Dalecarlia Reservoir Grounds

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Parks

Maryland

Nearby: Little Fall Branch Park Friendship Garden

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Dalecarlia Reservoir Grounds is a scenic area located in Montgomery County, Maryland.

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Summary

The reservoir supplies drinking water to the District of Columbia and portions of Maryland. There are several good reasons to visit the area, including the stunning views, hiking trails, and fishing opportunities. The grounds are also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and birds.

Specific points of interest to see at Dalecarlia Reservoir Grounds include the historic pumping station, which is now a visitor center and museum. Visitors can learn about the history of the reservoir and how it has supplied water to the region for over 100 years. Another popular spot is the Azalea Garden, which features over 20,000 azaleas and other flowering plants.

Interesting facts about the Dalecarlia Reservoir Grounds include that it was designed by the famous landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. The reservoir was built in the early 1900s and is still a vital source of drinking water for the region.

The best time of year to visit Dalecarlia Reservoir Grounds is in the spring when the azaleas are in full bloom. The hiking trails are also particularly beautiful during this time of year. However, the area is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy fishing, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities throughout the year.

Overall, Dalecarlia Reservoir Grounds is a beautiful and historically significant area that is well worth a visit for anyone interested in the outdoors or local history.

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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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