A
popular mecca for those seeking the great outdoors and a
little splash-oriented fun, Lake Needwood is centrally located
in the southern half of Derwood's boundaries. This freshwater
body is entirely surrounded by the wooded hills and valleys
of Rock Creek Regional Park. The northern tip of the lake
actually extends underneath Needwood Road so that there
are indeed moments when you can be surrounded by water on
two sides on a lazy Sunday afternoon drive.
There are two entrances to Rock Creek Park to access the Lake.
One lies on Needwood Road between Muncaster Mill Road and
the point where it crosses over the lake. The second entrance
lies on Avery Road. The grounds of Rock Creek Regional Park
are open to the public from dawn to sunset year 'round. Lake
Needwood's boating and fishing are restricted during winter
months. However, the splendor of hiking or biking through
and along the lake's shores can be readily enjoyed autumn
and spring.
Row
boats, canoes and pedal boats can be rented at the Needwood
Boat house during the standard summer season of Memorial Day
weekend through Labor Day Weekend. Row boats and canoes can
be rented at an hourly rate or for the day. Pedal boats, most
popular with families and young children, can be rented by
the half hour. No swimming or wading is permitted within the
lake. One person on each boat must be sixteen years of age
or older. A drivers license or picture ID must be presented
for each boat rented without exception. The boat shop can
be reached in season at (301) 762-9500. The boat
house is open Monday - Friday 12:00pm to 6:00pm and Saturday
and Sunday 6:30am to 6:00pm.
Yet
another boating excursion on Lake Needwood to consider is
aboard the Needwood Queen. The Needwood Queen is an outboard
powered pontoon boat that can accommodate up to 20 people.
This floating tour departs on the hour between noon and 4pm
(on weekends only) from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend.
The tour focuses on the park's wildlife including turtles,
deer, several kinds of water birds and beavers. The tour takes
approximately 20 minutes and admission is $1 per person. Weekday
tours are available for groups of ten or more by reservation
only. Life jackets are required of all passengers and are
provided for children. For further information or to make
reservations call (301) 762-1888.
Stocked
with trout (2,000 in 1999) each spring, fishing is another
popular pastime on the lake. All fishermen and fisherwomen
who have reached their sixteenth birthday must have a Maryland
fishing license to fish these non-tidal waters as well as
a trout stamp. Trout are limited to 5 per day. All Maryland
State Fishing Regulations for inland waters apply. Year-round
fishing is permitted from the shoreline.
Private
boats are allowed on the Lake between March 1st and December
15th. The Bait and Tackle Shop
located within the boat house on Lake Needwood's shores offer
night crawlers, tackle, mooring space and fishing licenses.
Boaters are limited to electric motors only. In addition,
all boaters must have a daily or yearly permit for access
to the Lake. A fee is required for this permit which must
be obtained at the boat house. This permit is good for boater
access to the Black Hills/Boyds area in addition to Lake Needwood.
There
are shelters available for rental
that overlook the lake as well as other locations within Rock
Creek Regional Park. To rent/reserve a shelter for a family
outing or your next event call The Park Permit office at (301)
495-2525. The Park Permit office is open from 8:30am-5:00pm
for inquiries.
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