Monocacy River NRMA

Located in Frederick County, near Dickerson, Monocacy River Natural Resources Management Area is comprised of 1,800 acres of natural areas and farmlands along the Monocacy River. Recreational use is primarily hunting, fishing, hiking and horseback riding. Paths are unmarked. Fishing access is available at parking areas at Park Mills Road and Route 28 road crossings of the Monocacy River.

Features

Boat ramp and parking located off Park Mills Road. A parking area is available off Route 28 at the Monocacy River Bridge. Designated hunting areas. Unmarked hiking and equestrian trails.

Pet Policy

• Pets are allowed in Monocacy NRMA.

Hunting at Monocacy NRMA,
Patuxent River State Park and Seneca Creek State Park

• Seneca Creek State Park
  • River Road Area – Approximately 1000 acres open for all seasons and weapons.
  • Game Preserve Area – Approximately 80 acres open for bow hunting only for deer.
  • Riffle Ford Road to Black Rock Road Area - Approximately 1100 acres open for bow hunting only for deer
  • Berryville Road to Montevideo hunting area – Approximately 1100 acres open for bow hunting only for deer.
  • Schaeffer Farm Tract – Only open during the firearms season, November 26-December 10 and January 6-7. Contact the Wildlife Service at 410-356-9272 for details and reservations.
  • Special Managed Hunt - see managed hunts for details.
• Patuxent River State Park
  Over 5,000 acres of hunting land open for forest Game, upland game, dove and deer hunting (Bow, muzzleloader and shotgun).
• Monocacy Natural Resource Management Area
  Over 1800 acres of hunting land open for forest game, upland game, dove and deer hunting (Bow, muzzleloader and shotgun).

General Rules for all Hunting Areas

1. You may enter the area one hour before shooting time to set up. Legal shooting time begins one half hour before sunrise.
2. You must be out of the area by one hour after legal shooting time. Legal shooting time ends one half hour after sunset.
3. You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with the hunting area boundary lines, safety zones and established trails throughout the hunting area.
4. Portable tree stands and steps are permitted, but cannot be screwed or nailed into trees. All stands must be removed at the end of each day. The use of tree stands is recommended, especially when hunting near established trails.
5. Maps depicting hunting areas are provided for your reference only. Observe posted hunting and boundary signs. All acreage figures are approximate.

Check-in Procedures

1. All harvested deer must be checked in before midnight on the harvested day by using the internet (www.gamecheck.dnr.state.md.us ) or the Maryland Big Game Registration Phone Line (1-888-800-0121).
2. The public land code used for harvested deer from Seneca Creek State Park is 442. Patuxent River State Park, the code is 440 and for Monocacy NRMA it is 282.

General

1. All State and federal hunting laws, as well as park regulations, will be strictly enforced. Call Park Watch 1-800-825-7275 to report violations
2. Maryland State Parks are “Trash Free”. All trash must be packed out.

Miscellaneous

1. All hunters must wear the required type and amount of fluorescent orange during the deer firearms and muzzleloader seasons.
2. Scouting is permitted from sunrise to sunset only. No weapons are to be carried while scouting. In order to avoid interfering with fellow sportsmen, Sunday scouting is recommended.
3. Do not remove, cut, destroy, prune or deface any vegetation. Do not cut shooting lanes.
4. Please report all violations of game laws or these hunting rules to the Natural Resources Police or Tawes Communications Center (1-800-628-9944) 24 hours a day.

For accessible amenities in Maryland State Forests and Parks, visit the Accessibility For All section of this website.

Directions:

From the Washington, D.C. area take I-270 north toward Rockville and exit at Route 28 west toward Frederick County. Approximately one mile after crossing the Frederick County line you will see the main parking area marked before reaching the Monocacy River Bridge. For additional access points, contact Seneca Creek State Park, which manages this facility.

Monocacy River Natural Resources Management Area
c/o Seneca Creek State Park
11950 Clopper Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
(301) 924-2127