WALKTOBER Trails

Entrance to Patapsco Valley Park

We continue our Walktober blog series by introducing you to a new trail located in Howard county. For those who don’t know what Walktober is, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and other Maryland agencies, including the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development have funded and supported incredible walking trails throughout the state. The first week of this series, we introduced the Great Allegheny Passage located in Western, Maryland. Week two, we introduced you to the Lafayette Trail located in Havre De Grace, Maryland. This week we are jumping over to Baltimore, Maryland for the Patapsco River and Valley located in Ellicott City, Maryland.

The trail is so long – it isn’t only in Howard county! It is separated into portions throughout Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, and Howard County. Founded in 1907 and originally called the Patapsco Forest Reserve, the park is considered one of the oldest state parks in Maryland. The Patapsco River and Valley is known to be a part of America’s first common-carrier railroad. Additionally, it believed to be the world’s first underwater hydroelectric plant. The park extends 32 miles along the Patapsco River covering 16,043 acres of land and has developed eight different recreational areas. Visitors have opportunities to go hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, horseback and mountain bike trails, as well as picnicking for individuals or large groups. The most beautiful part of the park is the dam that flows through the river and washes upon the natural rocks of the park.

Arbutus Maryland, which is only 15 minutes away from the park and located in Baltimore County, is Maryland’s most recent Sustainable Community. Catonsville, which is adjacent to Arbutus, is also a Sustainable Community and located in Baltimore County. These Sustainable Communities have been environmentally, economically and socially developed since 2013 allowing their growth to be proudly recognized by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

This park has everything you need to entertain friends and family with breathtaking scenery and surrounds guests with true tranquility. Surrounded by true cutting edge forest fields and beautiful water flow from the river, this park brings a new sense of calm to all vistors. The park is less than ten minutes from fan favorite restaurants such as Hook and Reel Cajun Seafood Bar and Chipotle. This park is truly a sight to see. For more information on other trails in Maryland, check out the Walktober Blog Series on our website.