Northeast Branch Park

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Parks

Maryland

Nearby: Canterbury Estates Community Park Western Branch Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Northeast Branch Park is located in the state of Maryland and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

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Summary

The park offers a variety of activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, and picnicking. It is also home to several historical sites and natural wonders.

One of the main attractions in Northeast Branch Park is the Lake Frank, which is a popular spot for fishing and boating. Visitors can also explore the park's many hiking trails, including the four-mile-long Northeast Branch Trail, which winds its way through the park's forests and along the banks of the Northeast Branch of the Anacostia River.

Another point of interest in the park is the historic Burnt Mills Dam, which was built in the 1850s to power a local mill. The dam is now a popular spot for picnicking and fishing, and visitors can take a self-guided tour to learn more about its history.

Throughout the park, visitors can also see a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and a wide range of bird species. The park is especially beautiful in the fall, when the leaves change colors and the park's forests are ablaze with autumn hues.

Overall, Northeast Branch Park is a great place to visit for anyone who loves the great outdoors. With its beautiful natural scenery, interesting historical sites, and wide range of recreational activities, it is the perfect destination for a day trip or weekend getaway.

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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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