Herrington Manor State Park

Herrington Manor State Park

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

Herrington Manor State Park is a birding gem nestled in the Garrett State Forest minutes from Oakland, the Garrett County seat. Four miles from Swallow Falls State Park, Herrington Manor offers a quiet 53-acre lake with a swimming beach.

The lake and surrounding land provides welcome stopover habitat for migrating waterfowl and other birds. Plentiful fish provide ample food for nesting Bald Eagles and Osprey. Twelve miles of trails throughout the park take birders through prime habitat for birds of the northern hardwood forest. Park rangers at Herrington Manor have begun an initiative of promoting native wildflower growth in formerly mowed fields.

Trail maps are available for purchase at the park, or may be ordered online at the DNR website below.  A simple trail map is also provided at the “Trail Guide” link at left.

Birdlife:

Herrington Manor State Park boasts an eBird list of over 195 species. Warblers, including Blackburnian, Black-throated Blue and Black-throated Green, nest in the area. Raptors, including Bald Eagle, Broad-winged Hawk, and several species of owl are common in the park. Year-round, you can expect to find birds only found in winter in other parts of Maryland, such as Black-capped Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco, and Winter Wren. American Woodcocks can be found in the open edge habitat adjacent to the state forest.

Parking:

Available at the Lake.

Special Features:

The park campground includes 20 cabins for overnight lodging. ◾ A 5.5 mile hiking trail through the Garrett State Forest connects Herrington Manor State Park to Swallow Falls State Park. ◾ Herrington Manor is contained within the Youghiogheny Valley Important Bird Area (IBA), as defined by the National Audubon Society. Sensitive species found breeding within this IBA include Alder Flycatcher, Golden-winged Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, and others. For more information on this IBA, see http://www.audubon.org/important-bird-areas/youghiogheny-valley-iba. ◾ 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.

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:

Cunningham Swamp Wildlife Management Area, Carey Run MOS Sanctuary, Youghiogheny River Reservoir, Mt. Nebo Wildlife Management Area, Loch Lynn Heights Wetland Trail, Broadford Lake, Swallow Falls State Park.

Habitats:

Bottomland DeciduousConifersHedgerowsUpland Deciduous 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