Patuxent River State Park

About Patuxent River State Park

Part of the Maryland Park Service mission is to promote the management of natural and cultural resources to ensure the continuing benefits for present and future generations, and farming is an important component of that. Agriculture is one of the central themes in Maryland’s rich and complex history and remains an important part of our state’s culture. It helps maintain wide open spaces and provide pastoral views that have remained unchanged despite surrounding development. Agricultural land use can also provide important food for wildlife and provide locally sourced food for nearby communities. In areas of Patuxent River where agriculture can coexist with passive recreation, the Maryland Park Service leases out lands that contain prime agricultural soils and have a history of being farmed to interested farmers for short-term agricultural use. Are you interested in farming at Patuxent River? See the list below for agricultural lands out for bid: Located in Howard and Montgomery counties, along the upper 12 miles of the Patuxent River, the park is comprised of 6,700 acres of natural areas and farmlands. A portion of the park is a state wildlands area. Recreational use is primarily hunting, fishing, hiking and horseback riding. The park includes a catch and release trout stream, designated hunting areas and unmarked hiking and equestrian trails. Note: The Maryland Park Service does not rent horses, and only provides the trails as a means of recreation.

Find your way.

This point represents park land, and may not be a public entrance. Follow official entrance directions.

Read before you roam.

Sources & verification

Park facts and notices are checked separately. Missing facility information does not mean a facility is absent. Official visitor page checked Oct 15, 2026.

• Maryland state park directory · Oct 15, 2026
• Maryland DNR lands · Oct 15, 2026

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