Orienteering

Test your orienteering skills off the beaten path.

NPS Photo

The courses are open year-round with recommended use during the winter months (November through mid-April). This recommendation is to lessen the impact on forest vegetation and to reduce the risk of tick exposure. The courses are available on a first-come, first-served basis if no advance reservations are made.

Details

Activity

Orienteering

Participants will be supplied with a topographic map containing various course locations as well as a compass. Starting from the visitor center, participants will use their knowledge in orienteering to navigate through the forest along the mountain side to find each post marker and complete the course.

Pets Allowed

Yes

Pets must remain on a leash at all times.

Activity Fee

No

Admission to the park is FREE, but for those who qualify, Senior Passes, Military Passes, Access Passes, and Every Kid in a Park passes are available at the visitor center.

Location

Orienteering Course

A basic orienteering course is located near the park visitor center and consists of 10 points. The first six points (1-6) constitute a loop of approximately 1.5 miles and was designed for the beginner. An additional four points, designated on the map with letters A-D, present a slightly greater challenge.

Reservations

No

The courses are available on a first-come, first-served basis if no advance reservations are made.

Groups may use either course. To find out more information about group reservations contact the visitor center at 301-663-9388 or e-mail us.

This assures that multiple groups will not be using a course at the same time.

Season

Winter, Spring, Fall

Summer orienteering is discouraged in order to lessen the impact on forest vegetation and to reduce the risk of tick exposure. 

Time of Day

Day

The park is open daily from dawn until dusk.

Accessibility Information

The orienteering course is not wheelchair accessible.