BeeTree Preserve

Towson Presbyterian Church

BeeTree Preserve is 263 beautiful acres of forests, fields, streams and wetlands located 25 miles north of Towson in Parkland, MD. Named for Beetree Run, a trout stream that meanders through the property, BeeTree Preserve's natural beauty and resources have welcomed visitors and inhabitants—both animal and human—for hundreds of years.

History

European settlers began exploiting the resources of this area as early as the 1600's. By the mid-1800's an important railroad line bisected the stream valley and provided a valuable economic link between Baltimore and the northern industrial states. During the Civil War, Union troops were stationed here (Solders' Ridge) to protect the movement of men and material along the line.

By the turn of the 20th Century, trains brought an evangelist and his flock to BeeTree for bible meetings at an outdoor amphitheater on the property. Trains also brought wealthy Baltimoreans to nearby hotels to escape from city life and heat. They also enjoyed the therapeutic effects of the local fresh water springs.

In 1965, 260 acres of BeeTree were acquired and donated to Towson Presbyterian Church. In 2011, TPC entered into an agreement with Baltimore County and the State of Maryland to protect the property from development or perpetuity.

Bee Tree Cemetery Towson Presbyterian Church sign on shed behind thin wooden fence.

Site Description

BeeTree Preserve is a tremendous natural resource and diverse habitat with meadows, mature and new growth forest on ridge tops, slopes and bottomlands. It also has valuable floodplain and wetland habitats and trout streams. You will find many examples of indigenous wildlife species and native vegetation. Three miles of fire roads and trails exist for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and nature study. The following are descriptions of BeeTree Preserve’s facilities with specific information for site users:

BeeTree Cemetery

Davis Pavilion

Kittle Pavilion

Alt House Restrooms

Soldiers' Ridge

Oak Ridge

Northern Section

The northernmost section, accessible by walking trails only, is approximately 100 acres of mostly undisturbed, mixed hardwood forest. It is dominated by various oak species, black gum, red maple and big tooth aspen. About ten acres is shrub scrub habitat created by gypsy moth destruction of former forest. The lack of human impact and the diversity of habitat makes this area a great place for nature study and bird watching.

Rules and Regulations

1 All visitors must obey the universal rules that govern and protect the use of sensitive natural resource areas like BeeTree Preserve. Please carry a litter bag to pick up, and take home, your own (and others’) trash. Leave only footprints and take only photos.
2 The Preserve is generally open to all responsible individuals and groups during daylight hours. However, day use groups larger than ten should reserve times with the Church prior to use. A permit is required for all evening and overnight use as well as the use of pavilions by groups. The site capacity for Davis and Kittle campgrounds combined is 50 overnight campers per weekend.
3 Campers must not import firewood to BeeTree Preserve from offsite areas. Downed and dead wood is freely available on the site for campers to use. Insects and other organisms capable of causing diseases in forest trees may be brought in on imported firewood.
4 BeeTree Preserve is home to many species of wildlife. For your safety and theirs, please avoid contact with animals and properly secure all food and trash when camping or hiking here.
5 Motor vehicles are prohibited on BeeTree property, except on existing parking areas paved with asphalt or stone.
6 NO alcoholic beverages, drugs, firearms, fireworks, explosives, or other hazardous materials are allowed on the property.
7 Hunting is prohibited except for individuals who are members of a hunt club under contract with Towson Presbyterian Church to conduct deer management on BeeTree property.

Directions

Take I-83 North from I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) to Exit 33 - Parkton MD 45. At the top of the exit ramp, turn left and proceed north for 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Kaufman Road, and go another 0.7 miles west to the Five-Forks stop sign.

At the stop sign, continue straight ahead on Kaufman Rd for 0.2 miles until you see a sign at the entrance of Bee Tree Cemetery on the left. The entrances to the Davis Pavilion and Kittle Pavilion campgrounds are each 0.1 & 0.2 miles further along on the left. The access to the Soldiers’ Ridge campground is on the right about one hundred feet north of the intersection of Kaufman & Bee Tree Roads.

Contact

Towson Presbyterian Church

410-823-6500

Call ahead to check the availability of these facilities and to acquire the necessary permit for overnight camping or use of the pavilions.

REQUEST FOR USE FORM

Camp BeeTree

Every summer, Towson Presbyterian Church hosts Camp BeeTree at BeeTree Preserve. This is a weeklong day program for K–5th Graders, with 6th–12th Graders invited to participate as Counselors-in-Training (CITs). For five days, Campers and CITs explore nature, surmount obstacle courses, sing and dance, and make crafts, all while learning about God's love for them.

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