Greenwell State Park Hike (Historic Barn Trail/Red trail) PQ

The historic Barn -- Southern MD Charm

Red Trail

Friday evening took us down to the Southern part of our beautiful state -- Greenwell State Park, located in Hollywood Maryland. This park quest took us on the Historic Barn Trail followed by the Red trail. We did not GPS track this one but estimated it to be about 2.25 miles round trip. The highlight of this trip was not only seeing the historical barn, but being able to go in and explore this beautiful relic! Inside, the park had left old farming equipment and the inside largely unrestored, giving it a very authentic feel. Near the equipment and on the walls/doors of the different areas, there were fact sheets, telling us what each was used for. Not only was this fun to explore, but we got some great pictures as well.  We visited this barn on a friday evening, around 6pm, which added to our experience!

The hike itself was easy, flat, on a mowed meadow-like surface. Along the red trail we spotted 5 deer right off the bat. First one, then a group of 4. Along the trail, we had to find a series of letters posts. At the end of the trail, in order to receive our stamp we were required to answer a riddle about the area.

Below is our PQ passport stamp:


And for our memories, the original PQ posting:

Greenwell Historic Barn Adventure

Introduction To Quest

Your Park Quest adventure will allow teams to enjoy a scenic 1.6-mile stroll past historic barns and farm fields. Historic barns, such as those found at Greenwell State Park, are true icons of Southern Maryland charm and heritage.

Quest Information

Greenwell State Park’s Quest is a moderate hike that begins on the Historic Barn trail (approximately 0.15 miles) and continues onto the Red Trail (approximately 1.6 miles). Keep your eyes peeled along the trail for seven letter posts containing one letter of the alphabet to unscramble and spell out a word to solve a riddle. The seventh and final post will have the last letter, the riddle for unscrambling the letters, and the riddle to unlock the box containing the stamp and inkpad. Once you have unlocked the stamp box, stamp your Park Quest booklet and record the answer to the letter scramble next to the stamp in order for this Park Quest to be valid.

From the parking lot, follow the farm road to the Historic Barn Trail. Just outside the barn will be a post with the first letter. Continue and make a right heading for the Red Trail. Next letter post will be at the head of the loop for the Red trail. Third letter post will be near the first handicap sign in the trees. Fourth letter post will be at the canoe campsite. Fifth letter post will be at the last lookout point of Hog Neck Creek. Sixth letter post will be at a midpoint between the fifth and the seventh letter post, and the seventh letter post will be at the other handicap sign just before the finish of the trail loop.

Park Questers must write the answer to the riddle for unscrambling the letters next to the stamp in order for the Park Quest to be valid. From there, Questers can either follow the rest of the Red Trail back to the Historic Barn Trail to the parking lot, or will be free to explore the other trails nearby.

Park information

Greenwell is a 596-acre state park located on the Patuxent River in St. Mary's county, Maryland. Created from a farm donated by John Phillip Greenwell, Jr., and his sister, Mary Wallace Greenwell, the park provides a rural setting for recreation along an important tributary to the Chesapeake Bay. The park includes ten miles of hiking, cycling and equestrian trails, along with access to the river for kayaking and fishing. Greenwell State Park, in partnership with the Greenwell Foundation, also has a special focus on providing recreational opportunities and programs for the disabled. The Greenwell Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization that works in partnership with the Maryland Park Service to provide universally accessible and inclusive programs, services and facilities for all community members, with and without disabilities, in Southern Maryland. The Foundation is based in Greenwell State Park. The Greenwell Foundation offers therapeutic and recreational riding lessons, summer camp and nature camps, kayaking, accessible site rentals and is regularly developing new programs to meet community needs. In 2007, more than 40,000 people visited the park, more than 500 people participated in programs, and more than 1,000 people used the park's accessible facilities for family events and celebrations. The Greenwell Foundation also manages and rents the Rosedale Manor House and the Francis Knott Retreat Lodge.