Hamilton Community Recreational Area

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Parks

Maryland

Nearby: Upshur Recreation Center Petworth Community Playground

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Hamilton Community Recreational Area is a popular destination in Maryland, offering a range of outdoor activities and attractions.

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Summary

Located in Baltimore County, the park covers over 300 acres of land, including a 90-acre lake, hiking trails, picnic areas, and sports fields.

One of the main reasons to visit Hamilton Community Recreational Area is to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. The park is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, including bald eagles, herons, and turtles. Visitors can explore the trails, go fishing or boating on the lake, or simply relax and take in the scenery.

There are several points of interest at the park, including the historic Hamilton Mansion, which dates back to the 18th century. The mansion has been restored and is open to the public for tours. Other attractions include a playground, basketball court, and volleyball court.

Interesting facts about the area include that the park was once used as a water source for Baltimore City, and that it was also a popular spot for ice skating during the winter months. Today, the lake is used for boating and fishing, and the park is a popular venue for events and festivals.

The best time of year to visit depends on personal preference, but many people enjoy visiting during the spring and summer months when the weather is warm and the park is in full bloom. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy a range of activities during the fall and winter as well.

Overall, Hamilton Community Recreational Area is a great destination for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors and explore a beautiful natural setting in 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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