Rocks State Park

Rocks State Park is an 855-acre conservation area in Harford County with rocky cliffs, forests, and hiking trails along Deer Creek. The park consists of three separate sections: the main area on Rocks Ridge, the Falling Branch section with Kilgore Falls, and Hidden Valley, which together offer different landscapes and geological features.

The park was established in 1949 by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and was originally named Deer Creek State Park before being renamed Rocks State Park. This renaming reflected growing recognition of the area's geological significance.

The park's name directly reflects the rock formations that shape the landscape and have drawn people's attention for generations. The King and Queen Seat formation serves as a recognizable gathering point and overlook that locals and visitors have long referenced in stories and writings.

The park is divided into three separate sections located in different areas, each offering different experiences, so visitors should plan which sections to explore. Hiking boots and plenty of water are helpful, especially when tackling steeper trails or waterfall routes.

The Falling Branch section of the park contains a waterfall standing at 190 feet tall, making it the second-highest in Maryland, and it flows through dense forest. This water feature often gets overlooked because it sits in a separate park section and is less widely known than the more prominent King and Queen Seat formation.

Location: Harford County

Inception: 1949

Operator: Maryland Park Service

Website: https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/central/rocks.aspx

GPS coordinates: 39.64000,-76.42000

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:04