Patapsco Valley State Park

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Patapsco Valley State Park extends along 32 miles of the Patapsco River, encompassing 14,000 acres and five developed recreational areas. Recreational opportunities include hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, horseback and mountain bike trails, as well as picnicking for individuals or large groups in the park's many popular pavilions.
With Patapsco's Trail Management Plan in hand, funding has begun to renovate the trail system and upgrade signage and information systems. The park is nationally known for its trail opportunities and scenery. Check out the Trail Management Plan for the Avalon and McKeldin Sections.
In one of Maryland's first state parks (1907), the valley and its natural resources have been enjoyed by the Native Americans, explorers, settlers and present-day citizens. With its source in Frederick and Carroll counties, the Patapsco serves the Port of Baltimore, and empties into the Chesapeake Bay.
The Avalon Visitor Center houses exhibits spanning over 300 years of history along the Patapsco River. Housed in a 19th century stone dwelling in the Avalon Area, the center includes a re-creation of a 1930's forest warden's office.
PETS ARE PROHIBITED in the Avalon, Orange Grove, Glen Artney, Hilton, Hollofield, Pickall and McKeldin day-use areas, as well as the Hilton campground. Pets are permitted in all areas of the Hollofield campground. Please help us maintain the sanitation of these areas by avoiding trails that pass through them. The section of the Grist Mill Trail between Illchester Bridge and the Orange Grove Swinging Bridge is not considered part of the Avalon/Glen Artney day-use area, therefore, pets are permitted on that section of the Grist Mill Trail. However, on the section of the Grist Mill Trail from Orange Grove to the Lost Lake Area in Glen Artney is considered to be day use and pets are not allowed on this section of the trail. On the Soapstone Trail which begins at Route 166 and travels through the Glen Artney day-use area pets owners must turn around before entering the day-use area in Glen Artney.
PETS ARE WELCOME throughout the remainder of the park, but they MUST BE LEASHED at all times. For the safety of your pet, other visitors and the park's wildlife, please comply with the park's requirement that all pets remain on a leash. Thank you!

Patapsco Valley Hunting Guide
The Patapsco Valley State Park and Soldiers Delight NEA Hunter Parking Permits and Hunter Guide Books for the 2008-2009 season are now available. Click here for the hunting guide and associated maps of designated hunting areas.
Patapsco Valley Trail Maintenance Days
Do you like to get your hands dirty? If so, please come out and help us maintain, improve and upgrade the park's trails on one or more of our volunteer trail work days. They are all held on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
July 12th
September 27th (National Public Lands Day)
October 25th
Please note that you must sign up in advance to participate. The minimum age to volunteer is 16 years of age. The actual location of each trail project will depend on the priorities of the trail crew and the number of volunteers who sign up. Everyone who signs up will be notified by email a day or two before each date and will be advised as to who, where and when to meet and what to bring.
For more information or to sign up, please contact the park's volunteer coordinator, Larry Martin, at 410-465-3287 or by email at lmartin@dnr.state.md.us.

Patapsco Tributary Newsletter
Read the Fall/Winter 2008 issue of the Patapsco Tributary Newsletter for interesting and informative articles and pictures about the park, such as the visit by the Captain John Smith Discovery Barge to Avalon with living history interpretation, the Maryland Civic Justice Corps reconnecting youth and nature at Patapsco, the Soldiers Delight Conservation, Inc. (SDCI) fundraiser in September, the Gardner-Denver Hanover Corporate volunteer project on the Grist Mill Trail, Patapsco Valley State Park featured in an international photo exhibition in Belgium, National Public Lands Day, the viewpoint of a Patapsco Valley State Park camp host, REI's successful service project in the McKeldin area on National Trails Day and more.
You can also sign up for the Junior Naturalist: Nature Awareness Series. There is also a complete program calendar for the months of August 2008-March 2009 listing many interesting and exciting events and activities at Patapsco Valley State Park and Soldiers Delight NEA.

Self-Guided Recreational Activities

Canoeing, Daniels Area (4.7 mi.)
Canoeing, Orange Grove/Avalon Areas (2 mi.)
Hiking, Old Ranger Trail (1.5 mi.)
Historical walking tour, Hollofield Area (1.5 mi.)
Historical walking tour, Avalon Area (2 mi.)
Mountain biking, Old Ranger Trail (1.5 mi.)
Tubing, Orange Grove/Avalon Areas (3 mi.)

Top 10 areas of interest in Patapsco Valley State Park:

View the Thomas Viaduct – world's longest multiple-arched stone railroad bridge. (Avalon Area)
Hike the Grist Mill Trail – A 1.5 mile paved and accessible trail for the disabled along the river. (Avalon Area)
Walk across the Swinging Bridge – a 300 foot suspension walkway over the river. (Orange Grove Area)
Hike to Bloede's Dam – world's first internally housed hydroelectric dam. (Orange Grove Area)
Hike the McKeldin Area trail system for unparalleled scenery of the valley and river rapids.
Play on a two-acre tire playground in the Hilton Area.
Camp in one of our family campsites or camper cabins to enjoy the park activities or nearby Ellicott City or Baltimore. (Hollofield and Hilton Areas)
View the Patapsco Valley Overlook in the Hollofield Area – the only valley overlook along the river.
Visit the Daniels Area fish ladder to learn about Maryland's first barrier free river to shad and herring migrations.
Visit the Avalon Visitor Center.

Features
Patapsco Valley State Park features fishing, flatwater and whitewater canoeing, hiking trails, hunting, equestrian trails, picnicking, nature and history study, mountain biking, cross-country skiing. Check out camping season beginning and ending dates, and camping and shelter service charges.

Hollofield Area – This area features a scenic river valley overlook, playgrounds, picnic sites including rental pavilions, fishing and camping. There are 73 campsites, some with electric hookups. Effective 5/25/2007, pets are permitted in all areas of the Hollofield Campground. Pets must be on a leash (maximum 6 ft. in length) and not left unattended for more than 30 minutes. Hunting is available by permit.
Daniels Area – This area provides year-round flatwater canoeing for two miles of river behind Daniels Dam. Paddle your canoe or kayak and enjoy your lunch on rocks at the headwaters of the Patapsco. View abundant Great Blue Heron, kingfishers and beaver activity, or bring along your fishing rod. The Daniels Dam has a fish passage and accompanying exhibit.
Pickall Area – Eleven large picnic pavilions are available for rental by reservation only. Playgrounds and ball fields are also on site. Hunting is available by permit.
Hilton Area – Hiking trails and shaded picnic sites are available, along with a recycled tire playground. Youth group camping area is open from the end of April through Labor Day. There are 14 family campsites (tent camping only - no electricity). This area also has camper cabins, with heat and electricity.
Avalon-Glen Artney-Orange Grove – This area offers hiking, picnicking, mountain biking, canoeing, bicycling, tubing, rental pavilions, fishing, equestrian trails, ball fields and playgrounds. The Orange Grove Scenic Area has a two mile drive along the Patapsco to the Swinging Bridge. A fish passage has been installed at Bloedes Dam. This area is known for several historical sites – the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the Thomas Viaduct, remains of the Orange Grove Mill, Avalon Iron and Nail Works and Bloedes Dam. The Avalon Visitor Center houses exhibits detailing 300 years of Patapsco history.
McKeldin Area – This area offers youth group camping, picnicking, rental pavilions, playgrounds, fishing, ball fields, hiking, mountain biking, equestrian trails and a disc golf course. Hunting is available in designated areas by permit only. Hike, bike or horseback ride scenic valley trails.
Trail Guides
Check out a copy of the McKeldin Area Trail Guide. This trail guide, complete with a topographical map of the multi-use trails and foot-use only trails, is available for sale at Patapsco Valley State Park headquarters.
Check out a copy of the Avalon, Hilton, Glen Artney and Orange Grove Areas Trail Guide. This trail guide, complete with a topographical map of the multi-use trails and foot-use only trails, is available for sale at Patapsco Valley State Park headquarters.
UMBC's Geography and Environmental Systems department teams up with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to produce a comprehensive trail map of Patapsco Valley State Park. For more detailed information regarding this project, you may view it on youtube.
A Complete Trail Map of Patapsco Valley State Park, featuring 170 miles of trails, mostly unmaintained, a topographical map and numerous photographs, is available for sale at Patapsco Valley State Park headquarters.
To purchase copies of the Patapsco Valley State Park Trail Guides with a credit card, please "click" on this link to place your order online.
To purchase copies of the Patapsco Valley State Park Trail Guides with a check, please "click" on this link to print an order form.

Job Opportunities

The park is currently recruiting for the following positions: contact station attendant, crew leader, maintenance worker, naturalist and seasonal ranger.
If you are interested in any of these positions, please refer to http://www.dnr.state.md.us/hr.jobs.asp for further detailed information.
Maryland Conservation Corps

Patapsco Valley State Park is supported by a Maryland Conservation Corps Program. The Maryland Conservation Corps (MCC) is an AmeriCorps program that engages young adults, ages 17-25, who want to dedicate a year of service to natural resource conservation. Over a ten to 11-month period, MCC members work as crews to complete 1,700 hours of service. Conservation service activities include: trail maintenance, environmental education, stream & wetland restoration, park facility improvements, invasive species removal and Bay grass planting. Extensive member training is provided, including: First Responder certification, Wildland Fire Fighting certification, Search and Rescue certification, Park Operations, Environmental Education and Interpretation, Chainsaw Safety, Leave No Trace and Canoe Trip Leading.
No minimum qualifications are required other than transportation to the designated job site and a desire to serve. Low-cost State Housing is available at certain crew sites. Benefits include a living allowance of $7.00/hour, health care benefits, child care assistance (if eligible) and a $4,725 education scholarship award for those members that complete 1,700 hours of service. MCC employs a Zero Tolerance Policy for any member who uses alcohol or illegal drugs while attending an MCC project, training or event.
For more information or to apply, contact the park manager or download an application from the Maryland Department of Natural Resource’s Maryland Conservation Corps website: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/mcc/yearround.htm

All developed areas of the park have facilities that are accessible to the disabled. Most picnic pavilions and restrooms are accessible. A one acre pond in the Avalon Area is restricted to fishing by those people under 16, over 61, or disabled with an Access Maryland Pass, and is accessible by wheelchair. Also in the Avalon Area is the scenic Grist Mill Trail, a 1.5 mile paved multi-purpose trail along the Patapsco River. The trail is wheelchair accessible. A wheelchair accessible platform for fly fishing is available to anglers at Morgan Run Natural Environment Area off Klee Mill Road.
For additional accessible amenities in Maryland State Forests and Parks, visit the Accessibility For All section of this website.
Nearby attractions include historic Ellicott City and the B&O Railroad Museum. Enjoy lunch or dinner at the historic Elkridge Furnace Inn, located on state park property on Furnace Avenue in Elkridge.

Directions to Patapsco Valley State Park

Pickall Area - From the Beltway (I-695) take Security Blvd. (Exit 17) westbound. Go 0.5 mile and turn left on North Rolling Rd. Take next right (Fairbrook Rd.). Go 1 mile, turn left on Johnnycake Rd. Go 1.5 miles. Park Entrance is on the left.
From Rt. 40 take Rt. 40 to North Rolling Rd. toward Security Square Mall. Go 2.5 miles, turn left onto Fairbrook Rd. Follow above directions.

Hilton Area - From the Beltway (I-695) take Frederick Rd. (Exit 13) through Catonsville to South Rolling Rd. Turn left and make first right onto Hilton Avenue. Bear left and follow Hilton Ave. 1.5 miles to the park entrance on right.
From Howard County follow Frederick Rd. through Ellicott City into Baltimore County, turn right at South Rolling Rd. and follow directions above.

Hollofield Area - From the Beltway (I-695) take Rt. 40 West (Exit 15). Follow Rt. 40 West 2 miles to the park entrance on the right.
From I-70/Rt. 29 take Rt. 29 South (Exit 87) to Rt. 40 East 2 miles to the park entrance on the right.

Avalon/Glen Artney/Orange Grove/Lost Lake Areas - From the Beltway (I-695) Take Rt. 1 (Exit 12-A) toward Elkridge. Follow Rt. 1 South about 3 miles to South St. Turn right. Park entrance is on the left.
From I -95 take I-195 to Rt. 1 (Exit 3) toward Elkridge to South St. Turn right. Park entrance is on the left.
From Howard County follow Rt. 1 through Elkridge and into Baltimore County. Turn left onto South St. Park entrance is on the left.

McKeldin Area - From I-695/I-70 West take I-70 to Marriottsville Rd. (Exit 83). Go north on Marriottsville Rd. for 4 miles to the park entrance on the right.
From I-70 East take Rt. 40 to Marriottsville Rd. Turn left. Park entrance is 5 miles on the right.
From Rt. 26 take Rt. 26 to Marriottsville Rd. Go South 4 miles, park entrance is on the left.

Patapsco Valley State Park
8020 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410)461-5005
Call 1-888-432-CAMP(2267) for reservations

Click here to make reservations on-line for Patapsco Valley State Park.
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Funding for Maryland's State and local parks and conservation areas is provided through The Department of Natural Resources' Program Open Space. Established in 1969, Program Open Space symbolizes Maryland's long term commitment to conserving natural resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities.
Photo by Greg Phillips

Last Updated on August 19, 2008