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We were shocked to find such a large state park practically inside the city. This Maryland State Park extends along 32 miles of the Patapsco River. It encompasses 14,000 acres, making it Maryland’s largest state park. Trail activities include hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Trails
We utilize AllTrails before heading out on our hikes. It is a great way to see the difficulty of hikes and you can grab directions that will take you right to the trailhead.
Patapsco Valley Ridge Trail
This is about a 6.3 mile out and back trail. It has approximately 731 feet of elevation gain. Hiking and mountain biking are welcomed on this trail. Along this trail you will find ruins to explore and a waterfall at the turn around point.
Buzzard Rock Trail Loop
This is a 2.4 mile loop trail with about 278 feet in elevation gain. It is open to hiking. On this trail, you can view the tunnel that will connect you to the Grist Mill Trail. The tunnel is subject to flooding, but you can take an alternate route along the train track side of the trail. Nearby close to the railroad bridge you can also spot the ruins of the old St. Mary’s College.
Cascade Falls Loop Trail
This is a 2.3 mile loop trail with about 321 feet in elevation gain. It is open to hiking and mountain biking. You will find a couple of stream crossings on this trail. It is open to both hiking and biking.
Grist Mill Trail
This is a 5.1 mile out and back trail. It has approximately 127 feet of elevation gain. The Grist Mill Trail is a paved path along the river. You will cross two wooden swinging bridges on this trail. You can also check out the tunnel that you will find along this trail.
Hungry? Thirsty?
We always try patronizing local businesses while visiting new areas. During this trip we found two great places that you should definitely check out while in the area!
Honey Bee Diner
Fuel up at the Honey Bee Diner before heading out to hike in Patapsco Valley State Park. This is a 24 hour diner, so you can enjoy it no matter what time of the day it is. I highly recommend the sausage gravy and biscuits!
Crooked Crab Brewing
Enjoy a beer and some great pizza after your hikes. Crooked Crab had some fantastic sours. My favorite was the Apple Pie A La Mode. The atmosphere along with some great brick oven pizza makes this a can’t miss when you are in Anne Arundel County.
