Community Resources & Things to Do · Working farms and agricultural parks · Showing 24 of 37 resources
Derwood
Agricultural History Farm Park
A 455-acre county farm park with historic barns, an apple orchard, farm animals and a modern farming activity center. Rolling fields, orchard and a variety of farm animals; historic barns and buildings; Dance Nights in the Barn; photography allowed sunrise-to-sunset seven days a week.
Cost
Grounds visits: no admission fee stated. Community-use permits are "FREE for groups with less than 35 people"; the historical-costume Ag Farm Ball is $15/person; photography requires a paid permit.
Best fit
kids, teens, ya, families, homeschool
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- farm animals ↗
- historic farmhouse and bank barn ↗
- apple orchard ↗
- rolling fields and trails ↗
- farm activity center ↗
- historical farm equipment ↗
- over 5 miles of natural-surface farm trails ↗
- historic Bussard farmstead buildings to explore ↗
- Homeschool History hands-on farm life lessons ↗
- Little Farmer Storytime sessions for young children ↗
- weekly summer Fun on the Farm arts and crafts ↗
- Harvest Festival with crafts and living history ↗
Cockeysville
Center for Maryland Agriculture and Farm Park
A county agricultural center and farm park hosting free festivals and agricultural education. Earth Day Festival with free admission and parking; county agriculture programs and demonstration land; working farmland in the middle of suburban Baltimore County.
Cost
Free for the annual Earth Day Festival — "Parking and admission are free." General-admission policy otherwise n.a.
Best fit
kids, teens, ya, families
Before you go
Once a year. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Free for the annual Earth Day Festival — "Parking and admission are free." General-admission policy otherwise n.a
What's here
- Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens open daily, free admission ↗
- guided garden tours with vegetable and berry tastings ↗
- public composting demonstrations in demonstration garden ↗
- walking and equestrian Agricultural Loop Trail (2 miles) ↗
- multiple short walking trails like Homestead and Scenic Ridge ↗
- self-guided exploration of public demonstration farm fields ↗
- kids can explore all-ages public demonstration gardens ↗
- monthly land preservation office hours for farm-curious families ↗
Herndon
Frying Pan Farm Park (Kidwell Farm)
A working 1930s-era county farm with livestock, an equestrian center, historic buildings, and a country store — the model for this whole list. Live cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens and horses you can see up close daily; historic Moffett Blacksmith Shop and 1929 farmhouse; wagon rides and country store; year-round drop-in farm chores and seasonal festivals.
Cost
Free. "Admission is free to Kidwell Farm and Frying Pan Farm Park." Groups of 12–60 pay a $30 group fee; parking for some fall events is $10.
Best fit
kids, teens, ya, families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- farm animals at Kidwell Farm ↗
- historic barns and farmhouse ↗
- country store ↗
- wagon ride tours ↗
- historic schoolhouse ↗
- equestrian center with indoor arena ↗
- playground ↗
- visitor center ↗
- daily tractor-pulled wagon rides March-November ↗
- carousel rides March-November ↗
- Spring Farm Day with baby animals and demos ↗
- horse expo with equestrian demonstrations ↗
Baltimore City
Great Kids Farm
A 33-acre urban working farm operated for Baltimore City Public Schools, with family visiting hours. Hands-on farming with students; cooking and food-preparation sessions; year-round "Farm Family Hours"; farm-to-school curriculum tie-ins.
Cost
Free for the target audience: "All families of Baltimore City Public Schools students and staff are welcome to come visit the farm for free."
Best fit
kids, teens, families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- barn with goats, chickens, turkeys, sheep for students ↗
- 33 acres of forests, fields, stream and gardens ↗
- hands-on vegetable and fruit gardens for student harvesting ↗
- cooking and farm-fresh food tasting activities ↗
- youth employment positions in farm operations ↗
- trails and outdoor exploration spaces for families ↗
- family meet-the-animals experiences during Farm Family Hours ↗
- produce grown for school cafeterias and culinary programs ↗
Millersville
Kinder Farm Park
A large county park built around a preserved working farmstead with farm animals and barns. Farm animals and historic farm buildings; miles of trails; playgrounds and open fields; per-vehicle fee makes a big family visit cheap.
Cost
Low-cost: $8 per vehicle daily entrance.
Best fit
kids, teens, ya, families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- farm animals: chickens, turkeys, geese, cows, pigs, goats, sheep ↗
- Farmhouse Museum with 1930s artifacts ↗
- 2.4-mile paved perimeter trail ↗
- several miles of natural trails ↗
- large playground and tot-lot ↗
- bird watching areas ↗
- fishing areas ↗
- farm museum with 1930s farming artifacts and tobacco press ↗
- working farm showing historic and modern practices ↗
- barnyard animals cared for by 4-H Livestock Club ↗
- opportunities to see cows, pigs, goats and sheep ↗
- birdwatching in meadows, ponds and wooded areas ↗
Sterling
Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum
A small, hands-on farm-life museum aimed squarely at young children. Kid-scaled hands-on farm exhibits; Loudoun agricultural history; located inside Claude Moore Park (which is itself free).
Cost
Low-cost: $5 adults / $3 children.
Best fit
kids, families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- Claude Moore Children's Farm be-a-farmer play area ↗
- roleplay milking life-size cow and collecting play eggs ↗
- replica 1908 one-room schoolhouse for pretend lessons ↗
- Grandma's Kitchen hands-on historic kitchen exhibit ↗
- Waxpool General Store re-created historic store to explore ↗
- Sensory Garden with balance beam and tire tunnel ↗
- sound board and scented plants in Sensory Garden ↗
- It's Just a Way of Life Loudoun history gallery ↗
Kettering
Old Maryland Farm at Watkins Regional Park
A free-entry educational farm inside Watkins Regional Park with year-round livestock, display gardens and farm equipment. Cattle, horses, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, peafowl and waterfowl; herb, vegetable, fruit and native-flower display gardens; tractors and farm equipment on view; feeding the animals and behind-the-scenes horse-stable visits on Farm Tours; 25-cent animal-feed machines.
Cost
"Entrance Fee: Free." Structured programs are $4 for Prince George's/Montgomery residents, $6 non-residents; farm-tour birthday packages $240 resident / $312 non-resident.
Best fit
kids, teens, ya, families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- live farm animals: cattle, horses, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, peafowl ↗
- display gardens (herbs, vegetables, fruit, native flowers) ↗
- farm equipment display (tractors, mowers) ↗
- horse stable with behind-the-scenes access ↗
- paved level pathways ↗
- interpretive agricultural exhibits for visitors ↗
- display gardens showing crops and pollinator plants ↗
- curriculum-linked farm visits for K-12 students ↗
- community Earth Day celebration with sheep shearing ↗
- farm education stations and scavenger hunts ↗
- family photo station and giveaways at Community Day ↗
Oxon Hill
Oxon Cove Park & Oxon Hill Farm
A National Park Service living farm on the DC line where kids do farm chores with rangers. Barnyard animals; NPS ranger-led farm activities; free every day of the year with no reservation; part of the national Free Entrance Days program.
Cost
"Free" — "No entrance pass required."
Best fit
kids, teens, ya, families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- Junior Ranger activities for visiting children ↗
- self-guided walking tour of historic farm buildings ↗
- farm trails extending self-guided tour route ↗
- Kid's Activity Corner with puzzles and coloring ↗
- programs like Meet the Dairy Cow session ↗
- chicken and the Egg interpretive program ↗
- wagon rides around farm landscape ↗
- Park's Past history tour led by rangers ↗
Accokeek
Piscataway Park / National Colonial Farm (Accokeek Foundation)
A riverside NPS park with a re-created colonial-era farm and rare heritage-breed livestock, directly across the Potomac from Mount Vernon. Heritage-breed livestock (rare colonial-era animals); Potomac River boardwalk and fishing pier; colonial farmhouse and tobacco barn; ecosystem farm and heirloom gardens.
Cost
"Free to visit daily."
Best fit
kids, teens, ya, families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- nature trails ↗
- Potomac River views toward Mount Vernon ↗
- fishing pier and boating ↗
- heritage-breed livestock ↗
- picnic grove ↗
- colonial-era farm dwelling open to visitors ↗
- 18th-century tobacco barn to explore ↗
- out-kitchen and other colonial farm structures ↗
- kayak-accessible boat dock on Potomac River ↗
- picnic area near riverfront ↗
- visitor center with exhibits open March-December ↗
- guided tours highlighting colonial structures and animals ↗
Prince Frederick
Biscoe Gray Heritage Farm
County heritage farm site with natural-surface trails for walkers and horseback riders; birding site. County heritage farm site with natural-surface trails for walkers and horseback riders; birding site.
Cost
Free status not stated.
Best fit
families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- Rolling Road to Shipping Lane history trail ↗
- trail network through fields and mature forests ↗
- cliff overlook views of Battle Creek ↗
- self-guided exploration of historic tobacco barns ↗
- viewing historic farm house and outbuildings exterior ↗
- informal nature study of Battle Creek wetlands ↗
- leashed dog walking on natural-surface trails ↗
- equestrian trail riding with permit ↗
Programs
- Public hunting for deer by reservation ↗
Bel Air
Broom's Bloom Dairy
Working dairy farm with on-site ice cream parlor; live-animal viewing not stated. Working dairy farm with on-site ice cream parlor; live-animal viewing not stated.
Cost
No admission mentioned; ice cream parlor.
Best fit
families, kids
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- ice cream parlor with 12-18 rotating flavors ↗
- cafe lunches with soups and sandwiches ↗
- Try Cow Man's Repast soup and cheese meal ↗
- sample artisan cheddar cheeses made on farm ↗
- purchase farm-fresh milk in glass jugs ↗
- buy local meats, eggs, and seasonal produce ↗
- relax at outdoor picnic tables and lawn seating ↗
- kids play in grassy yard while adults relax ↗
Westminster
Carroll County Farm Museum
A 19th-century living farm museum with a farmhouse, craft shops and livestock. Free-admission winter season; historic farmhouse and outbuildings; living-history craft demonstrations; frequent festivals and county events.
Cost
Low-cost, with a free window: $5 adults / $10 family, children under 9 free; admission is free during January and February.
Best fit
kids, families
Before you go
Seasonal. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
admission is free during January and February
What's here
- Children's Touch Room with hands-on general store and kitchen ↗
- Farmyard Friends animal area April through October ↗
- Red Devon oxen Jack and Jim demonstrations ↗
- Living History Center with historic trades rooms ↗
- one-room schoolhouse and general store exhibits ↗
- historic wormseed distillery and transportation exhibit ↗
- Hoff Memorial Log Barn from the 1700s to explore ↗
- barn quilt trail starting at the museum grounds ↗
Ellicott City
Clark's Elioak Farm
Petting farm on a working farm with Enchanted Forest pieces, pony rides, hayrides and play areas. Petting farm on a working farm with Enchanted Forest pieces, pony rides, hayrides and play areas.
Cost
$6 admission per person (third-party); children under 1 free; not free.
Best fit
families, kids
Before you go
Seasonal. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
April-early November
What's here
- petting farm with friendly farm animals ↗
- Enchanted Forest storybook attractions to explore ↗
- cow train ride around the farm ↗
- Enchanted Express Train ride ↗
- gem mining and geode cracking on many weekends ↗
- pumpkin patch visits in fall ↗
- play areas and picnic spaces for families ↗
- Enchanted Pine Tree Forest maze walk ↗
Midland
C.M. Crockett Park
County's largest lakeside park (Germantown Lake): fishing, seasonal jon-boat/pedal-boat/kayak/canoe rentals, boat launch, picnic shelters, volleyball, horseshoes, cornhole, orienteering course, cross-country and nature trails. County's largest lakeside park (Germantown Lake): fishing, seasonal jon-boat/pedal-boat/kayak/canoe rentals, boat launch, picnic shelters, volleyball, horseshoes, cornhole, orienteering course, cross-country and nature trails. Free entry for Fauquier-plated vehicles.
Cost
Fauquier County vehicles free; non-Fauquier vehicles $6 per vehicle; boat rental rates not stated; shelter rental available.
Best fit
families, kids, teens
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- family fishing on Germantown Lake ↗
- boat rentals including jon-boats, pedal boats, kayaks, canoes ↗
- park concession selling snacks and fishing licenses ↗
- nature trail through one mile of woods ↗
- beginner and advanced orienteering courses ↗
- cross-country trail for jogging and skiing ↗
- 200-seat lakeside amphitheater ↗
- large playground and open picnic lawns ↗
Programs
- scout-friendly orienteering courses ↗
Washington
Common Good City Farm
Urban production/teaching farm: CSA, pay-what-you-can market, youth LEAF program, seed-to-table workshops; no livestock stated. Urban production/teaching farm: CSA, pay-what-you-can market, youth LEAF program, seed-to-table workshops; no livestock stated.
Cost
No admission for drop-in visits; field trips $200 ($100 for schools >50% FRL); free public workshops.
Best fit
families, kids, teens
Before you go
Seasonal. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
April-October
What's here
- Pay-what-you-can Wednesday farm market, April-November ↗
- CSA produce pickups at the farm on Wednesdays ↗
- Youth Garden where kids learn basic gardening skills ↗
- outdoor kitchen for youth farm-to-table cooking ↗
- compost bins neighbors can use for food scraps ↗
- seed-to-table public workshops on gardening and cooking ↗
- herb garden and herbalism-focused workshops on site ↗
- open volunteer days to help with farm work ↗
Warrenton
Eva Walker Park
Old Town Warrenton community park with age-graded playgrounds, picnic shelter, basketball courts and fitness pit; master plan includes an on-demand splash pad/stage (operational status not stated). Old Town Warrenton community park with age-graded playgrounds, picnic shelter, basketball courts and fitness pit; master plan includes an on-demand splash pad/stage (operational status not stated). Hosts community events such as Fauquier Juneteenth.
Cost
Park free; pavilion rental $70 half-day / $95 full day.
Best fit
kids, families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Ages
Ages 2 to 12
Baltimore
Farm Alliance of Baltimore member farms
Collective of Baltimore urban farms and gardens; member directory for locating visitable sites. Collective of Baltimore urban farms and gardens; member directory for locating visitable sites.
Cost
Not stated.
Best fit
families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- interactive map of 40+ member farms and gardens ↗
- profiles describing what each farm grows and sells ↗
- information on volunteer opportunities at member farms ↗
- details on farm stands and mobile markets ↗
- list of educational sites like Whitelock Community Farm ↗
- Access to Black Butterfly Teaching Farm learning site ↗
- connections to member farms with animals and beehives ↗
Accokeek
Hard Bargain Farm Environmental Center (Alice Ferguson Foundation)
School-program farm campus; public open days not confirmed. School-program farm campus; public open days not confirmed.
Cost
Not stated.
Best fit
kids
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Markham
Hartland Orchard / Green Family Farms
Hartland Orchard, Hartland Farm and Green Truck Farm: year-round pick-your-own operations on 443 acres at the foot of the Blue Ridge, welcoming families. Hartland Orchard, Hartland Farm and Green Truck Farm: year-round pick-your-own operations on 443 acres at the foot of the Blue Ridge, welcoming families.
Cost
Not stated.
Best fit
families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- pick-your-own
Baltimore
Hidden Harvest Farm
Farm Alliance of Baltimore member urban farm with farm stand and Double Dollars match. Farm Alliance of Baltimore member urban farm with farm stand and Double Dollars match.
Cost
Not stated.
Best fit
families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- community garden co-op welcoming visitors and school groups ↗
- vegetable, herb, flower and fruit demonstration beds ↗
- annex dye garden for natural color plants ↗
- bees and chickens kept on the farm seasonally ↗
- community compost drop-off for kitchen scraps ↗
- compost collective trainings on hot composting ↗
- volunteer workdays open Tuesdays and Saturdays ↗
- informal visits whenever gate is open to the public ↗
Delaplane
Hollin Farms pick-your-own
Family farm beside Sky Meadows State Park: PYO apples and other fruit/vegetables, pumpkin patch, dig-your-own potatoes and peanuts. Family farm beside Sky Meadows State Park: PYO apples and other fruit/vegetables, pumpkin patch, dig-your-own potatoes and peanuts.
Cost
PYO prices not stated.
Best fit
families, kids
Before you go
Seasonal. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
picking season
Woodstock
Howard County Conservancy - Mt. Pleasant Farm
232-acre historic farm with meadows, streams, farmhouse/outbuildings and a nature center with rescue animals and exhibits. 232-acre historic farm with meadows, streams, farmhouse/outbuildings and a nature center with rescue animals and exhibits.
Cost
Admission fee not stated (Tripadvisor describes free grounds).
Best fit
families, kids
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- nature center with rescue animals and exhibits ↗
- five miles of hiking trails through meadows and forests ↗
- historic farmhouse and outbuildings to view ↗
- John L. Clark Honors Garden for quiet exploration ↗
- native plant gardens around nature center ↗
- goats, chickens and owls to visit outdoors ↗
- self-guided family hikes sunrise to sunset daily ↗
- free public access to grounds and trails ↗
Leesburg
Leesburg Animal Park
Private animal park with live animal exhibits (paid; listed for completeness). Private animal park with live animal exhibits (paid; listed for completeness).
Cost
Admission price not stated on cited page.
Best fit
families, kids
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- daily live animal shows at 11am and 2pm ↗
- weekend wagon rides at 12pm and 3pm ↗
- scheduled pony rides throughout the day ↗
- keeper talks about animals afternoons ↗
- indoor play area for kids ↗
- meet resident sloth Ivy during encounters ↗
- Pumpkin Village Fall Fest with hill slides ↗
- Pumpkin Village moon bounces and corn bin ↗
Upper Marlboro
Montpelier Farms
Family farm with seasonal events and festivals. Family farm with seasonal events and festivals.
Cost
Admission not stated; family dogs admitted free.
Best fit
families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- 7-acre interactive corn maze with 2025 fairy-tale theme ↗
- Spookley the Square Pumpkin story corn maze ↗
- hayrides around corn maze and farm fields ↗
- Kid Corral playground with slides and climbing features ↗
- corn pit play area for digging and jumping ↗
- pig races on weekends for kids to watch ↗
- barnyard games like basketball and pumpkin bowling ↗
- public bonfire area during Fall Festival nights ↗
- trike track for pedal races around a loop ↗
- mini hill slide plus giant tube slides ↗