Brandywine Area Recreation Center

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Parks

Maryland

Nearby: Cheltenham Acres Park Piscataway Creek Stream Valley Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Brandywine Area Recreation Center is a popular destination in the state of Maryland, offering a wide range of activities for visitors of all ages.

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Summary

Some of the reasons to visit the center include its beautiful natural surroundings, extensive hiking trails, and numerous sports facilities.

One of the main points of interest at the Brandywine Area Recreation Center is the Patuxent River, which runs through the park and offers great opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and other water activities. There are also several picnic areas and playgrounds for families to enjoy, as well as a large swimming pool and a fitness center.

Other interesting features of the area include the historic Cedarville State Forest and the nearby Piscataway Park, which offers stunning views of the Potomac River and the surrounding countryside. Visitors can also explore the local wildlife, including deer, foxes, and various bird species.

The best time of year to visit the Brandywine Area Recreation Center is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is mild and the park is in full bloom. However, the center is open year-round and offers a variety of activities and events throughout the year. Overall, the Brandywine Area Recreation Center is a must-see destination for anyone interested in outdoor recreation and natural beauty in Maryland.

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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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