Nature Programs at Black Hill Visitor Center
Black Hill Regional Park
20926 Lake Ridge Drive
Boyds, Maryland 20841
Visitor Center Staff: 301-528-3488
Naturalist Staff: 301-528-3493
Group Program Scheduling: 301-528-3491
Current Visitor Center Hours
Due to fiscal constraints, Black Hill Visitor Center must reduce operational hours.
thanks to volunteers working the front desk ~
The Visitor Center will be open,
12 Noon - 5 p.m. Monday - Wednesday & Friday
12 Noon - 2:30 pm Thursday only.
Saturdays & Sundays ~ 12 Noon - 5 pm
We have a special volunteer opportunity at the visitor center, click here to learn more!
NOTE: The center will be opened by the Naturalist Staff for patrons of programs listed in the MontgomeryCounty Guide or ParkPASS.org. Call 301-528-3492, if you have any questions. Interpretive programs are offered year-round for families and individuals of all ages, from preschoolers to seniors. In addition, during the school year, educational programs are offered to schools, home-schoolers, scouts, and other organized groups. To reach the Naturalist Staff concerning group programs, please call 301-528-3491.
- Public Pontoon Boat Cruises of Little Seneca Lake are over for the season & will begin again on weekends after Memorial Day 2012.
- For additional information on boating or boat rental on Little Seneca Lake at Black Hill Regional Park, visit Black Hill Boats.com.
- To see or print a copy of the trails offered at Black Hill Regional Park, visit Black Hill Regional Park Trails Map (pdf, 425 KB)
- See or print a copy of our brochure here Black Hill Regional Park Brochure (pdf, 835KB).
Weather-Related Cancellations
During inclement weather, Nature Facilities follow Montgomery County Public School closures, delayed openings and early releases. If school is closed due to inclement weather, all children's programs are cancelled. Cancellation of adult programs is determined on a case-by-case basis. If you are registered for a program cancelled by the Naturalist Staff, your fee will automatically be credited to your ParkPASS account. If you are not first contacted by us, please call to check on adult program status at 301-528-3492.
Program Registration Made Simple
The new guides with Winter program offerings are out. The print/paper version is available at all Montgomery Parks facilities as well as Montgomery County Recreation facilities (including Rec Centers, Senior Centers, Indoor Pools, Community Centers, government buildings and libraries) or can be mailed to your home for a fee.
Or better yet, save a tree and check out the all-new and improved eGuide here.
Winter Registration began November 14th. Click Here to see our Black Hill Winter 2011 - 2012 Programs!
Featured Programs for Black Hill
February Programs
6–Night Hike: Black Hill Regional Park #164602
Take a 1-mile hike by the light of the full moon. We'll look and listen for crea-tures that are most active at night. Ages 8+; FOBH $4/$5; 6:00- 7:00pm
11–Birding Basics for Families #164750
Come and learn how to identify some of the more common birds you see in your neighborhood and in the parks. Ages 4+; FOBH $4/$5; 9:30-10:30am
11–Feeling Flaky #165099
Learn all about snow and create some flaky crafts. Children under 8 need an adult helper. Register children only. Ages 2-12 ; FOBH $5/$6; 1:00- 2:00pm
14–Time for Tots: Have a Heart Hike #164699
Wish wildlife Happy Valentine's Day by leaving them tasty treats. For each treat you leave, you get a heart sticker! Ages 18-36mo; FOBH $4/$5; 10:00-10:45am
15–Hiking the Ant Mounds in Little Bennett #168999
Take a 2-mile hike in the Park through a forest filled with 3-4 foot tall ant pyra-mids—the only place in MD where they can be found in such large numbers. Ages 18+; FREE; 12:00-2:00pm
15–Waterfowl Viewing at Sunset #168200
Join us for waterfowl viewing off the back deck of the Visitor Center! We'll provide scopes, binoculars, and hot cocoa. Ages 8+; FOBH $5/$6; 4:30- 6:00pm
16–Nature's Explorers #164801
Homeschooled children are invited to learn about different seasonal aspects of nature and science. Ages 6-12 ; FOBH $5/$6; 1:30- 3:00pm
18 - Wintering Birds at Black Hill #183300
Meet at the visitor center for an introduction to the birds that spend the winter at Little Seneca Lake. After viewing the lake from the deck, we’ll carpool to other good viewing areas around the lake. Spotting scope provided. Volunteer Naturalists: Tim Gier and Barb Kreiley 8:00 - 10:00 am FOBH $3/$4
18–An Evening with Flying Squirrels #163002
After a brief talk about flying squirrels and their habits, we'll walk to the woods to spy for these elusive critters as they glide down to eat. Volunteer naturalists: Karen and Ed Escalante, or park naturalist. Ages 6+; FOBH $3/$4; 6:00- 7:00pm
20–Family Day at the Visitor Center #169050
School's off today, so bring the kids to the Visitor Center for an afternoon of nature fun. Friends of Black Hill Nature Programs will be on hand to show you how to use our popular nature boxes, and volunteer naturalists will lead short nature walks with hands-on activities and games. Drop in anytime between 1 and 4 pm for the fun!
Program is free, but please register so we'll have enough materials and help for all. Ages 1+; Free; 1:00- 4:00pm
"Lake & Sunset Cam"
Click here to enjoy the sunset view of Little Seneca Lake, as seen from the back deck of the visitor center, from your computer screen at home.
Nature Everywhere!
It's new! Nature Everywhere programs take kids outside for science in the schoolyard.
Do Nature & Parks Matter to you?
If you want to find out more about the county system or find out how you can support your parks go to: parksmatter.org
Summer Camps at Black Hill!
Sign ups for Summer 2012 camps are going on NOW!
Special Presentation
Attracting Hummingbirds and Butterflies to Your Backyard
with Connie Toops
Sunday, February 26 ~ 2:00-3:00 pm
Brookside Garden Auditorium
Butterflies and hummingbirds are among the most colorful creatures to appear in our backyards – but often their visits are brief, leading us to wish they would stay longer.
Connie Toops, co-author and principal photographer of hummingbirds and butterflies, a new book in the Peterson field guide/bird watcher’s Digest Backyard Birding series, can help.
She’s been gardening for wildlife for years, and knows the best plants and features to attract these colorful sprites.
Join Connie for an informative talk, illustrated by her award-winning images, which will bring hummingbirds and butterflies into your yard and into your heart.
Author and nature photographer Connie Toops has roamed the world for the past three decades gathering inspiration for more than a dozen books on birds and natural history.
She lives on a mountainside farm in Marshall, NC.
Please reserve your seat online at www.ParkPASS.org (#174999) Admission is $5 for the general public, and free for all Nature Center and Brookside Garden volunteers
Volunteers do not need to register online. Please contact Anna Robinson at Black Hill Visitor center to reserve your seat, 301-528-3492.
Congratulations to" FOBH", Friends of Black Hill,
for 10 years of support & service to the Nature Programs at Black Hill.
We greatly appreciate all that you do. The Nature Program Staff. If you would like to become a member click here FOBH .
Date of last update January 24, 2012.
Montgomery County Department of Parks