Birding Trail

The Quest at Seneca Creek State Park involves a special bird watching expedition in our day use area. Park Quest participants will use binoculars to find wild birds in their natural habitats or, alternatively, to find pictures of birds that frequent the area placed in their natural habitats. These birds will be sought out from six different stations located in our day use area where participants will record and identify any live birds spotted. Your skills as a birder will be awakened and sharpened by this Quest, and you will discover Seneca’s great diversity of life that may lie just outside of your normal field of vision. Once you have visited all six stations and recorded the birds you have seen, remember to return to the Boat Center to get your Passport stamped.

Quest Information

Park Quest participants can start their Quest by visiting our Boat Center on weekends until Memorial Day and Wednesday through Sunday thereafter. Quests must be completed between 8 am and 4 pm. We recommend that teams start this Quest in the morning hours when birds are more active.

It would be ideal for each team member to have their own pair of binoculars for this Quest, so we ask that you bring with you any binoculars you own or can borrow. The park will have several pair available to lend on a first come, first served basis. We also ask that you bring a Field Guide to Eastern Birds if one is available to you. Several copies will be available on a first come, first served basis. Definitely bring sun screen, bug spray, and paper and pen to make notes. When you check in at the Boat House you will be given a map of the park showing the bird stations, quest instructions, and descriptions of the birds to look for at each station

Please be aware that no pets are allowed in the park. The Quest will involve walking over uneven terrain and trails. If unable to walk uneven terrain, the stations are located next to parking areas and can be accessed by vehicle. Those in need of further accessibility should contact the park prior to their visit.

Directions to Seneca Creek State Park

Seneca Creek State Park is located at 11950 Clopper Road in Gaithersburg in Montgomery County.

From Washington D.C., Virginia, and points south: Take I-270 north toward Frederick, Maryland. Take exit 10, Clopper Road North, and continue through six traffic lights. The park’s entrance is on the left. From points north: Take I-270 south towards Washington D.C. Take exit 11, MD Route 124 west. At the light, bear right and travel two more traffic lights and turn right onto Clopper Road (Rt. 117). The park is approximately 1.5 miles on the left.

For any further assistance, call our office at 301-924-2127.