State Parks Near Gaithersburg, Maryland
28 state park units lie within 50 miles of Gaithersburg, including 5 parks across the line in Virginia and Pennsylvania. The closest is Seneca Creek State Park, about 3 mi west of town. 3 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Seneca Creek State Park3 mi west
- Within 25 miles
- 3of 28 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 121 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 23pets allowed
State parks near Gaithersburg, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Gaithersburg; driving distance is usually longer.
Seneca Creek State Park
The official site lists about 50 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Seneca Creek 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 →Patapsco Valley State Park
Its trail network totals roughly 200 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Patapsco Valley State Park →Gambrill State Park
The official site lists about 16 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Gambrill State Park →Gathland State Park
Gathland State Park is a 4-acre park about 6 miles north of Brunswick.
Hours, fees and rules for Gathland State Park →Sweet Run State Park
The park supports horseback riding, hiking, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Sweet Run State Park →South Mountain Battlefield
In Frederick County, about 5 miles west of Middletown, South Mountain Battlefield covers about 161 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for South Mountain Battlefield →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 →Washington Monument State Park
Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites and group camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Washington Monument State Park →Cunningham Falls State Park
Cunningham Falls State Park is a park in Frederick County, about 3 miles southwest of Thurmont.
Hours, fees and rules for Cunningham Falls 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 →Greenbrier State Park
Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Greenbrier State Park →South Mountain State Park
Covering about 9,076 acres, South Mountain State Park lies in Washington County, about 9 miles northwest of Middletown.
Hours, fees and rules for South Mountain 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 →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 →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 →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 →Gunpowder Falls State Park
The official site lists about 120 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Gunpowder Falls State Park →Smallwood State Park
For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Smallwood 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 →Sky Meadows State Park
Visitors come for horseback riding, biking, hiking, and picnicking. The official site lists about 22 miles of trails. Camping is available: 15 campsites across 2 camping areas, including tent sites and group camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Sky Meadows 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 →Sandy Point State Park
Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Sandy Point 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 →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 →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 →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 →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Gaithersburg
- Patapsco Valley State Park 24 mi northeast · Campground listed
- Sweet Run State Park 30 mi west · Campground listed
- Washington Monument State Park 33 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Cunningham Falls State Park 34 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Mason Neck State Park 34 mi south · Campground listed
+ 7 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Gaithersburg
- Codorus State Park 47 mi north · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Gaithersburg
- Seneca Creek State Park 3 mi west · Pets allowed under park rules
- Patuxent River State Park 10 mi northeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Patapsco Valley State Park 24 mi northeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Gambrill State Park 28 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Gathland State Park 30 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
+ 18 more in the list above
Swimming near Gaithersburg
- Sandy Point State Park 44 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area
- Codorus State Park 47 mi north · Beach, pool or swim area
Hiking near Gaithersburg
- Sweet Run State Park 30 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- Mason Neck State Park 34 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- Leesylvania State Park 39 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- Sky Meadows State Park 43 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- Codorus State Park 47 mi north · Hiking trails listed
Fishing near Gaithersburg
- Codorus State Park 47 mi north · Fishing listed
Questions about state parks near Gaithersburg
What is the closest state park to Gaithersburg?
Seneca Creek State Park is the closest, about 3 miles west of Gaithersburg in a straight line. Next are Patuxent River State Park and Patapsco Valley State Park.
How many state parks are near Gaithersburg?
28 state park units are within 50 miles, and 3 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Gaithersburg have camping?
12 parks list camping, the nearest being Patapsco Valley State Park, Sweet Run State Park and Washington Monument State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Gaithersburg?
Yes, at 23 parks, including Seneca Creek State Park, Patuxent River State Park and Patapsco Valley State Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Gaithersburg?
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, MD16 mi southeast
- Near Herndon, VA16 mi southwest
- Near Frederick, MD23 mi northwest
- Near Alexandria, VA24 mi south
- Near Bowie, MD28 mi southeast
- Near Westminster, MD31 mi north
- Near Manassas, VA32 mi southwest
- Near Baltimore, MD33 mi east
Or see all Maryland state parks, Virginia state parks, Pennsylvania 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.