Carroll County is the most rural area of the seven jurisdictions in the Central Region. Carroll County is located on the Piedmont Plateau, characterized by upland terrain of rolling hills and deciduous forest. Major waterbodies include the South Branch of the Patapsco River, on the southern border of the county; the North Branch of the Patapsco River and Liberty Reservoir, on the eastern border of the county; and the Monocacy River on the western border. Piney Run Reservoir is in the southern part of the county. Carroll County has large expanses of agricultural land as well as deep forests.
Carroll County has 289+ species reported on eBird. For the county eBird checklist, eBird hotspots, and more, click here.
View a comparison of Maryland counties based on total number of species reported on eBird.
Carroll County is bordered by Pennsylvania to the north; Frederick County, MD to the west; Howard County, MD to the south; and Baltimore County, MD, to the east. The county seat is the picturesque town of Westminster, located in the center of the county. Other large towns include Manchester, Mount Airy, Sykesville, and Taneytown.
MD Route 26/Liberty Road is the main east-west corridor through the county, and MD Route 97/Washington Road is the main north-south corridor.
The Recreation and Parks Department of Carroll County provides a useful map of all the county park locations.
To view the State Highway Administration’s printable road map of Carroll County (PDF format), please click here.
The local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society is the Carroll County Bird Club.
Explore birding sites in Carroll County by choosing from the list below.