Owings Mills, Maryland

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...

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. 

Park in the lot as indicated on the map (see below). This trail is accessible year round, dog-friendly, and is great for families. 

Mineral Hill Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Finksburg, Maryland.

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...

Park on the shoulder of Landing Drive (see map) to access the trailhead. This trail is open April-September. Dogs allowed on leash. 

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. 

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. 

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...

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...

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...

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...

Park 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. 

I'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...

This 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...

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...