Loch Raven Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Loch Raven Park is a vast park located in the state of Maryland, USA.


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Summary

It spans over 2,400 acres and offers visitors several reasons to come and explore. Some of the top reasons to visit the park include its scenic beauty, ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, and various historical and cultural landmarks.

One of the most popular points of interest in the park is the Loch Raven Reservoir. This man-made lake offers visitors opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and hiking along its 2800-acre shoreline. The park also features several hiking and biking trails, including the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail, which starts at the park's southern end.

Other specific points of interest in the park include the historic Loch Raven Dam, built in 1915, and the Baltimore City Waterworks Museum, which offers guided tours and exhibits related to the city's water supply system. Visitors can also explore the park's many picnic areas, playgrounds, and pavilions for family-friendly activities and relaxation.

Interesting facts about Loch Raven Park include its establishment in 1923, making it one of the oldest parks in Maryland. The park also served as the location for several scenes in the 1992 movie "The Silence of the Lambs." Additionally, the park's forests are home to several species of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and bald eagles.

The best time of year to visit Loch Raven Park depends on personal preference. Spring and fall offer mild temperatures and beautiful scenery, while summer provides ample opportunities for water activities and picnics. Winter can be cold but offers visitors the chance to enjoy the park's snow-covered trails and scenery.

In conclusion, Loch Raven Park is a must-visit destination for anyone in search of outdoor recreation, historical landmarks, and natural beauty. With a wide range of activities and attractions to explore, it's no wonder that the park continues to attract visitors year after year.

       

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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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