Elk Neck State Forest is approximately 3300 acres situated in central
Cecil County consisting of four separate tracts of land. Elk Neck State Forest
is open to the public for hunting, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking.
Shooting ranges for bow, hand gun, shotgun and rifle are also available to the
public. Permits are accessed from a self-service honor system located at the
Maintenance Complex. The forest supports a diverse habitat with mixed deciduous
and evergreen trees and an understory of mountain laurel, azaleas and other
native shrubs. Birdwatchers, including members of the Cecil County Bird Club,
enjoy observing the forest's abundance of migratory birds. For those interested
in wildflowers, the Forest is home to an abundance of natural flora.
Tract Description
Main Tract – Located off of Irishtown Road. Public access and parking along main trails. Shooting Range, hiking, and public hunting are available.
Shady Beach Road Tract – Located off of Shady Beach Road – No public road access or parking.
Diggs Farm Tract – Located off of East Old Philadelphia Road – No public road access or parking.
Black Hill Tract – Located off of McKinneytown Road to the rear of the Black Hill
Ranger Station. Public access and parking are available to rear of Ranger Station. Public hunting and hiking are available.
Operating Hours
The Forest is open from sun rise to sun down each day. During periods of inclement weather, forest roads may be closed temporarily until they are safe for public use. The Forest will remain open with public parking available at the Main Entrance off of Irishtown Road.
On bad weather days, please call the Forest Office for current road conditions and temporary closures at (410) 287-5675.
Trails
Hike through diverse wooded flatland, rolling hills, and marshlands in Elk Neck State Forest on over twenty eight miles of combined drivable trails and foot trails. Twelve miles of improved wide forest roads, flanked by thick woods (mixed deciduous trees and evergreens) allow for seasonal vehicle access due to road conditions. Once you pass the shooting range, the trail becomes more pleasant and isolated.
The Mason Dixon Trail System crosses between the Diggs Farm Tract and the Main Tract and gives avid hikers a pristine pass through the densely forested Plum Creek Watershed.
The Elk Neck Trail System begins within the Main Tract and crosses on and off of Forest Property and eventually crosses the Black Hill Tract as it runs for its final destination, the Turkey Point Lighthouse at Elk Neck State Park. This trail covers approximately 14 miles for avid hiking enthusiasts.
Several miles of unimproved fire trails provide the beginner hiker with a modest tour of the interior portions of the Main tract on Elk Neck State Forest.
Trail Guide
Check out a copy of the Elk Neck
State Forest & Park Trail Guide complete with a topographical map of
the hiking and biking trails.
To purchase copies of the Elk Neck State
Forest & Park Trail Guide with a credit card, please "click" on this link to place your order online.
To purchase copies of the Elk Neck State
Forest & Park Trail Guide with a check, please "click" on this link to print an order form.
The Forest does not offer any ORV Trails and does not permit the use of non-licensed off road vehicles, motorcycles, or ATV’s on any tract of the State Forest.
Scenic Overlook
Take a minute and gaze upon the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed from atop of the
Pete Bond Scenic Overlook located off of the Main Road Trail. The overlook is accessed off of a parking area .3 miles from the entrance. Onlookers may look at the northern realm of the Chesapeake Bay from this vantage point or gaze at the vibrant fall colors of the numerous hardwood species during mid to late fall.
Shooting Range
The shooting range at Elk Neck State Forest is opened 9:00 a.m. to sunset Tuesday through Sunday. Mondays closed until 4:00 p.m. & will close at sunset.
You may purchase a permit for the year at a cost of $50.00 for ages 18 to 62,
$25.00 for anyone between the ages of 16 to 18 and anyone over 62, or you may
choose to purchase a daily permit for $10.00 (under 16 years of age is Free with
a paying adult). The permits may be purchased at the range (cash or check).
If paying with cash you must have exact amount.
No automatic weapons. Semi-automatic fire limited to one round per second. You must bring your own target, the center of the target must be a minimum of four feet off of the ground. Only paper or clay targets may be used. All range regulations are posted at the range and on all applications.
There are four ranges:
- 100 yard (riffle/muzzleloader)
- 50 yard (pistol)
- skeet range (no thrower provided)
- bow & arrow range
All shotguns shot on the rifle range must utilize a slug shell. No shot shell of any type is permitted on the rifle range.
2008 Shooting Range
Application
Application processing will begin in December 2007
A copy of the Range
Regulations may be downloaded here: Range
Regulations
Permits are available at the Maintenance Complex near the Main Entrance and must
be obtained prior to using the range complex.
All ranges are closed the second
Saturday in September to allow for the Northern Chesapeake Sportsman’s Kids
Youth Day activities.
Leave No Trace
Elk Neck State Forest is Trash Free.
Read more about
Leave No Trace.
Camping
There is no camping available on Elk Neck State Forest.
Public Hunting
Public hunting is available on Elk Neck State Forest for all current seasons. No
permits are required to hunt on the Forest except for a valid hunter’s license.
To verify dates and regulations please check the
Guide to Hunting and Trapping in Maryland.
Accommodations for hunters with disabilities are available at numerous sites on the Trails located on the
Main Tract. Please contact the Forest Office for further information and
locations.
Elk Neck State Forest
130 McKinneytown Road
North East, MD 21901
(410) 287-5675
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