Charles Branch Valley Park

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Parks

Maryland

Nearby: Marlton Community Park Charles Branch Stream Valley Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Charles Branch Valley Park is a picturesque park located in Baltimore County, Maryland.

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Summary

The park offers visitors a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and picnicking. One of the main attractions of the park is its scenic trails, which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

One of the most popular trails in the park is the Charles Branch Trail, which runs for approximately two miles through the park's wooded landscape. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow, making it a great option for visitors of all ages and abilities.

In addition to the hiking trails, Charles Branch Valley Park is also home to a number of other attractions, including a fishing pond, a playground, and several picnic areas. The park is a great place to spend a day with family and friends, enjoying the natural beauty of the area and taking advantage of the many recreational opportunities available.

One interesting fact about Charles Branch Valley Park is that it is home to a number of rare and endangered plant species, including the Virginia Bluebell and the Dwarf Larkspur. Visitors to the park can take a guided tour to learn more about these unique plants and their importance to the local ecosystem.

The best time of year to visit Charles Branch Valley Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. However, the park is open year-round and offers something to see and do in every season.

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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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