Best Time to Visit Maryland National Parks
Maryland has 16 National Park Service units that report visitation. Below, each is ranked by annual visits, with the month our data recommends for the best balance of light crowds, comfortable weather and daylight. Crowds peak in summer almost everywhere — the recommended months show where the quieter shoulder seasons fall.
| Park | Annual visits | Best time | Busiest | Quietest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George WashingtonMemorial Parkway | 6,732,932 | September | Aug | Jan |
| AppalachianNational Scenic Trail | 6,215,118 | September | Jul | Feb |
| Chesapeake & Ohio CanalNational Historical Park | 4,579,704 | February | Jun | Jan |
| Assateague IslandNational Seashore | 2,325,195 | October | Jul | Dec |
| Harpers FerryNational Historical Park | 537,876 | September | Jul | Jan |
| Fort WashingtonPark | 502,171 | January | Jul | Jan |
| Catoctin MountainPark | 460,857 | May | Oct | Feb |
| Fort McHenryNational Monument and Historic Shrine | 394,175 | October | Jul | Jan |
| PiscatawayPark | 275,070 | January | Jun | Jan |
| AntietamNational Battlefield | 197,340 | September | Jul | Jan |
| GreenbeltPark | 130,314 | January | May | Jan |
| MonocacyNational Battlefield | 116,902 | April | Jul | Jan |
| HamptonNational Historic Site | 48,158 | January | May | Jan |
| Harriet Tubman Underground RailroadNational Historical Park | 15,348 | January | Jul | Jan |
| Clara BartonNational Historic Site | 11,309 | October | Jun | Jan |
| Thomas StoneNational Historic Site | 4,538 | February | Sep | Jan |