Elk Neck State Forest


Elk Neck State Forest belongs to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and is managed by the Maryland Forest Service, and is adjacent to the town of North East, in Cecil County. It is often confused with Elk Neck State Park, which lies further south, near the end of the same peninsula.
The main entrance to the state forest runs north off of Irishtown Road. Other entrances, blocked by gates, are located on Huminski Road and Starkey Lane. Visitors to the state forest who are not using the shooting-ranges can park for free. Users of the shooting-ranges need to acquire permits under a self-service honor-system.
This nature area, consisting of, provides hiking trails, hunting opportunities, and ranges for archery and for handgun- and rifle-shooting. A portion of the Mason-Dixon Trail runs through this state forest. Although there is online, can be purchased from the Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources.
Elk Neck State Forest is part of the Northeastern coastal forests ecoregion. It contains wooded flatland, rolling hills, and marshlands. Plum Creek and Plum Creek Pond form an important water-feature in the south-central area.
The primary, wide, gravel roads within the state forest—labeled as Trails 1, 2, and 3 -- allow limited vehicle traffic. These forest roads are flanked by thick woods and provide entrances into some forest-trails. There are small parking areas along these roads, as well as several marked small meadows with blind hunting structures, including one for handicapped hunters. The northwestern corner of Trail 1, in particular, is the location of the shooting ranges.