Reservoir Playground

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Parks

Maryland

Nearby: Glover Parkway Dawson Terrace Playground

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Reservoir Playground, located in the state of Maryland, is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

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Summary

The park offers a variety of activities such as hiking, fishing, and boating. The park covers over 2,100 acres and has several points of interest including the Liberty Dam, the Patapsco River, and the Morgan Run Natural Environment Area.

One of the main reasons to visit Reservoir Playground is the abundance of hiking trails available. The park has over 50 miles of trails, including the Liberty Reservoir Trail, which is a popular route for hikers and bikers. Additionally, the park offers fishing and boating opportunities on the reservoir.

For those interested in history and engineering, the Liberty Dam is a must-see attraction. The dam was completed in 1954 and provides drinking water to the Baltimore area. Visitors can take a guided tour to learn more about the dam’s construction and function.

Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the Liberty Reservoir is the largest freshwater body in the Baltimore metropolitan area. The reservoir was created in 1954 when the Liberty Dam was built. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and bald eagles.

The best time of year to visit Reservoir Playground is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its peak. Summer can be hot and humid, and the park can be crowded on weekends. Winter can be cold, but the park is still open and offers opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

In conclusion, Reservoir Playground is a beautiful and diverse park that offers something for everyone. Whether you enjoy hiking, fishing, boating, or just taking in the scenery, this park is definitely worth a visit.

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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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