If A Tree Falls In The Forest
Introduction To Quest
This quest allows teams to explore the natural features of New Germany State Park, specifically to learn about one of our most precious natural resources—trees!
Quest Information
The quest begins at the Nature Center, where teams may obtain their “Park Quest Pack” containing the items that are used to complete their exploration. Teams should use the provided information in the pack to help them find their stations along the way. A numbered wooden post will mark the stations. Each stop along the way features interesting and educational information.
There are options (not required) at the completion of the quest. Teams may choose to do a bonus at the end, or they may do a “tree cookie craft.” To receive verification of the completed quest, teams must show the worksheet to the snack bar attendant who will stamp their passport.
Don’t forget the usual hiking supplies, such as water, bug repellant, and sunscreen.
Teams may print the worksheet off the website, or they may pick one up at the Nature Center, Ranger Station, or Snack Bar.
Print the New Germany State Park Quest Worksheet here.
Quest times are available daily from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
The best mode of transportation for this Quest is walking. Strollers can be used if they are the jogging-type with large wheels.
Park information
New Germany State Park’s visitors frequently call it a “best kept secret.” This mountain gem is nestled between the 2,900 ft. Big Savage Mountain to the east and the eastern Continental Divide along Meadow Mountain to the west. Named by early settlers due to its resemblance to their homeland, New Germany has diverse forests with ten miles of multi-use trails and a small lake suitable for fishing, swimming, and non-motorized boating. This park is ideal for families and individuals looking to “unplug” from a tech-reliant society and escape from the busy pace of life in cities and suburbs.
New Germany State Park is within Savage River State Forest, the largest state forest in Maryland, with over 54,000 acres. New Germany’s 400 acres are comprised of various ecosystems, including a man-made lake, natural swamp, and a native brook trout stream. The woodlands of the park are primarily mixed hardwood and coniferous forest, which consists of oak, hickory, maple, as well as stands of mature eastern hemlock, and plantations of 70+ year-old spruce, pine, and fir.
The New Germany Snack Bar, located in the Lake House, is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The Snack Bar is the perfect resting spot after a fun day of “questing!”
New Germany State Park
349 Headquarters Lane
Grantsville, MD 21536
Park Headquarters (Ranger Station) – 301-895-5453
Directions to New Germany State Park:
The quest begins at the Nature Center, located next to the Lake House at New Germany State Park: 405 McAndrews Hill Road, Grantsville, MD 21536.
**Please note that the Nature Center is in a new building!
- From Baltimore: West on I-70 to Hancock. Pick up I-68 and travel through Cumberland, Maryland. Continue west to Exit 22. Turn left at the end of the exit ramp onto Chestnut Ridge Road. Pass Comfort Inn and follow Chestnut Ridge Road for three miles to New Germany Road. Turn left and travel two miles to the New Germany State Park entrance on left. Park headquarters office (Ranger Station) is on the right before entering the park. Travel time about three hours.
- From Washington, D.C.: Take 270 north to Frederick, Maryland. Pick up I-70 west and follow directions above for Baltimore. Travel time about 3.5 hours.
- From Pittsburgh/Morgantown: Take I-79 to I-68 east. Follow I-68 into Maryland to Exit 22 at Comfort Inn. Turn right at the end of the exit ramp onto Chestnut Ridge Road. Travel about three miles to New Germany Road. Turn left and travel two miles to the New Germany State Park entrance on left. Park headquarters office (Ranger Station) is on the right before entering the park. Travel time about one hour from Morgantown and two hours from Pittsburgh.
- Make a reservation to stay at the park.
