Wildlife, beautiful scenery, and manicured gardens abound in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Agricultural History Farm Park
The Agricultural History Farm Park (AHFP) in Derwood is an early 20th-century farm on a 455-acre site with rolling hills, open fields, an apple orchard, and a variety of farm animals. The mission of AHFP is to preserve and interpret agricultural practices and lifestyles spanning the early 1700s through the late 1960s. The University of Maryland Extension Office is located on the property.
For more information, visit their website at https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/agricultural-history-farm-park/
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
The C&O Canal Park preserves a 184.5-mile historic waterway and towpath from Washington DC (Georgetown) to Cumberland, Maryland, offering extensive opportunities for hiking, biking, paddling, and exploring American transportation history, diverse nature, and Civil War sites, with amenities like lockhouse stays, visitor centers, and ranger programs. This linear park features over 1,000 historic structures, wildlife, and scenic beauty, with major access points in Maryland and DC.
Wildlife Photography Flourishes Along the C&O Canal
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Potomac residents Sam and Danielle Rosenthal discovered an unexpected opportunity along the C&O Canal. As life slowed and wildlife became more visible, the father-daughter duo took up photography, equipped with mirrorless cameras and zoom lenses to document abundant wildlife along the canal's towpath.
Stretching for miles along the Potomac River, the canal’s wooded corridors, quiet towpath, and open clearings create ideal habitat and excellent opportunities for wildlife photographers. Morning mist and evening light enhance images, whether capturing a majestic buck or newborn owlets learning to fly. Cooperative subjects, like a fox lounging on a fallen tree, offer particularly memorable shots.
Although the pandemic has subsided, Sam and Danielle's passion for wildlife photography remains strong. Years later, they remain dedicated to appreciating and documenting the rich natural world thriving along the canal. Visit https://FoggyglenPhotography.zenfoliosite.com
McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area
The McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on River Road, south of Poolesville, is managed by a division of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In total, 235 acres are managed by DNR's Wildlife and Heritage Service. McKee-Beshers WMA's 30 acres is the largest of Maryland's 20 WMA Dove Fields; It's the only WMA in Montgomery County.
DNR plants over 100 acres of sunflowers, primarily at McKee-Beshers, to provide food for mourning doves and other wildlife. Sunflowers and sunflower seeds are a favorite food source for a host of other songbirds, mammals, and pollinators. These large fields are planted in late April or early May and typically hit peak bloom in mid-July. This Wildlife Management Area is free for the public to visit, photograph, and enjoy.
Escape to Seneca Creek State Park
Just off I-270 in Gaithersburg, this 6,300-acre gem offers the perfect retreat from urban life. Established in 1958, Seneca Creek State Park sprawls along 14 miles of scenic waterway, delivering something for everyone.
Nature enthusiasts can explore the peaceful Lake Shore Trail, winding through old-growth forest with towering oaks; it's an easy 3-mile loop perfect for families. Water lovers enjoy kayak and canoe rentals during the summer months, plus fishing and boating opportunities. Active visitors tackle the 27-hole disc golf course or cycle miles of maintained trails.
The park shines with thoughtful amenities: abundant picnic areas with grills, playgrounds, restrooms, and ample parking. Maryland residents pay just $3 per person (free weekdays!). Dogs welcome.
Beyond summer recreation, don't miss the magical holiday light displays that transform the park each December. Whether you're seeking woodland solitude or family adventure, Seneca Creek delivers year-round.
For more information about McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area and Seneca Creek State Park, visit their website at https://www.dnr.maryland.gov or call 410-356-9272.
We are very fortunate to have so much wildlife and natural beauty in Montgomery County!
David Robert Lambert is an author and freelance writer who has lived in Potomac for over 35 years. When not writing or travelling the world with his wife, Deborah, he is a certified pickleball teaching professional at Dill Dinkers indoor pickleball club in North Bethesda, Maryland.