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Baltimore, Maryland

Top Spots in and near Baltimore

  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • Kingsville, Maryland

    Hike the Jerusalem Village Trail & Jericho Covered Bridge Trail

    4.3 mi / 341 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • Parkton, Maryland

    Hike the Gunpowder Falls North and South Loop Trail

    5.0
    13.3 mi / 1180 ft gain
    Park in the lot on Bunker Hill Road and then continue a short ways to the trailhead (see map). There are no bridges for crossing the water so be prepared to pick your way across. 
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  • Parkton, Maryland

    Photograph Prettyboy Dam

    4.0
    Make sure you park in the designated spots located above the Dam. Walk across the Dam road bridge and about mid way stop and take a look over the edge. You will be greeted with the a beautiful view of the valley. To explore more keep walking over the dam bridge and walk down the stairs to view ...
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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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  • 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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Camping and Lodging in Baltimore

Washington DC / Capitol KOA Holiday
Millersville, Maryland

Washington DC / Capitol KOA Holiday

Greenbelt Campground
Greenbelt, Maryland

Greenbelt Campground

Greenbelt Park Picnic Areas
Greenbelt, Maryland

Greenbelt Park Picnic Areas

Rock Creek Park Group Picnic Areas
Washington, District of Columbia

Rock Creek Park Group Picnic Areas

Fort Dupont Park Picnic Areas
Washington, District of Columbia

Fort Dupont Park Picnic Areas

Parkway Drive Volleyball Courts
Washington, Virginia

Parkway Drive Volleyball Courts

Guides, Insights and Stories from Baltimore

How the Outdoors Won in the Recent Spending Bill

How the Outdoors Won in the Recent Spending Bill

Outdoor Alliance