Elmley Recreation Center

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Elmley Recreation Center is located in the state of Maryland and offers visitors a wide range of outdoor activities.


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Summary

The center is situated on a 1,100-acre site and features a variety of habitats that provide opportunities for hiking, bird watching, fishing, and camping.

One of the main reasons to visit Elmley Recreation Center is the chance to experience its natural beauty. The area is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, including bald eagles, ospreys, and herons. Visitors can also explore the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries by kayak or canoe.

Specific points of interest at Elmley Recreation Center include the Cedar Island Marsh Sanctuary, a 2,000-acre protected area that is home to a variety of rare and endangered species. The center also features a visitor center where visitors can learn about the history and ecology of the area.

Interesting facts about Elmley Recreation Center include its role in the conservation of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The center works to protect and restore wetlands, forests, and other habitats that are critical to the health of the Bay ecosystem.

The best time of year to visit Elmley Recreation Center is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the wildlife is most active. However, the center is open year-round and offers a variety of seasonal activities, including winter bird watching and summer fishing trips.

Overall, Elmley Recreation Center is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves nature and outdoor recreation. With its stunning natural beauty, diverse range of activities, and commitment to conservation, it is a true gem of the Maryland landscape.

       

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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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