Elwood Smith Park

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Parks

Maryland

Nearby: Pumphouse Croyden Park First Street Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Elwood Smith Park is a popular destination in Maryland due to its serene natural setting, hiking trails, and picnic areas.

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Summary

The park covers 98 acres of land, making it a sizeable space for visitors to explore. Visitors can indulge in a wide range of activities at the park, including hiking, fishing, and bird watching.

One of the main attractions of the park is the hiking trail network. The trails are well-maintained, and visitors can take a leisurely walk or a more intense hike. The trails lead through wooded areas and creeks, providing opportunities to see some of Maryland's natural wildlife. Visitors can also enjoy a picnic in one of the park's designated areas.

Another point of interest in the park is the fishing area, which is stocked with catfish, sunfish, and bass. Visitors are required to have a fishing permit, which can be purchased at the park's ranger station.

Elwood Smith Park also has a rich history. The park was named after Elwood Smith, a prominent businessman in the area who donated the land to the government in 1969. The park has since become a beloved destination for locals and tourists alike.

The best time of year to visit Elwood Smith Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild, and the foliage is at its peak. Summer can be quite hot and humid, while winter can be cold and snowy.

Overall, Elwood Smith Park is an excellent destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the natural beauty of 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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