or even a sign or plaque) so we know how you identified it as a Champion Tree!
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​​ Old two story brick colonial home with the remains of an outbuidling in the back. There is a chimney at each end of the home.

Home Sweet Home: Historic Homes (Southern MD & Eastern Shore Edition):

Knock, knock… even if no one is home, you are free to look around the outside of these historic homes and learn a bit about those who lived here before it became a state park. Make sure you get a great photo with the historic house!
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​​ View of the pier from the land, the pier is wide and has a bend to the right. It jets out into to main part of the bay. You can't see the other side from Pt. Lookout.

Pier Pressure?​

Hope you don’t feel too much "pier pressure” with this challenge to get out and find a pier at one of these Maryland State Parks. Take in that view or go fishing, just make sure you get a great photo, too!
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​​ Wooded trail with a small bridge going over a stream. It's early spring, so there are leaves still on the ground from last fall and the new leaves haven't started blooming yet.

The Great Loop:

Are you ready to take a hike… in a circle? The great part about a “loop trail” is that you arrive back where you started but don’t have to retrace your steps! Check out one of these fabulous state park loops- be sure to check the distance of the hike before you get started, and come prepared with proper footwear and snacks/water! Be sure to get your photo with a “loop” trail sign during your hike!
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Fun Fact! Almost all of the trails at Cedarville and Gambrill are loops, but here are two of our favorites!

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​​ A stoned lined stream rippling through the woods of western Maryland.

Born to Run!

Don’t walk, but RUN on over to one of these parks with “run” in their name! This challenge asks you to find a State Park with a run in its name and (safely) take a photo with the Park Entrance sign, or with the “run” it was named for. Good luck!
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​​ Kayakers paddling through the black waters of the Pocomoke. Paddlers are surrounded on all sides by tall trees

Paddler’s Paradise!
(Eastern Shore Edition)

Let’s make a splash this summer and hit one of Maryland’s State Parks’ Water Trails! Bring your own kayak or canoe or rent one from the park for a memorable day on the water! Be sure to check the weather ahead of time and have proper safety equipment for this adventure! Paddling pics or it didn’t happen…
  • Janes Island State Park - rentals available, weather dependent, call beforehand
  • Pocomoke River State Park - rentals on weekends only, call beforehand
  • Assateague State Park - (Bayside guided kayak tours available 930am-1130am on Tuesdays and Thursdays from mid June to late August; $15 per person, must be 12 years+. Sorry, no rentals available at this time)
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​​ Red one roomed schoolhouse with a small bell tower

Schoolhouse(s) Rock!

Are you too cool for school? We hope not! Stop by and visit one of these State Park Schoolhouses and get your own “class photo” or “back to school” pic for this challenge. None actually operate as schools, so you won’t have to worry about being late for class!
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​​ Red barn style mill. Surrounded by fall leaves and trees. It has a stone bottom and a wooden top with several white framed windows

Run-of- the- Mill?

We certainly don’t think any of the mills found in Maryland State Parks are “run-of the-mill”, but yo​u tell us what you think once you’ve visited one! Don’t forget to take a picture with something that helped to “run-the-mill”!
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​​ The end of the road. Point Lookout lighthouse, a box style lighthouse sits on a point of land surrounded by rock. The Bay is on all sides as far as you can see.

Let’s Get to the Point!

For this challenge you’ll need to get to the point! Head over to one of these State Parks- many are actually peninsulas- and (safely) take a photo pointing to the Park Entrance sign (or substitute another sign with the word “point”).
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​​ Small log cabin with a door in the center and two small windows on each side, a chimney is on the left side.

Home Sweet Home: Historic Homes (Central Maryland):

Knock, knock… even if no one is home, you are free to look around the outside of these historic homes and learn more about those who lived here before it became a state park. Make sure you get a great photo with the historic house!
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​​ Red covered bridge with some cyclists coming from the other side. There is a stone wall on each side that leads to the bridge.​

The Bridges of MD State Parks

Some of our State Parks are easily identified by the unique and iconic bridges found there! Head over to​ one of these parks to get your photo posing with the bridge (yoga bridge pose not necessary!):
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​​ Yellow gate, slightly ajar, leading to the entrance of the paved trail.

Rails to Trails

Chooo-Chooo! Did you know that some of the most popular trails in our state, once were railroads that moved goods across Maryland and beyond? While you can no longer ride a train here, these “Rail Trails” are perfect for hiking and biking! Check out one and get a pic with something that illustrates a railroad was once located there. Be creative!

  • Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail - North Central Railroad Trail - Gunpowder Falls State Park
    The Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail follows 19.7 miles of the former Northern Central Railway (NCR) in northern Baltimore County- it is an ideal surface for hikers, bikers and horseback riders to enjoy.
  • Western MD Rail Trail
    The Western Maryland Rail Trail (WMRT) is about 28 miles long and parallels the C&O Canal Towpath for its entire length. A paved, linear trail, it is suited to anyone seeking a pleasant, leisurely outdoor experience - walking, running, biking, and even inline skating. DNR recently completed repaving 22 miles of the WMRT, fixing areas where tree roots had upwelled and split the pavement. The path is now smooth and ready for you!
  • Grist Mill Trail - Avalon area, Patapsco
    The Grist Mill Trail is a 5.0 mile long hiking and biking trail located in Patapsco Valley State Park in the Baltimore County side of the Patapsco Valley near Catonsville, Maryland. The paved pathway runs parallel to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to the north, and the Patapsco River to the south. Grist Mill Trail Self-Guided Hike.
  • Frederick Douglas Rail Trail - FDRT segment at Tuckhoe (includes trestle over Tuckahoe Creek)
    The Frederick Douglass Rail Trail (FDRT) will repurpose the former Pennsylvania Railroad and Maryland & Delaware Railroad tracks as a 10-foot wide shared use path connecting the Town of Easton with the Town of Queen Anne. It will also connect to Tuckahoe State Park and its network of trails.
  • Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenways Trail- Susquehanna​​
    The Philadelphia Electric Company built the corridor in 1926 to transport materials from Havre d'Grace on the Chesapeake Bay to the construction site of the Conowingo Dam. The dam was completed in two years and the rail line, no longer needed, became what is now the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Trail.
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​​ Two anglers fishing in a boat with the Susquehanna skyline in the distance

PICK-a-PARK Activities:

Let's Go Fishing:
Are you ready to go fishing at your favorite state park, but not sure how to start? Pick a park, grab a rod and reel and make sure you get pics- it doesn’t matter if you catch a fish or not, just have some fun trying! Here are a few tips:​
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​​ Volunteers planting trees.​

PICK-a-PARK Activities:​

Lend​ A Hand! (Volunteer at a Maryland State Park)
Join our team and volunteer at any State Park! Pick a park and lend a hand- participate in a clean-up, tree-planting, invasive species removal or other park project. Take a “before” and “after” photo with the volunteer project you participated in.

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​​ Dog and his owner looking off into the distance.

PICK-a-PARK:

Calling all BARK​ Rangers!
Does your pup have what it takes to be a BARK Ranger? Pick a state park and then show us that your furry friend knows the four principles to being a BARK Ranger. Be sure to get a good pic of your Bark Ranger on duty!
  • Bag your pet’s waste
  • Always leash your pet
  • Respect wildlife
  • Know where you can go
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​​ Playground that looks like a barnyard. There is a barn with animals and other fort structures

KIDS CHOICE AWARD:

Playground-paloza!
Kids! This one is just for you (but you should still bring a grown-up along)! Find your favorite State Park playground and show us why you think it is the BEST! Is it a nature play-space? Or is there a giant butterfly? Or is it made from recycled materials? The State Park that gets the most photo entries will receive a sign indicating they won the Kids Choice Award for the “25 in 2025” Adventure Challenge!
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​​ Black-eyed Susan in a field.​

BONUS ACTIVITIES:

  • We LOVE Maryland State Parks! (Sticker Design Contest)
    Show us some LOVE - Do you love Maryland State Parks? Design a sticker or bumper sticker to help us celebrate Maryland State Parks!! Your design may be used for future promotions, if we love it!
  • Events & Adventures (Spring Version- April/ May, before Memorial Day Weekend)
    Ready to get out and explore even more? If so, visit a Maryland State Park for one of these Spring Signature Events. Be sure to snap a pic to show us which one of the events you enjoyed at a Maryland State Park this Spring!
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Image/Photo Credits:​

  • Original waterfall photo: Danielle Grepps​
  • Original St. Clement's Island lighthouse photo: Melissa Boyle Acuti​​​
  • Original Sandy Point Shoal lighthouse photo: Danielle Grepps​
  • Original canoe photo: Amber Kresge
  • Original Washington Monument State Park photo: Stephen Schatz
  • Original Harriet Tubman photo: Stephen Schatz​
  • Original Iron Mike photo: Stephen Schatz
  • Original Point Lookout photo: Stephen Badger
  • Original cabin photo: Shelby Smith
  • Original school photo: Barbara Cook
  • Original kayak photo: Melissa Boyle Acuti
  • Original Jerusalem Mill photo: Carrie Gebhard
  • Original stream photo: Big Run by Erin Thomas​
  • Original pier at Point Lookout photo:  Stephen Badger
  • Original Calvert Cliffs photo:  Ranger Elena Gilroy
  • Original trail head photo:  Jeremiah Corbin​
  • Original fishing photo:  Stephen Badger
  • Original photo of fishing on the Susquehanna:  Steve Harman
  • Original photo of volunteers planting trees:  Stephen Badger
  • Original photo of dog with owner:  James Mackey
  • Original photo of playground area:  Abby Skinger​