Elkridge, Maryland

Top Spots in and near Elkridge

Elkridge, Maryland
Cascade Falls Loop

3.0

2.31 mi / 381 ft gain

This hike is a great place to escape the city feel of Baltimore and disappear into the wilderness. Enter through the Avalon Area entrance. There is a cash fee to enter the park. Once you pass the front gate continue past the initial picnic area. Continue through the park to the Orange Grove Area...
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Elkridge, Maryland
Hike the Cascade Falls and Rootball Loop Trail

4.7

2.4 mi / 285 ft gain

Park on the shoulder of Landing Drive (see map) to access the trailhead. This trail is open April-September. Dogs allowed on leash.
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Baltimore, Maryland
Hike the Fort McHenry Trail

3.5

0.9 mi / 16 ft gain

Park in the lot and head out either direction on this short loop trail. Trail can get crowded, so be prepared to share the space.
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Laurel, Maryland
Hike the South Tract Trails at Patuxent Research Refuge

5 mi

From the visitors center, start on the Fire Road trail. From there, it's a choose-your-own adventure (choose-your-own ecosystem, actually). Pick the Laurel and Valley Trails to stay in the quiet (and maybe enchanted? It felt enchanted) forest. Goose Pond trail is a short jut to a--yup--pond, wher...
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Edgemere, Maryland
Hike the Black Marsh Trail at North Point State Park

2.5 mi

First, a few disclaimers: The parking lot may be "at capacity" if you choose to visit the park in the summer. Do not despair; there is an auxiliary lot of sorts just near the gate.The park may be "full" but chances are you'll have the trails to yourself. Most people are here to hang in the design...
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Owings Mills, Maryland
Serpentine Trail

4.5

2.39 mi / 226 ft gain

Park in the area off of Deer Park road to access the trail. Dogs are welcome on leash. Trail can get muddy in the spring, and there are some stream crossings.
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Owings Mills, Maryland
Soldiers Delight Loop

4.7

5.33 mi / 466 ft gain

From Deer Park Road, parking is available at the nature center or the scenic overlook (about 100 yards up the road). I typically park at the overlook as this affords the ability to hike trails on either side of the road, and always finish the hike back at the car. From the parking area you are ju...
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Cockeysville, Maryland
Hike the Oregon Ridge Park Trail

4.0

4.02 mi / 475 ft gain

Park in the lot as indicated on the map (see below). This trail is accessible year round, dog-friendly, and is great for families.
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Eldersburg, Maryland
Mineral Hill Trail

4.0

2.04 mi / 282 ft gain

Mineral Hill Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Finksburg, Maryland.
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Annapolis, Maryland
Kayak into downtown Annapolis via Spa Creek

There is no better way to travel into Annapolis then by under your own power on water. Put in your kayak, canoe, or stand up paddle board at the Truxton Park Boat Launch (run by the City Parks Department) and paddle into downtown Annapolis on Spa Creek. Pass other boaters, beautiful waterfront ...
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Baltimore, Maryland
Paddle Dundee Creek

1.5 mi

Follow the main entrance road down and to the right of the nature center to a turn around loop, where a car can be temporarily parked to unload/load boats onto the pier. You can launch canoes and kayaks on the end of the pier which goes directly out to Dundee Creek. From the launch site, paddlers...
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Baltimore, Maryland
Hike Marshy Point Nature Center

5 mi

Marshy Point Nature Center is 25 minutes northeast of Baltimore in Middle River, Maryland. Convenient from I-95 with lots of parking and miles of interconnected trails, it's a perfect spot for a quick hike or an all-day excursion. The trails are mostly within the 1-2 mile range, but you can comb...
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Annapolis, Maryland
Photograph the Frozen Bay at Sandy Point

The winter is the perfect time to explore this park as it does not draw in many visitors like it does in the summer months. You can walk along the sandy shores to photograph both the Chesapeake Bay Bridge as well as the bay itself. This is a very easy walk and could take you under 10 minutes and ...
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Derwood, Maryland
Hike, Bike, or Run the Lakeside Trail and Muncaster Mill Trail

4.5

3.41 mi / 196 ft gain

Park at the Meadowside Nature Center to Access the trailhead. This is a 3.4 mile loop with opportunities for birding and observing wildlife. Dogs are welcome on leash.
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Washington, District of Columbia
Visit Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

4.5

1.5 mi

The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens are a unique spot in Washington, D.C. The grounds are full of ponds, boardwalks, and a trail that connects you to the Anacostia River Trail. The main draw of this park are the ponds full of lotus flowers. During the summer months, they grow tall with colors ranging ...
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Kingsville, Maryland
Jerusalem Village Trail & Jericho Covered Bridge Trail

2.98 mi / 318 ft gain

This is a moderately rated hike that features a river and quite a few hilly sections. The trail is known to be rather muddy, so be sure to wear appropriate waterproof footwear. Note that some sections of the trail are not well marked. You may want to review a map before embarking. There is park...
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