Looking for a day trip in Maryland that’s unique and full of enchantment? Then look no further than The Enchanted Forest at Clark’s Elioak Farm in Howard County. Not only is this Maryland attraction full of unusual sights at every turn, but it’s also loaded with history. Read on to learn more about this whimsical place in Maryland and its inspiring tale.
First, a bit about the history…
Flickr / Jack Says Relax
The storybook themed Enchanted Forest opened in 1955 along U.S. Route 40. It thrived for decades and became a go-to destination for Maryland families.
Flickr / Jack Says Relax Check out the following footage during its heyday.
The park closed in the 1990s and remained abandoned for several years. Urban explorers began trespassing onto the property to capture footage of the dilapidated and somewhat eerie remains.
Flickr / A.Currell
A preservation society was formed in efforts to revive this historic gem. Slowly, structures from the abandoned Route 40 location were transferred to Clark’s Elioak Farm on Clarksville Pike.
Several of the pieces were successfully restored. Here is “the 3 bears house” before…
Clark’s Elioak Farm Website
And after.
Facebook / Clark’s Elioak Farm
One of the most recognizable characters at the original Enchanted Forest was Willie the whale. Here’s a photo of Willie in 1972.
Wikimedia Commons / Jose Behar
It was quite a task to unearth Willie and transfer him to his new home. He was looking a little… green around the gills.
Clark’s Elioak Farm Website
All he needed was a little tender loving care because here he is today.
Flickr / John Sonderman
There are several other restored fairytale-like structures around the farm, as well as tractor rides…
Flickr / Bill Lakenan
And a petting zoo, popular for the rambunctious and painfully adorable goats.
Facebook / Clark’s Elioak Farm
Step back in time and straight into a storybook when visiting this eccentric place. Knowing the effort that went into restoring these pieces of the past makes it that much more special.
Clark’s Elioak Farm Website
The Enchanted Forest at Clark’s Elioak Farm is located at 10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City. Please note that The Enchanted Forest is open seasonally during the warmer months, so be sure and check the website before you visit!
Flickr / Jack Says Relax
Check out the following footage during its heyday.
Flickr / A.Currell
Clark’s Elioak Farm Website
Facebook / Clark’s Elioak Farm
Wikimedia Commons / Jose Behar
Flickr / John Sonderman
Flickr / Bill Lakenan
Have you visited the most whimsical place in Maryland? Do you have any memories of its original location? For another unique and quirky spot in the Old Line State, check out this unique sculpture garden.
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Address: 10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
The Best Places in Maryland December 29, 2022 William Suphan What are the quietest small towns in Maryland? The quietest small towns in Maryland include:
Centreville. This is one of the safest towns in the state and is home to Queen Anne’s Courthouse. Sharpsburg. There are many historic homes here and it’s also the location of the Antietam Battlefield. Tilghman Island. This town on the bay has gorgeous waterfront views and is a quaint and quiet town. Port Tobacco. This is perhaps the tiniest town in the state with only 13 people, making for lots of peace and quiet.
Find out more about the quietest small towns in Maryland. What are some hidden-gem locations in Maryland? Some of the hidden-gem locations in Maryland include:
Monocacy Battlefield. This was the site of a Civil War battle and is now home to bucolic farmhouses and beautiful hiking trails. Ladwe Topiary Gardens. These intricate topiaries are an intriguing collection of manicured gardens. Washington Monument State Park. This is not the tall tower in Washington D.C. This is a stone tower in Boonsboro where you can take the stairs to the top. Spocott Windmill. This historic farm with a one-room schoolhouse looks like a scene from Holland.
Discover more about these and other hidden-gem locations in Maryland. What are the most incredible natural attractions in Maryland? The most incredible natural attractions in Maryland include:
McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area. This place has 30 acres of sunflowers which are gorgeous when in bloom. Calvert Cliffs. This little beach has tons of fossils and Megalodon shark teeth have been found here. Assateague Island. This is a pristine white sand beach that has wild horses running about the area. Deep Creek Lake. This is the largest lake in Maryland and is exceptionally beautiful.
Learn more about the most incredible natural attractions in Maryland.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The Best Places in Maryland
December 29, 2022
William Suphan
What are the quietest small towns in Maryland? The quietest small towns in Maryland include:
Centreville. This is one of the safest towns in the state and is home to Queen Anne’s Courthouse. Sharpsburg. There are many historic homes here and it’s also the location of the Antietam Battlefield. Tilghman Island. This town on the bay has gorgeous waterfront views and is a quaint and quiet town. Port Tobacco. This is perhaps the tiniest town in the state with only 13 people, making for lots of peace and quiet.
Find out more about the quietest small towns in Maryland. What are some hidden-gem locations in Maryland? Some of the hidden-gem locations in Maryland include:
Monocacy Battlefield. This was the site of a Civil War battle and is now home to bucolic farmhouses and beautiful hiking trails. Ladwe Topiary Gardens. These intricate topiaries are an intriguing collection of manicured gardens. Washington Monument State Park. This is not the tall tower in Washington D.C. This is a stone tower in Boonsboro where you can take the stairs to the top. Spocott Windmill. This historic farm with a one-room schoolhouse looks like a scene from Holland.
Discover more about these and other hidden-gem locations in Maryland. What are the most incredible natural attractions in Maryland? The most incredible natural attractions in Maryland include:
McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area. This place has 30 acres of sunflowers which are gorgeous when in bloom. Calvert Cliffs. This little beach has tons of fossils and Megalodon shark teeth have been found here. Assateague Island. This is a pristine white sand beach that has wild horses running about the area. Deep Creek Lake. This is the largest lake in Maryland and is exceptionally beautiful.
Learn more about the most incredible natural attractions in Maryland.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The quietest small towns in Maryland include:
- Centreville. This is one of the safest towns in the state and is home to Queen Anne’s Courthouse.
- Sharpsburg. There are many historic homes here and it’s also the location of the Antietam Battlefield.
- Tilghman Island. This town on the bay has gorgeous waterfront views and is a quaint and quiet town.
- Port Tobacco. This is perhaps the tiniest town in the state with only 13 people, making for lots of peace and quiet.
Find out more about the quietest small towns in Maryland.
What are some hidden-gem locations in Maryland?
Some of the hidden-gem locations in Maryland include:
- Monocacy Battlefield. This was the site of a Civil War battle and is now home to bucolic farmhouses and beautiful hiking trails.
- Ladwe Topiary Gardens. These intricate topiaries are an intriguing collection of manicured gardens.
- Washington Monument State Park. This is not the tall tower in Washington D.C. This is a stone tower in Boonsboro where you can take the stairs to the top.
- Spocott Windmill. This historic farm with a one-room schoolhouse looks like a scene from Holland.
Discover more about these and other hidden-gem locations in Maryland.
What are the most incredible natural attractions in Maryland?
The most incredible natural attractions in Maryland include:
- McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area. This place has 30 acres of sunflowers which are gorgeous when in bloom.
- Calvert Cliffs. This little beach has tons of fossils and Megalodon shark teeth have been found here.
- Assateague Island. This is a pristine white sand beach that has wild horses running about the area.
- Deep Creek Lake. This is the largest lake in Maryland and is exceptionally beautiful.
Learn more about the most incredible natural attractions in Maryland.
