SENECA CREEK STATE PARK

Highlights

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Park Reservations
1-888-432-CAMP (2267)​
Fees and Hours of Operation
Park Passes
En español

Seneca Creek State Park​
11950 Clopper Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20878


 

Information: 301-924-2127
Email Seneca Creek State Park
8 a.m. to Sunset, March-October
10 a.m. to Sunset, November-February

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Section3

Welcome!​

 

The park, comprised of 6,300 acres, extends along 14 scenic miles of Seneca Creek, as it winds its way to the Potomac River. The Clopper Day-Use Area contains many scenic areas, including the 90-acre Clopper Lake, surrounded by forests and fields. Picnicking, boat rentals, trails and a tire playground are just some of its recreational opportunities. A restored 19th century cabin and a self-guided path interpret the history of the area. Over 50 miles of trails are open for hiking, horseback riding and bicycling which wind through a variety of habitat.​​

Note: Swimming and wading are not permitted in Clopper Lake at Seneca Creek State Park. The closest Maryland State Parks with lifeguarded lake swimming are Cunningham Falls State Park and Greenbrier State Park. Wading is permitted at your own risk in Great Seneca Creek, the free flowing creek which runs the length of Seneca Creek State Park.

Person fishing on the lake in a kayak

​Things to Do!

Information​

 

Location:
Montgomery County

Seneca Creek State Park
11950 Clopper Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Contact:
​301-924-2127​
E-mail Seneca Creek State Park

Driving Directions:
From Washington, D.C, Virginia and points south: Take I-270 north towards Frederick, Maryland. Take Exit 10, Clopper Road (Route 117). Turn right at the light at the bottom of the ramp. The park is approximately 2 miles on the left.

From points north: Take I-270 south towards Washington, D.C., take Exit 11 (MD Route 124 west). Turn right at the light at the bottom of the ramp. At the second light, turn right onto Clopper Road (Route 117). The park is approximately 1.5 miles on the left.

Hours of Operation:
8 a.m. to sunset, March-October

10 a.m. to sunset, November-February

Hunting Policy:

  • General hunting permitted in 1,000 acre designated hunting area
  • Archery-only hunting for deer permitted in 2,000 acre designated hunting area
  • Managed shotgun deer hunting program in the Clopper area - lottery system to select hunters - Managed Hunt Permit required to participate in the hunt (not required to participate in the lottery)
  • Shotgun-only hunting for deer permitted in the Schaeffer Farm area - Managed Hunt Permit/free WHS permit/reservation required

Pet Policy:

  • Pets are allowed in Seneca Creek State Park.

Playgrounds

 
Seneca Creek State Park Tire Playground


Recycled Tire Playground
Imagination runs wild at Seneca’s Recycled Tire Playground, a family favorite since 1999. Defend a castle, ride a tire dragon, take a flight on the zip line, and more. ​

During summer our Park Naturalists and Rangers present frequent nature programs and craft programs at the nearby Nature Shack.

The Recycled tire playground no longer has recycled tire chips as a base. The tire chips have been up-graded to new and improved Fibar wood Chips for safety reasons.

The Tire Playground is located near the Pines picnic grove in the Clopper Day-Use area.

Nature Play Space
Balance, build, climb, connect, and create in our new nature play space at Oriole Picnic Grove. This imagination-centered play area is created from giant oak tree trunks, locust tree logs, and other all-natural materials. The idea of the play space and all of the work was done in-house by park staff, using the talents of our park technicians and park rangers.

Play as you Picnic
Quail Ridge and Chickadee Picnic Areas offer playground areas with climbing features and small slides close to picnic benches.

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Trails

 
Lake Shore Trail

Trail System and Maps

Over 50 miles of trails are open for hiking, horseback riding and bicycling which wind through a variety of habitat in Seneca Creek State Park. A detailed trail map can be purchased at the park office.

Mountain biking and horseback riding are very popular at Seneca Creek, and the Schaeffer Farm Trails are considered a favorite place to ride. The Maryland Park Service does not rent horses or bicycles, and only provides the trails as a means of recreation.

Seneca Creek State Park Trail Maps

New maps of the trails at Seneca Creek State Park can be downloaded for free from this website. Please make sure to read the printing instructions and information for how to download the file to cell phones. The maps are in a PDF format that requires Adobe Reader. To get the free Adobe Reader go to Adobe.com.


Clopper Lake Trail System

The Clopper Day-Use Area offers over a dozen miles of trails, wrapping around the lake, extending into park upland areas, and exploring the namesake creek.

Lake Shore Trail
Blue blaze
3.7 miles - moderate
Encircling the lake, this scenic trail offers continuous views across water from woodlands or open field settings. Several streams are bridged and shore locations offer good opportunities for wildlife observations of waterfowl, herons, fish and turtles, as well as access to fishing.

The Woodlands (Clopper Lake)
No blaze
0.15 miles - easier
A short self-guided trail located adjacent to the Park Office interprets life on the “The Woodlands,” the former plantation home of the Clopper Family.

Old Pond Trail (Clopper Lake)
Red blaze
0.25 miles - moderate
Beginning near the Park Office, a short set of steps leads hikers to the Old Pond Trail. After crossing a small bridge, hikers can choose to walk left toward the park roads or right to continue through a marshy, wooded area and across a small creek. Connecting to the Great Seneca Trail from the Old Pond Trail can extend the hike.

Great Seneca Trail
Orange blaze
1.2 miles - moderate
From the parking lot near the park office, follow the Great Seneca Trail along Great Seneca Creek for a relaxing walk to hear the babbling water. The trail wanders through fields and woods, eventually leading to Clopper Lake and Long Draught Creek.

Long Draught Trail
Yellow blaze
1 mile - moderate
After parking at Kingfisher Overlook, follow the Long Draught Trail along Long Draught Creek to observe signs of beaver activity. The trail continues to a bridge crossing, where hikers have the option of continuing onto the Greenway Trail, the Mink Hollow Trail, or hiking to the Wetland area for more wildlife observation.

Mink Hollow Trail
White blaze
1.5 miles - moderate
The Mink Hollow Trail is best accessed by parking at Quail Ridge. The trail skirts the edge of the Quail Ridge parking lot just to the right of the entrance to the Bobwhite Picnic Pavilion. The trail, designed to connect with the Lake Shore and the Long Draught Trails, wanders through woods to a steep descent before arriving at a boardwalk along the marshy area of Long Draught Creek.

Schaeffer Farm Trail System

Schaeffer Farm is the hub of a trail system unique in Maryland. The trails at Seneca Creek State Park provide the backbone of a network that extends into most of the upcounty area. Configured in a series of loops, you can enjoy as few as four miles or go for an all-day adventure. It is possible to do a trail loop stretching 60 miles or more when you leave the trailhead. Linking the Seneca, Muddy Branch, and Potomac watersheds, visitors can journey from Schaeffer to Damascus to the Potomac and back. One of these larger loops has been recognized by the International Mountain Bicycling Association as one of the best and most important routes in the country.

White Loop (Schaeffer Farm)
White blaze
3.3 miles - easier to moderate
The White Loop is the gateway trail to Schaeffer Farm; all the other area trails branch off of it. Fun in either direction, it is a flowing, rolling singletrack through forest and along farm field edges. There are numerous opportunities to branch off and explore deeper into Schaeffer. At the far side of the loop there is a spur trail leading to Black Rock Mill and the Seneca Ridge and Seneca Greenway Trails.

Longer Hiking/Biking/Equestrian Trails

Seneca Greenway
Blue blaze
16.5 miles - moderate
Spanning from the C&O Canal and the Potomac River to MD-355, the Greenway provides the full panorama of Seneca Creek State Park. Due to its alignment in the floodplains of the creek, much of the Greenway is for foot-traffic only. Exceptions include the segments from Black Rock Mill to MD-28 (for hiking, biking and horses) and MD-28 to Berryville Road (for hiking and horses). The trail design allows for beautiful photography of the flowing creek waters as well as abundant wildlife observation.

Seneca Ridge Trail
Orange blaze
5.8 miles - moderate
Located in the upland areas on the south bank of Seneca Creek, the Seneca Ridge Trail provides a shared-use connection between Clopper Lake and Schaeffer Farm. Those willing to venture farther from the trailhead are rewarded by great unsullied vistas to Seneca Creek. So much fun for running and bicycling, this trail greatly increased interest in travelling-by-trail between Clopper and Schaeffer.

Seneca Bluffs Trail
Yellow blaze
7.5 miles - moderate
Sibling to the Seneca Ridge, the Bluffs Trail creates a shared use link between Black Rock Mill, MD-28, Poole’s General Store, and the C&O Canal at Riley’s Lock. True to its name, much of the trail hugs the rim of the river valley providing stunning views across Seneca Creek as it approaches the Potomac.​

Area Map

 

Features available include: Ball field, boat rental, contact station, disc golf, fishing,hiking trail, park office, parking, playground, restrooms and rental shelters.

Area Map​


Trail Map

Boating and Boat Rental

 
Boat Center at Seneca Creek State Park


SERVICE ADVISORY​:​ ​T​he Clopper Lake Boat Center will open on July 15th, 2023, operating on a weekends-only schedule. See below for detailed days and hours of operations.​​

Boat Center

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The Boat Center offers a variety of different vessels for hourly or daily rental on the calm waters of Clopper Lake from May through Labor Day Weekend. Cash, Visa, and Mastercard are accepted at the Boat Center.

Days of Operation: ​​

  • From July 15th to September 4th (Labor Day), the Boat Center will be open Saturdays and Sundays only. There will be no weekday hours in 2023.
  • Self-launch for privately-owned, hand-launchable watercraft is available seven days a week, please see below for information.

​Hours of Operation:

  • ​10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • ​Last Boat Rental at 5:00 p.m.

Boat Rental Prices:
*All rentals include paddles/oars and Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) for everyone on board

  • Canoes and Rowboats: $12/hour or $24/2 hours
  • Single Kayaks: $12/hour or $24/2 hours
  • Tandem Kayaks: $12/hour or $24/2 hours
  • 4 Person Pedal Boats: $12/hour

Boat Center Rules:

  • Private watercraft may be launched at the hand launch only boat ramp at the bottom parking lot near the Boat Center.

  • Gas powered motors are not permitted on the lake. Electric motors are allowed.

  • Pets, with the exception of service animals, are not permitted in rental boats.

  • Children under the age of 13 must wear a PFD at all times when on the docks and boats. Ages 13 and over must carry a PFD with them at all times on the boats.

  • Rentals will only be given to those over age 18 with a valid photo ID.​

  • Lockers are not available. Please leave all personal items locked in vehicles.

  • No boats are permitted on the water for at least 30 minutes after thunder is heard.
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Self-Launch Boating

​Clopper Lake

The 90-acre Clopper Lake provides a great venue for small, flatwater boating in the heart of Montgomery County. Private watercraft (no gas motors) are permi​tted throughout the year during normal park hours. Private watercraft must be removed from the lake at least 30 minutes prior to sunset. Boats are also available for rent at the park’s Boat Center.

Private watercraft including canoes, kayaks, paddle ​boards, and other small vessels, may be launched at the hand-launch area at the bottom parking lot just beyond the Boat Center. You must be able to lift your boat and carry it to the water; as there is no trailer-launch boat ramp at Clopper Lake. USCG-approved life-jackets must be on board for all occupants.​

Great Seneca Creek

For those looking for a stream experience, the Class I-II Great Seneca Creek is suitable for canoes and kayaks during wet weather periods. Be sure to check the USGS gauging station at MD-28, which should read 2.1 feet. Parking and a put-in site are available at MD-28. Take out is recommended at the Riley’s Lock boat ramp near the Seneca Aqueduct. Paddling time is approximately two hours.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Public Picnic Groves

 
Tire Playground


​​Non-reserved, first-come first-served picnicking is available at the Oriole, Chicakdee, Quail Ridge and Pines picnic groves. All of the picnic groves offer tables, charcoal grills (bring your own charcoal), and comfort stations. There is no additional charge to use these picnic facilities; however, normal park admission charges apply. Seneca Creek does not have a camp store or food concession; however, charcoal and ice cream are sold at the Boat Center during normal Boat Center operating days and hours.

Rules and Regulations for Public Picnic Groves:

  • All picnic groves close at sunset.
  • Seneca Creek is a trash-free park. Please bring trash bags, and plan on bringing back out of the park everything you bring with you. There are no trash cans or dumpsters inside the park.
  • Amplified music is not permitted in public picnic groves.
  • Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in public picnic groves.

Pines
Large public picnic area shaded by pine trees. Picnic sites range in size for groups of 1-40 people. Convenient to Tire Playground and Boat Center. Parking lots immediately adjacent to the Pines Picnic Area may fill with cars on busy summer weekends; overflow parking is available near the Tire Playground. All vehicles must park in paved, marked parking lots or in the designated and marked Overflow Lot. On busy days consider Oriole, Chickadee and Quail Ridge as alternatives.

Oriole
The picnic area is shaded by tall hardwood trees. Picnic sites range in size for groups of 1-20 people. Balance, build, climb and connect at our new Nature Play Space at Oriole Picnic Area--an imagination-centered play area created from all-natural materials.

Chickadee
Public picnic area shaded by tall hardwood trees. Picnic sites range in size for groups of 1-20 people. Kids’ playground. Convenient access to Lake Shore Trail at Kingfisher Overlook and to Great Seneca and Seneca Greenway trails at lower end of parking lot.

Quail Ridge
Public picnic area shaded by tall hardwood trees on the south side of Clopper Lake. Picnic sites range in size for groups of 1-40 people. Kids’ playground. Access to open field suitable for field sports and games via a trail beginning behind the Comfort Station; bring your own sports equipment.

Playgrounds are located near the picnic areas.

Rental Picnic Areas and Pavilions

 
Nuthatch Pavilion in Seneca Creek State Park

Private Picnic Facilities and Pavilions

Seneca Creek State Park offers two types of private, reserved picnic facilities: picnic pavilions with overhead roof shelters, and open-air private picnic groves. Reservations are required, and rental charges apply.

Please note that the pavilion/picnic area rental charge does not cover park entrance fees for renters or their guests.

Pavilions and private picnic areas may be reserved by calling 888-432-2267 or visiting parkreservations.maryland.gov

Detailed rental information

Pavilions

Available from April through October. All pavilions have reserved parking, roofed shelters with electric lighting, electric outlets, grills, and playgrounds.

Blue Jay: 200 person capacity. Rental cost $200

Nuthatch: 200 person capacity. Rental cost $200

Buck: 150 person capacity. Rental cost $150

Doe: 150 person capacity. Rental cost $150

Fawn: 50 person capacity. Rental cost $50

Bobwhite: 50 person capacity. Rental cost $50

Private Picnic Groves

Available from May through September.
Private picnic groves have reserved parking, grills, picnic benches, and comfort stations. Nearby open fields are suitable for field games and sports; bring your own sports equipment. Please note that private picnic groves do not provide electric outlets and do not have roofed shelter areas.

Cardinal: 100 person capacity. Rental cost $50

Entrance fees

On weekends and holidays April through October, we charge:

  • $3 per person for Maryland residents
  • $5 per person for out-of-state residents
  • Children in car seats and booster seats are free
  • Veterans, active duty military and those with a golden age pass or disability pass enter for free
  • Prepaid tickets can be purchased at the park office, but they must be distributed to guests before the day of the event. The tickets are non-refundable but they do not expire.
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​​Events and Programs

Disc Golf Course

 
Disc Golf


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​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) the Seneca course provides a popular pastime for families and groups. Each circuit spans a range of forested and open land.

The three courses start from a central location close to parking. Dual tees and multiple pin placements encourage new players to join more experienced friends and family. Plenty of benches around the course invite breaks to share tips.

About the Course:

When you visit Seneca Creek State Park, do you ever wonder about what’s on that part on the other side of Great Seneca Highway – well, it’s a world class disc golf course. Now you’re wondering what disc golf is. It’s a lot of things. It’s a way to spend time enjoying the outdoors. It’s a way of getting some exercise. It is an inexpensive cousin to ball golf. All it requires to play is a disc and a course and the course is already provided. While starting with the Frisbee you are used to throwing is great, as you play more, you will appreciate that discs that are custom designed for the sport make it easier. Such discs are for sale right in the park office. There are also used discs for sale even cheaper. Disc Golf is a fast growing sport that even has a professional tour and a professional organization, PDGA, which is a great place to get more information about the sport. The play is very much like ball golf except for throwing a disc instead of hitting a ball with a club. There are cement tee pads to throw from at the start of each hole and a basket to throw the disc into rather than a small hole in the ground. If you can throw a Frisbee, you can play disc golf.

The course at Seneca Creek State Park was installed by volunteers on a part of the park set aside for it. Some say it is the best of the more than 30& disc golf courses in Maryland. No one would deny it is one of the top few. It consists of three nine-hole loops to make it easy to play more or less as you are interested. There are short and long tee pads and even novice tee pads, so you can adjust the difficulty of your round. Each hole has multiple basket locations that get changed every few weeks to increase the novelty.

The course is maintained in conjunction with the park by the Cedar Farm Disc Golf Club a volunteer organization that works as a liaison between the park and the disc golf community. The club also runs a number of tournaments starting in January with an Ice Bowl, a fundraiser for the Capital Area Food Bank, and including the longest running professional tournament in the state, the Seneca Creek Soiree, which attracts the premier disc golfers in the mid-Atlantic region.

We hope to see you out there some time and when you are and need some guidance, please ask. Chances are you’ll be asking one of the many regular players out there who are more than happy to share their joy of the sport they love.

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Historic Sites

 
Black Rock Mill


​The Seneca Creek valley provides numerous opportunities to explore Montgomery County history.

Woodlands Estate

Located at the Park Office and Historic Area at 11950 Clopper Road, a self-guided interpretive path reveals the history of the Clopper Family and their estate home “Woodlands.” Francis Cassatt Clopper (a distant relative of the painter Mary Cassatt) was a prosperous merchant who moved to Montgomery County in 1812 and established a huge plantation farm off Clopper Road. Explore the archeological remains of the now-vanished plantation house and its outbuildings, and learn about daily life on a farm across four generations, from before the Civil War up to the middle 1950s.

Grusendorf Log House​

​Also located near the Park Office is Grusendorf Log House, the oldest surviving building from the original Germantown, Maryland. Built by a German-American carpenter named Jakob Snyder in 1855, this one-room log cabin once stood near what is now the corner of Clopper Road and Great Seneca Highway. When the land on which the cabin stood was redeveloped in the 1980s, the historic home was relocated to Seneca Creek State Park. Park volunteers present interpretive programs and offer interior tours periodically on weekends from spring through fall. Check the monthly program calendar for open house dates and times.​

Schwartz Peony Garden

The Schwartz Peony Garden is a living reminder of one of the great commercial horticulture operations in Montgomery County. Now located in Seneca Creek State Park’s Day Use area, the garden was originally planted at Summit Avenue in downtown Gaithersburg.

Between 1915 and 1924 a prosperous real estate broker and flower fancier, Mr. Edwin P. Schwartz, collected heirloom peonies from dealers in Holland, France, England and Germany as well as the United States. Mr Schwartz’s mansion home, which once overlooked the garden, is now Gaithersburg City Hall. By the 1920s the family had become prominent peony root stock dealers, publishing a catalog offering hundreds of different varieties for order by mail. In the 1940s the family moved their commercial garden operations to five acres in what is now Seneca Creek State Park.

Thousands of individual peony plants in scores of varieties still bloom in the park every May and June. Visit the display garden and walk the open fields to enjoy the spectacular flowers in all their colors and varieties.​

Black Rock Mill​

Black Rock Mill sits along Great Seneca Creek adjacent to Black Rock Road. Inside the walls of the now roofless old building are displays which tell the history of this 1815 grain-grinding mill. Featuring reinstalled gears and machinery, the displays give a cut-away view of the milling operation. Startling high water marks on the inside of the walls show the magnitude of the floods which have ravaged the Great Seneca valley from time to time over the last century.

Seneca Historic District

Closer to the confluence of Great Seneca Creek and the Potomac River are the Seneca Schoolhouse and Seneca Historic District, including the ruins of the Seneca Stone Mill and Quarries. Located at the end of Tschiffely Mill Road, the quarry is renowned for providing the signature red sandstone used to build the Smithsonian Castle. The nearby one-room schoolhouse, located at 16800 River Road, once served children of quarry workers and other members of the local community. Historic Medley District, Inc. now presents interpretive programs at the restored schoolhouse. Also nearby are Riley’s Lockhouse and Seneca Aqueduct of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, both preserved by the National Park Service as part of the C&O Canal National Historic Park.

Waring Viaduct

The park’s Seneca Greenway foot trail offers excellent views of the 110-year-old Waring Viaduct, a three-arch stone railroad bridge that soars high above Great Seneca Creek. Built by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to replace an older steel bridge on the same site, this majestic bridge still carries trains high above the Greenway and the valley of Great Seneca Creek. Access the viaduct by walking on the Seneca Greenway north from the Park Office at 11950 Clopper Road (1 mile) or south from the MD Route 355 trailhead parking lot (2 miles). Please note: Waring Viaduct itself is private property and is in active railroad use--never walk or trespass on railroad tracks.​​​​

Hunting

 
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Seneca Creek State Park


Patuxent River State Park​


Monocacy Natural Resource Management Area



General Rules for all Hunting Areas

  1. You may enter the area one hour before shooting time to set up. Legal shooting time begins one half hour before sunrise.
  2. You must be out of the area by one hour after legal shooting time. Legal shooting time ends one half hour after sunset.
  3. You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with the hunting area boundary lines, safety zones and established trails throughout the hunting area.
  4. Portable tree stands and steps are permitted, but cannot be screwed or nailed into trees. All stands must be removed at the end of each day. The use of tree stands is recommended, especially when hunting near established trails.
  5. Maps depicting hunting areas are provided for your reference only. Observe posted hunting and boundary signs. All acreage figures are approximate.

Check-in Procedures

  1. All harvested deer must be checked in before midnight on the harvested day by using the internet (www.gamecheck.dnr.state.md.us ) or the Maryland Big Game Registration Phone Line (1-888-800-0121).
  2. The public land code used for harvested deer from Seneca Creek State Park is 442. Patuxent River State Park, the code is 440 and for Monocacy NRMA it is 282.

General

  1. All state and federal hunting laws, as well as park regulations, will be strictly enforced. Call Park Watch 1-800-825-7275 to report violations
  2. Maryland State Parks are “Trash Free”.  All trash must be packed out.

Miscellaneous

  1. All hunters must wear the required type and amount of fluorescent orange during the deer firearms and muzzleloader seasons.
  2. Scouting is permitted from sunrise to sunset only. No weapons are to be carried while scouting. In order to avoid interfering with fellow sportsmen, Sunday scouting is recommended.
  3. Do not remove, cut, destroy, prune or deface any vegetation. Do not cut shooting lanes.
  4. Please report all violations of game laws or these hunting rules to the Natural Resources Police or Tawes Communications Center (1-800-628-9944) 24 hours a day.

Volunteer Opportunities

 
Seneca Creek State Park.


Volunteer Spotlight​​

On a gloomy, rainy Earth Day thirteen bright eyed, excited volunteers took the time to get out of their beds to help plant trees at Seneca Creek State Park. The park received a generous donation of tree seedlings from the Maryland Department of Transportation in order to replenish trees that were removed for construction of the Intercounty Connector. Much work has gone into removing invasive plants in the park and re-planting trees in those areas will help regenerate some of the native vegetation.

The trees were planted along the Clopper Lake shore near the boat center which has seen an increase in beaver activity, so more trees will help replenish those that fell to the beavers and help stabilize the shoreline. Volunteers dug holes, planted a mixture of River Birch, Red Oak, and Red Maple, and erected tree tubes around each seedling in order to protect them from deer browsing. Over 100 trees were planted with the tireless efforts of volunteers, who will hopefully come back in years to come and see that the fruits of their generous labor have lived on in the gift of trees!

Thank you volunteers!​

Volunteer Opportunities

Seneca Creek State Park needs your help. Volunteers provide enthusiasm, energy and creativity to the wide variety of tasks they accomplish. Volunteers experience many benefits -- among them companionship, a sense of responsibility and enhanced skills. There is an opportunity for everyone!

To search for volunteer opportunities at this state park and all of the state parks in Maryland, please view the Volunteer with Maryland State Parks webpage and then click on Opportunity Search in the Volunteer Menu on the left side of the page.

Anything and Everything with Seneca Rangers

Get the chance to work alongside Seneca’s Park Rangers on a variety of tasks from invasive plant removal, to bridge building, trail maintenance and more.

Boat Center

All hands on deck! Our Boat Center would love your help with loading people into and out of boats, handing out portable floatation devices and other activities.

Gardening and Invasive Plant Removal

Be a part of the larger effort to encourage the growth of native trees and plants.

Naturalist and Special Programs

Volunteers can help with the park’s special programs including junior rangers, campfires, hikes, guided hikes and other fun educational activities for youth.

Special/Group Projects

Do you have a special project or idea you would like to help the park with? Reach out to the Volunteer Coordinator to discuss the possibilities!

Trail Work

With over 50 miles of trails at Seneca Creek, volunteers are essential for ensuring that the trails are safe and attractive for visitors.

Trash Cleanups

We are always in need of groups to take part in cleanups in and around the park property.

Visitor Center

Volunteers greet visitors and answer phones, and provide information to the public.

Volunteer Ranger

Become a Volunteer Ranger and help protect Maryland's natural resources! Volunteer Rangers help with a myriad of activities. Volunteers must first earn 40 hours of volunteer service to become a certified Volunteer Ranger then commit to serving 100 hours annually. More information on the Volunteer Ranger program can be found at https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Documents/VolunteerRangerGuidelines.pdf.

Volunteering is a great way to relieve stress from a busy work week or to earn community service hours. Seneca Creek State Park can help and so can you!

For more information, please contact:

Dylan Wagner
Seneca Creek State Park
11950 Clopper Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
(301) 924-2127
​dylan.wagner@maryland.gov

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​Stewardship and Service

Accessibilty​

 

​Seneca Creek State Park offers an accessible park office, six accessible picnic pavilions, and many accessible family picnic sites. Three picnic sites have been designed specifically for wheelchair access. Seven of 11 restrooms in the park are accessible via paved walkways. The Boat Center has a paved lakefront walkway for fishing access.

Seneca Creek does not at present have paved hiking or biking trails; all trails are earth surface and may include roots, steep slopes, or steps.

For additional accessible amenities in Maryland State Forests and Parks, visit the Accessibility For All section of this website.

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Section2

Other Things to Know!

Disc Golf Course

​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) the Seneca course provides a popular pastime for families and groups. Each circuit spans a range of forested and open land.

The three courses start from a central location close to parking. Dual tees and multiple pin placements encourage new players to join more experienced friends and family. Plenty of benches around the course invite breaks to sha​re tips.

Playgrounds

Recycled Tire Playground
Imagination runs wild at Seneca’s Recycled Tire Playground, a family favorite since 1999. Defend a castle, ride a tire dragon, take a flight on the zip line, and more.

During summer our Park Naturalists and Rangers present frequent nature programs and craft programs at the nearby Nature Shack.

The Recycled tire playground no longer has recycled tire chips as a base. The tire chips have been up-graded to new and improved Fibar wood Chips for safety reasons.

The Tire Playground is located near the Pines picnic grove in the Clopper Day-Use area.

Nature Play Space
Balance, build, climb, connect, and create in our new nature play space at Oriole Picnic Grove. This imagination-centered play area is created from giant oak tree trunks, locust tree logs, and other all-natural materials. The idea of the play space and all of the work was done in-house by park staff, using the talents of our park technicians and park rangers.

Play as you Picnic
Quail Ridge and Chickadee Picnic Areas offer playground areas with climbing features and small slides close to picnic benches.



Upcoming Park Events

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Hikers on a wooded trail surrounded by snow  

Trail System and Maps

Over 50 miles of trails are open for hiking, horseback riding and bicycling which wind through a variety of habitat in S​eneca Creek State Park. A detailed trail map can be purchased at the park office.

Mountain biking and horseback riding are very popular at Seneca Creek, and the Schaeffer Farm Trails are considered a favorite place to ride. The Maryland Park Service does not rent horses or bicycles, and only provides the trails as a means of recreation.

Air view of sprawling Clopper Lake in the fall  
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Docents feeding livestock by an old style fence  
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​​​Park Highlight

Historic Sites

​The Seneca Creek valley provides numerous opportunities to explore Montgomery County history.

  • Woodlands Estate
    Located at the Park Office and Historic Area at 11950 Clopper Road, a self-guided interpretive path reveals the history of the Clopper Family and their estate home “Woodlands.”
  • Grusendorf Log House​
    ​Grusendorf CabinAlso located near the Park Office is Grusendorf Log House, the oldest surviving building from the original Germantown, Maryland.
  • Schwartz Peony Garden
    Peony Garden in Seneca Creek State ParkThe Schwartz Peony Garden is a living reminder of one of the great commercial horticulture operations in Montgomery County.
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4 Other State Park Locations Near​ Sececa Creek