 Photo Courtesy of the National Aquarium.
Outdoor Recreation Summit Coming to Baltimore
Join us October 28-30, 2025, for the second annual Maryland Outdoor Recreation Summit at the Royal Sonesta in Baltimore City!
This three-day event will bring together recreation enthusiasts, community leaders, advocates, and business owners from across the state to network, collaborate, and learn.
Together, we’ll celebrate Maryland’s growing outdoor economy, discuss opportunities for collaboration, engage in a variety of recreational activities, and explore Baltimore City’s outdoor gems!
Whether you’re shaping policy, building community, or simply passionate about the outdoors, come join in the discussion - Register today!
Events in the Fall 2025 Season
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Monarchs and Milkweed Butterfly Festival, September 27, Merkle Natural Resources Management Area in Prince George’s County
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The Catoctin Furnace Historical Society hosts multiple Fall events throughout October, Cunningham Falls State Park, Frederick County
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Annapolis Powerboat Show, October 2-5, and Annapolis Sailboat Show, October 9-12, City Dock in Annapolis
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MoCo Epic, October 11-12, South Germantown Bike Park, Montgomery County
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MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, October 16-19, Elkton
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Maryland Outdoor Rec Summit, Oct 28-30, Baltimore City
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Fish For A Cure: A fishing tournament and fundraising challenge to support cancer care, November 1, Annapolis
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Tuckahoe State Park Golden Jubilee, November 1, Tuckahoe State Park: Trail-naming ceremony honoring Anna Murray Douglass and the Sandtown community
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Friends of Cunningham Falls 5K, 10K, and Fun Run / Walk, November 2, Cunningham Falls State Park, Frederick County
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NICA Eastern Regionals, November 8-9, Patapsco Valley State Park, Cecil County
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Chesapeake Bay Bridge Run, November 9, Chesapeake Bay Bridge
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Waterfowl Festival, November 14-16, Easton
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Stocked Pheasant Hunts, November 22-23 (Lottery closes October 3), statewide
From the Desk of Director Sandi Olek:
What a busy summer it was! In August, I joined the National Governors Association’s Outdoor Recreation and Health Forum in D.C., where states discussed how time outdoors connects to better health. We know even a little time outside can make a big difference in our health, yet most of us spend less time outdoors than we would like. Spending time outdoors enjoying something you love, whether elevating your heart rate or simply taking in the view, has documented mental and physical health benefits!
I was recently asked the question, “When did you realize that being outside is healthcare?” I have long understood and experienced the calming effects of being outside, and I did not have to reflect long to find a recent fitting example. Nothing calms me more than the sound of the ocean, and when enjoying the last swim of the summer with my family in Ocean City I could instantly feel my stress level lower and my energy increase with the movement and sound of the waves.
Here in Maryland, we’re putting those ideas into action by increasing access to outdoor spaces through building new accessible trails in state forest lands, funding projects that increase equitable access to nature through outdoor equity mini grants, and providing our staff with training to connect with nature themselves, and the tools to facilitate that connection for the public that we serve.
 Birds On The Beach by Stacy Liu.
As the weather cools, things are not slowing down. The Office of Outdoor Recreation is preparing for the second annual Maryland Outdoor Recreation Summit at the Royal Sonesta in Baltimore City on October 28-30! This three-day event will bring together recreation enthusiasts, community leaders, advocates, and business owners from across the state to network, learn, and explore. I look forward to seeing many familiar and new faces at the summit. Together, we will celebrate Maryland’s growing outdoor economy, highlight the importance of outdoor access, find new ways to collaborate, and explore Baltimore City’s outdoor gems - register today and I hope to see you outdoors soon!
Recreate Responsibly: Stay on the Trail
From hiking and biking to camping and everything in between, how we spend time in nature matters.
Did You Know? It can take decades for sensitive plants and animals to recover from irresponsible off-trail hiking or camping.
“Social trails,” which are created when people take shortcuts or explore beyond the path, can be unsafe for both trail users and the wildlife around us. Proper trails are engineered to minimize erosion and prevent human impact on sensitive plant and animal habitats. Plus, official trails are carefully marked and maintained to ensure a safe and accessible path. When adventuring outdoors, we can all do our part to protect the natural world by staying on the right path! To learn more about recreating responsibly in the outdoors, check out the 7 Leave No Trace Principles, used widely by both National and State Parks staff.
5 Star at Fair Hill Oct. 16-19
Experience the thrill of world-class equestrian competition at the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill from Oct. 16 - 19.
The contest is one of only two 5 Star Eventing competitions in the United States, and just seven worldwide.
Find tickets on the Maryland 5 Star website: www.maryland5star.us
Each fall, the Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Cecil County comes alive as elite riders and horses from both local and around the globe compete across dressage, cross country, and show jumping.
The event draws tens of thousands of spectators and showcases Maryland’s proud equine tradition alongside family-friendly attractions, vendors, and local food.
Whether you’re a lifelong horse enthusiast or simply love high-energy outdoor events, the Maryland 5 Star offers an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this international competition right here in Cecil County!
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Maryland Cycling Classic
 Photo courtesy of Maryland Cycling Classic. Men's Race headed up North Charles Street.
One of the nation’s premier professional cycling events returned to Baltimore Sept. 6 -- the Maryland Cycling Classic.
The event allowed Marylanders to be up close and personal with teams from the Tour De France, Olympians, and US Champions, and hosted a women’s event for the first time. It was exciting to see the riders cruise by against the backdrop of Charm City landmarks. Above, the peloton of the men's race passes historic Mount Vernon Place, the Washington Monument and the Peabody Institute.
Learn more on the event's website: www.marylandcyclingclassic.us
Big Tree Contest Extended Through Dec. 31 -- Win Up to $500
The Maryland Big Tree Program is extending its statewide Big Tree Contest through Dec. 31. The contest celebrates the program's 100th anniversary!
Head out into a Maryland State Forest this fall and keep an eye out for towering trees with thick trunks.
If you find one with a circumference over 15 feet, you could win up to $500!
Entering is easy: bring a string marked at 15 feet, measure your tree and mark its length on the string, snap a few photos, and send in your entry. The top five biggest trees will be verified by the Big Tree Program, and prizes will be awarded at the end of summer.
What a great excuse to get outside, explore Maryland’s forests, and maybe even make tree history! Full details and instructions can be found at the Maryland Forest Service’s Big Tree Centennial Contest webpage.
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Regional Mountain Biking Finals Take on Fair Hill
Have you ever been mountain biking? For thousands of kids across the United States, it’s more than a hobby - it’s a lifestyle that builds community and teaches valuable lessons!
The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) brings together over 14,000 mountain-loving riders and coaches to inspire kids to meet their full potential on and off the trail.
This fall, they’re hosting their Eastern Regionals race at Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area in Elkton.
The Maryland Interscholastic Cycling League will join leagues from Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio and New York. The event to race and build community Nov. 8-9 in beautiful Cecil County!
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 Business Spotlight: City Bonfires
As the weather cools, we’re excited for getting cozy and relaxed by a warm campfire - is there anything more relaxing than the crackling flames?
Thanks to a bustling business that started as a pandemic-era side hustle by two dads in Montgomery County, you no longer need a campfire pit to enjoy a cozy flame! City Bonfires, invented by Chris McCasland and Michael Opalski, are portable, tabletop campfires-in-a-can handmade proudly in Rockville, Maryland.
City Bonfires are made with nontoxic, food-grade soy wax and locally-sourced materials. The recyclable steel tin, about the size of a large tuna can, weighs less than one pound, making City Bonfires safe, portable, and easy to both light and extinguish. Keeping a City Bonfire in your back pocket is perfect for anything from late-night backyard s’mores with the family to portable cooking on a hike or camping trip.
As you may know from evenings during camping or backpacking adventures, sitting around a campfire has an amazing power to deepen social bonds between people. But research shows that bonfires can also have added health benefits, like calming and restorative psychological effects that help reduce stress. Growing numbers of nonprofits and eco-therapists have tapped into the health benefits of “campfire therapy” to help improve mental health in the outdoors. City Bonfires help bring this relaxing feeling to families, without needing a traditional fire pit.
Tree Stand Safety Tips for the Fall Hunt
Hunters are preparing for the fall archery, muzzleloader, and firearms seasons across the state. Check out some safety tips from the Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping 2025-2026.
Tree stand accidents are the leading cause of hunter injuries in Maryland. Most tree stand accidents occur in the transition between a climbing device and the tree stand. Here are some tips to stay safe during this hunting season:
- Always practice and understand the manufacturer’s recommendations for use of any climbing equipment or tree stand.
- Keep all tree stands, and climbing equipment in good repair.
- Practice with stands, harness, and climbing equipment at ground level first.
- Use only full-body safety harness/fall restraint systems and a lifeline when climbing a tree or in a tree stand.
- Only climb healthy trees. Even live branches may give way under your weight.
- Use three points of contact with the tree or climbing device for a secure hold.
- Climb higher than your stand and step down onto it.
- Wear boots with non-skid soles to prevent slips.
- Use a haul line to get hunting equipment into and out of your stand. Guns should be unloaded and broad heads covered.
- Don’t fall asleep in your stand.
- Tell others where you will hunt and when you will return.
Summer 2025 Social Media Highlights
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