State parks

Swimming, boating, fishing and more offered

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Greenwell State Park

Greenwell is a 596-acre day-use park on the Patuxent River. At Greenwell there are 15 miles of hiking, cycling and equestrian trails, all marked with varying degrees of difficulty.

The park offers year-round fishing from the pier or from the park's revetment wall. A Maryland sportfishing license is required for anyone 16 years of age or older. Park guests can launch their own canoes and kayaks from the park beach, and they are also allowed to swim in the beach area. No lifeguards are posted at the beach. Visitors are welcome to picnic on the grounds. A pavilion is available for large groups, by reservation. A small camping area at the park is now available for use, but the site can only be reached by canoe. Contact Point Lookout State Park for campsite reservations.

On the grounds is the Francis Knott Lodge, which can sleep up to 16 people with advance reservations. The Rosedale Manor House, rose gardens and lawn can also be reserved for events such as weddings.

The Greenwell Foundation, located at Greenwell State Park, is a private, nonprofit organization established in 1971 dedicated to providing universally accessible and inclusive programs, services and facilities for all community members, with and without disabilities, in Southern Maryland. Greenwell's programs include recreational and therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults, kayak rentals and lessons, outdoor recreation programs, and summer camps. Special events are held at the park throughout the year.

Call the Greenwell Foundation at 301-373-9775 or visit www.greenwellfoundation.org.

There is a park service charge of $3 per vehicle collected by the Greenwell Foundation. Greenwell State Park is located on Rosedale Manor Lane in Hollywood. Call Point Lookout State Park 301-872-5688 for more.

Point Lookout State Park

Camping, fishing, swimming, boating and hiking are just some of the activities available to visitors to Point Lookout State Park, located on the point of land where the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River meet.

During the Civil War, Point Lookout was used by the federal government as a prisoner of war camp for captured Confederate troops. As many as 52,264 men were held prisoner there during the war.

The Point Lookout campground has 143 wooded sites, including 26 with full hook-up and 27 with electricity at the site. There is also an area for youth group camping, available by reservation. There are also five four-person camping cabins available for overnight stays. There are service charges for camping. There is also a cottage available for rent at Point Lookout, with accommodations for a maximum of six people. In April and October a two-night minimum is required and the cabin is available for weekly rentals only from May through September.

There is also a pavilion available by reservation for groups up to 100 near the park beach. Reservations for camping, cabins, cottage and the pavilion can be made by calling 1-888-432-CAMP or by e-mail, reservations@dnr.state.md.us.

Contact the park office, 301-872-5688, for more. The reservation service is handling all reservations year-around for facilities that are available.

The Point Lookout Civil War Museum and Marshland Nature Center at Point Lookout is operated seasonally.

There are three fishing areas in the park, including a 710-foot pier that juts into the Chesapeake Bay. A valid Chesapeake Bay Sport Fishing License and appropriate stamps are required. Two hundred acres of Point Lookout have been set aside for deer hunting open in all seasons, except early muzzleloader, with a valid license.

Boaters can use the park's boat-launching facility or rent a boat for the day. Supplies, including bait and tackle, are available at the camp store seasonally. Boat rentals are also seasonal.

Visitors can swim in the Potomac River at the park's designated swimming beach. The beach area also has grills, picnic benches, a playground and restroom/shower facilities.

Day use, when the contact station is not in operation, is on an honor system, $3 per vehicle with Maryland tags, $4 per vehicle for out-of-state residents. May through September on weekends and holidays, the contact station will be manned, $5 per person for state residents, $6 per person for out-of-state visitors. A night-fishing pass is required to remain in the park and visitors must be actively fishing to remain in the day-use areas after sunset.

After sunset there is a $3 per vehicle service charge for Maryland vehicles, and $4 service charge for out-of-state vehicles. The boat launch area service charge is $10 per launch. Passes are honored for day-use, night fishing and launch. An all-season pass, good in all Maryland parks, costs $75 a year for Maryland residents, $100 a year for out- of- state visitors.

Point Lookout State Park is located at the southern end of Route 5.

St. Clement's Island State Park

The place where Maryland's first settlers stopped before eventually establishing a community in St. Mary's City, St. Clement's Island is now a historic landmark in the county. On the island is a memorial cross, dedicated to the memory of Maryland's first settlers. Accessible only by boat, visitors to St. Clement's Island can enjoy hiking, picnicking, fishing and rabbit hunting in the 40-acre day-use park.

Boats tours to the island are offered on a weekend schedule by the St. Clement's Island Museum, located in Colton's Point about one mile from the island. The tour boat is also available for private charter trips and visitors can also visit the island in private vessels.

Call the museum, 301-769-2222. For other information about St. Clement's Island, call the park ranger office at Point Lookout, 301-872-5688.

St. Mary's River State Park

Located at the northern end of the St. Mary's River watershed, the park is divided into two areas.

In Site 1 is the 250-acre St. Mary's Lake, a popular freshwater fishing spot. Several species of fish can be found in the lake, including largemouth bass, chain pickerel, crappie, bluegill and sunfish. The lake has been designated a trophy bass lake and as such, special fishing regulations may be in effect.

Site 1 has a boat launch, but only electric motors are permitted for powered boats on the lake. St. Mary's Lake is also an ideal location for flat-water canoeing and kayaking. A 7.5-mile hiking/biking trail circles the lake, giving fishermen access to most of the shoreline. Site 1 also has a modern comfort station, picnic tables, a playground and a large gravel parking lot. There is a $3 per vehicle service charge for Maryland residents, $4 per vehicle for out-of-state residents.

Site 2 is approximately 2,200 acres and is primarily undeveloped. It is a wildlands area and managed hunting area. Small game, such as rabbit and squirrel, along with white-tailed deer can be found here. In-season hunting with a firearm is permitted, as well as bow hunting during deer archery season.

St. Mary's River State Park is located at the end of Camp Cosoma Road. For more information, call 301-872-5688.