Visitors Can Explore Historic Washington County Hunting Grounds
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites the public to visit Woodmont Lodge on Sunday, Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The annual open house will allow guests to tour the hunting lodge and its picturesque surroundings while hearing vivid stories of the early days of conservation and wildlife management in Maryland.Built in 1930, the massive three-story fieldstone structure features enormous beams, huge stone fireplaces, and wood paneling and floors. Great leather chairs, bear skin rugs, photographs of special guests, and hundreds of game trophies still fill the rooms. Now part of the Woodmont Natural Resources Management Area, the lodge sits on the grounds of what was the Woodmont Rod and Gun Club. Under a management agreement with the Izaak Walton League, the Woodmont Club uses the property six months out of the year.The 3,400-acre Woodmont property features a four-mile hiking and mountain biking trail and five-mile equestrian trail. These trails provide access to the forest interior for birding, nature photography, wildflower viewing, and other outdoor recreation opportunities.This year’s open house includes a number of special presentations and displays, including a live animal display with the Scales and Tales program, a restored antique Maryland Forestry truck, and a historic hunting program.
At 1 p.m., visitors can join a naturalist-led, two-mile hike along the Wildlife and Heritage trail. Participants should prepare appropriately for the wilderness conditions — there are no restrooms along the moderately difficult trail. Hikers should meet at the trailhead parking lot along Woodmont Road.
Entrance to the open house is free and no registration is required. Donations may be made to The Friends of Fort Frederick State Park, earmarked for Woodmont.
More information is available by calling the park at 301-842-2155 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.
