Wild Outdoors

With the summer coming to a close it might be time to consider going to a National Park.

The U.S. Department of Interior manages one-fifth of the land of the United States and has a large network of national parks. Every year more than 271 million people visit one of the parks managed by the National Park System. Normally, 146 of 392 national parks charge entrance fees ranging from $3-$25. The other 246 do not charge for admission. However, on August 14-15 they will waive entrance fees to the other National Parks.

One nearby park that is a relatively short drive from the Washington D.C. metropolitian area is Gettysburg National Military Park in Adams County, Pennsylvania.
http://www.nps.gov/gatt


In Maryland and Virginia 6 and 10 parks, respectivly, are participating in the program.

Maryland:
Antietam National Battlefield
Assateague Island National Seashore
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Fort McHenry NM and Historic Shrine National Monument
Fort Washington Park
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Virginia:
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Memorial
Assateague Island National Seashore
Colonial National Historical Park
George Washington Birthplace National Monument
George Washington Memorial Parkway's Great Falls Park
Manassas National Battlefield Park
Petersburg National Battlefield
Prince William Forest Park
Shenandoah National Park

Catoctin Mountain Park

The park is open dawn to dusk all year round. There is also a visitor center with the following hours:

Monday -Thursday: 10:00am - 4:30pm
Friday: 10:00am -5:00pm
Saturday -Sunday: 8:30am - 5:30pm

http://www.nps.gov/cato





Other Parks
Flag Ponds Nature Park in the Chesapeake Bay area is another park in the vicinity of Maryland.

King's Landing Park, along the shore of the Patuxent River, has a rich history that streches back to the time of Captain John Smith
http://www.calvertparks.org/

Mason Neck State Park is another park in Virginia that offers a multitude of activities for the outdoorsy person. It is located 20 miles away from Washington D.C. and takes about 45 minutes to get to by car. Hiking, biking and self-guided trails are available; kayaking and canoeing are accessable; and picnic shelters and cabins are easily attainable.
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov

Great Country Farms
Great Country Farms is a 200 acre working farm on the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains outside the village of Bluemont, Virginia. It was named the "Agribusiness of the Year" for their unique innovative way of farming in a difficult climate.
http://www.greatcountryfarms.com