Oak Ridge Conservation Park
Rate this placeNearby: John Haines Park Moyer Road Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Oak Ridge Conservation Park is a beautiful natural area located in the state of Maryland, offering visitors a range of outdoor activities and stunning scenery.
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Summary
There are several good reasons to visit the park, including hiking, bird watching, and nature photography. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and birds of prey, making it an ideal destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
One of the park's main points of interest is its extensive network of hiking trails, which wind through the forest and along the banks of the Patuxent River. Visitors can also explore the park's wetlands, which are home to a variety of aquatic plants and animals. The park also features several picnic areas and public restrooms for visitors' convenience.
Interesting facts about Oak Ridge Conservation Park include its history as a former farm and its designation as a protected conservation area in the 1970s. The park is also home to several rare plant species, including the Virginia sneezeweed and the American holly.
The best time of year to visit the park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most beautiful. However, the park is open year-round and offers something for visitors in every season.
Overall, Oak Ridge Conservation Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience Maryland's natural beauty and wildlife. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or simply looking for a peaceful retreat from the city, this park has something for everyone to enjoy.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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
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Little Bennett Campground
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Little Bennett Regional Park
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Turner Farm
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John Haines Park
Moyer Road Park
Magruder Branch Stream Valley Park
Upper Magruder Branch Park
Damascus Park