The park is comprised of 325 acres, open from 7 a.m. to dusk or as posted.

You may use the picnic tables and cooking grills and playgrounds located throughout the park on a first-come, first-served basis. (Personal grills and hibachis are not permitted.)

Park regulations prohibit hunting, firearms, swimming, sailboarding, wind surfing, and inner tubing. Alcoholic beverages are allowed only in the pavilions by permit. Leashed pets are allowed in the park but not in picnic, playground or sports areas. Howard County law requires owners to clean up after their pets; Mutt-Mitt dispensers are located in the park.

The state Department of Fisheries stocks the lake.

General Information: 410-313-4700

Boat Dock: 410-313-7303

Pavilion Reservations (M-F 8-4:30): 410-313-4682

Ballfield Conditions: 410-313-4454

Softball/baseball fields (1 through 5 on the map) and multi-purpose fields (6 and 7 on the map) are available by permit only. Priority is given to sports leagues and community groups. The permit applicant must be a Howard County resident. There are reservation fees, lights fees, and tournament fees. Call 410-313-4736 for details.

Tennis courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis except during scheduled lessons or tournaments.

Six small pavilions (a, b, c, e, f, g) have cooking grills and can accommodate 40 people each. One medium pavilion (d) accommodates up to 115 people and has a fireplace and electricity. The overlook pavilion in the west area holds 60 people. The large group pavilion (h) can accommodate approximately 300 people. Call 410-313-4682, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., for pavilion information and fees.

Forget something?

Visit the General Store at the boat dock for ice, charcoal, paper products, fishing bait and tackle, fishing licenses and Centennial Lake boat permits.

From Route 29, take Route 108 west, towards Clarksville.

The main entrance to the park is about one mile on your right.

See map for details about entrances.

• Drinking Fountains
• Parking
• Playgrounds
• Rest Rooms

• Benches
• Boat House
• Boat Launching Ramp
• Dock Area
• General Store
• 54 Acre lake
• Natural Area
• 2.4 Mile Pathway (Lake Loop)
• 6 Small Pavilions (a, b, c, e, f, g)
• One Medium Pavilion (d)
• Pay Telephone
• 15 Picnic Areas (Informal)
• 3 Volleyball Courts (Sand)
• The boat dock area is accessible to persons with disabilities. Two reserved parking spaces are near the dock.

• 3 Baseball/Softball Fields (lighted)
• 2 Basketball Courts
• Benches
• Drinking Fountains
• 2 Multi-Purpose Fields (lighted)
• Hiking Trails (.75 mile)
• Natural Areas
• Overlook Pavilion (o)
• 5 Tennis Courts; 1 Tournament Court
• Volleyball Court

• 2 Baseball/Softball Fields (informal)
• 2 Basketball Courts
• Benches
• Drinking Fountains
• Hiking Trails (1.3 miles)
• Natural Area
• Picnic Area (small)
• 6 Racquetball Courts
• 2 Tennis Courts

• Baseball/Softball field (informal)
• Basketball Court
• 4 Horseshoe Pits
• Large Group Pavilion (h)
• Tennis Courts
• Volleyball Court
  
  

The lake, old field, woodland and wetland ecosystems that make up Centennial Park are home to abundant wildlife. Look for great blue herons, white cattle egrets and little green herons stalking minnows among the reeds. Swallows, turkey vultures and hawks soar overhead, and kingfishers dive into the lake for fish. In summer, turtles sun themselves on logs and rocks. Cottontail rabbits nibble on grass at dawn and dusk. Red fox have been known to visit. A beaver family is building a lodge in the Wildlife Area that is blocked by a buoy line to provide safe spawning for fish and nesting sites for birds. Help protect this area by staying on the paths. What may look like weeds to you are home to all sorts of butterflies and beneficial insects. In warm months, look for colorful monarch and swallowtail butterflies and dragonflies among the wildflowers.

Please do not feed the wildlife. The park's natural habitat provides plenty for birds, waterfowl and wildlife to eat, and their digestive systems are not designed for a human's food. If they become dependent upon being fed, they become less able to feed themselves and multiply in an area that may not support their population. Such overcrowding causes destruction of habitat, pollution of the lake, and, ultimately, disease and starvation.

From May through August, you are invited to rent one of our boats. Your driver's license and $10 cash deposit are required. One person in the boat must be at least 16 years old.

Boat rentals begin at 9 am on weekends and 11 am on weekdays; boat return is required by one hour before dusk. The lake and boat ramp are closed during inclement weather. Call 410-313-7303 for recorded information.

All boats on Centennial Lake require a park boating permit. Daily and seasonal (Mar.-Nov.) permits are available; call 410-313-7303 for recorded information. Only class A boats are allowed, 16 feet or less in length, with electric motors. Rowboats, canoes, rafts with three separate air chambers, and sailboats under 14 feet are permitted. A life jacket must be provided for each occupant.

Daily, self-serve permits ($5) may be obtained on-site.

You may fish from shore or from a boat. A Maryland Freshwater Fishing License is required for anglers aged 16 and up. State fishing regulations are in effect, and game fish are part of a management program to maintain a balanced population.

Help keep your parks beautiful. Please take your trash and recyclable items home. Take only pictures and leave only footprints.

Clean up after your dog and keep it leashed. Dog droppings may attract disease-harboring pests, and even a friendly dog can scare birds, wildlife and other park visitors. Mutt-Mitt dispensers are located in the park.

All of our parks are inhabited by a wide variety of wildlife such as deer, snakes, fish, rabbits, insects and birds. Please do not disturb them; remember, this is their home.