The summary of basic Lake Roland (park) rules and regulations are posted on brown signs at major park entrances. All county laws and regulations apply, including additional park regulations that are not on the sign. Park rules and regulations.

All patrons must depart park property by sunset. All Paw Point dog park patrons must depart Paw Point 15 minutes prior to sunset and depart park property by sunset. The park gates are closed and locked for the evening at sunset. Vehicles locked in the park may be retrieved when the park re-opens the following morning.

Obey all trail signage including temporary maintence signage. Patrons are expected to observe, obey and respect any and all temporary signage or onsite guidance provided related to the ongoing maintenance. Staff and volunteers operate equipment ranging from chain saws to heavy construction equipment, at times with a limited field of view for the operator. Patrons that fail to comply and enter an active work area may put themselves at risk of significant injury or death.

The Lake Roland Respect and Civility Statement is HERE.

Lake Roland GeoCaching guidelines are HERE.

Park Rules & Regulations

LEASH YOUR DOG. Owners of dogs that are off leash, except current members of Paw Point Dog Park that are within the boundaries of the dog park when their dog is off leash, will be issued an Animal at Large citation, even if it is the owner’s first offense. Warnings will not be issued. Baltimore County Laws and Policies apply to the entirety, all 503 acres, of Lake Roland. In the event that the owner fails to provide identification to park staff in the process of issuing the citation, staff will summon Baltimore County Police to compel the owner to identify themselves.

Kayaks, canoes and paddle boards are permitted and encouraged on Lake Roland. PFDs (life jackets) are always required. The launch area is adjacent to the Lakeside Drive parking lot. Complete boating specific regulations (PDF).

All fishing from land, boats and kayaks in Lake Roland is allowed and regulated under the management of the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks. Fishing using bow and arrows is prohibited. For those who are fishing, a State Angling License is required of all persons 16 years of age and over. Fishing licenses are not available at the Lake Roland Nature Center. Fishing licenses can be obtained from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources HERE.

Maryland Department of Environment Fish Consumption Advisories can be found HERE.

Because much of the park is an environmentally sensitive area, biking is restricted to the two main trails, paved roads, the boardwalk, and the peninsula. Complete bicycle specific regulations (PDF).

Based on the speed that these electrically assisted vehicles are able to achieve, they pose a safety risk and danger to other park patrons and are prohibited in many areas of the park.  Complete Electric Assisted Bicycles and other Electric Assisted Vehicles regulations (PDF).

Groups of 12 or more are not permitted in Lake Roland without a Gathering Permit. Failure to obtain a gathering permit may require the group to leave the park for the day. If the group requires the use of a pavilion or other facility at Lake Roland, these facilities are available for rent, and once rented, the requirement of obtaining a gathering permit is waived as it is included as part of your rental. For Pavilion reservations HERE, for Nature Center reservations HERE, for Picnic Area reservations HERE and Fishing Pier reservations HERE.

For-Profit businesses are not permitted to utilize the park for For-Profit activities unless approved by Special Permit by the Director of Recreation and Parks under RECREATION AND PARKS DIRECTIVE A-13. Non-Profits that would like to utilize the park must obtain an Access Permit prior to utilizing the park regardless if their group exceeds 12 individuals or not. (See “Access Permits” below.)

To begin the request please complete the Gathering Permit form below. Two-weeks’ notice is requested to properly provide a permit. If you have any questions, please e-mail the park HERE.

Non-Profit Organizations are required to provide the following:

  • Non-Profits providing services, whether fee-based or funded by other means, within the boundaries of Lake Roland must meet certain requirements.  Examples of services include but are not limited to Educational (a class or program), Organizational (a training session, a retreat), and Therapeutic (wellness, mental health, etc.). Such groups must provide:
    • Proof of Non-Profit Status insurance in compliance with Baltimore County standards.
    • MUST have a comprehensive general liability insurance policy for combined bodily injury and property damage with a minimum policy limit of $1,000,000.00 per occurrence and $2,000,000.00 in the aggregate, and shall name the parks owner as an additional insured on the policy as follows: Baltimore County, 2nd Floor 400 Washington Avenue, Towson, MD 21204 and the Lake Roland Nature Council, 1000 Lakeside Drive, Baltimore, MD 21210. A copy of the above insurance certificate MUST be sent to the Lake Roland Nature Center, 1000 Lakeside Drive, Baltimore, MD 21210 or via email to both [email protected] and [email protected].
    • Include narrative in the Access Permit form message field below detailing the activity or service and the justification of the need for this particular site.
    • Employees, staff or volunteers of the Non-Profit organization who will exercise authority, supervision or control over children are subject to criminal background checks.
    • All attendees including guests, employees, staff or board members of the Non-Profit must execute the liability waiver form and Covid-19 form provided by park staff on the requested date. The forms can be found HERE.
    • Notification of all requests must be made 3 weeks in advance of the requested date and will be reviewed and approved by park officials on a case-by-case basis. Determinations are based on appropriateness and compatibility regarding the overall park, park users, activity(s) proposed, other activities occurring in the park on the requested date, etc…
    • All users of the park are expected to adhere to all Park Rules & Regulations in addition to the Respect and Civility Statement for the park.
    • The Lake Roland Nature Council asks that a donation be made in support of their efforts in improving the park.
    • If the Non-Profit group requires the use of a pavilion or other facility at Lake Roland, these facilities will be offered to the Non-Profit at a discounted Non-Profit rental rate. For Pavilion reservations HERE, for Nature Center reservations HERE, for Picnic Area reservations HERE and Fishing Pier reservations HERE. In the event the Access Permit request is denied, the corresponding facility reservation will be cancelled as well and reservation fees refunded.
  • Non-Profits that are not providing services as defined above within the boundaries of Lake Roland, but are only utilizing the park for enjoyment must provide:
    • Include narrative in the Access Permit form message field below detailing the activity and the justification of the need for this particular site.
    • All attendees including guests, employees, staff or board members of the Non-Profit must execute the liability waiver form and Covid-19 form provided by park staff on the requested date. The forms can be found HERE.
    • Notification of all requests must be made 3 weeks in advance of the requested date and will be reviewed and approved by park officials on a case-by-case basis. Determinations are based on appropriateness and compatibility regarding the overall park, park users, activity(s) proposed, other activities occurring in the park on the requested date, etc…
    • All users of the park are expected to adhere to all Park Rules & Regulations in addition to the Respect and Civility Statement for the park.
    • The Lake Roland Nature Council asks that a donation be made in support of their efforts in improving the park.
    • If the Non-Profit group requires the use of a pavilion or other facility at Lake Roland, these facilities will be offered to the Non-Profit at a discounted Non-Profit rental rate. For Pavilion reservations HERE, for Nature Center reservations HERE, for Picnic Area reservations HERE and Fishing Pier reservations HERE. In the event the Access Permit request is denied, the corresponding facility reservation will be cancelled as well and reservation fees refunded.

For-Profit and Non-Profit Organizations that are partnering with the Lake Roland Nature Council are required to provide the following:

  • For-Profit and Non-Profit organizations that are partnering with the Lake Roland Nature Council regarding research, park improvement projects or other initiatives:
    • All attendees including guests, employees, staff or board members of the For-Profit or Non-Profit must execute the liability waiver form and Covid-19 form provided by park staff on the requested date. If research or other projects require multiple visits or span a significant period of time, the park staff can, at their discretion, extend the coverage period of the liability waiver form and Covid-19 form. The forms can be found HERE.

To begin the request please complete the Access Permit form below. Two-weeks’ notice is requested to properly provide a permit. If you have any questions, please e-mail the park HERE.

Professional photography sessions cannot be conducted at Lake Roland without a permit (Baltimore County Recreation & Parks Directive A-13). All requests for permits must be reviewed by the Director of Recreation and Parks or their designee and be accompanied by a letter detailing the activity, justification of the need for this particular site and a projected income statement. All commercial vendors must provide insurance in compliance with Baltimore County standards. All Professional Photographers MUST have a comprehensive general liability insurance policy for combined bodily injury and property damage with a minimum policy limit of $1,000,000.00 per occurrence and $2,000,000.00 in the aggregate, and shall name the parks owner as an additional insured on the policy as follows: Baltimore County, 2nd Floor 400 Washington Avenue, Towson, MD 21204 and the Lake Roland Nature Council, 1000 Lakeside Drive, Baltimore, MD 21210. A copy of the above insurance certificate MUST be sent to the Lake Roland Nature Center, 1000 Lakeside Drive, Baltimore, MD 21210 or via email to both [email protected] and lakerol-rp@baltimorecountymd.gov.

The smoking policy for Recreation and Parks is as follows (Bill No. 4-14):

“Smoking” is defined as:

  • The act of smoking or carrying a lighted cigar, cigarette, electronic cigarette, pipe of any kind or any lighted tobacco
  • Or lighting a cigar, cigarette, electronic cigarette, pipe of any kind or tobacco of any kind

A person may not smoke within the general boundary of the outdoor area of the following Recreation and Parks facilities:

  • Playgrounds and tot lots
  • Dog parks
  • Organized games or events at athletic fields sponsored by the Department of Recreation and Parks or a local recreation council
  • Within 30 feet of a Recreation and Parks building

Beginning July 1, 2023, Maryland’s new law legalizes adult-use cannabis. Included in the legislation is a prohibition against smoking cannabis in a “public place.” Smoking in a “public place” becomes a civil offense carrying a fine not to exceed $250 for a first offense, and a fine not to exceed $500 for a second offense. See Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law, § 5-601(c)(4).

In Wisneski v. State, 398 Md. 578, 604 (2007), the court relied on a definition of “public” to mean “anywhere that a reasonable [person] knows or should know that [their] act will be open to the observation of others.” Id. Applying the Wisneski test here, it is reasonable to say that when a person smoking cannabis in a county park reasonably knows or should know that their smoking will be open to the observation of others, then that qualifies as a “public place” for purposes of applying the § 5-601(c)(4) prohibition against smoking cannabis in public.

Cannabis Info