There are endless possibilities when it comes to recreation in Washington County. Parks, golf courses and trails are abundant throughout the county, providing lots of outdoor fun and adventure.

The Washington County Government has established more than ten parks in the county. The first county park was Doub's Woods, established in 1953 and the most recent one was the Washington County Regional Park, established in 1992. Each county park is different, but many offer similar activities to its visitors. The parks have pavilions for picnicking and group gatherings, playground equipment and ball fields. Many of these parks have yearly festivals or fairs, celebrating craft and culture in Washington County. Some parks even offer fishing and provide canoe access to the many area streams.

Several towns in Washington County have parks as well. The most well known of these is Hagerstown's 50-acre City Park. Nestled in the south end of Hagerstown, the City Park has lakes complete with ducks, swans and geese.

The Appalachian Trail, extending from Maine to Georgia, has 40 miles of trail in Maryland. The majority of the trail follows along the ridge crest of South Mountain, at Washington County's eastern border. The Appalachian Trail joins the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath at the Potomac River.

Seventy-eight miles of the 184 mile C & O Canal towpath are located in Washington County. The towpath is excellent for hiking, as well as horseback riding, boating and fishing. The canal stretches from Georgetown in Washington DC to Cumberland, Maryland, but the portion of towpath in Washington County and further west is the most peaceful and serene.

The Western Maryland Rail Trail is paved trail about 23 miles long. Beginning about ½ mile west of historic Fort Frederick State Park in Washington County, the trail follows the former Western Maryland Railway line through Hancock, Maryland, and onto Woodmont Natural Resources Management Area and the Sideling Hill Wildlife Management Area ending at the Pearre terminus.

For golfers, Washington County has five area courses, both public and private. They range from the nine-hole Municipal Golf Course to the 18-hole championship course at the Fountain Head Country Club. The county's newest golf course, Black Rock, is one of the most spectacular public courses in Maryland. It attracts golfers from as far away as Baltimore.

Washington County has an abundance of parks and recreational areas that allow visitors to enjoy the natural wonders and beauty of our mountains and valleys.