Bald Hill Stream Valley Park

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Parks

Maryland

Nearby: Folly Branch Stream Valley Park Tabbs Neighborhood Playground

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Bald Hill Stream Valley Park is a 56-acre park located in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

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Summary

It offers visitors a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and is a great place for hiking, bird-watching, and picnicking.

One of the main draws of the park is its extensive trail system, which winds through wooded areas and along the banks of the Little Paint Branch Stream. The trails are well-maintained and suitable for hikers of all skill levels. Visitors can also bring their bicycles and enjoy a ride through the park.

The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, turtles, and deer. Bird-watchers should keep an eye out for species such as the Eastern Bluebird, American Goldfinch, and Red-tailed Hawk.

There are several points of interest within the park, including a large pond that is popular with anglers, a playground for children, and several picnic areas with grills. Visitors can also take advantage of the park’s basketball court and soccer field.

Interesting facts about the park include its history as a dairy farm and its connection to the Underground Railroad. The park was once owned by the Bowie family, who were involved in the abolitionist movement and provided shelter to runaway slaves.

The best time of year to visit Bald Hill Stream Valley Park is in the spring and fall, when the temperatures are mild and the foliage is at its most colorful. Summer can be hot and humid, and the park can be crowded on weekends. Winter visitors should be prepared for cold temperatures and possible snow and ice on the trails.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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