South Mountain Recreation Area Quest





Rocky Run Challenge

Introduction To Quest

TurtleWhile embarking on the Rocky Run Challenge, you and your team will be tested to the limits. This quest consists of a one mile hike, exploring a portion of the Appalachian Trail, reaching the beautiful Rocky Run shelters. On your hike you will discover the natural wonder, peace, beauty and some of the history that the Maryland portion of the Appalachian Trail has to offer.

Quest Information

The hike to the shelter and back will be 2 miles round-trip and take 1 to 2 hours to complete. Give yourselves time to explore and enjoy the surroundings of the shelters. Complete worksheet activities as you go, wait until you reach the shelters, or after you've finished the hike. Make sure to bring the worksheets as they have information that will help guide you to your destination and back. Have fun!

Arrive at the Reno Monument Road/Lambs Knoll Road parking lot and hike south on the Appalachian Trail. Hike to the Rocky Run shelters following the worksheet's information. To complete the quest, take a picture of the team or a team member at one of the Rocky Run shelters. If your team would like to add a stamp to your passport book, upon completion of the quest you can drive to the Washington Monument State Park museum to receive a Park Quest stamp. Museum open hours are Thursday through Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You must arrive during open hours to receive a stamp.

GPS Coordinates: N39.47052/W77.61768

Written Driving Directions to the Quest Site

  • From points east: Interstate 70 westbound to Exit 49, MD Alternate Route 40. Travel westbound (turn left) on Alternate 40 for approximately 7 miles. Turn left onto Bolivar Road. At stop, turn right onto Reno Monument Road. Drive approximately 1 mile to the top of the hill. Go slow as the next turn is hidden and hikers cross the road here. At the top of the hill turn left onto Lambs Knoll Road. The gravel parking lot will be immediately on the right.
  • From points west: Interstate 70 eastbound to exit 35, MD-66. Go south on Route 66 (turn right) and travel approximately 6 miles to MD Alternate 40/Main Street in the town of Boonsboro. Go east on Alternate 40/Main Street (turn left) and travel approximately 1.5 miles to MD-67. Turn right onto MD-67 and travel for approximately 1.8 miles. Turn left onto Reno Monument Road. Drive approximately 2 miles to the top of the hill. Go slow as the next turn is hidden and hikers cross the road here. At the top of the hill turn right onto Lambs Knoll Road. The gravel parking lot will be immediately on the right.
  • From points south: I 270 North to Exit 32, I 70 West towards Hagerstown. Interstate 70 westbound to Exit 49, MD Alternate Route 40. Travel westbound (turn left) on Alternate 40 for approximately 7 miles. Turn left onto Bolivar Road. At stop, turn right onto Reno Monument Road. Drive approximately 1 mile to the top of the hill. Go slow as the next turn is hidden and hikers cross the road here. At the top of the hill turn left onto Lambs Knoll Road. The gravel parking lot will be immediately on the right.
  • From Reno Monument Road to Washington Monument State Park: Optional stamp location, approximately 10 minutes travel time. Turn right onto Reno Monument Road. Drive approximately 1 mile, at stop turn left onto Bolivar Road. At next stop, turn left onto Alt 40/Old National Pike. Drive approximately 2 miles to the top of the hill, turn right onto Washington Monument Road. Drive approximately 1 mile, at the stop continue straight into Washington Monument State Park. Continue straight, the museum is at the top of the hill, accessed by the upper parking lot.

Park Information

South Mountain Recreation Area is comprised of four state parks that are ready for exploration year round. Start the day by hiking the Appalachian Trail, which runs approximately 41 miles on the ridge of South Mountain, bordering both Frederick and Washington counties. Or visit a Civil War battlefield in South Mountain State Park, where two future U.S. presidents fought to preserve the union. Explore the unique history of Civil War journalist George Alfred Townsend’s estate at Gathland State Park, and visit the first monument completed in honor of our first U.S. president at Washington Monument State Park. Relax at Greenbrier State Park by swimming, fishing, boating, camping, having a picnic or riding your mountain bike.

Washington Monument State Park
6620 Zittlestown Road
Middletown, MD 21769
301-791-4767

​​​​