Lake Needwood and Lake Frank a Moderate 5.5 0r 9 Mile Hike

Lake Frank and Lake Needwood, a Moderate 6 0r 9 Mile Hike

Nestled in the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland, Rock Creek Regional Park offers natural tranquility and outdoor recreation. Covering an impressive 1,800 acres, this park is a sanctuary for nature enthusiasts, hikers, families, and all who seek respite from the bustle of urban life. With its sprawling woodlands, shimmering lakes, and a bounty of activities, the park offers an idyllic escape in every season.

At the core of Rock Creek Regional Park’s appeal is its rich and varied landscape. The park’s expanse is punctuated by two beloved bodies of water: the 75-acre Lake Needwood and the 55-acre Lake Frank. These lakes, with their calm surfaces and lush surroundings, provide both scenic vistas and a hub for aquatic activities.

The park’s dense woodlands are crisscrossed by miles of trails—winding routes that meander along lake shores, through forests, and across open meadows. The diversity of the landscape ensures that every visit feels fresh, whether you’re seeking the cool shade of ancient trees or the sparkle of sunlight glancing off the water.

The trail for our hike begins at the Lake Frank parking lot and goes first to Lake Needwood. The path leading to Lake Needwood is mostly paved and traverses through the woods surrounding the lake. The path around Lake Needwood is unpaved, natural surface. The returning path to Lake Frank is mostly paved. The trail around Lake Frank is mostly unpaved, natural surface.

At the approximate half-way point of the trail, there is a small creek to cross using a group of rocks that form a bridge-like path across. After heavy rains, we may prefer an extra mile bypassing this crossing.

Time to Meet: Please meet at 8:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 9:00

Directions to Trailhead: The address is Avery Rd Trail Access Parking Lot. The GPS Coordinates are 39.10477, -77.12071 .

Contact Information: Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leaders are Christa; 410.610.6254 and Tim; 202-744-0289. Call or text as needed.

Details
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 6 or 9 miles
Elevation Gain: 250 feet (5.2 mile) or 500 (9 mile)
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour

Facilities: There are portable toilets near Lake Needwood, about 2 miles into the hike

Fees: No entrance fees

Cancellation: In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.

Weather: The weather for this location can be found here.

Notes:
-Please note, you must sign up at by 9:00 PM the day before the hike.
-Please do not show up unregistered.
-Please keep this a fragrance free event.
-To find out more about PATC, click here.
-Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here.

Maximum number of hikers: 12