Greenbrier State Park

Greenbrier State Park

21843 National Pike, Boonsboro, MD 21713-9535
(301) 791-4767    Email: greenbrier.statepark@maryland.gov

Greenbrier State Park is a 1,408-acre multi-use park located along the South Mountain ridge in the Appalachian Mountains at an elevation of about 1,411 feet. Most of the park lies in Washington County, but a small portion on the eastern side of the park overlaps into Frederick County.

The centerpiece of Greenbrier State Park is its 42-acre man-made lake, stocked for fishing, and of course, the lake also offers habitat for water-oriented birds. As you can see from the trail map at the link in the At a Glance section of this webpage, the lake is long and is oriented along a northeast-southwest axis, matching the slopes of the surrounding mountain ridges.

Most of the park is covered by upland mixed deciduous forest with small streams flowing through the folds in the mountain. The area was extensively logged before it became a state park in the 1960s, so the woodlands are mostly second growth.

When you arrive at the park, you will be facing the lake and its swimming area and a concentration of visitor amenities. Most birders concentrate on the area around the lake and Visitor Center.

The more adventurous birder who wants to stretch their legs may be interested in exploring the park’s trails that loop through the forests on both sides of the lake. Like the lake, the trails are mostly oriented northeast-southwest, following the contours of the mountains, but switchbacks take you up and down and connect the trails. You might like this simple trail map better than the full park map linked in the At a Glance section of this webpage. The trails are well-marked but can be rocky and hilly; most require moderate to strenuous effort.  Most of the trail are open to mountain bikes. Sturdy hiking boots are advised and a hiking pole might be helpful. The major trails are:

• Bartman Hill Trail (light blue blaze, o,6 miles) – this trail runs southeast from the Visitor Center up the slope to the ridge of South Mountain, where it joins the Appalachian Trail. Considered strenuous with steep sections.
• Big Red Trail (red blaze, 5.2 miles, loop) – makes a big loop on the west shore of the lake and up across the mountain slope. Intersects with many other trails. A strenuous route because of its length and elevation changes.
• Camp Loop Trail (orange blaze, 1.5 mile, loop) – heads south from the south end of the lake, skirting the campground, then turns north to join a portion of the Big Red Trail to return to the lake; considered easy to moderate.
• Copperhead Trail (green blaze, 0.4 miles) – forms an alternate route to a portion of the Big Red Trail north of the lake.
• Green Trail (green blaze, 0.8 miles) – a short loop that runs through the forest south of the Visitor Center. A good introduction to the forests of the park. A spur runs south from the Green Trail Loop to join the Water Tank Trail (aka Yellow Trail).
• Lakeshore Loop Trail (1.3 miles, loop) – fairly flat and easy. There are benches along the shore and the trail offers beautiful views of the lake.
• Rock Oak Fire Trail (blue blaze, 1.5 mi starting and ending on the Big Red Trail). This trail is a sort of bypass for a portion of the Big Red Trail, running from the north end of the Big Red Trail in a southwest direction to intersect with the south end of the Big Red Trail. Thus the Rock Oak Fire Road can be used to make loop with the Big Red Trail; the combined loop will be about 4.2 miles. There are steep sections of the trail.
• Snelling Fire Trail (silver blaze, 1.2 miles starting and ending on the Big Red Trail). Like the Rock Oak Fire Trail, the Snelling Fire Trail can be used to bypass part of the Big Red Trail; it runs parallel to the Rock Oak Fire Trail but on the opposite side of a stream valley. Using the Snelling Fire Trail in combination with part of the Big Red Trail will create a loop of about 4.o miles. Snellinghas one steep section.
• Water Tank Trail (labelled as the Yellow Trail on the simple trail map; yellow blaze, 1.4 miles) – this trail starts as a spur at the south end of the Green Trail Loop, then turns northeast to reach the park entry road north of the Maintenance Area. You could combine the Water Tank Trail with part of the Green Trail and use the paved park road to make a loop of about 1.7 miles, starting and ending at the Visitor Center.

The Appalachian Trail passes through the eastern edge of the park, running along the mountain ridgeline, which forms the boundary between Washington and Frederick Counties, and the park’s trails connect to it via the Bartman Hill Trail. The surrounding lands feature a rolling topography and include crop fields, abandoned farm fields, and pastures.

Greenbrier State Park is one of five state parks comprising the South Mountain Recreation Area: the others are Gathland State Park; South Mountain State Park; South Mountain State Battlefield; and Washington Monument State Park. This set of parks protects over 13,000 acres and over 40 linear miles of the spine of South Mountain, running from the Pennsylvania line to the Potomac River.

Birdlife:

A combined total of over 175 species have been reported on eBird from the two hotspots for Greenbrier State Park.

• Greenbrier State Park overall: 162+ species. This hotspot cover the whole park, but its GPS coordinates are placed on the east shore of the lake in the swimming beach area. This is the starting point for most birder visits.
• Greenbrier SP–Lambs Knoll: 62+ species but only 16 checklists. This hotspot is located on the wooded slope above the western shore of the lake, between the Big Red Trail and the Rock Oak Fire Trail. Although the species count is lower than the main hotspot, walking the trail should enable you to add some forest interior species to your list.

The lake hosts waterfowl during the fall, winter, and early spring, and is a good place to see Pied-billed, Horned, and Red-necked Grebes in the spring. Vireos found in the spring include Blue-headed, Yellow-throated, and Warbling. A number of warblers are seen during migration, including Black-throated Green, Black-and-White, Kentucky, and Hooded Warblers as well as American Redstart, Ovenbird, and Louisiana Waterthrush. Other birds of note include Broad-winged Hawk, Wild Turkey, Common Raven, and Scarlet Tanager.

Wheelchair Access:

There are handicapped-accessible restrooms and parking spots within the park day-use area, and the Visitor Center is accessible. Picnic areas and some of the overnight campsites are accessible, and a beach wheelchair is available for loan. The beach wheelchair would allow viewing of the lake for waterbirds.  The foot-trails are not wheelchair-accessible.

Pet Policy:

• Year-round, pets are permitted are allowed on trails outside the day-use area, as accessed from outlying parking areas.
• Pets are allowed within the day-use area and in the lake area only from the day after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day.
• Year-round, pets are allowed in the Cedar and Dogwood camping loops.
• All pets must be on a leash.
• Pick up after your pet and take the pet waste with you when you leave. All MD state parks operate on a trash-free basis.

Special Designations:

Greenbrier State Park lies within the Maryland Blue Ridge Important Bird Area (IBA), as designated by the National Audubon Society.

Special Features:

Greenbrier State Park has extensive visitor amenities and activities, including tent and RV camping, boat launch (bring your own boat, electric motors only), camp store,  canoeing/kayaking (bring your own or rent by the hour in summer), picnic area, lakefront gazebos (fee for reservations), playground, swimming, mountain biking, and hunting. There is a year-round Visitor Center with a small gift shop.

Local MOS Chapter:

The local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society is the Washington County Bird Club, which offers field trips and meetings with information presentations, all free and open to the public.

Multimedia:

Episode 2801 from Outdoors Maryland on Maryland Public Television includes the segment “Appalachian Gem,” which features Greenbrier State Parks and other parks in the South Mountain Recreation Area (Gathland SP, Washington Monument SP,  South Mountain SP, South Mountain State Battlefield). The video footage also highlights the Appalachian Trail, which threads through the parks. Other segments in this episode include “Beneath the Beaten Path,” about cave diggers who explore subterranean worlds that have never been seen by human eyes, and “Return to the Classics,” featuring Ralph Cattaneo of the Eastern Shore, who takes classic wooden boats, once condemned to decay, and lovingly restores their elegant splendor.

Parking:

Paved and unpaved lots as designated on park maps; see Trail Map at link at left.

Directions:

To Greenbrier State Park from the East: Take I-70 west to Exit 42. Bear right onto MD Route 17 north. Go into the center of Myersville and MD Route 17 will turn right. Follow MD Route 17 to the flashing lights at the intersection with US Route 40. Turn left onto US Route 40 westbound. Follow for three miles and Greenbrier State Park will be on the left.

From the West: Take I-70 east to exit 35. Bear right onto MD Route 66 south. Follow MD Route 66 to the stoplight at the intersection of US Route 40. Turn left onto US Route 40 eastbound. Follow for two miles and Greenbrier State Park will be on the right.

Nearby Sites:

Washington County: Antietam National Battlefield ■ Fort Frederick State Park/Big Pool ■ Indian Springs Wildlife Management Area ■ Sideling Hill Wildlife Management Area & Woodmont Natural Resources Management Area

Habitats:

ConifersHedgerowsUpland Deciduous Forests Lawn, Ballfields, Golf Course Sandy Beach or Dunes Freshwater Pond, Lake, or ReservoirRivers & Streams

Features:

BeginnersBicycle Trails (Bikes may be prohibited on some trails)Boat or Canoe/Kayak LaunchBoat RentalsCampingEntry Fee (Daily, All Year)FishingGift Shop or BookstoreHiking/Walking TrailsHuntingNature Education ProgramsParkingPets AllowedPicnic AreaPlaygroundRestroomsSnack Bar, Camp Store, Food ConcessionsSwimmingVisitor Center, Interpretive Displays, ExhibitsWater ViewWheelchair Accessible FeaturesYoung People / Families

Type:

Audubon Important Bird AreasPonds, Lakes, and ReservoirsState Parks