Green Ridge State Forest

Home , Polish Mountain, Town Hill

place a new cache at Green Ridge State Forest. State Ridge Green at cache new a place

WESTERN REGION WESTERN

forest headquarters to apply for permission to to permission for apply to headquarters forest

be found at geocaching.com. Please contact the the contact Please geocaching.com. at found be

Information on caches located at Green Ridge can can Ridge Green at located caches on Information

State Forest. State

Overlooks with great views great with Overlooks

dozen approved official caches within Green Ridge Ridge Green within caches official approved dozen SIGHTSEEING

containers called “caches.” There are nearly two two nearly are There “caches.” called containers

other navigational techniques to “hide-and-seek” “hide-and-seek” to techniques navigational other Throughout the forest the Throughout

PICNICKING

This outdoor treasure-hunting game uses GPS and and GPS uses game treasure-hunting outdoor This

Along the Potomac River Potomac the Along PADDLING

Department photo Department

And shooting range shooting And

HUNTING Natural Resources Police patrol during periods of high use. high of periods during patrol Police Resources Natural

information boards. Forest Service personnel and Range Safety Officers staff the ranges, and the Maryland Maryland the and ranges, the staff Officers Safety Range and personnel Service Forest boards. information

Primitive accommodations Primitive

Permits are required at all times. Rules and regulations are listed on all applications and are posted on posted are and applications all on listed are regulations and Rules times. all at required are Permits

HORSEBACK RIDING HORSEBACK

hunting safety courses. Please contact forest headquarters for fees and rules. and fees for headquarters forest contact Please courses. safety hunting ATTRACTIONS

forest headquarters. The range may be reserved by law enforcement or other agencies to conduct training or or training conduct to agencies other or enforcement law by reserved be may range The headquarters. forest 50 miles of trails of miles 50

HIKING sportsmen. It is a facility which visitors may use by registering for a daily or annual permit—available only at at only permit—available annual or daily a for registering by use may visitors which facility a is It sportsmen.

The shooting range was developed through the collection of hunting license fees and established to benefit benefit to established and fees license hunting of collection the through developed was range shooting The

At streams, ponds, and river and ponds, streams, At

SHOOTING RANGE SHOOTING FISHING

Lens Creek Studios Lens Creek

Primitive accommodations Primitive

CAMPING

hunting activities. hunting

except for for except

On select trails select On

whenever and wherever possible. wherever and whenever are required required are

BIKING

staff members are prepared to assist to prepared are members staff control. Leashes Leashes control.

Recognizing the non-uniformity of disabilities, of non-uniformity the Recognizing reasonable reasonable

to be aware of the needs of a diverse public. public. diverse a of needs the of aware be to kept under under kept photo Department

Hours of Operation: sunrise to sunset to sunrise Operation: of Hours

all citizens and visitors. Staff members are trained trained are members Staff visitors. and citizens all Pets must be be must Pets

state’s natural resources are accessible to to accessible are resources natural state’s State Forest. Forest. State photo Department OF NATURAL RESOURCES NATURAL OF

MARYLAND DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT MARYLAND Resources works to ensure that the that ensure to works Resources at Green Ridge Ridge Green at Class 1 (9 miles—3 hours) miles—3 (9 1 Class

camera and binoculars! and camera

The Maryland Department of Natural Natural of Department Maryland The Pets are allowed allowed are Pets

Bond’s Landing to Fifteen Mile Creek Mile Fifteen to Landing Bond’s

STATE FOREST STATE

Mountain. Be sure to bring your your bring to sure Be Mountain.

BRING THE DOG THE BRING ALL FOR ACCESS

GREEN RIDGE RIDGE GREEN

Class 1 (12 miles—5 hours) miles—5 (12 1 Class

MARYLAND DNR MARYLAND Town Creek Basin, and Warrior Warrior and Basin, Creek Town

Paw Paw, WV to Bond’s Landing Bond’s to WV Paw, Paw spectacular view of Flintstone, the the Flintstone, of view spectacular

Department photo Department boat ramp. boat State Forest manager. It offers a a offers It manager. Forest State

unpredictable. Bond’s Landing has campsites and a a and campsites has Landing Bond’s unpredictable. named after a former Green Ridge Ridge Green former a after named Studios Lens Creek

river is mostly flat, but currents can be strong and and strong be can currents but flat, mostly is river “Champ” Zumbrun Overlook, is is Overlook, Zumbrun “Champ”

knowledge, and equipment for a safe and environmentally sensitive visit. sensitive environmentally and safe a for equipment and knowledge,

miles per hour during normal conditions. The The conditions. normal during hour per miles One of the overlooks, the Francis Francis the overlooks, the of One

and sturdy boots. Visitors are responsible for having the necessary skills, skills, necessary the having for responsible are Visitors boots. sturdy and Green Ridge State Forest

after severe drought. Average speed is about 1.5 1.5 about is speed Average drought. severe after

overlooks throughout Green Ridge! Ridge! Green throughout overlooks 28700 Headquarters Drive, NE and mosquitos, trail users and hunters should wear long pants, socks, socks, pants, long wear should hunters and users trail mosquitos, and

The Potomac River is accessible year-round except except year-round accessible is River Potomac The

Enjoy breathtaking views at seven seven at views breathtaking Enjoy Flintstone, MD 21530-9525 Department photo Department

With rocky and slippery trail surfaces, and biting critters such as ticks ticks as such critters biting and surfaces, trail slippery and rocky With (301) 478-3124

PADDLING SIGHTSEEING SAFETY

developed horse camping sites. camping horse developed

western Maryland to the port of Georgetown. of port the to Maryland western EMERGENCY AND 24-HOUR CONTACT INFORMATION

these are not not are these

. maryland/hunting

1924 as a transportation route, hauling coal from from coal hauling route, transportation a as 1924 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE 911

horses —although

eregulations.com/

canal’s towpath. The canal operated from 1828– from operated canal The towpath. canal’s FOR FOREST INFORMATION OR

camp with their their with camp ASSISTANCE CALL THE FOREST 301-478-3124

information at information

biking, hiking, and horseback riding along the the along riding horseback and hiking, biking, RANGER

riders who wish to to wish who riders

Guide for more more for Guide

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, offering 30 miles of of miles 30 offering Canal, Ohio & Chesapeake photo Department Department photo Department FOR 24-HOUR ASSISTANCE OR TO 410-260-8888

recommended for for recommended REPORT A VIOLATION CALL THE OR

Hunting and Trapping Trapping and Hunting

Green Ridge State Forest borders the historic historic the borders Forest State Ridge Green NATURAL RESOURCES POLICE 301-478-3140 campsites that are are that campsites to enjoy the beautiful overlooks. beautiful the enjoy to

Refer to the Maryland the to Refer

C&O CANAL NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK HISTORIC NATIONAL CANAL C&O

are two primitive primitive two are

paddling. Or, take the scenic driving tour tour driving scenic the take Or, paddling.

during all legal seasons. seasons. legal all during

increasing habitat diversity in the forest in perpetuity. in forest the in diversity habitat increasing

the forest. There There forest. the

valid license and is allowed is and license valid

access to the Potomac River for fishing and and fishing for River Potomac the to access The Natural Resources Police (NRP) is

wood products industry and support the local economy, while while economy, local the support and industry products wood MARYLAND DNR

public roads within within roads public the primary law enforcement agency for

deer. Hunting requires a a requires Hunting deer.

backpacking, and hunting. There’s easy easy There’s hunting. and backpacking,

It covers approximately 45 miles and takes about three hours to complete. to hours three about takes and miles 45 approximately covers It Maryland State Parks and Forests.

annually from the remaining 60 percent to contribute to the the to contribute to percent 60 remaining the from annually

permitted only on on only permitted

turkey, and white-tailed white-tailed and turkey,

self-guided driving tour to find them. The tour begins and ends at forest headquarters. forest at ends and begins tour The them. find to tour driving self-guided forest provides 50 miles of trails for hiking, hiking, for trails of miles 50 provides forest

functions. Approximately 150–200 acres of timber are harvested harvested are timber of acres 150–200 Approximately functions. Horseback riding is is riding Horseback

Game species include dove, quail, rabbit, squirrel, squirrel, rabbit, quail, dove, include species Game

enjoy beautiful views, but also learn forest management practices along the way. Use our Use way. the along practices management forest learn also but views, beautiful enjoy

Resources Forest Service, this working working this Service, Forest Resources

of the forest is managed to preserve and enhance rare ecological ecological rare enhance and preserve to managed is forest the of

HORSEBACK RIDING HORSEBACK HUNTING

Enjoy Green Ridge State Forest from a different perspective—by car! You’ll not only not You’ll car! perspective—by different a from Forest State Ridge Green Enjoy

by the Maryland Department of Natural Natural of Department Maryland the by 110-year-old even-aged mixed oak forest. Roughly 40 percent 40 Roughly forest. oak mixed even-aged 110-year-old

of recreational opportunities. Managed Managed opportunities. recreational of Today, Green Ridge is a diverse forest, consisting primarily of a a of primarily consisting forest, diverse a is Ridge Green Today,

Green Ridge offers more than 47,000 acres acres 47,000 than more offers Ridge Green

As one of Maryland’s largest state forests, forests, state largest Maryland’s of one As

home to Green Ridge Youth Camp. Youth Ridge Green to home Maryland Forest Service

1955, the former camp site became site camp former the 1955, 580 Taylor Ave., E1

ABOUT GREEN RIDGE GREEN ABOUT Annapolis, MD 21401

mainly performed agricultural work. In In work. agricultural performed mainly 877-620-8DNR

Department photo Department dnr.maryland.gov

camp at Fifteen Mile Creek housed German prisoners of war, who who war, of prisoners German housed Creek Mile Fifteen at camp

for its future timber and wildlife potential. During World War II, the the II, War World During potential. wildlife and timber future its for

Lens Creek Studios Lens Creek forest existing of management the and enhancements, recreation SCENIC DRIVING TOUR DRIVING SCENIC

focus was fire control. Other work consisted of building roads, trails, trails, roads, building of consisted work Other control. fire was focus

Department photo Department main Their Forest. State Ridge Green at located were camps Three

performed during the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Corps. Conservation Civilian the by 1930s the during performed

. eregulations.com/maryland/fishing The facilities and services of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources are available

7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors Other of Considerate Be 7. to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin

Department photo Department was Ridge Green at management forest earliest the of Some Maryland Fishing Guide for more information at at information more for Guide Fishing Maryland 6. Respect Wildlife Respect 6. or mental disability. This document is available in alternative format upon request from a

qualified individual with a disability. for details. for map the (other side) (other

Fishing requires a valid license. Refer to the the to Refer license. valid a requires Fishing 5. Minimize Campfire Impacts Campfire Minimize 5.

during hunting seasons. See Trail Descriptions on on Descriptions Trail See seasons. hunting during

4. Leave What You Find You What Leave 4.

delayed harvest trout fishing program. fishing trout harvest delayed

It’s recommended that visitors wear blaze orange orange blaze wear visitors that recommended It’s

3. Dispose of Waste Properly Waste of Dispose 3. the land in 1931. 1931. in land the Town Creek also offers a special management management special a offers also Creek Town

or stream crossings. stream or 2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces Durable on Camp and Travel 2.

Forestry acquired Forestry

White Sulphur and Orchard ponds during spring. spring. during ponds Orchard and Sulphur White Plan your outdoor adventure online!

can be very rugged—many trails have steep climbs climbs steep have trails rugged—many very be can

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare and Ahead Plan 1. on Fifteen Mile Creek, Sidling Hill Creek, and and Creek, Hill Sidling Creek, Mile Fifteen on Department of of Department

experiences. The trail system varies in terrain and and terrain in varies system trail The experiences.

Practice Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics: Outdoor Trace No Leave Practice

and sunfish. Put-and-take trout fishing is popular popular is fishing trout Put-and-take sunfish. and and the Maryland Maryland the and DNR.MARYLAND.GOV

available for day hikes or multi-day backpacking backpacking multi-day or hikes day for available [email protected]

The Potomac River has bass, catfish, muskellunge, muskellunge, catfish, bass, has River Potomac The went bankrupt, bankrupt, went LEAVE NO TRACE NO LEAVE

Green Ridge has over 50 miles of hiking trails trails hiking of miles 50 over has Ridge Green

Fishing opportunities abound at Green Ridge! Ridge! Green at abound opportunities Fishing

orchard in the universe.” By 1918, the orchard company company orchard the 1918, By universe.” the in orchard Campsites are first-come, first-serve. Register at forest headquarters

HIKING FISHING

apple orchards and promote it as the “largest apple apple “largest the as it promote and orchards apple upon arrival. For groups of 20 or more, reserved camping is available

an elaborate business venture: convert the forest into into forest the convert venture: business elaborate an for group sites by calling forest headquarters at 301-478-3124.

after exposure to a blaze. a to exposure after After their father’s death, Merten’s sons developed developed sons Merten’s death, father’s their After Directions

open up to disperse the seeds only seeds the disperse to up open From Washington, D.C./Baltimore:

ability to reproduce—the cones usually usually cones reproduce—the to ability

apply. other trails. other

size, from Carroll family heirs. family Carroll from size, Take I-70 West to I-68 West. Take Exit #64 (M.V. Smith Road).

against. Fire also necessitates the pines’ pines’ the necessitates also Fire against.

Permit and fees fees and Permit not permitted on on permitted not

and acquired a large tract of land, over 30,000 acres in in acres 30,000 over land, of tract large a acquired and Make a right onto M.V. Smith Road. Headquarters Drive is on

hardwood species they normally compete compete normally they species hardwood

within the forest. forest. the within

Mountain bikes are are bikes Mountain the right after crossing I-68. (Travel time approximately 2 hours) Ohio Canal. By the 1870s, Mertens became very wealthy wealthy very became Mertens 1870s, the By Canal. Ohio

survive while limiting the growth of the the of growth the limiting while survive

is also permitted permitted also is considered difficult. difficult. considered

in the mid-1800s to build boats on the new Chesapeake & & Chesapeake new the on boats build to mid-1800s the in

spread through the forest, these trees trees these forest, the through spread From Pittsburgh: backpack camping camping backpack 12 miles long and and long miles 12

Frederick Mertens came to Cumberland from Germany from Cumberland to came Mertens Frederick Take I-79 South to I-68 East. Take Exit #64 (M.V. Smith Road). survive wildfires. When natural fires fires natural When wildfires. survive

Backcountry Backcountry

It is approximately approximately is It Make a right onto M.V. Smith Road. Headquarters Drive is

pitch pines are structurally adapted to to adapted structurally are pines pitch

to occupation. occupation. to

stream crossings. crossings. stream photo Department immediately on the right. (Travel time approximately 3 hours) the only known surviving structure. surviving known only the

the ability to re-sprout at the trunk, trunk, the at re-sprout to ability the

Register for campsites at forest headquarters prior prior headquarters forest at campsites for Register and inclines, steep descents, fast trees, fallen

Chimney, part of a steam saw mill built in 1836, is 1836, in built mill saw steam a of part Chimney,

With exceptionally thick bark and and bark thick exceptionally With

forest. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. ring. fire and table picnic a has site Each forest. including terrain, of variety a includes and traffic

of present-day Green Ridge State Forest. The Carroll Carroll The Forest. State Ridge Green present-day of

ECOSYSTEM

designated campsites dispersed throughout the the throughout dispersed campsites designated foot to open also is Trail Bike Mountain The Trail.

signer of the Declaration of Independence, owned most most owned Independence, of Declaration the of signer

but not at Green Ridge! There are 100 primitive primitive 100 are There Ridge! Green at not but Bike Mountain designated the as well as roads,

DEPENDENT In the early 1800s, Charles Carroll, the last surviving surviving last the Carroll, Charles 1800s, early the In

Mountain biking is permitted on all open forest forest open all on permitted is biking Mountain Primitive camping has become a rare opportunity, opportunity, rare a become has camping Primitive photo Department

A FIRE- A CAMPING BIKING HISTORY Lens Creek Studios Lens Creek Department photo Department 11/2017 Publication #DNR 02-070617-6

OR 911 301-478-3124 410-260-8888 301-478-3140

EMERGENCY AND 24-HOUR CONTACT INFORMATION AND 24-HOUR CONTACT EMERGENCY E ASSISTANC EMERGENCY OR INFORMATION FOR FOREST THE FOREST CALL ASSISTANCE RANGER TO OR ASSISTANCE FOR 24-HOUR THE CALL VIOLATION A REPORT RESOURCES POLICE NATURAL TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS TRAIL

Pine Lick Trail (blue blazes) 6 miles—moderate valley stream the and hike footbridge, on a Mile Creek Fifteen Cross in the 1760s, the line Line. Surveyed Mason-Dixon the historic north to families. This Penn and Calvert the between land disputes helped settle water. with seasonally-flowing crossings stream includes numerous trail Trail Scenic Overlook (paved walkway) 50 yards—easy and ends headquarters the forest leaves This short accessible trail Ridge Hill and Green of Town views with impressive an overlook at with you! and lunch camera Bring your ridges. mountain Trail Oaks Twin (pink blazes) 2 miles—moderate 1800s, this schoolhouse used in the late a one-room Named for oak stands, such as mature ecosystems, diverse through travels trail point starting your to Return and pine plantations. clearings, wildlife circuit. a four-mile create to via the Pine Lick Trail C&O Canal Towpath C&O border—easy along the forest 30 miles the C&O Canal, history, early transportation America’s Preserving Today, years. for nearly 100 communities for a lifeline was the canal historic, for discovering path is a multi-use towpath the 184.5-mile treasures! and recreational natural, Run Trail Deep Run/Big (green blazes) 7 miles—moderate flora of unique protection for wildland designated state through Passes 36 inches— state—just in the is lowest precipitation Annual and fauna. prickly like plants Uncommon habitats. of desert-like pockets creating here. found are clover mountain and Kate’s blazing star, large pear cactus, Trail Eastern Great blazes) (yellow 9.5 miles—moderate for York New to Alabama from stretches Trail Eastern The Great and will in the east adventure a new hikers 1,600 miles. This gives Trail. Appalachian on the much-loved pressure alleviate hopefully Trail Log Roll (orange blazes) 4.5 miles—moderate hills nearby from 1880s timber boom, logs dragged During the late begins with the C&O Canal, this trail From Creek. Town into rolled were of the Town view and ends with a breathtaking crossings stream several to the right, Virginia; West in are the left to mountains The valley. Creek miles five north about the canal follow circuit, a longer For Pennsylvania. Trail. Long Pond reach and 20 miles to Tunnel Paw the Paw to Trail Long Pond 9 miles—difficult (red blazes) the C&O Canal near Lock 58, while hiking along to a scenic route Take to the home are woods lining the creek The dense Mile Creek. Fifteen times Peak viewing and wild ginger. cancer-root peculiar one-flowered, view. with a spectacular you a climb will reward Plus, in early May. are Trail Bike Mountain 12-mile circuit—difficult (pink blazes) in mind, but is bikers has been designed with mountain This trail challenged are riders and advanced hiking. Intermediate also open to steep trees, fallen crossings, including stream of terrain, a variety by at the available is campsite A primitive descents. inclines, and fast biking ring. Mountain and fire a picnic table including trailhead, roads. forest on all is also permitted

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Maryland d

R E N d k Maryland R d e y R e e r ll e ll C a i d V sv e R k n il s c i n a lb a l Ol M E d Cum e B berl n rl an e d e O R 4 d ft h i t F E r N 5 o d E N Exit 56 R e N g d d 6 Double R i 3 d T e R Pine Rd r R e g d y d 7 id R r n a B Go a s R y Pike Exit 72 D l u l r r 8 e ona e e R n l Nati d e p b e i m r h u 23 9 G S t C s ld e Exit 68 O 10 W

2 d R 21 22 e g 11 Belle Grove d Fintston 15 Green Ridge i G 14 R il pi 12 WMA e d n d d Rd 20 R i R v 13 r i

k 16 d e D

e R w d R e o O r n T C a r m le r n m M a a w t Polish Mountain ou n F u nt s y d o o a R d

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Green Ridge State Forest P

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40 d Y r y

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74 a Aqueduct 84 a

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38 ift m e T 33 en Mile Creek r w 48 46 39 e ig 73 G g 72

d ig d 71 H k R ans 56 ree 35 34 dtow Orle Rd n C 70 Ol n Tow G2 Deep Run 47 Wildland Potomac Bends Indigo Neck 140 49 Wildland Point Lookout 57

69 Devil's Alley Little Orleans and Warrior Mountain 58 Fifteen Mile Creek Aqueduct Overlook Maple Run Wildland 68 87 Town Hill G6 Lo w er 88 T o Ja 67 59 w cobs n Rd

r 52 89 e 50 e

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Green Ridge u O 61 K 65 as eca mp 99 To Rd wn Cr eek Stickpile Hill 90 d R 150 60 r Delayed e 66 n g Harvest Log Roll a M 92 94 98 Area Overlook 96 W a n ifo 93 rd 91 95 R 97 d Sorrel Ridge K irk Rd M d alc 62 R om R k d Fraction e d e R d r R Locks 63 1⁄3 e C s g n n a d Bond’s Landing i le w R r o O T n n e w 64 2⁄3 r Oldto

e e r w o G L 66

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MAP KEY

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m Accessible Hunting Area D Fishing - Stocked Area Mountain Bike Trail

R d Adirondack Shelter Food Overlook Boat Launch Fuel Parking Paw Paw Camping - Canoes Hiking Trail Ranger Station Purslane G orm Run G1 Camping - Groups Horseback Riding Restrooms an Rd Camping - Hiker/Biker Ice Road - Gated 67 66 Camping - Numbered Sites Information Picnic Area c River Not oma Town Creek Interpretive Trail Point of Interest Pot Aqueduct Cemetery Firewood Lodging Shooting Range 160 outh Branc S h Po to m C&O Canal NHP Sites a West Virginia c

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