Broadford Lake Park

Broadford Lake Park is a family-oriented park owned by the Town of Oakland, set around Broadford Lake at 123 Recreation Lane, Mountain Lake Park. With a swimming beach, boat rentals, picnic pavilions and trails all in one place, it's an easy summer outing for local families and visitors staying near Oakland.

Swimming, Boating and Fishing

The lake has a beach with a buoyed swimming area and a boat launch. In season, park staff rent john boats, canoes, kayaks and paddle boats on a first-come, first-served basis. Broadford Lake was built in 1972 as a water-supply reservoir for Oakland and opened to fishing in 1975; Maryland DNR describes it as a 140-acre impoundment and limits boating to electric motors. Anglers fish for largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, bluegill, crappie, tiger muskellunge and striped bass, and DNR stocks rainbow trout each spring. The whole lake is open to fishing except the swim area, and there's plenty of shoreline access within the park.

Picnics, Play and Trails

• Five pavilions available to rent for the day, reserved online or through Oakland Town Hall
• Picnic spots with charcoal grills
• Three playgrounds
• A beach volleyball court, a full basketball court and a half court
• More than 3 miles of mostly single-track multi-use trails, suited to beginner and intermediate walkers, runners and bikers, plus cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter
• A separate 1-mile paved walking loop

Each summer the park hosts Oakland's Independence Day celebration, with a concert band and fireworks after dark.

Before You Go

The park's season runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, and daily admission is charged per car; family season passes go on sale in spring, with free passes for seniors 65 and older. Boat rentals are cash only.

Pack a picnic and call Town Hall ahead if you'd like to reserve a pavilion.

Call Us!

• Website
• (301) 334-2691