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Black Hill Regional Park

Black Hill Regional Park is so vast and offers such a variety of outdoor activities, it's impossible to enjoy it all in a single visit. Families and groups make full use of covered picnic shelters near playgrounds, volleyball courts, a fitness course, paved and natural trails and spectacular views of Little Seneca Lake. The lake itself can be enjoyed from your private boat, our rental rowboats, canoes, or our pontoon boat, and our fishing pier. If you are interested in naturalist-led group and/or public nature programs on the Kingfisher pontoon boat (max. cap. 30 people, with up to 8 people using wheelchairs), please call 301-916-0220 for information and reservations. Also check the Black Hill Nature Programs listings in the quarterly Montgomery County Recreation and Parks Guide, available at all Parks facilities.

For those who love the solitude of the forest, miles of natural-surface trails can be explored by feet, horseback or mountain bike. Our nature programs and interpretive tours will enhance your understanding and appreciation of the natural bounty that exists within the park.

Black Hill Regional Park features facilities that have been specially adapted to persons using wheelchairs. The deck of our Visitor Center has been fitted with clear plastic railings so that a person who is seated can view the lake and its surroundings without obstruction. Our newest fishing pier and the Kingfisher pontoon boat are easily accessible by wheelchair.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) encourages the involvement and participation of individuals with disabilities in its programs and at its facilities.

Visitor Center
Fees
Parks and Lakes Facts
Picnic Shelters
Picnic and Playground Areas
Dog Parks
Paved and Natural-surface Trails
Pontoon Boat Tours
Private Boats
Boat Rentals
Fishing
Trail Safety Guidelines
Paved Trail Access Information
Natural-surface Trails Guidelines
Camping
Park Regulations
Park Hours and Seasons
Telephone Numbers
Directions

Visitor Center

The Black Hill Visitor Center offers Park Naturalist-led education programs that make use of natural and historical resources found in Black Hill Regional Park and in other areas in and around Montgomery County. Wildlife and natural resources found within the park are interpreted in exhibits, videos and programs. Interpretive programs for schools and other organized groups are by special arrangement with the Park Naturalist.

Special Programs

Black Hill Regional Park hosts a variety of special events and programs. Twilight Concerts, Summer Stage, canoe and kayak classes and other special events are scheduled throughout the year. Call the Park Manager's Office for more information.

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Fees

Fees are applied to certain activities within the park, including:

  • Reserving a picnic shelter
  • Renting a rowboat, kayak or canoe
  • Launching and mooring private boats (daily and seasonal permits are available)
  • Riding the Kingfisher pontoon boat
  • Participating in some interpretive programs

Fee schedules are available at park facilities.

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Park and Lake Facts

  • Park size, including lake, is 1,843 acres
  • Size of Little Seneca Lake is 505 acres
  • Average lake depth is 24.7 feet with maximum depth of 68 feet
  • There are 15.7 miles of shoreline
  • Lake capacity is 4.25 billion gallons
  • MD Route 121 bridge clearance is 20 feet
  • Dam composition is earth and rock
  • Above-stream dam height is 91 feet
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Picnic Shelters

All 10 picnic shelters may be reserved from April 1 through October 31. Call our Picnic Shelter Reservations number for fee information and availability. All shelters are accessible to persons using wheelchairs. Trails to shelters A, B, C and I are flattest and easiest to access from the parking areas (wheelchair accessible).

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Picnic and Playground Areas

Picnic tables, shelters (unless reserved), drinking fountains, grills, restrooms, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and playground areas are available to the public year-round on a first-come, first served basis (wheelchair accessible).

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Dog Parks

Black Hill Regional Park was the second M-NCPPC park to open a dog park in Montgomery County. This area is approximately a half-acre in size and is enclosed with a 6-foot chain link fence. It is a popular meeting spot and exercise area for local dog owners and their canine friends. For more information visit Black Hill Dog Park's page.

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Paved and Natural-surface Trails

Over 3 miles of paved trails offer exciting views of the lake and surrounding acreage. From over 10 miles of unpaved trails, the natural areas within the park can be explored on foot, mountain bike or horseback. Access restrictions do exist, so please observe and obey the signs posted at all trail heads. Mountain bikes must yield to pedestrians and equestrians. Horse trailers must be parked at the overflow lot near the boat ramp.

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Private Boats

  • Boating season is from March 1 through December 15.
  • Operators of private boats must acquire a daily or seasonal boating permit. Deposit daily permit fee in the lock box at the boat ramp. Seasonal permits can be purchased at the Visitor Center.
  • All boats must comply with Maryland state, US Guard, and M-NCPPC regulations and standards.
  • A wearable, US Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD) is required for each boat occupant.
  • Inflatable craft must have a minimum of three independent air chambers.
  • Only battery-powered, electric motors are permitted.
  • Trailer boats may be launched only at the boat ramp within the park.
  • Sailboats with a fixed keel or a mast above 18 feet are prohibited.
  • All boats must be off the lake before official sunset.
  • Seasonal mooring stakes for private boats are sold at the Visitor Center on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • M-NCPPC will not responsible for damage to, loss of, or unauthorized use of any privately owned boat.
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Pontoon Boat Tours

Join us for a naturalist-led group and/or public nature programs on the pontoon boat Kingfisher (max. cap. 30 persons). The ADA-accessible Kingfisher can accommodate up to 8 people in wheelchairs. A 60-75 minute tour on the Kingfisher is a great way for individuals, families and small groups to experience the beautiful, 505-acre Little Seneca Lake. Pontoon boat tours are available on Saturdays and Sundays between Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Tours leave promptly at 12:30pm, 2:00pm and 3:30pm from the Boat Rental location. Tickets are $4.00 each, and are sold on a walk-up, first-come, first-served basis each day for trips that same day. Children under 5 must wear a Personal Flotation Device. Groups interested in touring the lake should contact the park naturalist for reservation and fee information. Please call 301-916-0220 for information and reservations.

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Boat Rentals

Rowboats and canoes are available for rental on a seasonal basis, weather permitting. A driver's license is required as a security deposit for each boat. At least one person in each boat must be 16 years of age or older. Swimming and wading from the boats or the lake shoreline is strictly prohibited. Anglers are permitted to use their own electric trolling motors on rental boats. Prices, hours of operation and additional information are available by calling the Boat Rental Facility or the Park Manager's Office (wheelchair-accessible). For more information visit BlackHillBoats.com.

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Fishing

  • Species include largemouth bass, tiger musky, crappie, catfish and several types of sunfish.
  • Anglers 16years of age or older must possess a valid Maryland state Fishing License. Licenses are available for purchase at the Visitor Center.
  • All applicable Maryland state Fishing Regulations apply. Anglers are subject to inspection for compliance by Park Police and Natural Resources Police.
  • Fishing Maps may be purchased at the Visitor Center and Boat Rental Facility.
  • A specially designed pier, located near the Boat Rental Facility, provides fishing opportunities to anglers, including those in wheelchairs.
  • In cooperation with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, special trophy largemouth bass regulations are in effect. Please call the Visitor Center or the Park Manager's Office for current regulations (wheelchair-accessible).
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Trail Safety Guidelines

Please observe the following paved trails guidelines to ensure safety for yourself and all other users:

  • Travel on the right at a reasonable speed and in a predictable manner.
  • Move left to pass after giving an audible warning. Do not pass until the trail is clear of oncoming traffic.
  • Move safely off of the paved surface when you stop. Do not stop near blind spots or curves.
  • Keep pets on a short leash.

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Paved Trail Access Information

The Black Hill Trail consists of two paved segments. One encircles the picnic areas and can be accessed from the Park Manager's Office., Visitor Center parking areas and picnic areas and Picnic Lane.The second segment follows the eastern park boundary and can be accessed from natural-surface trails and from Spinning Wheel, Waters Landing, Wynnfield and Wisteria Drives in the Churchill Town Sector.

For natural-surface trail descriptions and access information, request a Trail Guide from the Visitor Center of Park Police.

More Information and Photos on Black Hill Regional Park

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Natural-surface Trails Guidelines

  • Stay on marked trails. Trails not shown on this map are not maintained and may terminate abruptly or travel onto private property.
  • Do not blaze new trails.
  • Utility easements cannot be used as trails except along the Cabin Branch Trail.
  • Use restrictions do apply. Observe and obey access signs.
  • Yield right of way as follows: Mountain bikes to all users; hikers to equestrian users.
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Camping

Camping is not available at Black Hill Regional Park. However, a short 5-mile drive takes you to Little Bennett Regional Park Campground, where you can plan a peaceful camping experience in a wooded setting. For more information on camping in Little Bennett Regional Park, call 301-972-9222.

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Park Regulations

  • Park regulations are posted and must be observed.
  • Swimming, wading, ice-skating and windsurfing in or on Little Seneca Lake are prohibited.
  • Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
  • Pets must be kept on a leash at all times.
  • Buses must have parking permits.
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Park Hours and Seasons

  • March 1 through October 31:
    Open 6:00 a.m. to official sunset
  • November 1 through February 28:
    Open 7:00a.m. to official sunset
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Telephone Numbers

TTY 301-495-2575
Boat Rental Facility 301-972-6157
Fire and Rescue - Emergency 911
Park Manager's Office 301-972-9396
Park Naturalist 301-916-0220
Park Permit Office 301-495-2525
TTY 301-495-2575
Park Police - Emergency 301-949-3010
TTY 301-942-1645
Picnic Shelter Reservations 301-495-2480
Visitor Center 301-972-3476


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Directions

Door-to-door directions (mapquest)

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