Matthew Henson State Park

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Parks

Maryland

Nearby: Rock Creek Regional Park Stoneybrook Park & Playground

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Matthew Henson State Park is a 456-acre park located in Germantown, Maryland, honoring Arctic explorer and Maryland native, Matthew Henson.

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Summary

The park offers various activities for visitors, such as hiking, birdwatching, fishing, and picnicking, making it a great destination for families and nature enthusiasts.

One of the highlights of the park is the 3.5-mile natural surface hiking trail that runs through the park's forests, meadows, and wetlands. Along the trail, visitors can enjoy scenic views and spot the park's diverse wildlife, including foxes, rabbits, and various bird species.

Another point of interest in the park is the interactive exhibit and statue of Matthew Henson, which showcase his life and achievements as an explorer, including his role in reaching the North Pole with Robert E. Peary in 1909.

Interesting facts about the park include that it was once a farm owned by Henson's relatives, and it was later purchased by the state of Maryland to honor Henson's legacy.

The best time to visit Matthew Henson State Park is during spring and fall when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its peak. However, the park is open year-round and offers winter activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Overall, Matthew Henson State Park is an excellent destination for those seeking outdoor recreation and a chance to learn about the life of a Maryland hero.

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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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