There is So Much to See at This Wonderful State Park

This beautiful park runs along The Patapsco River for 32 miles. There is incredible diversity in the landscape and it is also deeply entrenched in history. The park is spread over more than 16,000 acres so it’s wise to determine your starting point ahead based on your preferred activities, such as hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking, or mountain biking. There are so many trails to explore with all different levels of difficulty - a whopping 73 routes are listed on All Trails where the park is ranked number two out of 906 state parks in Maryland.

Orange Grove is a great place to start, and it is probably the most popular. With hiking, history, architecture, and a lovely waterfall, there is much to see, and it is all manageable on little legs. The parking lot is small, which is both good and bad, as you’ll want to arrive early on the weekends to secure a spot, but if you're lucky enough to get one, you don’t have to worry too much about overcrowding. If the lot is full, give the nearby Glen Artney area a try. 

For a hike that ends in a swimming hole at the base of a waterfall, we love the McKeldin Area of the park. If the parking lot is full, there is a stretch of road where you can park right next to several paths leading you right into the park. Keep in mind, the swimming hole requires traversing a steep set of stairs built into the hill, but if you find it too crowded for your comfort level, you can just wade through the shallow part of the water and continue on your hike. 

Make sure to bring a picnic lunch and plenty of water and snacks because you can easily spend all day in this vast park! If you choose McKeldin, reward your family with a stop at Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, just seven minutes down Marriottsville Road en route to the highway. If you are camping, the Hollofield Area is popular, and the Hilton area is smaller but seems particularly geared towards children.