Black Hill Boats
Black Hill Regional Park
20920 Lake Ridge Drive
Boyds, MD 20841
Boathouse: 301-528-3466
Visitor Center: 301-528-3480
Whether you're in the park for a party or family get-together, or just dropping by for a day outdoors, you can experience Little Seneca Lake by boat, and enjoy the wildlife that make the lake their home.
Rent a kayak, canoe or rowboat at the Boathouse, or jump on board our pontoon boat for a Naturalist-led tour of the lake.
Private boats may access the lake with valid permits. Fishing is allowed on Little Seneca Lake.
For information about fishing licenses, please contact the Maryland Department of Natural Resources at 1-855-855-3906 (7 days a week, 7am - 7pm), or vist www.dnr.maryland.gov and use their new "COMPASS" Online Licensing and Registration System. Purchase snacks at the Boathouse concession stand during the summer season.
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Special Announcements
Black Hill Boat Rentals
Pontoon Tours
Private Boats at Little Seneca Lake
Fishing
Black Hill Water Trail
Directions
Notice: West Old Baltimore Road Closure
West Old Baltimore Road, between Lake Ridge Drive (main park entrance road) and Comsat Drive, will be closed beginning March 1st. Access to Lake Ridge Drive will remain open at all times. Please allow an additional 15 minutes of travel time if you access the main park entrance from the east side of West Old Baltimore Road (from Rt. 355/N. Frederick Road) to accommodate the detour. Construction is expected to be completed by late-March.
Click to see enlarged detour map.
Black Hill Boats Hours of Operation 2013
- May and September: Open Saturdays and Sundays: 6:30am - 6pm
- Memorial Day through Labor Day:
- Open Tuesday - Friday: 10am - 6pm
- Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays: 6:30am - 6pm
- Closed Mondays, except for Monday holidays May 27 (Memorial Day) & September 2 (Labor Day); open 6:30am - 6pm.
2013 Black Hill Boats brochure coming soon
Special Announcements
Kid's Fishing Day at Little Seneca Lake!
Saturday, May 18, 8:30-10:30am
Get in on the fishy fun at the 5th Annual Kids’ Fishing Day! Prizes for the kids who catch the biggest, smallest, and greatest number of fish. For ages 3-15; $8 Register online for ParkPASS #232249
If this date doesn't work for you, maybe you can make the June 15 Kid's Fishing Day at Lake Needwood Boats in Rock Creek Regional Park! Check it out here...
Save $ on Weekend Pontoon Boat Rides with a 10-Trip Ticket Book!
If you're a fan of the excellent pontoon boat tours at Little Seneca Lake, get a 10-Trip Ticket Book and save $5! The normal fee for 10 weekend trips aboard the Kingfisher pontoon boat is $40.00, but a 10-trip ticket book is just $35.00. Tickets do not expire, so hold on to them! Ticket books are a great idea for families, to use for out-of-town guests, parties and more. They're available at the Boathouse during their normal operating hours (see "Hours of Operation" above). These coupons can not be used for private rides or those in the guidebook.
Please note: Tickets included in a 10-Trip Ticket Book can not be used as reserved tickets for any specific pontoon boat tour. Holders of these tickets must check-in at the Boat Rental Office Ticket Window to determine if seats are available for the desired tour. Tour boat capacity is 30 persons per tour. Operating policy is first-come/first served, up to the 30 persons per tour maximum.
Night Fishing 2013 at Little Seneca Lake
2013 Schedule TBA Soon!
Come on out once a month on Wednesday nights throughout the summer and do a little night fishing! It's a whole different experience on the lake at night.
Anglers may fish late into the evening, from the shore or in boats. Please bring your own boat (rental boats will not be available after normal Boathouse hours).- All boats and anglers must be off the lake and out of the park by midnight, so please plan accordingly (Park Police will enforce this deadline)
- All boats must have operating navigational lights (this is for your safety; no exceptions can be made).
- All state fishing regulations and Montgomery Parks/M-NCPPC rules and regulations will be enforced.
For more information, call 301-528-3466 or download the 2013 Night Fishing Flyer (coming soon)
Black Hill Boat Rentals 2013
Dates |
Days of the Week |
Rent Boats from... |
Return All Boats by* |
Boat Rental Fees |
MAY 4- |
Open Saturdays |
6:30am -6:00pm |
7:00pm |
$8.00 per hour for any boat (kayak, rowboat or canoe); includes tax |
MAY 27 - |
Mondays |
Closed (except for Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays--open) |
||
Tuesdays-Fridays |
10:00am - 6:00pm |
7:00pm |
||
Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays |
6:30am - 6:00pm |
7:00pm |
$27.50 for a full day for any boat (includes tax) |
|
SEPTEMBER 6 - |
Open Saturdays and Sundays |
6:30am - 6:00pm |
7:00pm |
|
*The 6pm closing times listed above refer to the latest time you may begin your rental of a kayak, canoe, or rowboat at the Boathouse ticket window. However, you don't have to return your rented boat to the Boathouse until 7pm. Boathouse staff try to remind boaters who are still on the lake at 6:30pm to head for shore before 7pm. Rental boats returned after 7pm will incur an addtional full-day rental charge of $27.50 per boat.
Which Boat Should You Rent?
Black Hill rents rowboats, canoes and kayaks. All boats must have someone at least 16 years old on board; a driver's license or photo ID is required for each boat rented. Rentals are available as weather permits. Boat Rental Rules and Regulations apply to use of rental boats. For more information, please call 301-528-3466. Cash, Visa or Mastercard payments are accepted for boat rentals. Fee Reduction Coupons may be used toward boat rentals.
Rowboats are great for individuals and families who want to spend time on the water, but have limited boating experience. Rowboats can accommodate up to five people (four adults). The rental fee includes a pair of oars, one life jacket for each person, and a seat cushion device. Some boats can accommodate electric trolling motors, provided by the renter. Anchors are also available upon request.
Canoes can accommodate up to three adults. A paddle and a life jacket are provided for each person, and a flotation seat cushion is available. People using canoes may also follow the Black Hill Water Trail.
Kayaks provide an individual, solitary experience on the lake, and almost anyone can learn to use a one in a short period of time. Both one-person and tandem two-person kayaks are available. People using kayaks may also follow the Black Hill Water Trail. The rental fee includes a kayak paddle, life jacket and seat cushion flotation device. Kayakers must be at least 16 years of age.
2013 Black Hill Boats brochure Coming Soon!
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Pontoon Boat Tours
Join us for naturalist-led group and/or public nature programs on the "Kingfisher" pontoon boat (max. cap. 30 persons). The ADA-accessible Kingfisher can accommodate up to 8 people using wheelchairs. A 60-75 minute pontoon boat tour is a great way for individuals, families and small groups to experience the beautiful, 505-acre Little Seneca Lake. Pontoon boat tours are available on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays , May through September. Tours leave promptly at 12:30pm, 2pm and 3:30pm from the Boat Rental dock. Tickets are sold on a walk-up, first-come/first-served basis each day for trips that same day. Children under 5 must wear a Personal Flotation Device (provided) at all times.
FEES: Regular pontoon boat tickets are $4 per person; private tour tickets are $5 per person (see "Pontoon Boat Group Tours" below).
Get a 10-Trip Ticket Book for $35! You save $5 off the regular $40 cost of 10 tickets for the weekend rides. Tickets do not expire and are good from year to year, so hold on to them! Ticket books are a great idea for families, to use for out-of-town guests, parties and more. They're available at the Boathouse during their normal operating hours (see "Hours of Operation" above). These coupons can not be used for private rides or those in the guidebook.
Please note: Tickets included in a 10-Trip Ticket Book can not be used as reserved tickets for any specific pontoon boat tour. Holders of these tickets must check-in at the Boat Rental Office Ticket Window to determine if seats are available for the desired tour. Tour boat capacity is 30 persons per tour. Operating policy is first-come/first served, up to the 30 persons per tour maximum.
Pontoon Boat Group Tours
If you'd like to bring a group (up to 30 people) to the lake for a tour, please contact the Park Naturalist Office at 301-528-3493 to make advance reservations for a private pontoon tour. Private tour cost: $5 per person.
Private Boats at Little Seneca Lake
- Private boats are permitted on the lake March 1 – December 15. Times for boating are sunrise to sunset, March 1- December 15. The lake is closed to boating from December 16 through February. All boats must have a Daily or Seasonal Pass and adhere to Regulations for Private Boats.
- Seasonal Passes may be purchased at the Black Hill Visitor Center; the fee is $75.00.
- Mooring sites for private boats may also be purchased at the Black Hill Visitor Center.The fee is $85 per site. You may also register for a mooring site online at ParkPASS.org. Boats are moored at the boat ramp and mooring site.
Visitor Center Hours:
~ Monday - Friday: 11am - 6pm
~ Saturday & Sunday: 11am - 6pm - Daily Permits cost $5 per boat, and are purchased at the boat ramp and mooring area, or at the pull-off area at the MD Route 121 bridge (just north of the Route 117 intersection). Visitors should deposit their payment in the lock boxes at these locations.
- Trailered and non-trailered boats may be launched at the boat ramp and mooring area, and non-trailered boats can also be launched at the MD Route 121 Bridge pull-off area. Boats may only be moored at the Boat Ramp and Mooring Area during the boating season with the purchase of a mooring stake.
For more information, contact 301-528-3490. Get the 2012 Black Hill Boats brochure here (.pdf 210KB)
Fishing
Largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie, and tiger muskie are the most common fish species found in Little Seneca Lake. Trophy Bass Fishing Regulations are in effect. All Maryland State Fishing Regulations for inland waters apply, and people ages 16 and older must have a Maryland Fishing License. Fishing is permitted from the rental boats during the operational season at Little Seneca Lake, and from private boats during the private boat permit season. Year-round fishing is permitted from the shoreline. Please view the Regulations for Private Boats for complete information.
For information about fishing licenses, please contact the Maryland Department of Natural Resources at 1-855-855-3906 (7 days a week, 7am - 7pm), or vist www.dnr.maryland.gov and use their new "COMPASS" Online Licensing and Registration System.
Black Hill Water Trail
Take a tour of Little Seneca Lake in a canoe or kayak, and learn more about the ecology, plant and wildlife (fish, birds, insects, etc.) on the lake. Following the water trail markers takes approximately two hours. Print out a copy of the Black Hill Water Trail Guide here.
back to topDirections
From 1-270 take Exit 15A for Germantown Road/MD 118 North. Turn left onto Frederick Road/MD 355 North. Make another left onto West Old Baltimore Road. At Lake Ridge Drive, turn into the park and follow the signs to the Visitor Center and Boat Rental.
Date of last update: June 29, 2012 cfh
Montgomery County Department of Parks