Gathland State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Gathland State Park is located in Maryland and is a popular destination for visitors due to its numerous attractions, hiking trails, and historical significance.
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Summary
The park is named after George Alfred Townsend, a famous Civil War journalist who owned the property in the late 1800s.
There are several reasons to visit Gathland State Park. One of the biggest draws is the Appalachian Trail, which runs through the park and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can also explore the park's historic buildings, including the War Correspondents Memorial Arch, which was built by Townsend to honor his fellow journalists who covered the Civil War.
Other points of interest include the Gathland Museum, which houses a collection of Civil War artifacts, and the Crampton's Gap Battlefield, where a significant battle took place during the war. Additionally, the park offers picnicking, camping, and birdwatching opportunities.
Visitors should note that the park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is in the spring or fall when the weather is mild and the park's foliage is at its peak. It's also important to be prepared for hiking, as some of the trails can be steep and rocky. Overall, Gathland State Park is a great destination for history buffs, nature lovers, and anyone looking for a relaxing outdoor adventure.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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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