Black Hill Regional Park
Park Address: 20930 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, Maryland 20841
Park Manager:: 301-528-3490
Parks Hours: Sunrise to sunset, year round. Operational hours of other facilities based within the park will vary; please check listings for each facility.
With more than 2,000 acres, Black Hill Regional Park offers such a wide variety of outdoor activities that it's impossible to experience it all in a single visit. You'll enjoy picnic shelters near playgrounds, volleyball courts, paved and natural surface trails, and spectacular views of Little Seneca Lake. The lake can be enjoyed from your private boat, our rental boats, our pontoon tour boat, and the fishing pier. For those who love the solitude of the forest, miles of trails can be explored by foot, horseback or mountain bike. Our nature programs and interpretive tours will enhance your understanding and appreciation of this beautiful 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.
Announcements
Boating and Fishing
Camping
Dog Park
Visitor Center
Nature Programs
Picnic Shelters and Play Areas
Trails
Important Phone Numbers
Tips for Visiting
Park Map and Directions
Announcements
Black Hill Boat Mooring Sites
Mooring Sites for private boats to be kept at Black Hill Regional Park begins Saturday, February 25, 2012 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m..
You may also register online through ParkPASS. The cost is $85 per site.
Man proudly showing off the largemouth bass he caught at Little Seneca Lake.Boating and Fishing
Boat Rentals
Rowboats, canoes and kayaks are available for rent from May through September, weather permitting. At least one person in each boat must be 16 years of age or older. For prices, days and hours of operation, and other information please visit our website at BlackHillBoats.com.
Private Boating
Boaters with a daily or seasonal boating permit are allowed to use their private boats on the lake from March 1 through December 15. Seasonal permits may be purchased at the Visitor Center. Daily permit fees can be deposited in the fee boxes at the boat ramp or on the Route 121 Bridge pull-off area. Seasonal mooring stakes for private boats are sold at the Visitor Center on a first-come, first-served basis.
PLEASE NOTE: All boats must comply with Maryland State, U.S. Coast Guard and M-NCPPC regulations and standards. Use of gasoline motors is strictly prohibited; only electric motors are permitted. All boats must be off the lake by official sunset. For a complete list of regulations, please visit BlackHillBoats.com.
Fishing
Species in Little Seneca Lake include: largemouth bass, tiger muskie, crappie, catfish, and several types of sunfish. Valid Maryland State Fishing Licenses are required for anglers 16 years of age or older. Licenses are available for sale at the Visitor Center. Call ahead for Visitor Center hours.
Water Trail
Explore the beauty of nature on the Black Hill Water Trail. Rent a canoe, kayak or rowboat (or bring your own), pick up a laminated Water Trail map, and take a self-guided discovery tour of Little Seneca Lake. Water Trail maps are also available on our web site. Open March 1 through December 15.
Lake 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. Naturalist-led pontoon boat tours of Little Seneca Lake are available Saturday and Sunday afternoons, May through September on a walk-up basis. Groups interested in a private pontoon boat tour should contact the Park Naturalist Office at 301-528-3491 for reservation and fee information.
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 enjoy a peaceful camping experience in a wooded setting. For more information on camping in Little Bennett Regional Park, call 301-528-3430.
Dog Park
Located on Picnic Lane in Black Hill Regional Park, this half-acre dog park is fully enclosed with a 6-foot chain link fence, allowing dogs to run and exercise off-leash. Dogs must display current licenses and rabies vaccination tags, be older than four months and have a valid dog permit. The facility is open for use sunrise to sunset. Please remember that all dogs should be on a leash before entering and exiting the park. A dog park permit is required for use of Montgomery Parks dog parks. Find information about permits, fees and the application process here.
Visitor Center
Black Hill Regional Park Visitor Center and Nature Programs.Visitors can also find handouts, brochures, and other information on park activities, as well as nature exhibits on display. Call the Visitor Center at 301-528-4380 for operating hours, as they vary seasonally. The Visitor Center isalso home Black Hills naturalist-led programs.
Nature Programs
The Visitor Center is home to a variety of nature exhibits and programs. Our park naturalists offer programs that highlight the natural and historical resources in the park as well as those in other areas in and around Montgomery County. Astronomy, fishing and kayaking programs, hikes, pontoon boat tours, van trips, and educational workshops are offered regularly. Call 301-528-3493 to talk with the Nautralist Staff.
Picnic Shelters and Play Areas
Ten picnic shelters are available for public use on a firstcome, first-served basis and can be reserved for exclusive use from April 1 – October 31. All shelters are accessible to persons using wheelchairs. Two volleyball courts, two playgrounds and horseshoe pits are available for public use and are located near our picnic shelters. Trails to shelters A, B, C and I are flattest and easiest to access from the parking areas (wheelchair accessible). Call our Park Permit Office at 301-495-2525 or visit www.ParkPermits.org for fee information and availability.
Trails
Scenic views of the lake and surrounding parkland can be enjoyed on over four miles of paved trails. Natural areas within the park can be explored on foot, mountain bike or horseback, on our more than 10 miles of natural surface trails. Most trails allow all types of use but access restrictions do exist, so please use proper trail etiquette and observe and obey the signs posted at all trail heads. Mountain bikers must yield to pedestrians and equestrians. Horse trailers must be parked in the overflow lot near the boat ramp. Learn more about Black Hill Regional Park Trails.
Mountain biking at Black Hill Regional Park Trails.When using paved trails, please observe the following 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.
When using natural surface trails, please observe the following guidelines to ensure safety for yourself and all other users:
- 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.
Important Phone Numbers
| Park Police EMERGENCY | 301-949-3010 |
| Fire and Rescue EMERGENCY | 911 |
| Park Manager's Office | 301-528-3490 |
| Visitor Center | 301-528-3480 |
| Boat Rental Facility | 301-528-3466 |
| Park Naturalist Office | 301-528-3493 |
| Accessibility Information | 240-777-6830 |
| TTY | 301-495-2575 |
| Park Information Line | 301-495-2595 |
| Park Permits Office (Silver Spring) | 301-495-2525 |
| Volunteer's Services Office | 301-495-2504 |
Tips for Visiting
Help us make your visit as enjoyable as possible by adhering to the following regulations:
- Park in designated areas only.
- Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
- Pets must be kept on a leash at all times.
- Buses require parking permits and are not allowed in the park on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays.
- Park regulations are posted and must be observed.
- Swimming, wading, ice-skating and windsurfing in or on Little Seneca Lake are prohibited.
Park Map and Directions
Printable Black Hill Regional Park Map (pdf, 5MB)
Door-to-door directions (mapquest)
Date of last update: March 29, 2011
Montgomery County Department of Parks
9500 Brunett Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20901
www.montgomeryparks.org
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