Fletchers Field Park

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Parks

Maryland

Nearby: Brownings Grove Park Riverdale Recreation Area

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Fletcher's Field Park is a popular destination in Maryland, known for its beautiful scenery and outdoor recreational activities.

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Summary

Situated along the Potomac River, the park offers a variety of attractions for visitors of all ages. Some of the best reasons to visit include hiking, fishing, kayaking, and picnicking.

One of the main points of interest in Fletcher's Field Park is the C&O Canal National Historical Park. This historic waterway played an important role in the development of the region, and visitors can explore its many locks, aqueducts, and other features. The park also has several hiking trails, including the popular Billy Goat Trail, which offers stunning views of the river and surrounding landscape.

Other notable attractions in Fletcher's Field Park include the Fletcher's Cove Boathouse, which rents out boats and kayaks for visitors to explore the river, and the Maryland State Fish Hatchery, where visitors can learn about the region's native fish species and conservation efforts.

Interesting facts about the area include its rich history, which dates back to the 18th century when the C&O Canal was constructed. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, ospreys, and beavers.

The best time of year to visit Fletcher's Field Park is in the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is especially beautiful. However, the park is open year-round and offers activities for visitors in all seasons.

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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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