Dayton

Dayton offers two different kinds of outdoor outing. Dayton Oaks Park at 4691 Ten Oaks Road has a half-mile pathway and playground. For a reservoir visit, the starting point is WSSC Water's recreation-area information, because access to the drinking-water watershed follows its own rules.

Choose the correct reservoir entrance

The WSSC map and status page lists Big Branch at 14801 Triadelphia Mill Road and Pig Tail at 5600 Green Bridge Road, both with Dayton addresses. These are separate from Greenbridge Recreation Area in Brookeville. Similar road and recreation-area names make the exact street address especially useful.

The watershed recreation program provides permitted public use of privately owned land protecting the reservoirs. Review the activity rules and confirm that the intended area is open before purchasing a permit. Boat-ramp conditions can change with water levels, so an old map or a previous successful visit is not enough to plan the next launch. Decide first whether the trip is a park walk, shoreline outing or permitted boating visit, then check the requirements for that particular destination.