South Mountain State Park
Encyclopedia
South Mountain State Park is a state park in Washington
and Frederick
county, Maryland
. The park encompasses nearly the entire length of South Mountain
through Maryland and is contiguous with several other national, state and local parks on the mountain, including the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
, Gathland State Park
, Washington Monument State Park, Greenbrier State Park
and Pen Mar County Park (Washington County). 41 miles (66 km) of the Maryland section of the Appalachian Trail
traverses the length of the park. The park also contains part of the South Mountain Battlefield
. Camping is permitted at six shelters and three backpackers campgrounds off the AT.
Washington County, Maryland
Washington County is a county located in the western part of the U.S. state of Maryland, bordering southern Pennsylvania to the north, northern Virginia to the south, and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia to the south and west. As of the 2010 Census, its population is 147,430...
and Frederick
Frederick County, Maryland
Frederick County is a county located in the western part of the U.S. state of Maryland, bordering the southern border of Pennsylvania and the northeastern border of Virginia. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 233,385....
county, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. The park encompasses nearly the entire length of South Mountain
South Mountain (Maryland and Pennsylvania)
South Mountain is the northern extension of the Blue Ridge Mountain range in Maryland and Pennsylvania. From the Potomac River near Knoxville, Maryland in the south, to Dillsburg, Pennsylvania in the north, the long range separates the Hagerstown and Cumberland valleys from the Piedmont regions of...
through Maryland and is contiguous with several other national, state and local parks on the mountain, including the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park located in the District of Columbia and the states of Maryland and West Virginia. The park was established as a National Monument in 1961 by President Dwight D...
, Gathland State Park
Gathland State Park
Gathland State Park is a small state park located near Burkittsville, Maryland, in the United States. The park is composed of the remains of the estate of George Alfred Townsend , a correspondent during the American Civil War who wrote under the pen name "Gath"...
, Washington Monument State Park, Greenbrier State Park
Greenbrier State Park
Greenbrier State Park is a Maryland state park on South Mountain in Washington County.-External links:* - official site...
and Pen Mar County Park (Washington County). 41 miles (66 km) of the Maryland section of the Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the AT, is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is approximately long...
traverses the length of the park. The park also contains part of the South Mountain Battlefield
Battle of South Mountain
The Battle of South Mountain was fought September 14, 1862, as part of the Maryland Campaign of the American Civil War. Three pitched battles were fought for possession of three South Mountain passes: Crampton's, Turner's, and Fox's Gaps. Maj. Gen. George B...
. Camping is permitted at six shelters and three backpackers campgrounds off the AT.