At a Glance

Hours:

  • March through October: 8 am-sunset.
  • November through February: 10 am-sunset.

Cost:

  • Weekends and holidays from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day: MD residents $3/person; out-of-state residents $5/person.
  • Weekdays (non-holiday) from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day: MD residents $3/vehicle; out-of-state residents $5/vehicle.
  • Daily from the Tuesday after Labor Day through the Friday before Memorial Day: MD residents $3/vehicle; out-of-state residents $5/vehicle.
  • Ski season weekends & holidays: MD residents $3/person; out-of-state residents $5/person.
  • Annual state park passes or lifetime senior passes may be used.
  • Additional charges for camping, picnic shelters.

Tips:

Cell phone service is often unreliable in the park. ■  Hunting is permitted in the adjacent State Forest but not in the State Park itself. Be aware of hunting seasons and plan your visit and walking route accordingly. ■ Restrooms are located near the Lake House.

Best Seasons: Spring, fall, winter.

Breeding Bird Atlas Blocks: Oakland NW, Oakland CW

Local MOS Chapter: Allegany-Garrett Bird Club

Herrington Manor State Park

222 Herrington Lane, Oakland, MD 21550
(301) 334-9180

Herrington Manor State Park is a 365-acre birding gem abutting the larger Garrett State Forest (7,741 acres) near Oakland. The centerpiece of Herrington Manor is a 53-acre manmade lake, formed by damming Herrington Run, a tributary of the Youghiogheny River. The woods surrounding the lake consist of mixed deciduous species and conifers, and there are a few open shrubby areas, including near the campground. The lake is bordered by extensive wetlands on its north shore and southwest corner and there is a smaller wetland along the south shore where a tributary stream enter the lake. This is one of several small tributary streams that will be encountered on the trail system through the wooded areas surrounding the lake, which will introduce birders to species of the northern hardwood forest.

The lake provides stopover habitat for migrating waterfowl and the forest provides for migrating landbirds. Fish in the lake and streams provide food for nesting Bald Eagles and Ospreys.  Park managers have been promoting native plants in formerly mowed fields, offering opportunities to support diverse insects and wildlife.

The park has many visitor amenities: see Special Features below. Restrooms are located in the Lake House area.

Herrington Manor abuts a section of the Potomac-Garrett State Forest and is located less than 5 miles from Swallow Falls State Park, Mt. Nebo Wildlife Management Area, the Loch Lynn Heights Wetland Trail, and Broadford Lake, allowing a full day of birding in the nearby area.

Birdlife:

There are two eBird hotspots within Herrington Manor State Park and a third one, The Dip, located in Garrett State Forest just outside the State Park boundary. The combined total  for the three hotspots is over 215 species as of January 2025.

Herrington Manor SP (overall hotspot for the whole park) – 214+ species

Herrington Manor SP–Lake Herrington  – 162+ species

The Dip (Garrett Co.) – 107+ species

The Dip is located on the east side of Herrington Manor Road about a half-mile north of the State Park entrance, where the road dips as it crosses Herrington Run. This is also the point where the 5.5-mile White Trail (click for Google Map) to Swallow Falls State Park crosses Herrington Manor Road, and is a trail access point for hikers. There is a wide parking area on the east shoulder that can accommodate several cars. A short walk along the trail east of the road will take you through moist woods that are very birdy; check here for warblers, vireos, cuckoos, and woodpeckers.

The lake in the State Park draws Tundra Swans in March and April. Wood Ducks can be found almost year-round, and breed here. Over twenty species of ducks have been found, mostly in winter or in migration. Ringed-necked Ducks, Bufflehead and Hooded Mergansers may occur in large numbers in early fall and again in spring. Canada Geese and Mallards are year-round residents. All three scoters (Surf, White-winged, Black) have turned up from time to time; these sea ducks are not expected at an inland location like this.

Pied-billed Grebes occur in spring and fall, and Horned Grebes in spring only. A Common Loon or two might be found in spring. Ditto Double-crested Cormorants.

The park would not really be considered a shorebird spot, but surprisingly, about seventeen species have been reported, the most common being Spotted Sandpiper, which are regular in spring and again in late summer. American Woodcocks can be found in the open edge habitat adjacent to the state forest in early March.

Gull and tern sightings are minimal and sporadic.

Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkey are breeders and regularly found.

Herrington State Park is most famous for its woodland birds.

Woodpeckers are numerous and most species (Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy, Pileated, Northern Flicker) are year–round, but Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers can be found ins spring and fall, in contrast to other parts of Maryland, where they are strictly a wintering species. The sapsuckers have been confirmed breeding just a little way north, in Garret State Forest and Swallow Falls State Park.

Raptors, including Bald Eagle, Broad-winged Hawk, and several species of owl are common in the park.

Here, as in most of Western Maryland, the chickadee species is Black-capped, not Carolina, and they are easy to find with their buddies, Tufted Titmice.

Swallow near the lake usually include Bank, Tree, Barn, Northern Rough-winged, Cliff, and Purple Martin.

Ruby-crowned Kinglets are here in spring and fall but Golden-crowneds breed here and are present year-round. Both Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches  and Brown Creepers are also breeders and year-round residents.

Northern House Wrens and Carolina Wrens both nest here; the Carolinas can be found most of the year, except in the depths of winter, while the time span for House Wrens in more limited, from April through September. Winter Wrens are found sporadically from March through December, but are not known to breed here, although they have been confirmed breeding in nearby Swallow Falls State Park.

Breeding thrushes include Eastern Bluebird, Veery, Hermit, Wood, and American Robin, plus Gray-cheeked and Swainson’s come through during migration.

Evening Grosbeaks, White-winged Crossbills, and Red Crossbills might be present during the winter months of irruption years, while Pine Siskins are regular from February through May and again in the fall. Purple Finches may be found at Herrington Manor from March or April through July, and then sporadically through the fall; they are not thought to breed here, but have been confirmed breeding nearby at Mt. Nebo Wildlife Management Area.

The park hosts a large variety of warblers, including breeding populations of Blackburnian, Black-throated Blue and Black-throated Green; many migrant warbler species also come through, for a total of 35 reported species. This is also great place for flycatchers, with eight species found annually, including both Alder and Willow, as well as Least. Olive-sided might put in an appearance in fall. There are breeding populations of Yellow-throated, Blue-headed, and Red-eyed Vireos.

There is a fine selection of sparrows in the shrubby areas and the wetlands, found during the warmer months (Chipping, Field, Song, Swamp, Eastern Towhee) or during migration (Fox, White-throated) or fall-winter-spring (Dark-eyed Junco).

In the blackbird department, you can expect Baltimore Orioles, Red-winged Blackbirds, Brown-headed Cowbirds, and Common Grackles in the warmer months, with a chance for Rusty Blackbirds in April.

Rounding out the breeding birds are Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Cardinal, and Indigo Bunting.

Wheelchair Access:

The trails through Herrington Manor are natural surface and not suitable for wheelchairs. But there is good birding around the lake and cabin area. Three of the camper cabins are ADA-accessible. The visitor center in the Lake House, the concession stand, picnic sites, a covered picnic pavilion (rent by advance reservation), a path to the swimming beach, and the fishing pier are also accessible.

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 trails at Herrington Manor and 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:

Leashed pets are allowed on the trails, in designated camper cabins, and in all day-use areas, but not on the sandy swimming beach or in the Lake House lodge.

Special Designations:

Herrington Manor is contained within the Youghiogheny Valley Important Bird Area (IBA), as designated by the National Audubon Society. Sensitive species found breeding within this IBA include Alder Flycatcher, Golden-winged Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, and others.

Special Features:

  • A 5.5 mile hiking trail (the White Trail) through the Potomac-Garrett State Forest connects Herrington Manor State Park to Swallow Falls State Park. Parts of the trail follow an old fire road and a railroad bed, making for a wide, level trail with easy grades.  Click for Google Map of the trail.
  • The visitor facilities at Herrington Manor include the handsome Lake House lodge, a campground with furnished cabins (20 cabins for rent, year-round), a playground, a fishing pier, and a swimming beach at the lake. There is a tennis court, basketball court, and beach volleyball court in the cabin area.  The park has fat-tire bikes for rent as well as paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks (summer only). A boat launch ramp allows visitors to launch their own boats (no gas-powered motors). The park is also a prime location for winter sports such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding. Cross-country skis and snowshoes are available to rent.
  • 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 Counties Bird Club, which hosts field trips in the region and meetings with informative presentations, all free and open to the public.

Parking:

Available at the boat launch area at the lake, near the Lake House, and in the cabin area.

Directions:

From MD Route 219 in Oakland, turn onto Mayhew Inn Road; travel 4.5 miles to end of road. At the stop sign, turn left onto Oakland-Sang Run Road; travel 0.3 miles to the first road on the right, which will be Swallow Falls Road. Turn right onto Swallow Falls Road and travel 1.3 miles to Swallow Falls State Park, or continue 4.5 miles further to Herrington Manor State Park.

Nearby Sites:

Garrett County: Broadford Lake ■ Carey Run MOS SanctuaryCaroline W. Wilson MOS SanctuaryCunningham Swamp Wildlife Management Area ■ Finzel Swamp Preserve  ■ Loch Lynn Heights Wetland Trail ■ Mt. Nebo Wildlife Management Area ■ Piney ReservoirRobbins MOS Sanctuary at Red Run ■  Swallow Falls State Park ■ Youghiogheny River Reservoir

Habitats:

Bottomland Deciduous ForestsConifersHedgerowsUpland Deciduous Forests Lawn, Ballfields, Golf Course Old Fields, Shrubby Meadows Forested SwampFreshwater Marsh or FloodplainFreshwater Pond, Lake, or ReservoirRivers & Streams

Features:

Ball Fields or Other SportsBeginnersBicycle Trails (Bikes may be prohibited on some trails)Boat or Canoe/Kayak LaunchBoat RentalsEntry Fee (Daily, All Year)FishingHabitat Restoration ProjectHiking/Walking TrailsHuntingNative Plant Garden or Meadow/Pollinator PlantsOvernight Lodging or CabinsParkingPets AllowedPicnic AreaRestroomsSnack Bar, Camp Store, Food ConcessionsSwimmingWater ViewYoung People / Families

Type:

Audubon Important Bird AreasPonds, Lakes, and ReservoirsState Parks