Copperhead spotted on trail: What Maryland hikers need to know

A hiker at Black Hill Regional Park in Montgomery County got a striking reminder of who else shares the trails — after spotting a large copperhead stretched across a walking path near the paddle boat area, close enough to have been stepped on.

The encounter, shared on Reddit’s r/MontgomeryCountyMD, drew hundreds of comments and a flood of advice — including the widely shared tip that the snake’s signature hourglass markings resemble Hershey’s Kisses laid sideways. But wildlife experts say there’s much more hikers should know before heading outdoors this spring and summer.

Maryland is home to 27 snake species, but only two carry medically significant venom: the eastern copperhead and the timber rattlesnake. Copperheads can grow up to 3 feet long and are most common in the forested rock outcrops of central and western Maryland, typically turning up in forests, fields, swamps and dry sandy ridges. They are also well-established throughout Montgomery County — and park visitors won’t always find a warning sign. 

Copperheads become more active above ground during warmer months, typically through November. During summer, they shift to hunting at night to avoid the heat, making them harder to spot but no less present in the landscape. That means hikers face potential encounters throughout the warm-weather season. 

How to identify one

The snakes’ distinctive shovel-shaped heads and chestnut-colored hourglass crossbands help them blend into their surroundings, making them difficult to spot. As leaves accumulate and dry on the ground, copperheads will camouflage in stacks of wood and piles of foliage, making them especially easy to miss. 

One Reddit commenter warned that head shape alone is not a reliable identification tool — many harmless species, including water snakes, can flatten their heads into a triangular shape to mimic venomous snakes. The distinctive hourglass pattern on the body remains the most dependable visual cue.

What to do if you see one

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The advice from wildlife officials is consistent: back away and leave it alone. Snakes typically bite only when they feel threatened, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and copperheads will usually slither away before a hiker gets close. 

Jonathan McKnight, associate director of the Natural Heritage Program at the Maryland DNR, puts it plainly: “The trick is, try not to handle wild animals.” He advises hikers to maintain situational awareness at all times. “Observe what’s going on around you. Look where you step.” 

When hiking or camping, watch where hands and feet are placed. Wear long pants and heavy boots in tall grass or heavy brush, and avoid rock piles and stacks of old wood in forested areas, which snakes use frequently — especially in sunny spots with canopy gaps. 

Spotting a copperhead on a public trail can be reported to park staff or rangers, who may be able to relocate the snake away from high-traffic areas.

If bitten

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Emergency medicine physician Maria Lawrynowicz of MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, which treated at least 18 snakebite patients in 2025, notes that most envenomations cause only local symptoms and are rarely fatal.

“This isn’t an aggressive snake species. They’re very docile snakes. They usually only bite if they’re provoked,” she said. 

Maryland Poison Control receives an average of 100 snakebite reports each year, about half involving venomous species, with copperheads accounting for the majority.

Copperheads sometimes deliver dry bites that inject no venom, but infection remains a risk even then, Mr. McKnight said. Any bite from a wild reptile should be evaluated by a medical professional.

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The American Red Cross recommends washing the bite with soap and water, immobilizing the bitten area and keeping it lower than the heart, and seeking immediate medical attention. Ice, tourniquets and incisions should not be used. Attempting to suck out venom can make the wound worse. The Maryland Poison Control Center can be reached at 1-800-222-1222. Note the time the bite occurred and remove any jewelry or tight clothing from the affected area. 

Don’t kill it — it’s the law

All native snake species in Maryland are protected under the Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act. Harming or capturing a snake without a permit is punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and up to one year of imprisonment.

Because copperheads feed primarily on mice, their presence in an area often signals a rodent issue.

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“Very often people think they have a snake problem, but actually they’ve got a mouse problem, and the snakes are keeping it in check,” Mr. McKnight said.

Researchers have also found that a protein in copperhead venom, contortrostatin, inhibited breast tumor growth and reduced metastasis in preclinical mouse studies — an early-stage line of research that scientists say could point toward future cancer treatments.

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