Elkridge, Maryland
Top Spots in and near Elkridge
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Boyds, Maryland
Hike or Bike the Hoyles Mill Trail
9.16 mi / 390 ft gainPark on Clarksburg Road (see map) and head onto the marked trail. It can get muddy at times so pack accordingly. Great for kids, and dog friendly too.Read more -
Potomac, Maryland
Great Falls and the Billy Goat Trail
4.54.61 mi / 272 ft gainJust outside of Washington DC is a great hike and rock scramble you don't want to miss. Great Falls lies in both Virginia and Maryland and has beautiful views of the Potomac River. Start out at the Great Falls Tavern parking lot (Maryland side), and keep in mind it is $10 to park here if you don...Read more -
McLean, Virginia
Photograph Great Falls of the Potomac
5.00.69 mi / 131 ft gainViewing Great Falls is easy which makes this adventure great for all levels of adventurers. There is a ~$10 entrance fee, there you will receive a map of the park. There are 3 platforms of viewing Great Falls, each platform has stunning panoramic views. Make sure you do not forget to bring your ...Read more -
McLean, Virginia
Difficult Run, Ridge, and River Trails
4.53.28 mi / 463 ft gainDifficult Run is a popular hiking location right down the street from Great Falls National Park. Starting at the Difficult Run parking lot you head to the trail at the far end of the lot. The trail will split. The green blazes will take you to the left but you can also stay to the right and hike ...Read more -
Freeland, Maryland
Hike Hemlock Gorge
5.03.5 mi / 300 ft gainThis 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 -
Falls Church, Virginia
Bike the W&OD Trail
45 miThe Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) trail stretches through northern Virginia and is a great spot for bike riding, running, or walking. The trail is paved, well maintained, and wide enough for traffic in both directions. There are also a couple breweries along the way that you can make a f...Read more -
Street, Maryland
Hike the White Trail
5.03.4 mi / 643 ft gainPark in the lot off of St. Clair Bridge Rd to access the trail. Be aware that some parts of the trail are rocky and/or steep. This trail is dog friendly and is accessible from October through November.Read more -
Alexandria, Virginia
Run or Bike the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve
3 miStart your adventure at the Belle Haven Parking area then head down the Dyke Marsh Trail. To add on additional distance, head south down the Mt. Vernon Trail for more views, well maintained paths, and even some sitting areas. You'll find boardwalks that take you right across the marsh, so keep an...Read more -
Bel Air, Maryland
Hike the Deer Creek Trail
5.02 miBecause 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 -
Dickerson, Maryland
Hike the Sugarloaf Mountain Trail
4.76.05 mi / 1509 ft gainPark on Sugarloaf Mountain Drive (as indicated on the map below) to access the trail. It is open from March-November and is dog friendly.Read more -
Pylesville, Maryland
Hike to Kilgore Falls
3.81.2 miThis 1.2 mile roundtrip hike leads to the second tallest waterfall in the state of Maryland. It is a short hike that's great for families and bringing the dog. In the warmer months, you can swim in the pool at the base of the waterfall. People have cliff jumped here, but exercise caution and do s...Read more -
Wye Mills, Maryland
Kayak around Wye Island NRMA
With over 2,400 acres of managed land, Wye Island Natural Resource Management Area is the perfect spot to explore via the water. There is a public boat launch in Wye Landing near the island, put in your boat there and head south a little to connect with the island's coast. To fully circle the i...Read more -
Huntingtown, Maryland
Paddle the Patuxent River through Maryland
While there are many parks along its length, one of the best places to explore along the 115 mile long Patuxent River is by putting in at Kings Landing Park. There is ample parking near the launch, and while vehicles are not allowed to park near the water, vehicles are encouraged to open the gat...Read more -
Havre de Grace, Maryland
Hike the Susquehanna Ridge Trail at Susquehanna State Park
6 miWhat is it with Harford County and its slew of awesome parks? Nestled in the Northeast corner of Maryland, between the Chesapeake Bay and the river it takes its name from, Susquehanna State Park is gorgeous. A couple miles and a world away from I-95, SSP is expansive and lush. There are 15 miles ...Read more -
Sterling, Virginia
Washington & Old Dominion Trail and Broadlands Ramble
5.019.55 mi / 863 ft gainWashington & Old Dominion Trail and Broadlands Ramble is a point-to-point trail where you may see local wildlife located near Ashburn, Virginia.Read more -
Spring Grove, Pennsylvania
Hike the Ranger Trails at Codorus State Park
4.05 miI'll be honest. I wasn't expecting much from Codorus State Park. But, my Saturday was open and I wanted to go somewhere I wouldn't have to fight for legroom. I didn't need anything majestic--just some space. Codorus, centrally located in the picturesque hills of York County, PA, seemed to fit the...Read more