National parks in Maryland

Maryland's National Park Service units span the state's width, covering a diverse range of American history and landscape. In the west, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Catoctin Mountain Park provide terrain for hikers and campers. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park extends eastward along the Potomac. This park offers a corridor for families and cyclists, connecting to the Civil War era. That era is prominent in the state's central region. Antietam National Battlefield and Monocacy National Battlefield preserve two significant Civil War engagements. One is well-known; the other is less crowded. Moving east, the environment shifts. The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail trace colonial and founding-era narratives across the tidal Chesapeake. The state concludes at Assateague Island National Seashore, a barrier island offering opportunities for stargazing and quiet reflection. Maryland appeals to those seeking varied historical and environmental experiences.