happyly approved

Orange Grove Area at Patapsco Valley

5120 South Street Halethorpe, MD 21227

9am-Sunset

$$

hikes, playground, road-trips, outdoor-adventures

Patapsco Valley State Park Orange Grove in Catonsville, MD

Upon entering Patapsco Vallery State Park, visitors will first pass through the Avalon area. There you’ll find a large playground, picnic areas, and hiking trails, as well as some historic architecture. The recreational opportunities include hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing and horseback riding.

The hikes feature varied terrain including streams that flow to the Patapsco River, rocky outcrops, and bridges. It’s best to leave strollers at home if you plan on taking advantage of any of the trails.

As you continue into the park, you’ll enter the Orange Grove area. This is home to the park’s most notable feature: Cascade Falls accessed by a easy hike that even the littlest legs can handle, and the views are well worth it.

After visiting the falls, you can walk across the swinging bridge to visit what remains of a 19th century grist mill via the grist mill trail. This is by far the most popular area and the parking lot is small. It is not uncommon for it to fill to capacity on weekends. Make sure to arrive early or try coming at an off-peak time such as a weekday or during colder weather.

When you’re done in the Orange Grove Area, head over to the Glen Artney area of Patapsco Valley State Park. There you can check out Lost Lake, a picturesque spot that’s perfect for fishing. You’ll also find a couple smaller playgrounds (if the kids still have energy left to play!). If they’re tuckered out, you can grab a picnic table to eat a snack and rest your legs.

Visitors can bike on all of the paved roads throughout the park. Keep in mind that you’ll be sharing the road with cars so it may not be advisable for very young children. Additionally, swimming is allowed anywhere along the river. There are no lifeguards, so you’ll need to keep a close eye on children.

One consistent throughout all three areas of the park is its fabulous hiking trails and mountain bike trails for the older kids in your family. There are literally miles of trails and they all have their own features (history, water, bridges, etc.) so you really can’t go wrong, no matter which one you choose.

The park is huge so it’s a good idea to keep a trail map handy as you explore. You can print one at home or grab one when you get there and bring along plenty of water.

We recommend talking to the rangers at the nature center upon entering the Patapsco State Park to choose the best kid-friendly hikes for your family as weather and crowds can impact which trails are available or more difficult.

There are parking lots and developed recreation areas throughout the park that provide convenient access to each area. Some of them get filled up more quickly than others. The great thing about this park is that there are so many options, if one lot is full you can go and check out another area.

There are also restrooms and portable toilets available throughout. You can easily spend a full day at this park, so make sure to pack a picnic lunch!

Features

Hiking Waterfall Historic Area River views
Thoughtfully captured by:
Katie Raspa
Our work in Baltimore is truly a family affair. Husband and wife, Matt and Katie, work together to head up our ambassador team in Charm City. Katie is a Maryland native and has lived in the state her whole life. She moved to Baltimore in 2007 after graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. She has been working in the field of early childhood education as a teacher and family coach for the past 12 years. Katie also holds a Masters of Education in Literacy from Loyola University. She is passionate about giving kids and families the knowledge and tools that they need to thrive. Matt grew up in the Highlandtown neighborhood of Baltimore. As a city native, Matt is a great resource on all that the city has to offer. After months of helping Katie explore the city for her role at a Happy Active Family, he decided to put his love of writing to use and officially come on board as an ambassador. Matt and Katie have two girls, ages 5 and 7. They spend their weekends camping, hiking, or exploring other hidden gems in their area. Tap into their insider knowledge by downloading the app today!
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