Western Maryland Rail Trail
- Status
- Status not postedDaily sunrise – sunset
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- dnr.maryland.gov(301) 842-2155
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Covering about 3 acres, Western Maryland Rail Trail lies in Washington County, about 4 miles southwest of Hancock.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | sunrise – sunset | — |
Official wording
Sunrise to sunset
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
Many parks charge no fee. Veterans and active-duty military have day-use waivers. Per-park amounts:
Statewide fee rule from Maryland's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Maryland park passes
- Maryland State Park and Trail Passport (annual) — $75 resident / $100 non-resident. Unlimited day-use entry for everyone in the vehicle (up to 10 people), unlimited boat launching, 10% concession discount Details
- Golden Age Pass (62+) — $10 processing fee, lifetime. Free day-use entry, half-price camping Sun–Thu, waived boat launch fees Details
- Universal Disability Pass. Free lifetime entrance to DNR public lands for holder + one person Details
- Youth Group Pass. Youth-group day use (not peak weekends) and youth group camping; valid two years Details
From the Maryland state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Maryland State Park Reservation Service (parkreservations.maryland.gov); day use via parkdayuse.maryland.gov
- Phone
- 888-432-2267
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed
Pets are allowed on the Western Maryland Rail Trail.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Getting there
- Nearest town
- Hancock — about 4 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 39.6773, -78.2223 (from PAD-US)
- Phone
- (301) 842-2155
- fortfrederick.statepark@maryland.gov
Google Maps directionsApple Maps
Directions from the park
Eastern Terminus Take exit 12, MD 56, from I-70. Go approximately ¼ mile east towards Fort Frederick State Park and the terminus is located on the right. The trail parking lot is across the street from the Post Office. Town of Hancock Access Take exit 3 from I-70 into Hancock. Travel west on MD 144 for 1.4 miles. Turn left into the Western Maryland Rail Trail parking lot. Pearre Parking Lot Access Take exit 77 from I-68, towards MD 144/Woodmont Rd. Turn left onto U.S. Scenic 40, Turn left onto Western Pike/US-40 Scenic/MD-144, then turn right onto Woodmont Rd. Go 6.3 miles on Woodmont Rd., then bear right onto Pearre Rd. Go about 1 mile and the Pearre Terminus parking lot will be on the left. Western Terminus Take exit 68 from I-68, towards Orleans Rd. Turn south onto Orleans Road. Travel on Orleans Rd. for 5.8 miles, then turn left onto High Germany Rd. toward C&O Canal Fifteen Mile Creek. The Little Orleans parking lot will be on the right just before the underpass.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Maryland State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Maryland Park Service 'Find a State Park' directory (SharePoint HTML, links to /publiclands/Pages/{region}/{park}.aspx)
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology