The clearest risk at Baltimore-Washington Parkway is crime: Prince George's County recorded a violent crime rate of 446.8 per 100,000 residents in 2023, one of the higher figures you'll encounter along any NPS corridor in the Mid-Atlantic. This is a linear parkway threading through a dense urban region, meaning rest stops and pull-offs can draw opportunistic theft and occasional confrontations, especially after dark.
Park in well-lit, populated areas and avoid leaving valuables visible in your vehicle — a cargo cover or trunk organizer that conceals gear goes a long way. Plan your stops during daylight hours and use the designated picnic areas closer to ranger facilities rather than isolated pull-offs. If you're traveling with a family, keep phones charged and share your itinerary with someone off-route, since cell coverage along the corridor is reliable enough to make that easy.
Top recorded hazards in Prince George's County
County dataFrom NOAA Storm Events (2024). Counts of recorded incidents — not all occurred at this park.
- Thunderstorm Wind 10
- Flood 1
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About Baltimore-Washington Parkway
This 29-mile highway connects Baltimore, MD and Washington, D.C. The parkway has carried visitors to and from the capital city since 1954.
Weather
The Washington, D.C. area has a four-season Mid-Atlantic climate. Summertime is warm and humid, while winter can be cold and snowy. Spring: During these months of transition, the weather can alternate from warm, humid air coming from the south to cold, dry air coming from the northwest. Be prepared for changing conditions. Summer: The warmest months are June, July, and August, with average highs in the 80s (~31 ?) combined with high humidity. Temperatures often climb into the 90s (~34?).