Gwynnbrook Wildlife Management Area

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Gwynnbrook Wildlife Management Area is a 400-acre protected area located in Owings Mills, Maryland.


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Summary

The area was established in 1971 to protect and manage the local wildlife population. There are several good reasons to visit Gwynnbrook Wildlife Management Area, including birdwatching, hiking, and fishing. The area is home to a variety of bird species, including bald eagles, ospreys, and great blue herons. Visitors can also enjoy hiking trails that wind through forests and wetlands, providing opportunities to see native plants and animals.

One of the main points of interest at Gwynnbrook Wildlife Management Area is the Gwynns Falls Trail, which runs through the area and provides a scenic route for hiking, biking, and jogging. The trail follows the Gwynns Falls stream, offering visitors a chance to see a variety of aquatic wildlife, including fish, turtles, and waterfowl. Another point of interest is the fishing pond, which is stocked with bass, bluegill, and catfish.

Interesting facts about Gwynnbrook Wildlife Management Area include its history as a former quarry site, which was later reclaimed by the state and turned into a wildlife management area. The area also serves as a habitat for several endangered species, including the Maryland darter fish and the bog turtle.

The best time of year to visit Gwynnbrook Wildlife Management Area is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most colorful. Visitors should also be aware that hunting is permitted in the area during certain seasons, so it is important to check for any restrictions or closures before planning a trip.

       

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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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