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Fridays: Reptile Feeding
1 p.m. at the Park Office
Learn about the various reptiles you can find in Maryland and join our resident corn snake, box turtle, and diamondback terrapin for lunch!
April 2: Maple Syrup Making at the Log Cabin
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Park Office
Come see how watery maple tree sap becomes deliciously sweet maple syrup. This easy but time consuming process has a very low yield, so not enough for everyone. We'll have homemade maple candy for guests to sample. The Grusendorf Cabin will also be open for tours.
April 2: Sensory Scavenger Hunt
1 p.m. at the Nature Shack by the Tire Playground
Use your different senses to observe nature. Visit the Nature Shack to pick up a scavenger hunt card, and then take a self-guided nature walk to discover what you can hear, see, smell, and feel.
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April 3 and 24: Sunday Stroll
10 a.m. at Kingfisher Overlook
Join our park naturalist on a leisurely Sunday morning walk along the Great Seneca and Greenway Trails. We will hike approximately 1.5 - 2 miles along natural surface trails. Please bring drinking water and wear comfortable hiking shoes.
Sundays: Skulls & Skins
3 p.m. at the Nature Shack by the Tire Playground
Explore skulls, pelts, bones, feathers, and other biological artifacts from animals found in the park. Learn what these items can teach us about the animal.
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April 5: Nature Crafts - Modeling Clay Flowers
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Park Office
Spring is here and birds are migrating back. Before the leaves grow out is a good time to see birds up in trees. Spend some time looking and listening for them! And, come make your own birds out of modeling clay and feathers.
April 14, 21, and 28: Nature Discovery Hike
6 p.m. at the Chickadee Picnic Area Parking Lot
April is Wildflower Month! Join us on an easy 1.5 to 3 mile hike to see what spring ephemeral flowers are in bloom in the park.
April 9: Woodlands Walk
11 a.m. at the Park Office
Take a leisurely morning walk around the Woodlands Area to learn about the history of the area and to look for remnants of the past. Please bring drinking water and wear comfortable walking shoes.
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April 9: Outdoor Museum
2 p.m. at the Nature Shack by the Tire Playground
It's a museum, but outdoors! Learn about the natural history of the park and get the chance for hands-on discovery with different nature items found here in Seneca Creek. Different exhibits will be featured each session.
April 10: Lake Life Hike
10 a.m. at the Boat Center
Join our park naturalist on an expedition along the Lakeshore Trail to find signs left behind by the animals who call Clopper Lake home. We will hike approximately 2 miles round trip along the natural surface trail, but this may be adjusted to meet the availability of the group. Please bring drinking water and wear comfortable hiking shoes.
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April 12: Nature Crafts - Modeling Clay Flowers
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Park Office
Spring is still here and plants are growing after their winter hibernation. Many, but not all, plants start the spring by growing flowers. Explore the park and see if you can find plants that have spring flowers, and ones that do not. And come make your own flower out of modeling clay.
April 15: Wildlife Walk
2 p.m. at the Park Office
What wildlife can be found in our neck of the woods? Join us to find out, and to learn how to look for signs of animals in the wild! We will hike an approximately 1.5 mile loop along the Old Pond trail. Please bring drinking water and wear comfortable walking shoes.
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April 16: Spring Scavenger Hunt
1 p.m. at the Nature Shack by the Tire Playground
Drop by the Nature Shack to get a scavenger hunt card and head out to discover the signs of spring that can be found here at Seneca Creek. When you finish, come back for a prize!
April 17: Wetlands Walk
10 a.m. at Quail Ridge Picnic Area
Join our park naturalist on a hike through the marsh wetlands to explore this unique habitat. Learn about the importance of wetlands and get the chance to observe the sounds of springtime frogs and toads. Please bring drinking water and wear comfortable hiking shoes. Bug spray is recommended.
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April 19: Nature Crafts - State Parks Week
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Park Office
State Park Week runs from April 15-22. In celebration, we will have two crafts to choose from. A My Maryland Ranger coloring sheet is the first option. More complex is a chance to design your own State Park with everything you would like to include!
April 22: Earth Day Nature Walk
2 p.m. at the Park Office
Celebrate Earth Day by getting outside and enjoying Mother Nature's creations. We will hike an approximately 1.5 mile loop along the Old Pond trail. Please bring drinking water and wear comfortable walking shoes.
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April 23: Leave No Trace
11 a.m. at the Nature Shack by the Tire Playground
How long do these common items take to decompose: Pizza boxes? Soda cans? Diapers? Join our park naturalist to learn about Leave No Trace Ethics and how to keep the park trash-free during your visit.
April 23: iNaturalist Hike
2 p.m. at the Park Office
Join our park naturalist to learn how to use the iNaturalist app to identify and record sightings of plants and animals around the park. This knowledge will help you participate in the City Nature Challenge next weekend! Please bring a smartphone and download the iNaturalist appin advance. Also bring drinking water and wear comfortable hiking shoes.
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April 24: Lake Frank Eagle Watch Hike
10:30 a.m. at Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville
This will be an approximately 2.5-mile round-trip hike on hilly natural surface trails that may be muddy. Bonus on this hike: see a large beaver lodge! Bring binoculars and water. Note: there are no restrooms at this location.
April 26: Nature Crafts - Jumping Bunny Craft
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Park Office
Spring is the time you are most likely to spot baby animals. Traditionally, baby bunnies represent spring for this reason. We will build our own jumping bunnies!
April 29: Arbor Day Tree Identification Walk
2 p.m. at the Park Office
Celebrate National Arbor Day by learning some tree identification tips and tricks from our park naturalist. We will take a leisurely walk around the Woodlands Area to discover different tree species. Please bring drinking water and wear comfortable hiking shoes. Recommended for ages 10+.
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April 30: The City Nature Challenge at Seneca Creek
8 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Park Office
The City Nature Challenge is here! From April 29 - May 2, we will compete with cities around the world to see who can make and record the most observations of nature. Visit the Park Office to sign in your team and to pick up the instructions for participation in the challenge, then embark on a self-guided adventure in the park to search for plants and animals. Please bring a smartphone with the free iNaturalist app downloaded in advance, as well as plenty of drinking water for a full day of adventure!
April 30: City Nature Challenge Session
2 p.m. at the Park Office
Come on a 1.3-mile loop hike to see how many plants, insects, and animals we can photograph for the City Nature Challenge. Help the D.C. area in this friendly world-wide competition to identify local flora and fauna. Bring a smartphone with the iNaturalist app downloaded in advance, or a camera.
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Unless otherwise noted, events are held rain or shine, free and fun for all ages; donations are always welcome. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
Dress for the weather/activity, wear sunscreen and insect repellent, bring plenty of water and snacks, and remember to check for ticks.
Please email us or call 301-924-2127 for additional information or to register (recommended).
Donate to Maryland's State Parks! Your donations will help support our 75 state parks, which collectively preserve more than 140,000 acres of Maryland’s most cherished landscapes, ecosystems, and historical sites.
Donations in any amount are a helpful way to make a difference. Thank you!
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 Annual Pass Available for Purchase
$75 for Marylanders; $100 for out-of-state visitors
Our annual State Parks and Trails Passport grants unlimited day-use admission and boat launching at state parks, and a 10 percent discount on state-operated concessions and boat rentals.
To enhance convenience and value, this year's pass will arrive in a self-contained packet with a detachable hang-tag, and will be valid for a full year from the month of purchase.
Our network of 75 state parks include more than 900 miles of trails for biking, hiking and horseback riding, as well as unique water access and camping facilities.
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