Maryland’s Parks Offer Romantic Settings This Valentine’s Day

Maryland’s Parks Offer Romantic Settings This Valentine’s Day
Moonlit beaches, scenic hikes and frozen falls set the mood next weekend
ANNAPOLIS — St. Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and instead of the ho-hum dinner out, red roses or chocolates, why not plan a romantic outdoor getaway for you and your sweetheart? Maryland’s State Forest and Parks have plenty of places to choose from; below is a list of some of the most romantic outdoor spots in Maryland’s parks.
From Patapsco to Pocomoke, Maryland’s parks offer picturesque scenery and cozy spots to get closer to your honey while experiencing the majesty of our state’s natural beauty. It doesn’t get more romantic than that.
To make it easier to identify the romantic spot closest to you, we’ve divided the information into regions.
Western Maryland (Garrett, Allegany, Washington & Frederick Counties)
What’s more romantic than a waterfall? A frozen one! Check out the frozen Muddy Creek Falls at Swallow Falls State Park in Oakland and the falls at Cunningham Falls State Park in Thurmont for take-your-breath-away scenery.
For those who want to make a rugged romantic night of it, the cabins at Herrington Manor and New Germany State Parks offer overnight accommodations equipped with water, electricity and more atmosphere than any big hotel.
Grander lodging can be found at Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort in Flintstone. This site is offering a Valentine’s Day Package that includes two nights accommodations and champagne and strawberries upon arrival. Not to mention a souvenir robe and Valentine’s dinner for two. All at an affordable price! Romance never looked so “natural.”
Central Maryland (Montgomery, Howard, Carroll, Baltimore, Harford and Cecil Counties)
Feeling like the King and Queen of Hearts? Take a hike up to the King and Queen Seat in Rocks State Park. Once a ceremonial gathering place of the Susquehannock Nation of Native Americans, the Seat is a natural 190-foot rock outcrop and the perfect place to pop the question with a view of the rolling hills and farmland of Harford County. (Talk about being inspired by nature!)
Swinging Bridge, a 300-foot suspension walkway over the Patapsco River in Patapsco Valley State Park, is Maryland’s outdoor answer to “Lover’s Lane.” It offers the perfect view of the various trees and wildlife thriving in this natural setting.
Want to take a trip down memory lane with your Valentine? How about a nostalgic stroll through North Point State Park which was once the site of the historical Bay Shore Amusement Park, a popular destination for summer visitors from 1906 until it closed in 1947. Marylanders who remember Bay Shore can see the original trolley shelter and fountain that have been restored.
Southern Maryland (Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties)
Don’t let the cold weather scare you from taking your sweetie on a stroll along the beach. Bundle up and head out to Sandy Point State Park. You may not feel the sand between your toes, but you’re sure to feel some warmth in your heart as you look out over the Bay Bridge and Sandy Point Lighthouse.
Point Lookout State Park has a reputation for being romantic. This picturesque peninsula formed by the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River sustained extensive damage during Hurricane Isabel, but it’s still open to foot traffic and should not be overlooked.
Eastern Maryland (Kent, Queen Anne, Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties)
Want to get really close to nature this Valentine’s Day? Shad Landing at Pocomoke State Park in Snow Hill offers winter camping at Robins Nest and Waters Edge. Those less adventurous can rent cabins in Shad and Millburn Landings.
At Wye Island State Park in Queen Anne, couples can experience one of the most secluded spots in Maryland for viewing wildlife. The flat land makes it easy for hiking and the solitude makes it serene.
For a weekend filled with history and romance, the log cabins in Janes Island State Park in Crisfield are quiet and romantic and offer the perfect bayside Valentine’s Day retreat. While there, couples can dine in historic Crisfield.
For specific information about Maryland’s State’s Parks including hours, admission fees and lodging rates, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/mdmap.html.
Posted February 5, 2004