Elk Neck State Park
| Elk Neck State Park, Maryland, USA | |
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IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
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| Location | Cecil County, Maryland, USA |
| Nearest city | North East, Maryland |
| Coordinates | 39°28′59″N 75°58′46″W / 39.48306°N 75.97944°WCoordinates: 39°28′59″N 75°58′46″W / 39.48306°N 75.97944°W |
| Area | 2,188 acres (8.85 km2) |
| Governing body | Maryland Department of Natural Resources |
Elk Neck State Park is a 2,188-acre (8.85 km2) park in Cecil County, Maryland. It is eight miles (13 km) south of the town of North East on MD 272, and is nearest to exit 100 on I-95. The North East River, Elk River, and Chesapeake Bay form the Elk Neck Peninsula, on the southern tip of which the park rests. A part of the Northeastern coastal forests ecoregion, the park's landscape is characterized by deep forests, bluffs, beaches and marshlands.[1]
Turkey Point Lighthouse
The 35-foot (11 m) Turkey Point Lighthouse sits atop a 100-foot (30 m) bluff overlooking the Upper Chesapeake Bay. The tower dates to 1833 and is opened for park visitors on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am - 4pm (weather permitting), Easter weekend until the end of October. Turkey Point Light Station, Inc., a non-profit organization, has maintained the lighthouse since 1995.
Campgrounds
Ten camping loops accommodate 258 campsites designed for tents, trailers, and motorhomes. The park also has nine Rustic cabins, seven Mini cabins, and six youth groups sites. Pets are restricted to designated areas and No Alcohol is permitted*.
Hiking Trails
| Trail Name | Length | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| White Banks Trail | 3 miles (4.8 km) | Difficult |
| Mauldin Mountain Loop | 1.5 miles (2.4 km) | Difficult |
| Pond Loop | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Moderate |
| Farm Road Trail | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Moderate |
| Beaver Marsh Loop | 4 miles (6.4 km) | Difficult |
| Lighthouse Trail | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Easy |
| Ravines Loop | .75 miles (1.2 km) | Moderate |
References
- ^ Olson, D. M, E. Dinerstein, et al (2001). "Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World: A New Map of Life on Earth". BioScience 51 (11): 933–938. doi:10.1641/0006-3568(2001)051[0933:TEOTWA]2.0.CO;2.
