Watkins Regional Park is home to the epic Wizard of Oz Playground we featured in our Imagination Playground Tour last week, but this park has so much more to offer than endless fun at the playground. This park in Prince Georges County is also home to the Old Maryland Farm, Watkins Tennis Bubble, Watkins Nature Center, and Watkins Antique Carousel, Train & Miniature Golf. Not to mention its a great place to take the family camping under the stars.
There are a ton of picnic tables scattered throughout the park if you’d like to have a quick picnic between all the fun you are going to have. There are no food vendors at the park so pack a lunch or pick up lunch at a nearby eatery like the Taste of Caribbean or Wendys.
Most of the places in the park are free with the exceptions of mini golf, the train ride, and carousel. There are also fees such as feed if you would like to feed the animals at the farm.
Parking Tip: This park fills up on the weekends. Park near the playground, the playground is pretty much near everything else in the park and is a good central location to be parked.
The Old Maryland Farm
The Old Maryland Farm is an educational farm open to the public. Kids cannot handle the animals but they can buy feed and feed them as well as look at the gardening displays all around the farm. The farm also has hayrides and farming demonstrations for your kids to participate in. The farm is closed on Mondays.
Watkins Tennis Bubble
The year-round facility, Watkins Tennis Bubble Clubhouse, is a green building. A “green” building refers to both a structure and the use of processes that are environmentally friendly and resource-efficient throughout the life of the building. Not only are these courts environmentally friendly, they are air conditioned and will keep you cool even in the hottest Summer months.
The up-to-date clubhouse features an attention to detail in every way. The large lobby area and comfortable customer lounge allow parents or others use of Wi-fi while waiting out a tennis match, lesson or program. Additional outdoor renovations are planned for landscaping and the outdoor court seating area.
The Nature Center
You can get pretty close to some reptiles and birds at the Watkins Nature Center. There is a butterfly garden, song bird feeding area, and a squirrel gym! The Nature Center offers programs all year long including nature hikes, camping, puppet shows, crafts, and Summer day camps.
They even have partnered with the Agent of Discovery: Exploring the Outdoors with a Mobile Interactive Game, a free educational mobile game for families, to encourage kids to learn and explore the surroundings of the Watkins Nature Center. The app is available in the Apple and Google Play stores.
The Watkins Antique Carousel
The carousel was built by Gustav Dentzel. It is called the Chesapeake Carousel, and is originally located at Chesapeake Beach until 1972. It then moved to Watkins Regional Park and got restored. The carousel is seasonal and runs from late Spring until early Fall. $2 per person for Maryland residents.
The Mini Train
Near the carousel is a C.P. Huntington Locomotive replica miniature train ride. The train travels through the tall trees in the woods and goes through the Old Maryland Farm to see all the animals. The train is seasonal and runs from late Spring until early Fall. $2 per person for Maryland residents.
Mini Golf
Enjoy this 18 hole mini gold course with the family and see who is the Tiger Woods of your tribe. Mini Golf is seasonal and runs from late Spring until early Fall. $5 per person for Maryland residents.
Watkins Regional Park Camping
The Watkins Regional Park offers primitive tent camping for small or large groups, no RV’s. There are thirty (30) individual sites and three (3) group sites at the Park. The campsites are open March 1-November 15. Check-in time is noon and check-out time is 11 am. Comfort stations with hot showers are available for use.
Reservations can be made at Watkins Nature Center, Monday-Friday from 9 am-4:30 pm (301-218-6702), or reserve a campsite today through PARKS DIRECT. Payment is due when reservation is made.
Other Prince George’s County Places to Visit
🚗 National Wildlife Research Refuge
🚗 Imagination Playground Tour
🚗 Allen Pond Park
🚗 Free Yoga in the Park
🚗 Clearwater Nature Center
🚗 Summer Snow Globe
🚗 Lake Artemesia Natural Area
🚗 @montpelier_farms
🚗 Merkle Natural Resources Management Area and Visitor Center
🚗 National Colonial Farm at Piscataway Park
🚗 College Park Aviation Museum
Let us know of any other PG County places we should know about on our social media or email us at artdirector@jecoannapolis.com. –Jenny Cardoza