Fort Smallwood

For dining options near Fort Smallwood, visitors can explore a variety of restaurants in the surrounding areas. Crabby Pig in Cumberland offers a casual atmosphere with steamed crabs and BBQ ribs. Lakeside Grille at Rocky Gap provides a scenic dining experience with a focus on breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Signatures Bar & Grill is another option, offering a sports bar atmosphere with live performances. For those seeking Italian cuisine, Ristorante Ottaviani in Cumberland offers refined Italian dining with a cozy atmosphere.

For accommodations near Fort Smallwood, several options are available in the nearby areas. Rocky Gap Casino, Resort & Golf in Flintstone offers upscale lodging with golf and spa facilities, providing a luxurious stay. Comfort Inn & Suites LaVale - Cumberland provides a more budget-friendly option with free WiFi and an indoor pool. Another choice is the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Cumberland - La Vale, offering simple rooms and suites with an indoor pool.

Fort Smallwood Park offers a range of amenities to enhance visitor experiences. These include picnic areas, playgrounds, and historic sites like Battery Hartshorne. The park also features a 380-foot fishing pier, known as the Bill Burton Fishing Pier, which is popular among fishermen and birdwatchers. Additionally, there are boat ramps and a historic Cedar Pavilion available for rental, suitable for outdoor events. Restrooms and snack stands are also available within the park.

Visitors to Fort Smallwood Park can engage in a variety of activities. Swimming and fishing are popular pastimes, with the park's beaches and fishing pier providing ideal spots. Walking trails allow for leisurely strolls or more vigorous hikes, while the playground and horseshoe pits offer entertainment for families. Birdwatching is another favorite activity, given the park's designation as an Important Bird Area. The park also hosts events like the spring hawk watch, attracting nature enthusiasts.

Fort Smallwood Park offers several accessibility features to ensure that all visitors can enjoy its facilities. The park has paved paths suitable for wheelchairs, allowing easy access to many areas, including the fishing pier and picnic sites. Restrooms are also wheelchair accessible, providing convenience for visitors with mobility needs. However, the swimming beach is not accessible for wheelchairs, limiting some activities for visitors with disabilities.

Parking at Fort Smallwood Park is readily available, with a daily entry fee of $6 per vehicle. Physically challenged visitors pay $5, and service-connected individuals can enter for free with proper identification. Annual passes are also available for frequent visitors. The park operates year-round, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas, when the boat ramp is closed. Parking is conveniently located near the park's amenities, ensuring easy access to all facilities.

Fort Smallwood Park has a rich history, having served as a coastal defense fort from 1890 to 1927. It was named after General William Smallwood, a prominent figure in the Revolutionary War. The park is also recognized for its birdwatching opportunities, being designated as an Important Bird Area. The annual spring hawk watch and the Big Sit event in October attract bird enthusiasts from across the region. The park's scenic location on the Chesapeake Bay offers stunning views and diverse wildlife.

Near Fort Smallwood Park, there are several attractions worth exploring. The park itself is a historical site with Battery Hartshorne, offering insights into its military past. The Chesapeake Bay beaches provide scenic views and opportunities for water activities. For those interested in nature, the nearby White Rocks in the Patapsco River are a notable feature. Additionally, the park's proximity to Baltimore allows for easy access to city attractions like the Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry.