Discover Montgomery: Nature, Trails and History

Montgomery is a destination for travelers who want to combine experiences in nature with regional history. The Montgomery Parks trail network covers more than 260 miles. It also includes parks with historic sites, open landscapes, bodies of water and places where the history of Montgomery County comes to life. When choosing a vacation rental, it is therefore especially useful to consider which experiences should be the focus of your trip: extensive trails, observing nature, cultural history or a combination of several themes.

Hiking, Cycling and Trails Through Different Landscapes

Those who enjoy exploring on foot will find several different trail experiences in Montgomery. The mostly paved Black Hill Trail is 4.6 miles long. Black Hill Regional Park also has more than 16 miles of natural-surface trails as well as a water trail on Little Seneca Lake. This makes it possible to consider paved and natural-surface routes separately when planning your day.

Agricultural History Farm Park also combines landscape and activity. Its trails offer nearly four miles of natural-surface routes for hiking and horseback riding. At Rachel Carson Conservation Park, more than six miles of natural-surface trails preserve the character of a 650-acre landscape. Another 4.5-mile trail begins at the intersection of the Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail and Winding Creek Local Park and runs along Turkey Branch, a tributary of Rock Creek. It is used by hikers, cyclists and horseback riders.

For longer excursions, the Capital Crescent Trail is a notable option: It follows a former railway line and extends for 11 miles, about 5.5 miles of which are in Montgomery County. Many trails in Blockhouse Point Conservation Park are part of a historic Civil War complex. In the Great Falls Tavern area, a visitor center at C&O Canal National Historical Park provides information about park programs, hiking trails and the history of the canal. Access is at the intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and Falls Road.

Open Landscapes, Nature and Regional Delights

Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve covers 93,000 acres. It offers opportunities for cycling, hunting, fishing and horseback riding. Agricultural History Farm Park provides a different impression of the landscape: The 455-acre property includes rolling hills, open fields, an apple orchard and various farm animals. The Black Hill Discovery Center offers nature programs and guided tours focused on the park's natural and historic resources.

Wine also plays a role in Montgomery. Rocklands Farm Winery & Market offers guided vineyard tours including a tasting of six wines. Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard combines winery tours, tasting flights and wine education. Such offerings add a pleasure-oriented option to active days without requiring all excursions to have the same character.

History to Explore

Little Bennett Regional Park includes 14 historic sites and attractions. They recall rural life in Montgomery County during the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. At Josiah Henson Museum and Park, a self-guided tour with interactive exhibits and artifacts explores Reverend Josiah Henson, slavery in Maryland and the ongoing struggle for equality. The site also includes a visitor center with an orientation film and gift shop, a historic house with an attached 1850 log cabin kitchen, and a four-acre landscaped park.

The Underground Railroad Experience Trail is part of the National Park Service National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program and commemorates part of the history of Sandy Spring and Montgomery County. The natural-surface trail is two miles long, or four miles including the round trip. At Glen Echo Park, studios and galleries showcase works by local, regional, established and emerging artists. New exhibitions are presented there every four to six weeks.

Which Accommodation Fits Your Travel Plans?

When searching for a vacation rental in Montgomery, you can first determine your preferred daily structure. For a trip focused on hiking or cycling, the various trail types and landscapes take center stage. Those with a stronger interest in history can use the historic parks, museums and trails as a starting point for their selection. For a varied itinerary, nature, culture and wine experiences can be combined.

Additional Places for Orientation

For further travel planning, you can also explore Takoma Park, Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Chevy Chase, Germantown, Rockville, Boyds, Ashton-Sandy Spring, Potomac, Brookeville, Wheaton-Glenmont, Olney and Redland.

For the overarching travel overview: Maryland.