In Washington County, four miles east of Boonsboro and 1 1/2 miles north of Alternate Route 40 on Monument Road, Washington Monument State Park is named for the first monument in the country erected to the "father of our country," George Washington. A rugged stone tower was dedicated to the first president by the citizens of Boonsboro in 1827. Washington traveled through Western Maryland in his early years as a surveyor. The Appalachian Trail winds through this park and passes the base of the monument. There are youthgroup campsites available by reservation. The park lands offer picnic shelters, playing fields and superb birdwatching since the Cumberland Valley is a migratory bird flyway. An annual count of migrating hawks and eagles is made at the monument by bird enthusiats. This is a Maryland State Park. For full information go to the official webpage. (Link on the right side)