Instructions:
The “America in Miniature” State Park Adventure Challenge officially kicks off on April 23, 2026 for State Parks Week. You’ll have until November 15, 2026 to complete the challenge. All photos should be taken during this time period. Anyone may participate. All information for the “America in Miniature” Challenge is found online. If you wish to receive a commemorative patch and be entered for additional prize drawings, you will need to register online using the DNR Online Store. There is a requested donation of $10/person.
Register at the DNR Store Here
Once you receive your confirmation number and have completed enough challenges to reach 250 points, you will fill out the form below. One entry per person, please. Tally up your points on your own, or use our worksheet to keep track of your travels. You may participate as a team, but in order to receive prizes each participant should complete the form with their own confirmation number. You will need to provide photos (proof of points) if selected for one of the prize drawings. Prize drawings will be held on November 18, 2026 at Noon. Prize drawings will include gift certificates for camping and cabin stays, as well as a 2027 Maryland State Parks Annual Pass.
*Most Maryland State Parks are open from sunrise to sunset, however hours may vary for specific locations, such as Nature Centers, Visitor Centers and the historic structures. Please contact the park directly to determine if the specific area you plan to visit will be open. You may also take photos outside of structures to complete these challenges.
The Challenges
Download the printable checklists below to help you track your progress.
Fill out the form below after you've completed enough challenges to reach 250 points.
Tally Your Results!
America in Miniature: Maryland’s Gems (5 points each)
Show us what makes Maryland “America in Miniature”, by showing off your favorite “gem” of a Maryland State Park in each of the different regions of the state. Include a significant feature from the park or a park sign to indicate where you are!
- Mountain Maryland (Western Maryland)
- Rolling Hills (Central Maryland)
- Chesapeake Charm (The Bay Region)
- It’s a Shore-thing (Eastern Shore)
- Beach Bound (Atlantic Ocean)
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Home Sweet Home: Historic Homes in State Parks* (5 points each)
Learn about some of the people who made their homes here, long before these areas became State Parks. Stop by one of these historic homes for a photo- and possibly a tour!
- Historic Grusendorf Log Cabin (Seneca Creek State Park)
- General William Smallwood's Retreat Home (Smallwood State Park)
- Mt. Aventine Mansion (Chapman State Park)
- Carter-Archer House - also known as the Rock Run Mansion (Susquehanna State Park)
- Gath Hall- George Alfred Townsend’s Residence (Gathland State Park)
- Rackliffe House (Assateague)
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History Alive: Living History Events (10 points each)
Become part of the story- take part in a living history event to connect with Maryland’s and America’s past.
- Point Lookout State Park:
- Blue & Gray Days- Point Lookout Civil War Re-enactment June 13-14, 2026
- “Prisoners of War and Camp Hoffman”- Point Lookout September 26-27, 2026
- “To Bind the Wounds of All” Point Lookout & Hammond Hospital- October 24-25, 2026
- Fort Frederick State Park:
- “Sacred To The Memory Of…”- Fort Frederick May 23-24, 2026
- “...and zeal for liberty”...- Fort Frederick July 4-5, 2026
BOOM! BOOM! BONUS POINTS: Get a picture with a cannon (5 extra points) or cannon firing demonstration (10 points!) at South Mountain Battlefield, Fort Frederick or Point Lookout.
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Lighthouse Lore: Lighthouses in State Parks* (5 points each)
As a maritime state, Maryland's lighthouses have helped people find their way on the water for centuries. Several Maryland State Parks are well known for their historic lighthouses.
- Sandy Point Lighthouse (Sandy Point State Park)- located off-shore and not open for public visitation.
- Point Lookout Light Station (Point Lookout State Park)
- Turkey Point Lighthouse (Elk Neck State Park)
- Blackistone Light (St Clements Island State Park)- island location, only accessible by private vessel or water taxi
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Oh Say Can You See? Observation Towers & Lookouts (5 points each)
Soak in the sights and sounds of a State Park from up high. Take a photo from the view from the top, or a photo with the tower from ground level!
- Washington Monument (Stone Tower)
- Merkle NRMA (Observation Tower)
- Janes Island State Park (Observation Tower)
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The 3-C’s (CCC): Civilian Conservation Corps (5 points each)
Visit one of these State Parks to learn more about how the CCC left their mark or signature on the park. Take your picture with something related to the 3-Cs.
- New Germany State Park (Recreation Hall, Cabins, Lake and Gazebo)
- Herrington Manor State Park (Most Cabins and Lake)
- Gambrill State Park (Iron Mike Statue, Overlooks, Outside of Tea Room, plus CCC Exhibit inside Nature Center)
- Ft. Frederick State Park (CCC Museum, Blacksmith Shop and Fort Walls)
- Patapsco Valley State Park- Avalon Area (Shelters 66, 1, and 10 and Wayside Sign)
- Washington Monument State Park (CCC Museum- open based on volunteer availability)
BONUS POINTS: Get a picture with the “Iron Mike” Statue at Gambrill State Park (10 points)
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Getting From Here to There: Transportation History (5 points each)
Discover the many ways that people and goods moved across Maryland and beyond, especially before these areas became State Parks.
- Thomas Viaduct (Patapsco Valley-Avalon Area)
Thomas Viaduct
The Thomas Viaduct was completed in 1835 and is the world's largest multiple arched stone railroad bridge with an arc!
- Trolley Station at North Point
The restored trolley shelter at North Point State Park in Maryland is a historic remnant of the #26 trolley line, which served the popular Bay Shore Amusement Park from 1906 until 1947. The United Railway and Electric Company ran this line, making the amusement park accessible to Baltimore residents.
- Monkton Train Station- Torrey C Brown Rail Trail
The restored 1898 Monkton Train Station now serves as a museum and is a great place to learn about the history of the Northern Central Railway. (Gunpowder TCB Rail Trail History)
- Jerico Covered Bridge (Gunpowder Falls)
Gunpowder Jerusalem Mill History
The Jerico Covered Bridge is one of Maryland’s six remaining covered bridges, and was constructed just after the Civil War in 1865.
- Foxcatcher Farm Covered Bridge (Fair Hill)
Fair Hill Covered Bridge
Foxcatcher Farm Covered Bridge, over Big Elk Creek, was constructed in 1860. It is one of only two covered bridges in Cecil County. In 1994, the bridge received the State's Historic Civil Engineering Landmark Award.
- William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial (Chesapeake Bay) Bridge (Sandy Point State Park)
The original Chesapeake Bay Bridge (William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge) in Maryland officially opened to traffic on July 30, 1952 and at that time it was the world's longest continuous over-water steel structure.
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Maryland’s Agricultural Past & Present (5 points each)
From barns to mills, and crops to livestock- Maryland is well known for its agricultural heritage. Many State Parks have a rich agricultural history and some parks have areas that are still used for agriculture. See how many you can find!
- Southern MD Tobacco Barn (Smallwood State Park)
- Bond Barn (Greenwell State Park)
- Jerusalem Mill (Gunpowder Falls)
- Rock Run Grist Mill (Susquehanna State Park)
- Demonstration Gardens (Sang Run State Park)
BONUS POINTS: Snap a photo with some sort of farming implement in a State Park. (10 points)
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Red, White & Blue…and YOU! (10 points)
Snap a picture of an American Flag in a Maryland State Park. Be creative- find a flag in the park or flagpole to strike a pose with!
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Maryland Pride (10 points)
Show off your Maryland pride in a State Park with the Maryland flag! Be creative- find a flag in the park or flagpole to strike a pose with!
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Maryland State Symbols (5 points each)
How many of these Maryland state symbols can you spot in your favorite Maryland State Park? Be creative- don’t forget to look at exhibits, signs and bulletin boards, too!
- State Reptile- Diamondback Terrapin
- State Bird- Baltimore Oriole
- State Flower- Black Eyed-Susan
- State Fossil Shell- Ecphora (extinct snail)
- State Crustacean- Blue Crab
- State Fish- Rockfish or Striped Bass
- State Tree- White Oak (Wye Oak)
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Best Seat in the Park: (20 points each)
Find one of the new “Best Seat in the Park” State Park Benches and get a photo (or selfie) with the bench. Be sure to check out the monthly newsletter and follow us on social media to find clues for more detailed information on the exact location of the benches.
Locations:
- Elk Neck State Park
- Janes Island State Park
- Deep Creek Lake State Park
- New Germany State Park
- Wye Island State Park
- Herrington Manor State Park
- Merkle NRMA
- Palmer State Park
- Smallwood State Park
- Seneca Creek State Park
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There’s More to Explore: State Park Nature Centers* (5 points each)
- Sandy Point State Park
- Pocomoke River State Park
- Elk Neck State Park
- Rocky Gap State Park
- Assateague State Park
- Janes Island State Park
- Patuxent River State Park
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Discovery Awaits: State Park Discovery Centers *(5 points each)
- Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center (Deep Creek Lake State Park)
- Sweden Point Discovery Center (Smallwood State Park)
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Museum Moments: State Park Museums* (5 points each)
- CCC Museum (Fort Frederick State Park)
- Museum of the Ironworker (Cunningham Falls State Park)
- William Offutt Johnson History Center (Patapsco Valley State Park- Avalon Area)
- Friends Store (Sang Run State Park)
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Be Our Guest: State Park Visitor Centers* (5 points each)
- Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park
- Patapsco Valley State Park- Mobile Visitor Center (MVC)
- North Point State Park- Takos Visitor Center
- Soldier’s Delight Visitor Center
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Soaring Around the State: Bald Eagles* (5 points each)
We may be a small state, but Maryland has the third largest population of Bald Eagles in the nation! Stop by one of the following aviaries to see our national symbol in person.
- Deep Creek Lake State Park
- Rocky Gap State Park
- Cunningham Falls State Park
- Tuckahoe State Park
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Fill out the form
after you've completed enough challenges to reach 250 points.
Tally Your Results!
Photo by Stephen Badger.
Things to keep in mind:
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Park entry fees will apply. Consider purchasing your Annual State Park & Trail Passport, if you don’t already have one. The passport is $75 for Maryland residents/$100 for out-of-state residents and is valid for one year from the month of purchase. The annual pass offers unlimited day-use admission for everyone in the vehicle (up to 10 people) to Maryland's state parks and facilities, unlimited boat launching at all applicable state park facilities and a ten percent discount on state-operated concession items and boat rentals.
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Some parks are very busy during summer weekends and holidays and may fill to capacity, please be aware of this when planning for your trail challenges. Day-use reservations may be required for Weekend and Holiday visits Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day at certain parks. You can make your day use reservation by clicking here.
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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 “America in Miniature” Adventure Challenge! You can
make a reservation by clicking here.
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*Most Maryland State Parks are open from sunrise to sunset, however hours may vary for specific locations, such as Nature Centers, Visitor Centers and the historic structures. Please contact the park directly to determine if the specific area you plan to visit will be open. You may also take photos outside of structures to complete these challenges.
↑Back to list
