I first discovered Kings Landing Park on a quiet Easter morning just a few months after we moved to Calvert County. The weather was fine and nobody was there except for a couple of fishermen. It was the same story on my most recent visit there, which was on a Monday morning – just me and a few people fishing. The swimming pool hadn’t opened yet, and nobody was out on the trails.
As I made my way through the various nooks and crannies of the park, I discovered that there was a path mowed around the meadow. I took this path, and hundreds of dragonflies and butterflies were swarming around me. It was magical – a photographer’s dream (or maybe a nightmare for those of you who don’t like insects).
Kings Landing Park has a long history. If you walk toward the fishing pier over the Patuxent, you’ll see an interpretive sign explaining its colonial past. However, it was also a farm and a YMCA camp. In fact, you can still see remnants from the camp in some parts of the park. You’ll also find some interpretive signs explaining the importance of the Patuxent River and surrounding marshlands.
Today, the park accommodates a variety of uses. It’s a popular spot for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing, but it also offers hikers the chance to experience different types of habitat (though be aware that some of the trails are not well marked). There are picnic areas available for small and large groups (the large pavilions require reservations), and an event hall is also available for rent. Equestrians have access to a facility that includes a riding ring and water hydrants. And, of course, there is a swimming pool, which is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
The park is dog-friendly, provided you keep your fur kid on a leash. While there are trash cans throughout the park, there are no Mutt Mitt dispensers, so bring your own bags for pick up.
http://www.co.cal.md.us/index.aspx?NID=1205