Druid Hill Park

Druid Hill Park is a large wooded urban park in northwest Baltimore centered around Druid Lake, one of the region's largest earthen dammed reservoirs. The expansive grounds include the Maryland Zoo, disc golf courses, swimming areas, and tennis facilities spread throughout its wooded landscape.

The land was originally owned by George Buchanan, one of Baltimore Town's founding commissioners in 1729. The city purchased the property in 1860 and transformed it into a public park for recreation.

The park holds memories of the Civil Rights Movement, when people protested racial segregation at its facilities. These events shaped how the place is understood as a public space for all today.

The park is easily accessible on foot or by bicycle, with most areas having clear trails and open spaces that are straightforward to navigate. Since facilities are spread across the grounds, it helps to plan which areas you want to explore before arriving.

The Howard P Rawlings Conservatory sits within the park grounds, an elaborate Victorian glass structure from the 1800s that ranks among the oldest of its type in America. Inside, botanical collections showcase plants from around the world in a historic setting.

Location: Baltimore

Inception: 1860

Operator: Baltimore City Department of Recreation & Parks

Website: https://bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/parks/druid-hill

GPS coordinates: 39.32500,-76.64330

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:07