Serpentine Barrens Conservation Park

Serpentine Barrens Conservation Park is a nature reserve spanning about 350 acres organized into three separate units. The site features unusual shallow soil conditions that support distinctive plant species adapted to this specific environment.

The name comes from the greenish-brown pattern of the serpentinite soil formation, resembling snake markings. The area was designated as a protected zone to preserve the fragile plant life growing on this geologically unique bedrock.

The park protects rare plant communities that have adapted to the unusual soil conditions found here. Visitors can observe these specialized species growing in ways you would not see in typical nature reserves.

The park is open from sunrise to sunset and has trails you can walk to explore the different sections. Horseback riding is only allowed on established paths at the park edges to protect the sensitive plants and fragile soil.

The soil here is rich in magnesium from serpentinite bedrock, a condition found in very few places nearby. This geological feature allows plant species to grow here that you will not see anywhere else in the surrounding region.

Location: Montgomery County

Website: https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/serpentine-barrens-conservation-park

GPS coordinates: 39.06688,-77.22901

Latest update: December 15, 2025 13:28