On the Trail of the Civilian Conservation Corps at Fort Frederick

Introduction To Quest

Your Park Quest adventure at Fort Frederick State Park will lead you on a trail of history and adventure around the park and to the fort. Travel back in time to experience the life of a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). You will explore the area of their camp and discover the work they did at the park. Along the way, you’ll need to follow compass directions and collect clues to help you on your Quest.

Quest Information

Your Park Quest adventure at Fort Frederick State Park will begin in the visitor center. Here you will be given a packet with your trail map, compass, and the materials you will need to collect the clues along your hike. Once you have left the visitor center you will go to the park store where you will start your CCC adventure. From there you will follow a trail that lead through the area of the CCC camp at Fort Frederick State Park. You will also visit buildings built by the CCC along the trail. Once the quest is complete you will report back to the store where you will complete the journey.

The Quest trail is approximately 1.5 miles long (round trip) and should take about 2 hours to complete. The terrain is varied and uneven in many places. Sturdy walking or hiking shoes are best for this hike. Park staff is available to help anyone with special needs but due to limited staffing you must call the park in advance to make accommodations. The Quest may be completed seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Before Memorial Day all quests must be completed on the weekends. All quests must be turned in by 4 p.m. weekdays and 5 p.m. on the weekend. Please allow yourself adequate time to complete your Quest. Your Park Quest Passport gets you into the fort for no extra charge. Make sure to bring a camera or digital recorder to capture the fun memories of your day, sunscreen, insect repellant, and water. Pets on a leash are welcome to accompany you on most of your Quest but they are not allowed in the buildings or in the fort.

There is also a Park Quest on the Western Maryland Rail Trail. If you chose to complete that one you can pick up your packet at Captain's Wort's Trading Post at Fort Frederick State Park or download it here. The packet prints on 8.5 x 14 paper. The Quest begins at the Big Pool Station parking lot of the Western Maryland Rail Trail located off I-70 at exit 12.

Print the Western Maryland Rail Trail worksheet here.

Park information

Come for Park Quest but stay for the day. There is plenty to do with trails to hike, several bodies of water to fish and a 22 mile long paved bike trail. We also offer a shaded picnic area with lots of tables and playground equipment for your enjoyment. Many different historical and natural programs are given throughout summer. You may call our visitor center for details or download a calendar of events.

If you like to camp we offer a peaceful campground with 23 unimproved sites situated on the banks of the Potomac River.

A little Fort Frederick History

American history from the colonial period to the present can be discovered at Fort Frederick State Park. Our 585 acre park features a unique stone fort that served as Maryland’s frontier defense during the French and Indian War. The fort is unique because of its strong stone wall, large size, and roomy barracks. Fort Frederick also saw service during the American Revolution as a prison for British soldiers. For the next 131 years, the fort and surrounding lands were farmed. During the Civil War, Union troops were often stationed near the fort to guard the C & O Canal. In 1922, the State of Maryland acquired the fort. During the Great Depression of the 1930's, a company of the Civilian Conservation Corps restored the fort and began development of the state park. In 1975, the park reconstructed two soldier’s barracks inside the fort. These barracks are open seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day and on the weekends in the spring and fall. You will find historic exhibits in the Fort barracks, CCC Museum and Visitor Center.

Fort Frederick State Park
11100 Big Pool Road
Big Pool, MD 21711
301-842-2155

Directions to Fort Frederick State Park

• From the east take I-70 west to Route 56 exit 12. At the end of the ramp make a left and the park entrance is located on the right one mile from the interstate exit.
• From the west take I-68 east to I-70 east to Route 56 exit 12. At the end of the ramp make a right and the park entrance is located on the right one mile from the interstate exit.