Top state parks
State ParkWashington Monument State Park
State ParkPatapsco Valley State Park
State ParkSeneca Creek State Park
State ParkCalvert Cliffs State Park
State ParkSusquehanna State Park
State ParkGambrill State Park
State ParkRocks State Park
State ParkRosaryville State Park
State ParkCunningham Falls State Park
State ParkSouth Mountain State Park
State ParkBig Run State Park
State ParkMartinak State Park
State Parks by county
- Baltimore County3
- Charles County4
- Frederick County3
- Garrett County4
- Montgomery County3
- Saint Mary's County3
- Washington County3
All state parks (39)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Monument State Park | Washington County | — | Boonsboro | 5 |
| Patapsco Valley State Park | Howard County | — | Ellicott City | 8 |
| Seneca Creek State Park | Montgomery County | — | Germantown | 8 |
| Calvert Cliffs State Park | Calvert County | — | Lusby | 5 |
| Susquehanna State Park | Harford County | — | Havre de Grace | 5 |
| Gambrill State Park | Frederick County | — | Middletown | 5 |
| Rocks State Park | Harford County | — | Jarrettsville | 5 |
| Rosaryville State Park | Prince George's County | — | Marlton | 7 |
| Cunningham Falls State Park | Frederick County | — | Thurmont | 5 |
| South Mountain State Park | Washington County | — | Myersville | 5 |
| Big Run State Park | Garrett County | — | Westernport | 3 |
| Martinak State Park | Caroline County | — | Denton | 5 |
| Chapel Point State Park | Charles County | — | La Plata | 5 |
| Swallow Falls State Park | Garrett County | — | Oakland | 3 |
| Assateague State Park | Worcester County | — | West Ocean City | 3 |
| Patuxent River State Park | Montgomery County | — | Olney | 6 |
| Point Lookout State Park | Saint Mary's County | — | Lexington Park | 3 |
| Purse State Park | Charles County | — | Aquia Harbour | 5 |
| Rocky Gap State Park | Allegany County | — | Cumberland | 4 |
| Deep Creek Lake State Park | Garrett County | — | Mountain Lake Park | 3 |
| Elk Neck State Park | Cecil County | — | Charlestown | 5 |
| Sandy Point State Park | Anne Arundel County | — | Cape Saint Claire | 6 |
| Smallwood State Park | Charles County | — | Indian Head | 5 |
| Hart-Miller Island State Park, Maryland | Baltimore County | — | Edgemere | 6 |
| Greenbrier State Park | Washington County | — | Boonsboro | 5 |
| Greenwell State Park | Saint Mary's County | — | California | 5 |
| Janes Island State Park | Somerset County | — | Crisfield | 4 |
| Matthew Henson State Park | Montgomery County | — | Aspen Hill | 8 |
| Gathland State Park | Frederick County | — | Middletown | 5 |
| Matapeake State Park | Queen Anne's County | — | Stevensville | 5 |
| Wills Mountain State Park | Allegany County | — | Cumberland | 6 |
| New Germany State Park | Garrett County | — | Lonaconing | 3 |
| North Point State Park | Baltimore County | — | Edgemere | 7 |
| St. Clement's Island State Park | Saint Mary's County | — | Cobb Island | 4 |
| Gunpowder Falls State Park | Baltimore County | — | Lutherville-Timonium | 7 |
| Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum | Calvert County | — | Long Beach | 5 |
| Chapman State Park | Charles County | — | Potomac Heights | 6 |
| Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park | Talbot County | — | Cambridge | 5 |
| Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State ParkHarriet Tubman Underground Railroad | Dorchester County | — | Cambridge | 4 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph state parks
State parks often protect a signature feature — a gorge, lake or overlook — that is best in early morning before visitors and harsh light arrive.
- Check park hours: many state parks close at dusk, which affects sunset and night shooting.
- Ask rangers about photography permits for commercial work, models or drones.
- Weekday mornings are the least crowded at popular viewpoints.
- Trail maps often mark overlooks — combine them with the sun azimuth to plan.
- Day-use fees or passes are common; buy them online before arriving.
Season: Spring wildflowers and autumn color are peak seasons in most parks.