Maryland State Parks welcomed more than 3,000 people to First Day Hikes to start the year. On January 1, 2026, with more than 50 different hike options, people braved the wind and cold throughout the state. Ranger-led hikes welcomed more than 2,000 visitors who hiked 4,460 miles. In addition, more than 1,100 hikers completed about 2,300 miles through self-guided hikes.

First Day Hikes also kicked off a fun new challenge for 2026 - Miles For Maryland. The Maryland Park Service is challenging visitors to walk one mile for each year since the founding of our country – 250 miles for America’s 250th. 

Teams and hikers who register for the Miles for Maryland Trail Challenge and pay a $25 fee will receive a keepsake item. Those who hike 250 miles in Maryland State Parks in 2026 are eligible for a prize drawing.

Those who submit photos with their mileage reports will be entered for additional monthly prize drawings. Registration does not cover park entry – fees may apply. Read more.

Fins, Fur, and Feather: Maryland’s Destination Species Draw Anglers and Hunters From Afar

Each year, anglers, hunters, and other wildlife enthusiasts flock to remote areas of the United States in pursuit of regional species for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Maryland offers its own standout opportunities for destination hunters and anglers. Read more.

Saving Your Space: Maryland State Park’s Day-Use Reservation System Cuts Closures, Readies Expansion for 2026

Maryland Park Service’s new day-use reservation system is working as designed to stop the frequent capacity closures that took place at popular state parks before the system was implemented in the spring and summer of 2025,

Between Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day, more than 67,000 reservations came through the new system and the associated call center processed more than 4,000 calls. The results at the ground level were more dramatic with traffic backups at participating parks nearly eliminated and zero capacity closures at parks where the system was installed. This is a complete turnaround from 2024, when 166 capacity closures happened in the park system. Read more.

Maryland Takes Action to Protect Yellow Perch Following Low Recruitment

In response to six years of low recruitment, Maryland recreational anglers who fish this year for yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in tidal waters and freshwater streams and rivers will be allowed to keep five yellow perch per person per day -- previously set at 10. Since 2009, data from the upper Bay winter trawl survey show that the yellow perch population abundance has declined by more than 50%, largely driven by below-average recruitment in recent years.. Read more.

Maryland Natural Resources Police Report: Fall 2025

The Maryland Natural Resources Police took action related to alleged violations of criminal and natural resource laws from September through November of 2025. During the fall months, individuals were charged for violations including spotlighting, hunting out of season, weapons charges, oyster and crabbing violations, illegally baiting wildlife, and other crimes. Read more

Deputy Secretary’s Message: Milestones, Accomplishments, and New Horizons Marked an Exciting Year in Natural Resources

Last year marked another significant year for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and our efforts to protect and conserve the natural places and biodiversity that make Maryland a wonderful place to live. Moving ahead into 2026, we will continue to be guided by data and science while listening to the needs of Marylanders. Read more.