Blue Ponds Park

Rate this place

Parks

Maryland

Nearby: Muirkirk W Neighborhood Park Muirkirk S Neighborhood Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Blue Ponds Park is a beautiful nature preserve located in Prince George's County, Maryland.

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

It is a great place to visit if you want to take a break from city life and enjoy some peace and tranquility in a natural setting.

One of the main reasons to visit Blue Ponds Park is to see the stunning blue ponds that give the park its name. These ponds are actually old quarry pits that have filled up with water over time, and their blue color is due to the high mineral content of the water.

There are also several miles of hiking trails in the park, which offer a chance to explore the surrounding forest and see wildlife such as birds, deer, and foxes. Other points of interest include a butterfly garden, a fishing pond, and picnic areas.

Interesting facts about Blue Ponds Park include that it was once owned by the famous family of abolitionists, the Calverts, and that it was used as a filming location for the TV show The Wire.

The best time of year to visit Blue Ponds Park is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most beautiful. However, the park is open year-round and offers different activities and scenery depending on the season.

Weather Forecast

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.

Related References