Elk Neck State Park Hike - PQ

This weekend we visited Elk Neck State Park for a Park Quest hike. Since we didn't think it was a good idea to do a steep climb at Rocks with M. in the hiking pack, she and I hiked Elk Neck while the boys put their climbing skills to work. We hiked the beaver marsh loop on our quest, looking for a series of clue stops. At each clue stop we had the opportunity to learn facts about Captain John Smith, his exploration of the area, and also about the Susquehannocks tribe, it's early inhabitants. Our quest began at the Rogue harbor marina area and continued up through the beaver marsh loop trail.

We learned how and what the tribe used the land and animals in this area to forge their survival -- making weapons, clothing, nets, shelters and hunting and food collecting. For example, like many other native tribes, they used the hides of large animals to create clothing & blankets to for protection and warmth. They used the native forest hardwoods like oak to make canoes. At each stop we had to answer a question, perform an activity, or record a fact relating to Park Quest or to the area itself. At the end, the numbers that we recorded at each stop were used to open a lockbox to collect our passport stamp.

The trail itself was beautiful. It was narrow and a little hilly. M., our 2 year old did the whole hike on foot. She fell a few times but made it the whole way. We both enjoyed this hike, although we were overwhelmed by the number of spiders & spider webs across every section of the narrow trail. I had several (at least 4) spiders land on me... Luckily I they were friendly... Neither M. or I got bit!We liked Elk Neck, the camping looked great, and we like the fact that it has a marina & boat launch. We have marked this as a future camping spot if we can fit it in the schedule, and we'll be bringing our boat up with us.

Below, our PQ passport stamp:

And for our memories, the original PQ post:

Discovering the Susquehannocks Cache

Introduction To Quest

Many of us have seen movies portraying early European settlers’ first encounters with the Native Americans and many of us have heard stories about the explorations of Captain John Smith. Your quest at Elk Neck State Park will take you back in time to Captain John Smith’s first encounters with the Susquehannock tribe. You will hike along the Beaver Marsh Loop trail in search of letterboxes that will give you clues to the materials used in making Susquehannock tools.

Quest Information

The Park Quest Adventure at Elk Neck State Park will take place in the Rogue Harbor Area. The quest will be available daily starting at 9 a.m. and ending at sunset. To complete the Quest, you will walk approximately one mile round trip. It should take about 1 hour to complete. The majority of your quest will take place on the Beaver Marsh Loop trail. Please be prepared for your forest hike by bringing: comfortable hiking shoes, tick/ bug repellant, water, and snacks. Pets are permitted on this quest, but we ask that you keep them on a leash and clean up their mess. Please note pets are not permitted in other areas of the park. Please call or visit our website for more details before bringing your furry friend.

Your Park Quest Passport provides you and your team free entrance into the day-use areas of the park including Rogues Harbor where your quest will be. Please show your Passport to the attendant at the Contact Station.

If you like, you may print out your Park Quest packet from the link on this web page. If you cannot print the packet, you will have to first stop at the Camper Registration building in the Elk River Camping Area to pick up a Park Quest packet. When you arrive to the Rogues Harbor area, follow the Park Quest signs to your starting point, the bulletin board by the boat ramp. On the bulletin board, you will find instructions that will introduce you to your quest. As you ‘Discover the Susquehannocks’, you will collect numbers that will open a combination lock on the ‘Park Quest Passport Stamp Box’. Once you have finished your quest and collected the combination lock numbers, open the box, fill out the Park Quest Log Book, and stamp your passport.

Quest Worksheets

• Print Your "Discovering the Susquehannocks Cache Quest" Worksheet here

Park Information

Elk Neck State Park covers nearly 2,200 acres of the peninsula at the head of the Chesapeake Bay. Within easy driving distance from the Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Wilmington metropolitan areas, Elk Neck draws thousands of visitors each year to its scenic North East and Elk River bluffs, its splendid woodlands, and its quiet shores. The Park features four main areas: North East Beach, the Elk River Camping Area, Rogues Harbor, and Turkey Point.

North East Beach - Visitors who make the first right after Park Headquarters will find North East Beach, a popular day-use area that features shallow-water swimming in the North East River, approximately two dozen picnic tables with grills, public restrooms and showers, a playground, seasonal snack bar, and access to two hiking trails and a soft boat launch. Leashed pets are also welcome in this area before Memorial Day and after Labor Day.

Elk River Camping Area - The first left after park headquarters (Thackery Point Road) leads to the Elk River Camping Area. Day-use visitors may choose to visit the Park Store for refreshments or supplies, or access the Park’s extensive trail system at the Pond Loop or Ravines Loop. Campers who register at the Elk River Ranger Station have their choice of approximately 258 campsites, nine rustic cabins, seven mini-cabins, or six youth group sites. We offer both RV camping and tent camping. The Nature Center lies along Thackery Point Road and features wildlife and historical displays. Naturalists open the Nature Center during the peak camping season and run a variety of programs for all ages.

Rogues Harbor - About a mile and a half past the campground, on the left side, is the road to the Rogues Harbor boat launch area. Rogues Harbor is a year-round, 24-hour facility. During the peak season, there are public restrooms and a convenience store. The store sells snacks and drinks, souvenirs, fishing and boating supplies, and marine-grade gasoline. Boaters with vehicles registered in Maryland must pay $10 to launch from Rogues Harbor, and out-of-state boaters must pay $12. These fees are for sailboats, motorboats, and personal watercraft (jet skis). Kayakers and canoeists do not have to pay the launch fee. Day use visitors may be charged a day-use fee. Such visitors could include hikers who access the Beaver Marsh Loop and White Banks trails at the back of the Rogues Harbor parking lot.

Turkey Point - Turkey Point sits on the southern tip of the peninsula and is the home of the Turkey Point Lighthouse. Built in 1833, the 35-foot lighthouse appears much taller standing atop a 100-foot bluff that commands a view of the Chesapeake Bay, the North East River, and the Elk River. Visitors can drive to the southern terminus of Route 272 directly into the Turkey Point parking lot. From there, they can walk the wide, nearly mile-long trail over rolling hills to the lighthouse. Volunteers are at Turkey Point to discuss the history and the future of the lighthouse on weekends from April to November.