Huntington South Recreation Area

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Parks

Maryland

Nearby: Huntington North Recreation Sandy Hill Neighborhood Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Huntington South Recreation Area is a popular destination in Maryland for families, nature enthusiasts, and outdoor adventurers.

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Summary

It is located on the banks of the Patuxent River and offers a wide range of recreational activities, such as fishing, hiking, camping, kayaking, and wildlife watching.

One of the main attractions of the park is the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Driving Tour, which is a scenic route that showcases the beauty and diversity of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. Visitors can also explore the numerous trails that lead through forests, wetlands, and meadows, and observe local wildlife such as eagles, ospreys, herons, and deer.

In addition, Huntington South Recreation Area has several historic sites that reflect the area's rich cultural heritage, including a 19th-century mill, a tobacco barn, and a slave cemetery. These sites provide a glimpse into the region's past and offer a unique educational experience for visitors.

The best time to visit Huntington South Recreation Area is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. However, the park is open year-round and offers different activities and events throughout the seasons.

Overall, Huntington South Recreation Area is a great destination for those looking to connect with nature, learn about local history, and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities.

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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.

Related References