Over 140 species have been reported on eBird from the Main Tract of Elk Neck State Forest. for these two areas, so they are not described. There are two additional tracts of the Elk Neck State Forest – the Shady Beach Road Tract (53 acres) and the North East Tract (190 acres) – but there is no public road access or parking. In addition to the trail maps at links at left, see the Arboretum Hunting Area Map at. Most of this tract is undeveloped and is used for hunting. The Arboretum is just 4 acres, but is part of a 130-acre tract along Old Elk Neck Road that includes adjacent fields managed for wildlife habitat. The specimens represent shrub and tree species from all over Maryland. The plants have identification tags and are located along a ½ mile walking loop. The Arboretum displays 61 newly planted specimens and 35 pre-existing specimens, representing 52 different species of Maryland native shrubs and trees. In addition to being the first arboretum in Cecil County, it is the first project of its kind undertaken by MD DNR.

The Arboretum Hiking Trail is the newest tract at the Elk Neck State Forest. The trails here are one-way and you will have to retrace your steps to return to your car (see trail map at link at left). Another trail at Black Hill is wheelchair accessible. The Black Hill Tract is open to foot traffic along a trail that leads to a fire observation tower (the tower itself is closed to the public). The 350-acre Black Hill Tract lies a couple miles south of the Main Tract and is accessed from McKinneytown Road. These two habitat types are breeding sites for dragonflies and amphibians. In contrast to the dry pitch pine community, the Plum Creek watershed also contains seepage wetlands and vernal pools. In early spring, pink Lady’s-Slipper Orchids provide splashes of color among the pine needles on the forest floor. In the Plum Creek Natural Area, mixed within the tall pitch pines are an assortment of native oaks, along with an understory of huckleberries and blueberries. On the Maryland Coastal Plain, pitch pine has a very limited distribution, and is primarily restricted to very dry, sandy, acidic habitats subject to periodic fires. Pitch pine forests are found in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, but are rare in Maryland. The Natural Area contains an exceptional pitch pine ( Pinus rigida) community. Note that all the dirt roads within the State Forest are dead ends and you will have to turn around to return to the entrance when ready to leave.Ībout 500 acres of the Main Tract have been designated by MD DNR as the Plum Creek Natural Area.

Note that some or all of the dirt roads (which are designated by the Forest Service as Trails 1, 2, and 3, on the trail map at link at left), may be closed from time to time because of weather damage. A tall observation tower, located on a side-trail just 0.2 miles from the entrance, provides a sweeping view over the treetops on the wooded hillside below all the way to the North East River in the distance. A pond formed by damming Plum Run lies in the central part of the main tract the dam has now been breached and may be crossed on foot (with difficulty), but not by car. A section of the main tract is adjacent to the county landfill and attracts species that prefer open or scrubby areas. The Main Tract, entered from Irishtown Road, is comprised of 2,958 acres, with an extensive network of driveable dirt roads and marked foot-trails, including a portion of the 199-mile long Mason-Dixon Trail. There are three tracts within the State Forest that are open to the public. Since the State Forest is open for deer hunting, the understory is mostly intact and not over-browsed by deer.ĭo not confuse Elk Neck State Forest with Elk Neck State Park, which is a separate facility about 11 miles south, at the tip of the Elk Neck peninsula, The understory is dense in many places, providing excellent nesting habitat. Today, the State Forest consists of mixed hardwoods and evergreens with an understory of mountain laurel, azaleas, and other native shrubs and ground covers. This 3,500 acre forest was planted in the 1940s as a demonstration forest with the intention of logging, but was never cut because of poor timber quality. Main Tract – 717 Irishtown Road, North East, MD 21901īlack Hill Tract – 30 McKinneytown Road, North East, MD 21901Īrboretum – 2295 Old Elk Neck Road, Elkton, MD 21921Įlk Neck State Forest lies just southeast of the town of North East in Cecil County and provides a rare opportunity to bird in a rich woodland habitat.

Elk neck state park