What to do and see in Montgomery County, Montgomery County: The Best Nature & Parks

August 3, 2021 Karren Gelb

Discover the best top things to do in Montgomery County, United States including South Germantown Recreational Park, Great Falls, Glen Echo Park, Sugarloaf Mountain, Brookside Gardens, Audubon Naturalist Society Woodend Sanctuary, Brookside Nature Center, Billy Goat Trail, Falls Road Park, Cabin John Regional Park.
Restaurants in Montgomery County

1. South Germantown Recreational Park

18041 Central Park Cir, Boyds, MD 20841-9704 http://www.montgomeryparks.org/facilities/south_germantown/index.shtm
Excellent
82%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 17 reviews

South Germantown Recreational Park

2. Great Falls

Potomac, MD 20854 https://www.nps.gov/grfa/index.htm
Excellent
90%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 21 reviews

Great Falls

Reviewed By FJGonzalezG - Bethesda, United States

The Great Falls park in Maryland provides great views of the Great Falls from the overlook at Olmsted Island. When the river is high, the walkway to the overlook provides thrilling close-up vistas of the raging waters below. The park is also home to the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, where you can familiarize yourself with the history of the C&O Canal. Located about a third of a mile north of mile marker 14, this is a great place to access the canal's tow path. There are also great hiking trails. Our favorites are the Ford Mine Trail and the River Trail. You can access the Mine trail at the northern/farthest end of the parking lot. This 2.1 mile trail has flat segments near the canal and a hilly portion on part of the loop. The 1-mile River Trail can be reached by crossing the canal at the Visitors' Center, walking north on the tow-path just past the Washington Aqueduct Observation Deck. It is flat and offers great vistas of the Potomac River, and great opportunities to see waterfowl and other critters. It floods regularly, which often makes it muddy and sometimes impassable.

3. Glen Echo Park

7300 Macarthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD 20812-1200 +1 301-492-6282 [email protected] http://www.glenechopark.org/
Excellent
50%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 94 reviews

Glen Echo Park

National Park Service offers year-round activites for residents and visitors in dance, theater and the arts.

Reviewed By Parisfan072 - Washington DC, United States

Glen Echo was an amusement park for years. It closed, I believe in the late 1950s or early 1960s. It is a unique spot with wonderful architecture and a whole new host of attractions, although the original Dentzel carousel horse remains the centerpiece. It hosts regular dances and concerts, as well as classes in the arts. It's a genuine treasure that is well worth your acquaintance.

4. Sugarloaf Mountain

7901 Comus Rd, Dickerson, MD 20842-9789 +1 301-874-2024 http://www.sugarloafmd.com/sl_contact.html
Excellent
58%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 136 reviews

Sugarloaf Mountain

At an elevation of 1,282 feet, Sugarloaf stands more than 800 feet above Maryland's scenic farmland below.

Reviewed By Thibodeaux75 - Maryland, United States

Sugarloaf mountain is great. We have enjoyed hiking on all of the trails the views are beautiful and the being there is refreshing!

5. Brookside Gardens

1800 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton, MD 20902-1369 +1 301-962-1400 http://brooksidegardens.org
Excellent
77%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 294 reviews

Brookside Gardens

Reviewed By ITRT

Brookside Gardens is truly an impressive gem located within the Wheaton Regional Park. It is a beautiful and well-maintained place to simply enjoy the beauty of the flowers, trees, gazebos, ponds and water structures. The water structures were not on when we visited. A bonus is the temporary outdoor exhibit honoring those in Montgomery County who died of Covid-19. The walkway has one strand of crystals in memory of each life lost. Another memorial near one of the ponds honors those who lost their lives during the sniper spree in 2002. While we were there, we saw people using the gardens as a backdrop for their wedding and Quinceañera photos. A permit is required to take professional photos. There are two conservatories on the grounds as well as a visitor center/gift shop. There is also a butterfly garden (fee), children’s garden, and greenhouse. Although there seemed to be adequate parking spaces, there was a line of cars waiting for a parking spot. The gardens have both paved and un-paved trails and paths. Most visitors, and some of the trees, wore masks because of Covid restrictions in place. Plan a visit: you will be impressed and glad you did.

6. Audubon Naturalist Society Woodend Sanctuary

8940 Jones Mill Rd, Chevy Chase, MD 20815-4725 +1 301-652-9188 http://www.audubonnaturalist.org/
Excellent
76%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 37 reviews

Audubon Naturalist Society Woodend Sanctuary

Reviewed By BettyAdler - Chevy Chase, United States

The Audubon Naturalist Society Woodend Sanctuary has managed to maintain a completely natural and exquistely private retreat near a busy commercialized area. You'll never know that you are so near stores and residential homes! Go for a walk at dusk and you'll see lots of animals! I love the peace and quiet there. The Woodend Mansion is a delightful site for weddings and other happy events.

7. Brookside Nature Center

1400 Glenallan Ave Wheaton Regional Park, Wheaton, MD 20902-1361 +1 301-946-9071 [email protected]
Excellent
71%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 59 reviews

Brookside Nature Center

Reviewed By 706isag - Silver Spring, United States

I love walking in the park. The gardens are beautiful. I love the sound of water it’s so relaxing and calming. It is also adjacent to wheaton regional park. No dogs are allowed in the garden ????

8. Billy Goat Trail

11710 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854-1659 +1 301-767-3714 http://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/upload/GF-Map-Page-2.pdf
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 258 reviews

Billy Goat Trail

Reviewed By Rtwodogs - Washington DC, United States

This is not a walk in the park. :). this trail is fin, and challenging in areas. Grab a map, your hiking boots, gloves, and water and enjoy a great day with friends and family. Should have stability and stamina to hike this trail.

9. Falls Road Park

12600 Falls Road, Potomac, MD 20854 http://www.montgomeryparks.org/parks_facilities_directory/fallsroadlp.shtm
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6 reviews

Falls Road Park

10. Cabin John Regional Park

7400 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817 +1 301-299-0024 http://www.montgomeryparks.org/facilities/regional_parks/cabinjohn/
Excellent
58%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 159 reviews

Cabin John Regional Park

Reviewed By 655ozlems

It is one the most spectacular place in Maryland. An amazing place especially during autumn and spring where you can kayak, walk, run, bike or just listen the nature. Just go and you will be surprised that there is a heaven in the city

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