State Parks Near Bel Air, Maryland
35 state park units lie within 50 miles of Bel Air, including 20 parks across the line in Pennsylvania and Delaware and New Jersey. The closest is Palmer State Park, about 7 mi northeast of town. 9 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Palmer State Park7 mi northeast
- Within 25 miles
- 9of 35 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 104 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 13pets allowed
State parks near Bel Air, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Bel Air; driving distance is usually longer.
Palmer State Park
Palmer State Park is a park in Harford County, about 7 miles northeast of Bel Air.
Hours, fees and rules for Palmer State Park →Rocks State Park
The official site lists about 3.5 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Rocks State Park →Susquehanna State Park
Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Susquehanna State Park →Gunpowder Falls State Park
The official site lists about 120 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Gunpowder Falls State Park →Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail
Covering about 330 acres, Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail lies in Baltimore County, about 7 miles south of New Freedom.
Hours, fees and rules for Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail →Susquehannock State Park
Visitors come for cross-country skiing, horseback riding, winter sports, hiking, and picnicking. The official site lists about 5.6 miles of trails. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites and group camping).
Hours, fees and rules for Susquehannock State Park →North Point State Battlefield
North Point State Battlefield is a historic site in Baltimore County, about 7 miles east of Baltimore.
Hours, fees and rules for North Point State Battlefield →Elk Neck State Park
Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a boat ramp. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.
Hours, fees and rules for Elk Neck State Park →North Point State Park
In Baltimore County, about 11 miles southeast of Baltimore, North Point State Park covers about 1,272 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for North Point State Park →Patapsco Valley State Park
Its trail network totals roughly 200 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Patapsco Valley State Park →Big Elk Creek State Park
Visitors come for horseback riding, fishing, and hiking. The official site lists about 3 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Big Elk Creek State Park →Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area
Covering about 815 acres, Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area lies in Cecil County, about 4 miles northwest of Newark.
Hours, fees and rules for Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area →Lums Pond State Park
Covering about 1,863 acres, Lums Pond State Park lies in New Castle County, about 6 miles southeast of Elkton.
Hours, fees and rules for Lums Pond State Park →Samuel S. Lewis State Park
Visitors come for golf, disc golf, winter sports, hiking, and picnicking. The official site lists about 1.6 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Samuel S. Lewis State Park →White Clay Creek Preserve
The park supports cross-country skiing, horseback riding, winter sports, hunting in season, and fishing.
Hours, fees and rules for White Clay Creek Preserve →White Clay Creek State Park
Covering about 3,520 acres, White Clay Creek State Park lies in New Castle County, about 4 miles north of Newark.
Hours, fees and rules for White Clay Creek State Park →Codorus State Park
Things to do include snorkeling and diving, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Its trail network totals roughly 19 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Codorus State Park →Morgan Run Natural Environment Area
Covering about 287 acres, Morgan Run Natural Environment Area lies in Anne Arundel County, about 8 miles northwest of Annapolis.
Hours, fees and rules for Morgan Run Natural Environment Area →Sandy Point State Park
Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Sandy Point State Park →Susquehanna Riverlands State Park
Popular activities here are boating and hiking. Its trail network totals roughly 4 miles, according to the park. On the water side, there is a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Susquehanna Riverlands State Park →Auburn Valley State Park
Auburn Valley State Park is a park in New Castle County, about 4 miles southeast of Kennett Square.
Hours, fees and rules for Auburn Valley State Park →Fort DuPont State Park
In New Castle County, in Delaware City, Fort DuPont State Park covers about 294 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort DuPont State Park →Fort Delaware State Park
In New Castle County, in Delaware City, Fort Delaware State Park covers about 256 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Delaware State Park →Fort Mott State Park
Things to do include historic sites, picnicking, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Mott State Park →Patuxent River State Park
Covering about 6,700 acres, Patuxent River State Park lies in Montgomery County, about 10 miles northeast of Gaithersburg.
Hours, fees and rules for Patuxent River State Park →Wye Oak State Park
Wye Oak State Park is a park in Talbot County, about 11 miles north of Easton.
Hours, fees and rules for Wye Oak State Park →Alapocas Run State Park
In New Castle County, about 3 miles northeast of Elsmere, Alapocas Run State Park covers about 233 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Alapocas Run State Park →Tuckahoe State Park
The official site lists about 20 miles of trails. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites). Roofed lodging includes cabins.
Hours, fees and rules for Tuckahoe State Park →Brandywine Creek State Park
Covering about 934 acres, Brandywine Creek State Park lies in New Castle County, about 4 miles north of Elsmere.
Hours, fees and rules for Brandywine Creek State Park →Wilmington State Parks
Wilmington State Parks is a park in New Castle County, in Wilmington.
Hours, fees and rules for Wilmington State Parks →Hancock House Historic Site
The park supports historic sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Hancock House Historic Site →Gifford Pinchot State Park
Popular activities here are snorkeling and diving, cross-country skiing, golf, horseback riding, and winter sports. Its trail network totals roughly 18 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Gifford Pinchot State Park →Bellevue State Park
Covering about 272 acres, Bellevue State Park lies in New Castle County, in Bellefonte.
Hours, fees and rules for Bellevue State Park →Marsh Creek State Park
The park supports snorkeling and diving, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and winter sports. The official site lists about 19.5 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Marsh Creek State Park →Fox Point State Park
In New Castle County, about 2 miles northeast of Bellefonte, Fox Point State Park covers about 107 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Fox Point State Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Bel Air
- Susquehanna State Park 12 mi northeast · Campground listed
- Gunpowder Falls State Park 13 mi west · Campground listed
- Susquehannock State Park 19 mi north · Campground listed
- Elk Neck State Park 20 mi east · Campground listed
- Patapsco Valley State Park 29 mi southwest · Campground listed
+ 5 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Bel Air
- Elk Neck State Park 20 mi east · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Codorus State Park 35 mi northwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Tuckahoe State Park 45 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Gifford Pinchot State Park 48 mi northwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Bel Air
- Gunpowder Falls State Park 13 mi west · Pets allowed under park rules
- Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail 18 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- North Point State Battlefield 19 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Elk Neck State Park 20 mi east · Pets allowed under park rules
- North Point State Park 23 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
+ 8 more in the list above
Swimming near Bel Air
- Elk Neck State Park 20 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area
- Codorus State Park 35 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Sandy Point State Park 36 mi south · Beach, pool or swim area
- Gifford Pinchot State Park 48 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Marsh Creek State Park 50 mi northeast · Beach, pool or swim area
Hiking near Bel Air
- Susquehannock State Park 19 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- Big Elk Creek State Park 30 mi northeast · Hiking trails listed
- Samuel S. Lewis State Park 34 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- White Clay Creek Preserve 34 mi northeast · Hiking trails listed
- Codorus State Park 35 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
+ 4 more in the list above
Fishing near Bel Air
- Big Elk Creek State Park 30 mi northeast · Fishing listed
- White Clay Creek Preserve 34 mi northeast · Fishing listed
- Codorus State Park 35 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Gifford Pinchot State Park 48 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Marsh Creek State Park 50 mi northeast · Fishing listed
Questions about state parks near Bel Air
What is the closest state park to Bel Air?
Palmer State Park is the closest, about 7 miles northeast of Bel Air in a straight line. Next are Rocks State Park and Susquehanna State Park.
How many state parks are near Bel Air?
35 state park units are within 50 miles, and 9 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Bel Air have camping?
10 parks list camping, the nearest being Susquehanna State Park, Gunpowder Falls State Park and Susquehannock State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Bel Air?
Yes, at 13 parks, including Gunpowder Falls State Park, Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail and North Point State Battlefield. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Bel Air?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Aberdeen, MD9 mi east
- Near Baltimore, MD22 mi southwest
- Near Newark, DE33 mi east
- Near Middletown, DE34 mi east
- Near Lancaster, PA35 mi north
- Near Westminster, MD35 mi west
- Near York, PA36 mi northwest
- Near Hanover, PA39 mi northwest
Or see all Maryland state parks, Pennsylvania state parks, Delaware state parks, New Jersey state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.