Riderwood Hills Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Riderwood Hills Park is a popular outdoor destination located in the state of Maryland.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

There are many good reasons to visit this park, including its beautiful natural scenery and ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. Visitors can hike, bike, or jog along the park's numerous trails, which wind through wooded areas and open fields.

Some specific points of interest to see within the park include its many picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields. The park is also home to a number of interesting historical sites, including the remains of a colonial-era mill and several old farmhouses.

One interesting fact about Riderwood Hills Park is that it was originally established in the 1930s as part of a New Deal program designed to create jobs and stimulate the economy during the Great Depression. Since then, the park has become a beloved outdoor destination for locals and visitors alike.

The best time of year to visit Riderwood Hills Park depends on your interests and preferences. Spring and summer are great times to enjoy the park's many outdoor activities, while fall is a popular time for hiking and enjoying the changing colors of the leaves. Winter can also be a beautiful time to visit, particularly if you enjoy snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.

       

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
View more

Featured Parks