Pine Branch Park

Rate this place

Parks

Maryland

Nearby: Upshur Recreation Center Petworth Community Playground

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Pine Branch Park is a beautiful natural destination located in the state of Maryland.

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

It is a popular spot for nature lovers, hikers, and families looking for outdoor activities. The park has a lot to offer visitors, with many points of interest and historical significance.

Some good reasons to visit Pine Branch Park include its serene natural beauty, numerous hiking trails, and opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife spotting. The park is also home to historic landmarks, such as the old Pine Branch Mill, which dates back to the 1700s.

Visitors can explore the park's many walking trails, which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape and scenic spots to picnic, relax or meditate. The park also features several playground areas for children, including a splash pad that is open during the summer months.

Interesting facts about the park include that it was once used as a source of water for the Washington D.C. area during World War II, and that it is home to a variety of rare plant and animal species, such as the blue-spotted salamander and the two-lined salamander.

The best time of year to visit Pine Branch Park is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most colorful. Summer can be quite hot and humid, while winter can be cold and snowy, so it is best to plan your visit accordingly.

Overall, Pine Branch Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a peaceful escape into nature, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and exploration.

Weather Forecast

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