Elk Neck State Park
Encyclopedia
Elk Neck State Park is a 2188 acres (8.85 km²) park in Cecil County, Maryland
. It is eight miles (13 km) south of the town of North East
on MD 272
, and is nearest to exit 100 on I-95
. The North East River
, Elk River
, and Chesapeake Bay
form the Elk Neck Peninsula
, on the southern tip of which the park rests. Deep forests, bluffs, beaches and marshlands are the primary natural features of the park's landscape.
house sits atop a 100 feet (30.5 m) bluff overlooking the Upper Chesapeake Bay
. The tower dates to 1833 and is opened for park visitors during some weekends.
Cecil County, Maryland
Cecil County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland. It is part of the Delaware Valley. It was named for Cæcilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore , who was the first Proprietary Governor of the colony of Maryland from 1632 until his death in 1675. The county seat is Elkton. The newspaper...
. It is eight miles (13 km) south of the town of North East
North East, Maryland
North East is a town in Cecil County, Maryland, United States. The population was 2,733 at the 2000 census.-History:The Turkey Point Light Station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002...
on MD 272
Maryland Route 272
Maryland Route 272 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. The state highway runs from Turkey Point within Elk Neck State Park north through North East to the Pennsylvania state line near Calvert, where the highway continues as Pennsylvania Route 272...
, and is nearest to exit 100 on I-95
Interstate 95 in Maryland
Interstate 95 in Maryland is a major highway that runs diagonally from northeast to southwest, from Maryland's border with Delaware, to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, briefly entering the District of Columbia before reaching Virginia...
. The North East River
North East River
The North East River is the northernmost arm of Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, the United States. Entirely tidal, it extends for from the town of North East, southwest past Charlestown to the main body of Chesapeake Bay between Carpenter Point and Red Point. The river is fed by North East Creek and...
, Elk River
Elk River (Maryland)
The Elk River is a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay on the Delmarva Peninsula. It is about long, and as the most northeastern extension of the Chesapeake Bay estuary, serves as one entrance to the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. It is located in Cecil County, Maryland, with its headwaters extending...
, and Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
form the Elk Neck Peninsula
Elk Neck Peninsula
Elk Neck Peninsula is in Cecil County, Maryland, between the towns of Elkton and North East, Maryland. The North East River, Elk River, and Chesapeake Bay form the Elk Neck Peninsula, on the southern tip of which the Elk Neck State Park rests. The point of the peninsula is known as Turkey Point,...
, on the southern tip of which the park rests. Deep forests, bluffs, beaches and marshlands are the primary natural features of the park's landscape.
Turkey Point Lighthouse
The 35 feet (10.7 m) Turkey Point LightTurkey Point Light
The Turkey Point Light is a historic lighthouse at the head of the Chesapeake Bay on the east coast of the United States. Though it appears a short tower, the 100 ft height of the bluffs on which it stands makes it the third highest light off the water in the bay...
house sits atop a 100 feet (30.5 m) bluff overlooking the Upper Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
. The tower dates to 1833 and is opened for park visitors during some weekends.
Campgrounds
Ten camping loops accommodate 258 campsites designed for tents, trailers, and motorhomes. The park also has nine Rustic cabins, seven Mini cabins, and six youth groups sites. Pets are restricted to designated areas.Hiking Trails
| Trail Name | Length | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| White Banks Trail | 3 miles (4.8 km) | Difficult |
| Mauldin Mountain Loop | 1.5 miles (2.4 km) | Difficult |
| Pond Loop | 1 miles (1.6 km) | Moderate |
| Farm Road Trail | 1 miles (1.6 km) | Moderate |
| Beaver Marsh Loop | 4 miles (6.4 km) | Difficult |
| Lighthouse Trail | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Easy |
| Ravines Loop | 0.75 miles (1.2 km) | Moderate |