4-30-2025 4:05am

WIN PRIZES

Maryland Park Service Launches ‘25 in 2025’ Adventure Challenge

Visitors to Maryland State Parks this year have a chance to win prizes such as a year-long admission pass and camping experiences by completing 25 parks-related challenges in 2025.

The Maryland Park Service 25 in 2025 Adventure Challenge encourages visitors to find and photograph special scenic and historic features in several state parks. Visitors can register for the challenge and submit their photos online for a chance to win prizes.

Anyone can participate; registration is only required for those entering the prize drawing. Register through www.shopdnr.com. Adventurers will need to pay entrance fees for any park they visit; the Park Service offers annual passes online at www.shopdnr.com.

This picture meets the requirements of the Let’s Go Fishing challenge, which asks adventurers to go fishing in a state park.

“Our ‘25 in 2025’ challenge is great for park explorers of all ages,” said Melissa Boyle Acuti, Chief of Interpretation for the Maryland Park Service. “Grab some friends, bring your whole family, or complete it solo – everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate. This challenge may even help you find one of our hidden gems!”

The 25 in 2025 challenge is designed to help Marylanders explore their vast state park system and visit public lands that are new to them. Participants should also consider visiting on a weekday or during the spring or the fall when parks are less busy.

There are more than 30 individual challenges to choose from, each broad enough to encompass multiple parks, so visitors can cater their trip to their needs. It is possible to complete the challenge in a few days with a few trips, or participants can head to a new park for each category and spend the whole year exploring with 25 in 2025 as their guide.

Individual challenges include history-based tasks such as finding and photographing part of a historic mill; name-related challenges such as visiting a park with a tree in its name; and nature-related challenges such as finding one of three iconic Maryland waterfalls. There are also challenges that can be completed at almost any state park.

This picture, which includes the walls of Fort Frederick, meets the requirements for the Tree Army challenge.

Details on each challenge are available on the 25 in 2025 webpage on dnr.maryland.gov, along with a printable checklist to keep track of challenges.

To log your adventure for a chance to win prizes, please complete the 25 in 2025 Adventure Tracking form, also found on dnr.maryland.gov.

New for 2025!

The Maryland State Parks “25 in 2025” Adventure Challenge is here! This program challenges you to get out to visit Maryland State Parks and complete at least 25 themed challenges- before November 15, 2025. Grab some friends, bring your whole family, or complete it solo- everyone is welcome (and encouraged) to participate! And don’t forget to bring your camera- that’s how you’ll “prove” that you completed each of these challenges. Once you’ve successfully completed all 25 challenges, you can be entered into the prize drawing!

Things to Know:

All information for this program is found online. There are no booklets, stamps or punches. You're not required to “register” to participate in the program, however you should sign up for our newsletter here to get more information, tips and ideas delivered right to your inbox!
If you want to be eligible to win prizes you have to
- When you register you'll get a six digit code. Keep that code, it is how you'll track your progress over the course of the year.
- When you've completed an adventure, go to the tracking form and submit your information and photo.
- Consider purchasing a Maryland Park Service Passport, they're $75 for residents and get you into all our state parks with your whole crew. (up to 10 people per vehicle) If you're a first responder you can get one for $35.
You do not necessarily need to visit 25 different parks to complete 25 challenges. It is entirely up to you to choose which parks you wish to visit and which challenges you want to take part in. We hope that you enjoy the thematic approach, which highlights important resources and unique features in our State Parks. Most cards have 3 to 6 different options to choose from to complete the challenge.
Employees of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and their immediate families are not eligible to enter.

What you'll need

You will need a camera to take a photo to show you completed the challenge, similar to a photo scavenger hunt. Here is a tracking sheet so you can check off the challenges you’ve completed and the places you've visited.

Things to keep in mind

Some parks are very busy during summer weekends and holidays and may fill to capacity, please be aware of this when planning your adventures.
Stay for a while! Make your reservations now to camp at a Maryland State Park or even stay in a cabin or yurt while you complete the “25 in 2025” Adventure Challenge! You can make a reservation by clicking here.
If you have questions about 25 in 2025 use this form to submit them, we'll be monitoring this all year and will get back to you as soon as we can.

Chasing Waterfalls

Maryland is home to several waterfalls, and some of our parks’ names directly reflect that! This challenge is to get out to find (and photograph) one of Maryland’s waterfalls:

Swallow Falls
Kilgore Falls (*remember to make a reservation if you are visiting between May 25 to Labor Day on Weekends and Holidays)
Cunningham Falls (*suggest avoiding on weekends or holidays during the summer)

Living on “Island Time”

Maryland has several State Parks that are Islands! Some can only be accessed by boat. This challenge invites you to enjoy some “island time” and visit one of these islands:

Assateague State Park
Wye Island NRMA
St. Clements Island State Park (access by water taxi only)
Hart-Miller Island (access only by private boat or by tour)
Janes Island State Park (island section of park accessible by boat or kayak/canoe)

Totally Trees

Did you know? Several of Maryland’s State Parks have names that refer to trees! This challenge asks you to find a State Park with a tree in its name and (safely) take a photo with the Park Entrance sign:

Light the Way

Long before google maps and Waze, even before mapquest and paper charts, lighthouses helped mariners find their way! Several Maryland State Parks are well known for their historic lighthouses. Find and take a photo with a historic lighthouse at one of these State Parks:

Point Lookout Light Station - Point Lookout State Park (*suggest avoiding on weekends or holidays during the summer)
Blackistone Lighthouse - St. Clements Island State Park (accessible by water taxi only)
Turkey Point Lighthouse - Elk Neck State Park
Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse - Sandy Point State Park (*Note: the lighthouse is outside of the park, but can be viewed from the park. Please do not try to go out to this lighthouse.)
Craighill Channel Lower Front Light (viewing) North Point State Park (*Note: the lighthouse are outside of the park, but can be viewed from the park. Please do not try to go out to the lighthouse.)

Lake Life

Did you know? Maryland has no naturally formed lakes- every lake in Maryland was constructed for one reason or another! And now many are popular destinations for outdoor recreation! Visit one (or more) of these State Park lakes and dip your toes in the waters of a Maryland State Park…pics or it didn’t happen:

Deep Creek Lake (DCL) - Celebrating DCL’s 100th this year!
Lake Habeeb (Rocky Gap)
Greenbrier Lake (Greenbrier)- *suggest avoiding on weekends or holidays during the summer
Hunting Creek Lake (Cunningham Falls)- *suggest avoiding on weekends or holidays during the summer
Lake Herrington (Herrington Manor)
New Germany Lake (New Germany)

FORE! Disc Golf Challenge

This game is played very much like the regular game of golf except for throwing a disc instead of hitting a ball with a club. The player's goal is to put the disc in the "hole" or basket in the fewest number of throws. If you can throw a Frisbee, you can play disc golf! Give it a try at one of these Maryland State Parks:

Tuckahoe - An 18-hole disc golf course is located in the Cherry Lane section of the park.
Seneca - The Clopper Day-Use Area is home to one of the best disc golf courses in the Mid-Atlantic, with 32 acres and 27 holes (three nine-hole circuits). Disc Golf
Patapsco Valley - McKeldin Area McKeldin has a nationally-known 18-hole disc golf course, which provides for challenging play for disc golfers no matter their skill level. Disc Golfhttps://youtu.be/xxI3k9YaHmw?si=Ul_WdcBstqGK3c3N

What a View!

Take the “Observation Tower Challenge” and soak in the sights and sounds from high. Take a photo from the view from the top, or a photo with the tower from ground level!

Merkle NRMA - A 40 foot observation tower at Merkle Natural Resources Management Area provides a spectacular overlook of the Patuxent River.
Janes Island State Park - A 24-foot-high observation platform located adjacent to the nature center provides a great view overlooking the saltmarshes on Janes Island.
Washington Monument - The Washington Monument is a rugged 30-foot stone tower that was initially erected by the citizens of Boonsboro in 1827, atop South Mountain. It was restored in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

The Name Game!

Each of these park names are also names of a famous historical figure! Try to find a picture of the historical figure at the park and take your photo with them to complete this challenge! If you can’t find a picture, you may substitute a plaque, statue or monument in their name to complete the challenge.

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park (Harriet Tubman)
Smallwood State Park (General William Smallwood)
Chapman State Park (Chapman Family, including Nathaniel Chapman and Pearson Chapman)
Merkle NRMA (Edgar Merkle)
Martinak State Park (George Martinak)
Dans Mountain (Daniel Cresap)
Washington Monument State Park (George Washington)

The Tree Army:

Did you know? Roosevelt's “Tree Army”, or the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), were responsible for creating some of what are now Maryland State Parks. Find out more about the role of the 3-C’s at these Maryland State Parks and take your photo with something related to the CCC.

New Germany (Recreation Hall, cabins, lake and gazebo)
Herrington Manor (most cabins and lake)
Gambrill (Iron Mike statue, overlooks, outside of Tea Room, CCC exhibit inside Nature Center)
Ft. Frederick (CCC Museum, blacksmith shop and fort walls)
Cedarville (Charcoal Kiln)
Patapsco Valley - Avalon Area (Shelters 66, 1, and 10 and wayside sign)
Washington Monument (museum open based on volunteer availability)

Geology ROCKS!

Several of Maryland’s State Parks are best known for their unique geological features. Take a moment to channel your inner geologist and go visit one of these “rocking” parks. Pick a spot that highlights some of the best geologic features and take a pic there!

Soldiers Delight NRMA (Serpentine Barrens/ Chromite Mine)
Calvert Cliffs State Park (Cliffs & Fossils)
Rocks State Park (Rock Outcropping- King & Queen Seat)
South Mountain State Park (Scenic overlooks at Weaverton Cliffs, Annapolis Rocks, and High Rock afford amazing views of the landscape)
Gunpowder Falls State Park (“Pot Rocks Area”- Kingsville Rt. 1 Parking Lot walk downstream)
Wolf Den Run - Huckleberry Rocks Area

Big Tree Champions!

Go big or go home- did you know that several Maryland State Parks are home to some of the largest trees in Maryland, known as the Maryland State Champion Trees? Get out there and find one…and maybe give it a hug? Thank it for all it has done over the years- from producing oxygen and removing pollutants from the air to preventing erosion and absorbing excess nutrients. Then take your photo with it to show us which tree you visited! Be sure to include the distinct bark or leaves (or even a sign or plaque) so we know how you identified it as a Champion Tree!

Maryland State Champion Trees

Big Tree Champions of Maryland

Susquehanna State Park - Yellow Poplar (Tulip Tree), White Oak, Black Walnut, Yellow Buckeye & River Birch (Stepping Stone Map of Big Trees- Self-Guide)
Fair Hill NRMA - Northern Red Oak & Pendant Linden
Patuxent River State Park - Butternut
Rocks State Park - Bigtooth Aspen & Common Witchhazel

Home Sweet Home: Historic Homes (Southern MD & Eastern Shore Edition):

Knock, knock… even if no one is home, you are free to look around the outside of these historic homes and learn a bit about those who lived here before it became a state park. Make sure you get a great photo with the historic house!

Pier Pressure?

Hope you don’t feel too much "pier pressure” with this challenge to get out and find a pier at one of these Maryland State Parks. Take in that view or go fishing, just make sure you get a great photo, too!

Point Lookout State Park (Fishing Pier on the Chesapeake Bay)
Crystal Pier (North Point State Park)
Bill Burton Fishing Pier (Note: Pier is currently closed). The first 270ft of the Dorchester Pier is open to the Dorchester County Visitor Center at Sailwinds Park
Greenwell State Park (Fishing Pier on the Patuxent River)

The Great Loop:

Are you ready to take a hike… in a circle? The great part about a “loop trail” is that you arrive back where you started but don’t have to retrace your steps! Check out one of these fabulous state park loops- be sure to check the distance of the hike before you get started, and come prepared with proper footwear and snacks/water! Be sure to get your photo with a “loop” trail sign during your hike!

Perimeter Trail - 9.75 miles (Rosaryville)

Lonacona Loop - 4.5 miles (Dans Mountain State Park)

Trail of Change Nature Trail - 0.75 miles (Pocomoke River State Park)

Fun Fact! Almost all of the trails at Cedarville and Gambrill are loops, but here are two of our favorites!

Born to Run!

Don’t walk, but RUN on over to one of these parks with “run” in their name! This challenge asks you to find a State Park with a run in its name and (safely) take a photo with the Park Entrance sign, or with the “run” it was named for. Good luck!

Paddler’s Paradise!
(Eastern Shore Edition)

Let’s make a splash this summer and hit one of Maryland’s State Parks’ Water Trails! Bring your own kayak or canoe or rent one from the park for a memorable day on the water! Be sure to check the weather ahead of time and have proper safety equipment for this adventure! Paddling pics or it didn’t happen…

Janes Island State Park - rentals available, weather dependent, call beforehand
Pocomoke River State Park - rentals on weekends only, call beforehand
Assateague State Park - (Bayside guided kayak tours available 930am-1130am on Tuesdays and Thursdays from mid June to late August; $15 per person, must be 12 years+. Sorry, no rentals available at this time)

Schoolhouse(s) Rock!

Are you too cool for school? We hope not! Stop by and visit one of these State Park Schoolhouses and get your own “class photo” or “back to school” pic for this challenge. None actually operate as schools, so you won’t have to worry about being late for class!

New Germany (*access to the interior only available by request)
Dye Schoolhouse at Dans Mountain (*only the foundation remains)
Seneca Schoolhouse in Seneca Creek
Williams Schoolhouse at Fort Frederick
Fair Hill (*access to the interior only available by request)
“Little House” at Wye Oak State Park

Run-of- the- Mill?

We certainly don’t think any of the mills found in Maryland State Parks are “run-of the-mill”, but you tell us what you think once you’ve visited one! Don’t forget to take a picture with something that helped to “run-the-mill”!

Let’s Get to the Point!

For this challenge you’ll need to get to the point! Head over to one of these State Parks- many are actually peninsulas- and (safely) take a photo pointing to the Park Entrance sign (or substitute another sign with the word “point”).

Home Sweet Home: Historic Homes (Central Maryland):

Knock, knock… even if no one is home, you are free to look around the outside of these historic homes and learn more about those who lived here before it became a state park. Make sure you get a great photo with the historic house!

The Bridges of MD State Parks

Some of our State Parks are easily identified by the unique and iconic bridges found there! Head over to one of these parks to get your photo posing with the bridge (yoga bridge pose not necessary!):

Thomas Viaduct (Patapsco Valley)
The Thomas Viaduct was completed in 1835 and is the world's largest multiple arched stone railroad bridge with an arc!
Casselman River Bridge Note: bridge itself is currently closed for repairs. Call the park office at 301-895-5453 to receive an update on construction status and park accessibility.
Jerico Covered Bridge (Gunpowder Falls)
Foxcatcher Covered Bridge (Fair Hill)
William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial (Chesapeake Bay) Bridge

Rails to Trails

Chooo-Chooo! Did you know that some of the most popular trails in our state, once were railroads that moved goods across Maryland and beyond? While you can no longer ride a train here, these “Rail Trails” are perfect for hiking and biking! Check out one and get a pic with something that illustrates a railroad was once located there. Be creative!

Check out the Trail Options!

PICK-a-PARK Activities:

Let's Go Fishing:
Are you ready to go fishing at your favorite state park, but not sure how to start? Pick a park, grab a rod and reel and make sure you get pics- it doesn’t matter if you catch a fish or not, just have some fun trying! Here are a few tips:

Take advantage of the “Free Fishing Days”, where a Fishing License is NOT required in the State of Maryland on June 7, June 14 and July 4, 2025. Otherwise, if you are 16 years old or above, be sure to purchase a Fishing License. More information about purchasing a fishing license.
Need a rod and reel? You can borrow gear from the “Tackle Loaner Program” at these locations.
Find all of the details about Fishing in Maryland in the Fishing Guide.

PICK-a-PARK Activities:

Lend A Hand! (Volunteer at a Maryland State Park)
Join our team and volunteer at any State Park! Pick a park and lend a hand- participate in a clean-up, tree-planting, invasive species removal or other park project. Take a “before” and “after” photo with the volunteer project you participated in.

PICK-a-PARK:

Calling all BARK Rangers!
Does your pup have what it takes to be a BARK Ranger? Pick a state park and then show us that your furry friend knows the four principles to being a BARK Ranger. Be sure to get a good pic of your Bark Ranger on duty!

Bag your pet’s waste
Always leash your pet
Respect wildlife
Know where you can go

KIDS CHOICE AWARD:

Playground-paloza!
Kids! This one is just for you (but you should still bring a grown-up along)! Find your favorite State Park playground and show us why you think it is the BEST! Is it a nature play-space? Or is there a giant butterfly? Or is it made from recycled materials? The State Park that gets the most photo entries will receive a sign indicating they won the Kids Choice Award for the “25 in 2025” Adventure Challenge!

BONUS ACTIVITIES:

We LOVE Maryland State Parks! (Sticker Design Contest)
Show us some LOVE - Do you love Maryland State Parks? Design a sticker or bumper sticker to help us celebrate Maryland State Parks!! Your design may be used for future promotions, if we love it!
Events & Adventures (Spring Version- April/ May, before Memorial Day Weekend)
Ready to get out and explore even more? If so, visit a Maryland State Park for one of these Spring Signature Events. Be sure to snap a pic to show us which one of the events you enjoyed at a Maryland State Park this Spring!
- Colonial Market Fair – Fort Frederick State Park, April 24-27
- Mountain Maryland Native Plant Festival - at New Germany State Park, May 10
- Peony Garden Tours - Seneca Creek State Park, every Sunday in May from 2-3 p.m.