State Parks Near Bowie, Maryland
29 state park units lie within 50 miles of Bowie, including 4 parks across the line in Virginia. The closest is Morgan Run Natural Environment Area, about 11 mi northeast of town. 7 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Morgan Run Natural Environment Area11 mi northeast
- Within 25 miles
- 7of 29 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 112 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 24pets allowed
State parks near Bowie, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Bowie; driving distance is usually longer.
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 →Rosaryville State Park
Covering about 982 acres, Rosaryville State Park lies in Prince George's County, about 7 miles southeast of District Heights.
Hours, fees and rules for Rosaryville State Park →Franklin Point State Park
In Anne Arundel County, about 9 miles north of Chesapeake Beach, Franklin Point State Park covers about 499 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Franklin Point State Park →Merkle Natural Resources Management Area
Covering about 113 acres, Merkle Natural Resources Management Area lies in Calvert County, about 8 miles west of Chesapeake Beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Merkle Natural Resources Management Area →Sandy Point State Park
Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Sandy 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 →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 →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 →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 →Seneca Creek State Park
The official site lists about 50 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Seneca Creek State Park →Chapman State Park
In Charles County, about 3 miles northeast of Indian Head, Chapman State Park covers about 2,100 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Chapman State Park →Mason Neck State Park
The park supports canoeing and kayaking, boating, biking, hiking, and picnicking. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Mason Neck 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 →Smallwood State Park
For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Smallwood State Park →Chapel Point State Park
Chapel Point State Park is a park in Charles County, about 6 miles southwest of La Plata.
Hours, fees and rules for Chapel Point State Park →Gunpowder Falls State Park
The official site lists about 120 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Gunpowder Falls State Park →Leesylvania State Park
Things to do include canoeing and kayaking, boating, hiking, and picnicking. On the water side, there is a boat ramp. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites, group camping, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Leesylvania State Park →Calvert Cliffs State Park
Its trail network totals roughly 13 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Calvert Cliffs State Park →Greenwell State Park
Greenwell State Park is a park in St. Mary's County, about 8 miles northeast of Leonardtown.
Hours, fees and rules for Greenwell 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 →Monocacy Natural Resources Management Area
Covering about 132 acres, Monocacy Natural Resources Management Area lies in Charles County, about 9 miles southeast of Dumfries.
Hours, fees and rules for Monocacy Natural Resources Management Area →Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park
Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park is a park in Talbot County, about 3 miles northeast of Cambridge.
Hours, fees and rules for Bill Burton Fishing Pier 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 →Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park is a 216-acre park in Dorchester County, about 8 miles southwest of Cambridge.
Hours, fees and rules for Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park →Caledon State Park
The park supports biking, hiking, and picnicking. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites and group camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Caledon State Park →Widewater State Park
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, boating, hiking, and picnicking. On the water side, there is a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Widewater State Park →Martinak State Park
For overnight stays there are 2 camping areas (tent sites). Roofed lodging includes cabins.
Hours, fees and rules for Martinak State Park →Newtowne Neck State Park
Newtowne Neck State Park is a park in St. Mary's County, about 6 miles southwest of Leonardtown.
Hours, fees and rules for Newtowne Neck State Park →St. Mary's River State Park
St. Mary's River State Park is a park in St. Mary's County, about 8 miles east of Leonardtown.
Hours, fees and rules for St. Mary's River State Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Bowie
- Sandy Point State Park 19 mi east · Campground listed
- Patapsco Valley State Park 24 mi north · Campground listed
- Mason Neck State Park 32 mi southwest · Campground listed
- Smallwood State Park 37 mi southwest · Campground listed
- Gunpowder Falls State Park 37 mi north · Campground listed
+ 6 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Bowie
- Tuckahoe State Park 43 mi east · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Martinak State Park 49 mi east · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Bowie
- Morgan Run Natural Environment Area 11 mi northeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Rosaryville State Park 13 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
- Merkle Natural Resources Management Area 16 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
- Patapsco Valley State Park 24 mi north · Pets allowed under park rules
- North Point State Park 24 mi northeast · Pets allowed under park rules
+ 19 more in the list above
Swimming near Bowie
- Sandy Point State Park 19 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area
Hiking near Bowie
- Mason Neck State Park 32 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
- Leesylvania State Park 38 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
- Caledon State Park 48 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
- Widewater State Park 49 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
Questions about state parks near Bowie
What is the closest state park to Bowie?
Morgan Run Natural Environment Area is the closest, about 11 miles northeast of Bowie in a straight line. Next are Rosaryville State Park and Franklin Point State Park.
How many state parks are near Bowie?
29 state park units are within 50 miles, and 7 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Bowie have camping?
11 parks list camping, the nearest being Sandy Point State Park, Patapsco Valley State Park and Mason Neck State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Bowie?
Yes, at 24 parks, including Morgan Run Natural Environment Area, Rosaryville State Park and Merkle Natural Resources Management Area. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Bowie?
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 Takoma Park, MD14 mi west
- Near Alexandria, VA21 mi southwest
- Near Baltimore, MD25 mi north
- Near Gaithersburg, MD28 mi northwest
- Near Herndon, VA35 mi west
- Near Easton, MD38 mi east
- Near Manassas, VA43 mi west
- Near Cambridge, MD45 mi southeast
Or see all Maryland state parks, Virginia 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.