At a Glance
Hours:
- Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend: sunrise to sunset.
- After Labor Day until Friday before Memorial Day: 7 am-dusk.
Cost:
- Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend: $4/vehicle Monday-Friday; $5/vehicle on Saturday and Sunday. Walk-ins are also charged a fee.
- There are some exceptions including July 3rd Fireworks and other special events.
- After Labor Day until Friday before Memorial Day: free.
- Senior passes and family season passes are available from the Town of Oakland.
Tips: Bring scope. ◾ There are two entrances to the park: the north entrance off Broadford Road and the south entrance off Pittsburgh Avenue. The Pittsburgh Avenue entrance is more convenient for the mountain bike trail system and the beach and dam. ◾ A managed goose hunt takes place on a few days each fall, typically in November. The hunt is by reservation and special permit only and takes place from goose blinds on the lake. ◾ Restrooms, located near the beach and mountains bike trails, may be available only in summer.
Best Seasons: Winter and spring. Very busy in summer.
Breeding Bird Atlas Blocks: Deer Park CW, Deer Park SW, Oakland SE
Local MOS Chapter: Allegany-Garrett Bird Club
Broadford Lake Park
134 Recreation Lane, Oakland, MD 21550
(301) 334-2691
GPS: 39.406478, -79.375548
Broadford Lake Park, owned by the town of Oakland, showcases a man-made lake and provides numerous recreational activities and visitor amenities. The lake was built in 1972 as a water supply reservoir for the town of Oakland, and opened for fishing and recreation in 1975. Adjacent deciduous woodlands provide good habitat for waterbirds and songbirds. It is a popular birding site throughout the year; in fact, it’s neck and neck with Piney Reservoir as the #1 eBird hotspot in Garrett County in terms of number of species reported.
The lake covers 140 acres of the 400-acre park and public access is allowed along the western shoreline. The shallow upper end contains submerged stumps, lily pads, and flats with heavy growth of aquatic vegetation, providing ideal habitat for fish as well as birds that eat fish. The lake is stocked with several species of fish every year. Brush piles created by beavers near deeper water also provide excellent habitat for birds.
Upon arriving at the Lake, we suggest that you work along the entire western shore (the developed side of the lake), checking the water as well as the trees and other vegetation around the parking areas and ball fields. The sandy swimming beach might hold a few shorebirds in migration, as long as people aren’t using it. After checking that side of the park, it often pays to walk across the dam at the south end of the lake to check the small woodland below the dam, where a stream flows into the woods from the lake. There is a good brushy field at the southeast corner that often holds sparrows.
A new woodland trail system was constructed in 2021; this was designed primarily for mountain bikers but is also open to hikers. The trail network occupies the wooded hillside at the southwest corner of the lake (see the second page of the trail map at the link in the At a Glance section of this webpage. This trail network offers access to habitat for woodland songbirds, including neotropical migrants. A heads up about the trail system: in order to reduce the possibility of bike-human collisions, three of the loop trails are meant to be traveled in one direction by bikers and in the opposite direction by hikers – and the required direction for each group changes each month! This directional change applies to the Genesis Trail, the Galloping Goose Trail, and the Arf Arf an Arf Trail (mountain biker humor at work in the trail names). Carefully read the notes about the travel directions on these trails at the trailhead kiosks, or see the trail map in the At a Glance section of this webpage.
For those with mobility issues, there is a 1-mile paved walking loop in the park.
In addition to fishing, mountain biking and hiking/birding, Broadford Lake Park offers picnic spots with charcoal grills, pavilions for rent, a swimming beach, a concession stand (summer only), three playgrounds, beach volleyball court, basketball courts, a boat launch (electric motors only), a soft launch for car-top boats, and boat rentals (jon boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats) with affordable rates.
Birdlife:
Over 225 species have been recorded on eBird at the Broadford Lake hotspot.
Broadford Lake is a great spot for waterfowl in the winter. There are often large flocks of Canada Geese and many ducks of various species. The beach area could turn up a shorebird or two in migration and the little wetland across Broadford Road north of the intersection with Memorial Drive is also worth checking for ducks and shorebirds.
The park is also a good place for songbirds, especially in spring and fall.
Some of the rarities that have shown up here include Red-necked Grebe, Red-throated Loon, Greater White-fronted Goose, Cackling Goose, and all three scoters. There have also been sightings of Eurasian Wigeon and American Avocet (not reported in eBird).
Wheelchair Access:
There are some birding opportunities from the car driving the road system within the park or from the parking lots. There are a couple of spots where a view of the lake can be obtained from paved surfaces, such as the boat launch area, near the swimming beach, and near the ballfields. There is a 1-mile paved walking path that is accessible to wheelchairs. Accessible restrooms are located in the beach/picnic area but may only be open in summer.
Although not available at Broadford Lake, an all-terrain wheelchair – an amazing resource – is available for FREE loan, one day at a time, to mobility-impaired folks who would like to explore other natural-surface trails in Garrett County. The wheelchair is available thanks to a grant secured by Garrett Trails, Inc., a non-profit that promotes development and use of trails in Garrett County, and the Garrett County Lions Club, located near McHenry, MD. The chair is non-motorized and you must have someone to help you on steeper slopes. It disassembles and folds to fit in your car. You can read about how to borrow the wheelchair on the Garrett Trails wheelchair webpage, and view videos showing how to use it. Use of the loaner all-terrain chair is restricted to trails specified by Garrett Trails that are listed on the wheelchair webpage. Read more about Garrett Trails, Inc. under Special Features below.
Pet Policy:
Dogs are allowed in most areas except for the swimming beach. Dogs must be on leash; pick up after your pet.
Restrictions:
No alcohol, no firearms (except by permit for annual Managed Goose Hunt).
Special Features:
- During the summer, boat rentals are available at affordable rates of $5/hour or $15/per day; jon boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats are available.
- The park hosts the town of Oakland’s annual Independence Day Celebration on July 3rd with a concert band performance and a fireworks display after dark.
- Garrett Trails is a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to the development of high-quality, sustainable trails that provide access to Garrett County’s historic, municipal, and natural areas. The organization grew out of a task force that was appointed by the County Commissioners in 1998 to work with the Chamber of Commerce on a county-wide trail plan. The organization was formally incorporated as a stand-alone non-profit in 2008. The Garrett Trails website includes descriptions and maps of hiking/biking trails throughout the county, including some that are not in our Birder’s Guide but that may be interesting to explore.
Local MOS Chapter:
The local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society is the Allegany-Garrett Bird Club, which hosts field trips in the region and meetings with informative presentations, all free and open to the public.
Parking:
Several paved lots along the west side of the lake. During sports events, do not park near the ballfields.
Directions:
There are two routes into the park:
- For the north entrance: From MD Route 219 north of Oakland, turn east onto Memorial Drive. Follow Memorial Drive to its end at Broadford Road; turn right (south) onto Broadford Road. Turn left at Recreation Lane into the park. Go past the ballfields to the parking lot at the south end of the lake.
- For the south entrance (near the mountain bike trails, beach, and dam): Take MD Route 219 to Oakland, then take MD Route 135/East Oak Street east about 1.5 miles to the community of Mountain Lake Park. Turn left (north) onto G Street and go just 0.1 miles to make a slight right (east) onto Deer Park Avenue. Follow Deer Park Avenue northeast for a couple blocks and then turn right(east) onto Pittsburgh Avenue. Follow Pittsburgh Avenue for about 5 blocks, then just past N Street, turn left (north) onto Recreation Lane, which will bring you to the park entrance on the right.
Nearby Sites:
Garrett County: Carey Run MOS Sanctuary ■ Caroline W. Wilson MOS Sanctuary ■ Cunningham Swamp Wildlife Management Area ■ Finzel Swamp Preserve ■ Herrington Manor State Park ■ Loch Lynn Heights Wetland Trail ■ Mt. Nebo Wildlife Management Area ■ Piney Reservoir ■ Robbins MOS Sanctuary at Red Run ■ Swallow Falls State Park ■ Youghiogheny River Reservoir
Habitats:
Bottomland Deciduous ForestsConifersHedgerows Garden or ArboretumLawn, Ballfields, Golf CourseUrban or Small Town Landscape Old Fields, Shrubby Meadows Forested SwampFreshwater Marsh or FloodplainFreshwater Pond, Lake, or ReservoirMud Flats (Tidal or Non-Tidal)Rivers & Streams
Features:
Ball Fields or Other SportsBeginnersBicycle Trails (Bikes may be prohibited on some trails)Boat or Canoe/Kayak LaunchBoat RentalsFishingFree - No Entry Fee on Some Days or Parts of YearParkingPets AllowedPicnic AreaPlaygroundRestroomsSwimmingWater ViewWheelchair Accessible FeaturesYoung People / FamiliesType:
#1 Hotspot in County or CityCommunity and Urban ParksPonds, Lakes, and Reservoirs