Elk Neck State Forest – Main Tract

Starting in North East, will hike the Mason Dixon Trail through Elk Neck State Forest and then loop back via forest roads.  Optional early dinner in North East after the hike.  Meet at 9:30 am at North East, MD, post office parking lot, 406 S. Main St.  Expect muddy trails; boots recommended.  Bring lunch, snacks, and water.

Carpooling from DE: Meet at the Park and Ride at 896 and Route 4 (across route 4 from the UD Stadium) by 8:45 a.m. for carpooling from DE.

 

George Wagner

From US-40 at the DE/MD state line. Proceed west on US-40 for 4.2 mi. Turn left onto Old Elk Neck Rd and proceed 4.0 mi. Turn right onto Irishtown Rd and proceed 2.3 mi. Turn right into the park entrance (very difficult to see from this direction) and proceed 240 ft on the dirt road. Parking lot is on the far left.

This is one of the tracts of the State FOREST, not the State PARK!  Elk Neck State Forest and Elk Neck State Park are very often confused. The State Forest’s area is much larger, with the main tract running all the way between Elkton and North East, MD. It has a climbable wooden lookout tower. The State Park is past the Forest and further from Delaware.  At its farthest section, it has a white lighthouse on a 120 foot bluff, overlooking the Chesapeake Bay.