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South Mountain State Park, Boonsboro, MD

Photo: Patorjk, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sports & OutdoorsOutdoor AdventureHistory Buff

South Mountain State Park

Hike Maryland's 40-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail along South Mountain to overlooks like Annapolis Rocks, High Rock and Weverton Cliffs.

Appalachian Trail parking on US 40 (National Pike), east of Boonsboro, MD · Boonsboro, MD

About South Mountain State Park

South Mountain State Park is a 40-mile strip of ridge running from the Pennsylvania line to the Potomac, and the Appalachian Trail follows its crest the whole way. Side trips lead to overlooks at Annapolis Rocks, High Rock, Black Rock and Weverton Cliffs, and the trail passes ground fought over in the 1862 Battle of South Mountain. Backpackers can camp at shelters and designated sites along the trail. Trailhead lots fill quickly on weekends, and the park warns against parking on roadsides or private land.

  • #appalachian trail
  • #hiking
  • #scenic overlooks
  • #backpacking
  • #civil war battlefield

What's around here?

The closest stops to South Mountain State Park, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Greenbrier State Park

    Under $25

    A Maryland state park on South Mountain with a 42-acre lake, sandy beach, campground, and hiking trails.

    1.0 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Washington Monument State Park

    Check prices

    A hilltop state park on South Mountain whose centerpiece is a stone tower honoring George Washington.

    2.6 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Crystal Grottoes

    Under $25

    Take a guided 40-minute walk through Maryland's only show cave, past white stalactites, draperies and the red-tinted passages called Fairyland.

    4.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Outdoor Adventure

    Gambrill State Park

    Under $25

    Drive up Catoctin Mountain to the stone overlooks on 1,600-foot High Knob, then hike or mountain bike 16 miles of rocky trails above Frederick.

    7.4 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Antietam National Battlefield

    Under $25

    Drive or walk the fields where the Battle of Antietam was fought on September 17, 1862, from Dunker Church to Burnside Bridge.

    8.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Hagerstown, Maryland

    No admission fee

    A Western Maryland city surrounded by Civil War battlefields, state parks, and the Appalachian Trail.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    9.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

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