This is one of my favorite zen places. Or when I feel artsy, I bring my sketch pad and just unwind... very scenic views especially at sunrise or sundown. I prefer sundown... There's a steep incline when you get here but its worth it... Its a good work out... Its also good for avid bird watchers!! read more

Located in the Derwood/Rockville area of Moco! My alumni association recently did a hike here but I missed it so I decided to explore this trail on my own. I visited on an early Sunday morning. I parked off Avery Road and there were a few cars already there. The change of scenery was nice. I enjoyed the scenic and peaceful views! read more

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This is a lovely park, with plenty of hiking options and the feel of being in deep woods while actually located in the middle of town (Rockville). The lake itself is gorgeous, and always so picturesque.... I have hiked the Lakeside Trail a few times, which is about three miles and mostly wooded, with two creek crossings (one easy, the other more difficult, requiring stepping on stones that could be slippery or even, at times, underwater). The first time we hiked the trail we did get lost as we skipped the difficult creek crossing and ended up going straight, and almost right back out of park...so bring water to drink and wear (or bring) a pair of shoes that can handle the creek water (it's not safe to swim--so I'm assuming, or wade around--in). UPDATE: Part of the Lakeside Trail has construction going on around it (near the easier stream crossing) and last time we encountered it we decided to turn around rather than trying to get around the mess...but there are other parts of the trail to explore, including hiking along the path that' intersects with Rock Creek Trail (or you can go around the other end of the Lakeside Trail, close to the Avery Park entrance...) Usually when we're here we don't do the entire trail, anyway, but turn around at various points, depending upon how long we want to walk. Although the park does get busy on weekends (and it can be difficult to get a parking spot at the Avery Park lot) the further along the trails you go the less people you'll encounter. Weekdays are also pretty peaceful. I look forward to visiting the Meadowside Nature Center when it reopens--this is located at the other park entrance at Muncaster Mill Road. read more

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Great walk/hike around the lake. Great early morning workout or pre warm up before lifting weights

Honestly this may be my favorite spot in Montgomery county and that is not only because i can walk to it in less than 15 minutes. I just love the walk, most of it is paved and the leaves are moved off the sidewalk in the fall. If you want to walk all the way around the lake, bring water, walking sticks, and waterproof shoes because you will have to cross the stream twice. Other than the potential of your feet getting wet, it is a super fun time! Plan for about 1.5 hours to complete the entire loop. This is also a fun overshoot of Rock Creek Park...if you are looking for a short respite...this is it!!! It looks a lot like Lake Needwood but I promise you, it is different and far less populated (mostly because of the hills!!!) read more

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This is a great hiking spot. The lakeside trail is 3.4 miles which is about 1 hour and 20 min walk at a leisurely pace. That being said, I see a lot of people fishing here. I also see signs warning people to stay away from the water because of bacteria. I looked up the lake on Reddit and someone posted a pdf that was put out by the county listing fish consumption advisories. It's a little concerning that they recommend that you limit your consumption of certain fish from the river due to contamination. There are other worse places to fish in Montgomery county but I'm not crazy about being told to limit how many fish I will eat before I get potentially get sick from bacteria and runoff. read more

This is a nice lake in the woods. Hiking trails around. It was a bit complicated with a bike. read more

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This is an amazing place to go DURING THE DAY. My husband and I went here for the first time at night and let me teeeeeeeeeell you, if you see a man digging in a spot near rocks close to the bench... Mind your business. Aint nothing to see there. My husband and I saw this guy digging and looking over his shoulder like nobody can see him in all Black like plies. He saw us though. (Side bar: im from dc so when ppl do stuff like that I act like Stevie Wonder and start moving my hands forward. You not gonna kill me sir cause it aint nothing to see there im blind sir. Oh are we in nature? It feels like mind my darn business out here tonight sir) That was a moment where I wish I smoked weed to calm down because I was sure I was gonna have too fight for my life. I seen ppl who smoke cigarettes, they go back and cnt mind they business. Thats an extra step i cnt handle. No ma'am. F that. Anyway, After that we been going during the day up until last week. I had no idea that they moved the rocks for 1(good job guys I was gonna go back and steal his stuff, on the low, but you got there first lol), 2 the open space when you pass the sign is so beautiful. You need a net to protect you from everything flying in the grass and crawling up your a**. 3.. Its a perfect place to bring your family. This is where I do my workouts and just take some me time. Not everything is what you see. Dnt let 1 experience mess up your whole experience of enjoying your life. Laugh and live while showing love. read more

This park is beautiful and serene. They have bike trails, hiking trails, jogging trails and you can also go fishing or simply have a picnic here. Some people are friendly and polite while others are literally scared of other people who don't look like them on the trails. SMH. Some things and some people will never change their racist ways. And it's sad because, they don't even realize that they're being racist. read more

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New to walking trails and have only been here twice. Went with a friend and on our first visit, I just did a bit of exploring - did not go further than the dam area (from the Avery Road entrance); Our second visit (same entrance), did a bit more walking on the Lakeside Trail (Hard Surface Trail Connector). By the dam is just one of a few views I saw of the water. I did not walk very far (maybe 3/4 way up the right side of Lake Bernard Frank and back. It is great for walking overall, but I like to have nice views to look at (at times) when I walk and parts of the path I was on didn't really show much. At times I saw overgrown grass and was not sure that path even looked like the trail (hard surface area) and another time we came to an area where I thought we would see a brook and it was very much dried up. Maybe on my next visit, a different path can be tried (to see if they have better views while walking). read more

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I came here to fish with my cousin. It's a nice place to fish but also a lovely place to go for a brisk walk or somewhat of a hike. There aren't as many folks on the trails or on the banks as other parks in the area. read more

Beautiful walk through the woods on paved trail around a large lake. Pretty year round. Lots of birds and beautiful native wildflowers. Very steep hill near entrance, so not very wheelchair or even stroller accessible. Some parking, not a lot but usually enough. No restrooms or playground. Benches but no picnic area. read more

Terrible fishing spot. It is not a fishing place! good for a quick hike/trail trip and spend some time in nature

Nice quiet hiking trail in the Rockville area. It is a complete loop trail around the entire lake with half of it being paved and the other half in the woods. At one point, you need to cross the river stepping on large stones which is relatively easy unless the water level is high from recent rain. The parking lot if also paved and it is not usually that full as I believe most people go to Lake Needwood as it is a much larger park. Sometimes there are big yellow signs posted that tell you not to go near water due to some sort of bacteria so be sure to keep dogs and children away if you see the signs. Otherwise the trail is still ok to go on and there are not any signs I don't think at the part where you cross the river since it's further upstream and the water is not stagnant. There are people with dogs and you will also see people fishing. This trail connects into the rock creek trail if you are interested and it connects to lake needwood. The total trail distance around the lake is around 3 miles. Note there is only one trash can at the beginning of the trail near the parking lot and there are no restrooms at this park. If you are looking for a quiet walk or run in a mostly shaded park around a lake, this is a good place to go. If you have a stroller, this is also a good place over lake needwood due to the larger number of paved trails. read more

Lake Frank is the coolest place to hike. It's a bit more difficult to access than Lake Needwood and far less popular. If you have ever been disappointed by how crowded Lake Needwood can get, especially on the weekends and holidays, and would like a safe, solid hiking experience devoid of cranky fishermen, unleashed dogs, packed parking lots, and overpriced boat rentals: Lake Frank is the place for you. Lake Frank prioritizes straight-up Nature over amenities and flash. Lake Frank is actually closer to Rockville and other cities than Lake Needwood. While the lake itself isn't particularly large or stunning, there are a ton of scenic trails that take you around the lake and beyond. The nature center (Meadowside, I believe) is also a cool place with clean bathrooms that I've been to on a number of field trips. read more

Lake Frank is delightful! has none of the development in evidence at nearby Lake Needwood. A lovely lake to walk around.