Rocks State Park

Rocks State Park is a public recreation area located in and around Deer Creek Valley near Pylesville, Harford County, Maryland. The state park's 1,060 acres (430 ha) preserve the geologic formation known as the King and Queen's Seat and other features in three non-contiguous areas near the junction of Maryland Route 24 and Maryland Route 165. It is managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.[3]

Rocks State Park
Rocks State Park in 2017
Map showing the location of Rocks State Park
Map showing the location of Rocks State Park
Location in Maryland
LocationHarford County, Maryland, United States
Nearest townPylesville, Maryland
Coordinates39°38′14″N 76°24′44″W[1]
Area1,060 acres (4.3 km2)[2]
Elevation285 ft (87 m)[1]
DesignationMaryland state park
Established1949
AdministratorMaryland Department of Natural Resources
WebsiteRocks State Park
View from the King and Queen's Seat

History

The belief that the King and Queen's Seat rock formation was used by Native Americans for ceremonial purposes stems from a book published in 1880 by Thomas Wysong entitled The Rocks of Deer Creek: Their Legends and History.[4] Wysong's account was written for "the young people especially,... mingling fact and fancy."[5] An archaeological investigation by the Maryland State Highway Administration begun in 2005 failed to find evidence that the site had significance to modern Indians as a “traditional cultural property.” The “Rocks of Deer Creek” were already a tourist attraction in the 19th century, served by the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad at milepost 35.3 until 1958.[4] The state purchased 82 acres at the site in 1949, opening it under the name Deer Creek State Park in 1953.[6][7]

Park areas
Main
The park has three noncontiguous sections in Deer Creek Valley. The largest section, home to park headquarters, is located along Rocks Ridge and is home to the King and Queen's Seat rock formation, a 190-foot (58 m) rock outcropping that towers above the banks of Deer Creek.
Falling Branch
The Falling Branch area is a 67-acre (27 ha) tract of land located 5 miles (8.0 km) north of the Rock Ridge section, along the Falling Branch tributary of Deer Creek. It is home to Kilgore Falls, the second highest waterfall in Maryland. Unfortunately, due to Tuck Everlasting, the tree that was called “Falling Branch” was cut down for filming.[8]
Hidden Valley
The Hidden Valley section, located 5 miles (8.0 km) to the west of the Falling Branch area, is an undeveloped area along the banks of Deer Creek primarily used for fishing.[3]

Activities and amenities

The park offers scenic views on 3.5 miles (5.6 km) of hiking trails as well as tubing on Deer Creek and picnicking facilities with pavilions. Hunting and fishing are also available.[3]

Kilgore Falls and the King and Queen's Seat rock formation were featured in the movie Tuck Everlasting.[9][10]

References
  1. "Deer Creek State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. "DNR Lands Acreage" (PDF). Maryland Department of Natural Resources. p. 9. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
  3. "Rocks State Park". Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  4. "Archeological Investigations Conducted by the Maryland State Highway Administration along MD 24 through Rocks State Park" (PDF). Maryland State Highway Administration. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  5. Wysong, Thomas (1880). "The Rocks of Deer Creek: Their Legends and History". Baltimore: A. J. Conlon. p. 1. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  6. "Maryland State Park History". Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  7. "Master Plan: Maryland State Parks and Recreation Areas". Maryland State Planning Commission. March 1952. p. 56. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  8. "Falling Branch, Harford County". Maryland Geological Survey. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  9. Gienow, Michelle (August 4, 2004). "In the Swim: Soaking Up the Primeval Pleasures of Maryland's Swimming Holes". Baltimore City Paper. Photo Feature. Archived from the original on April 24, 2005. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
  10. "Tuck Everlasting Filming Locations". IMDB. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
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