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December 2023 by Tim Dwyer
This place is beautiful. Old growth trees, interesting landscape, and a sprinkle of history. We love coming here.
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November 2023 by M B
Great place to visit. Super clean and quiet. Great place to fish or just get away and relax.
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November 2023 by Cindi Courter
WOW! We Love this place! Spent five days with the beautiful fall colors! Love the large campsites! The newly renovated bathrooms are great and kept extremely clean! We enjoyed the full moon over the Potomac, as well as a wonderful hike along the General's Trail. We were also fortunate to have a Revolutionary Reenactment on Saturday and a tour of the Smallwood House! There is so much to do in the area...Kayaking the Mallows Bay National Marine Sanctuary and a 27-mile bike ride in Indian Head Rail Trail! As an added bonus, we found shark teeth! We will definitely be back!Playground: There are two in the park!Restrooms: Beautiful!Dog-friendliness: Dog friendly...However, people should be more aware how their barking dogs may bother others!
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October 2023 by Holly Degen
Nice park. Camp host was super nice. Bathrooms were clean and nice. It's a short ride to Mallows Bay ship graveyard. We all had fun kayaking. Campsites were clean and large, lots of space in-between them.
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October 2023 by Joan Dawson
Spent 4 weekdays here in the bluegill cabin (#19) in October. I had booked cabin 17 (new construction with a water view) but the permit wasn't ready for occupancy. The bluegill cabin is handicap accessible and right by the bathhouse (and septic tanks). There is a funky smell in the air and not much privacy. But seeing that there weren't many people staying in the park, we didn't mind staying here and having the easy access to the bathrooms. The cabins are small but the beds were comfy and we were loaned a portable heater so we were cozy and toasty. It's a short walk to the water, right next door to the camp host, and by the wood, which is payable by using the honor system. You get a bucket of wood for $5 which is a good deal and there's plenty of down wood. While here, we went to Mallows Bay (about 15 min drive), Galazio restaurant, Atlantic seafood in Indian Head, and Marie's diner. Enjoyed our stay. The camp host was out of town and the rangers were friendly and unobtrusive.
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September 2023 by Joseph D'Cruz
Wow,as seasoned glamours/campers we’ve stayed at a lot state parks throughout the US, experienced the good, bad and ugly.A stopover at this park for two nights left us amazed at the facilities and amenities provided. The campground just reopened after a major renovation, beautiful, shaded, spacious, leveled sites with fine gravel. Electrical hookup and water, beautiful restrooms and showers. Facilities are better than some hotels we’ve stayed at. The hosts are welcoming and do a great job keeping the campground looking great.There is a trail within the park about 2 miles and a marina overlooking a lake.
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September 2023 by S
Nice park. I like how they keep it clean (but it was not always like this). The only problem I have is with the park authority lady who chewed me out for walking my dogs off-leash while on the back trails. I understand it is the law so please forgive me. For the record, my dogs are friendly and trained. They do not run around chasing things or running up to random people/dogs. They are always next to me or close by. It is EXTREMELY RARE for me to run into anyone that early in the morning and if I do see someone on the trails, I put them on a leash. Some of the locals who run into me on the trails can attest that they are trained and friendly. My dogs greet them with a smile and with their tails wagging. We live in the sticks, not the city (Thank God). I know you are doing your job but there is no need to be rude. I would not have written this review if you didn't yell at me.Now onto some comments, criticism and questions of my own:- At one point the park was not well taken care of (maybe 2 years ago), I literally had to come through on the weekend with my yard tools to clear up the thick brush that was waist high in front of one of the trails. And forget about hiking on the blue trail. The grass was never cut. You can barely see your own shoes. You would be covered in ticks if you attempted to walk that trail.- How about the dog trainers who bring dogs on the field at Friendship Farm Park and train them off-leash?- What if I wanted my dogs to go swimming in the water? Do I have to keep them on a leash?- How about the people riding their horses with their dogs running next to them off-leash?- How about the people who bring their hunting dogs to train them off-leash at the park?- How about we get some people to clean up Doncaster State Forest (this used to be one of the finest parks in my opinion)? The trails were destroyed from all of the downed trees a few years back due to an ice storm.- If you want to police and chew someone out then how about the kids who ride their mini dirt bikes on the fields? See attached picture and sorry for the bad quality.- Have you ever driven your car 10-15 miles over the speed limit? (I'm sure you have). Do you do it often? (I'm sure you do). Isn't that breaking the law? (sure it is). Could a police officer give you a ticket if he wanted to? (he sure can).I'm not arguing to try and justify what I did is right. Walking my dogs off-leash is wrong and I apologize. What I'm trying to say is: "Can you be like some of the police officers (and a special shout-out to all the Police Officers and Park Rangers who serve and protect us) who are more chilled and laid back?". They are more concerned with catching real criminals.Some people don't even walk their dogs. They keep them chained in the back-yard 24 hours a day. I love seeing people out there walking their dogs and personally I don't care if they are walking their dogs off-leash or not as long as they are trained, not aggressive and not running up to random people/dogs.
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September 2023 by Mel
To the employee of the park who drives around looking for people to scold. If you get out of the truck and walk the trails you will find a massive tree right before General Smallwood’s house that has fallen on the trail. How can anyone with crutches get around the tree if it is not removed? The tree has been there for at least two months. If you want, I can come there with my chainsaw but somebody will have to pay me but wait I thought that’s what we pay you guys for or am I wrong?Can someone who works at the park answer these questions for me please. If a tree falls down on the trail and is reported, how much time can we expect before it is removed? I’ll make sure to take videos and pictures next time so I can report them in a timely fashion. What about the grass? How many inches does the county allow before they have to get cut? Thanks in advance.
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September 2023 by Erica Reed
We have our annual end-of-Summer cookout here. We reserve a space under a Pavillion just in case it rains. The park has boat slips and areas where the children can play. Plenty of parking.
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August 2023 by Mindy Rector
Beautiful place to kayak and picnic.
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August 2023 by Emilie Messmer
Very nice place to go camping for the first time with our kids (2 yo and 3 mo). Loved that the cabins had AC. The bathrooms must have been newly renovated- they were so nice and clean! The General’s store was nice too since we forgot a few things and were able to get cold drinks there too. Wish we had gone on the trails more but that’s life with small kids.Playground: Lots of different things to play onRestrooms: Very clean and well lit
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August 2023 by Jeff Stroup
The campsite was a true gem, offering a mix of beauty, spaciousness, and relaxation. Nestled by the water and enveloped by a canopy of trees, the location was truly unbeatable. The camping pad itself was generously sized, accommodating tents and campers comfortably. A picnic bench and a well-proportioned fire ring added to the convenience. The natural shade provided by the surrounding trees made it a haven of comfort—I found it hard to tear myself away. The mid-August weather was delightful, with temperatures in the pleasant 70s. It almost felt as if we had lucked out with the perfect weather.The park rangers were exceptionally friendly and hospitable, enhancing the overall experience. The bath house stood out as one of the best I've ever come across. It appeared to be nearly brand new, reflecting a high standard of maintenance and cleanliness.It's worth noting that due to restrictions on bringing in firewood, it's advisable to carry cash. The wood bundles, priced at $5 each, are the ideal companion for your campfire. Alternatively, you can venture out to find your own firewood. All in all, this campsite proved to be an outstanding choice, offering a blend of amenities and natural beauty that contributed to an unforgettable experience.
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August 2023 by Kenneth McCreary
This is my first time staying at this park and it is beautiful and peaceful. You must strt to the lake and take the boardwalk across to the other side. There is some type of arts center. If you have a boat, there is a boat launching area. there are not many RV sites, about fifteen, and they have some cabin and one bath house. There is not much around as far as restaurants but you can find a few local places about 15 minutes away. I have AT& T and I was able to get about three bars of LTE.Update:The park just underwent massive renovations: new bath house, new cabins, and the RV sites now have water spigots at each campsite. This is the first weekend it opened for the season (Aug. 1, 2023). Only one shower/restroom stall open and no hot water as yet, but staff promises it will open soon. This time, I am staying in one of the rustic cabins instead of an RV campsite. The cabin has electricity and a window air conditioner; there are two sets of bunk beds and a full bed.
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July 2023 by Hung Over
Nice, clean and scenic park nestled away in Southern maryland. There is boating, camping, fishing and hiking. Also, General Smallwood's home is nearby, if you are looking for a little history.
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June 2023 by robert pepe
Nice park ,very big didnt get to see all of it as i was in a big bass tournament n just used the ramp! But there was 6lanes to launch which was great tons of dock space prob 50-75 boats worth!!! Bathtooms were clean, and there was an open concession stand! We were there for the B.a.s.s Eastern Regionals congrats to Gary Belanger n Jose Soler for making it to the Nationals for Ct!!!
