Maryland

Looking for the best chillin in Maryland? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Maryland. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Chillin Spots in and near Maryland

  • Berlin, Maryland

    Assateague Island

    4.7
    This is the perfect getaway if you are on the East Coast! Assateague Island is a 37-mile long barrier island along the coasts of Maryland and Virginia that is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Sinepuxent Bay on the west. The state and national parks offer the chance to explore ...
    Read more
  • Thurmont, Maryland

    Hike Catoctin Mountain

    4.5
    8.4 mi / 1370 ft gain
    Park at Catoctin Mountain Visitor Center. The hike starts at the end of the gravel parking lot across from the visitor center. This is definitely a popular hiking location, so come early on the weekends to guarantee a parking spot and to avoid the crowds. To start, take the right trail towards th...
    Read more
  • Smithsburg, Maryland

    Hike to Cunningham Falls

    4.2
    2.8 mi
    This 78-foot waterfall, among the largest in the state, is easily accessible by two short trails. Lower Trail (0.5 miles) leads directly to the falls, whereas Cliff Trail (0.75 miles) has slightly more difficult terrain and takes you to a viewing platform. To lengthen the adventure, Hunting Creek...
    Read more
  • 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...
    Read more
  • 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...
    Read more
  • 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 ...
    Read more
  • North East, Maryland

    Hike to the Turkey Point Lighthouse in Elk Neck SP

    3.0
    1.6 mi / 60 ft gain
    This hike begins from the parking lot trailhead that is well-marked.  Be cautious - parking is limited and may be full on weekends, and the paved road suddenly ends at the parking lot entrance.  The path is crushed stone, wide, and relatively flat.  Dogs are welcome but must be on leashes.  On th...
    Read more
  • Scotland, Maryland

    Explore Point Lookout State Park

    4.5
    0.5 mi
    Point Lookout State Park is at the southern most tip of the joining of the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River in St. Mary's County, Maryland. The park offers many activities such as fishing, canoeing, boat launch, camping and lounging at the beach.   When you arrive, there are multiple places t...
    Read more
  • Oakland, Maryland

    Hike the Herrington Manor/Swallow Falls Trail

    5.0
    11 mi / 25 ft gain
    I began my adventure at the trailhead in Herrington Manor State Park. The parking lot was empty and the trail was very easy to access. From start to finish this trail varies in the width of its path. For the first mile I had a lot of foot room, but as I went deeper into the forest, the trail turn...
    Read more
  • Bel Air, Maryland

    Hike the Deer Creek Trail

    5.0
    2 mi
    Because Palmer State Park is still under development (with no timeline given for its completion), there are only a few trails that meander through this 555-acre reserve. Palmer's official website offers a not-so-helpful topographical map, but the easiest way into the park that I could find was ne...
    Read more
  • Freeland, Maryland

    Hike Hemlock Gorge

    5.0
    3.5 mi / 300 ft gain
    This is one of Baltimore's little known gems. The area contains an ecosystem which is essentially non-existent outside of the Appalachian mountain regions. It has also been seemingly under-appreciated and abused by locals. I am trusting that the Outbound Collective community will do its part to e...
    Read more
  • Cambridge, Maryland

    Kayak the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

    5.0
    The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is a perfect place to get away for a day. It offers more than 28,000 acres of marsh, forrest, and croplands which are teeming with wildlife.  The refuge has a visitors center which is a good place to start the adventure and acquire knowledge of the area, th...
    Read more
  • Pocomoke City, Maryland

    HIke the Bald Cypress Trail

    3.0
    1 mi / 0 ft gain
    The beautiful Pocomoke River State Park is divided into two sections, the Shad Landing Area and the Milburn Landing Area. The Bald Cypress Nature Trail is located in the Milburn Landing Area. Once you are in the Milburn Landing Area, you'll want to look for the Mattaponi Pavilion sign and turn do...
    Read more
  • 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...
    Read more
  • Fishing Creek, Maryland

    Kayak to Barren Island

    3 mi
    Barren Island is an uninhabited island located in the Chesapeake Bay. It is part of the Chesapeake Marshlands NWR Complex and is known to be a swan nesting ground, as well as an active restoration project led by Army Corps of Engineers, NOAA, the FWS, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, an...
    Read more