Parks

Chesapeake & Delaware Canal Trail, Michael Castle trail

Website No official website, but info here, and blog about the trail here. Map: Trail Location: Chesapeake City, MD to Delaware City, DE Trail Length: 14 miles Counties: Cecil County, MD; New Castle County, DE Trail Surface(s): Asphalt with grass verge Trail Description: The Michael Castle Trail/Ben Cardin Recreational Trail are paved pathways that create a 14.2-mile long trail that follows the north bank of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal in Northern Delaware. The trails connect Chesapeake City in Maryland to Delaware City…

Cedarville State Forest

Website Map: Purchase at Park HQ Trail Location: 10201 Bee Oak Road Brandywine, MD 20613 Trail Length: 19.5 miles Counties: Prince George’s Trail Surface(s): Dirt/ gravel roads Trail Description: There are 19.5 miles of marked trails. The trails wind past the loblolly pine plantations planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s, by a charcoal kiln, and through farm areas where springs and streams were used to make “moonshine.” Trails may be wet at times. For safety,…

Gillis Falls, Carroll County Equestrian Center

Website Map:  Trail Location: 2512 Grimville Road, Mt. Airy, MD 21771 Trail Length: 3+ miles, plus rings and cross country jumps Counties: Carroll Trail Surface(s): Grass, dirt Trail Description: Brochure Parking and Trail Access: Use of the ring for schooling purposes is free to the public, but a release form must be signed before the combination to the gate can be obtained. Seasonal Restrictions: None Reviews and Tips: Amenities: rings and cross country jumps Carroll County Equestrian…

Calvert Cliffs State Park

Website Map:  Trail Location: 9500 H. G. Truman Parkway, Lusby, Maryland. Trail Length: 13 Miles Counties: Calvert Trail Surface(s): Gravel, dirt Trail Description: The cliffs which dominate the shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay for thirty miles in Calvert County were formed over 15 million years ago when all of southern Maryland was covered by a warm, shallow sea. Over 600 species of fossils have been identified from these cliffs, with the teeth of various species of shark as the…

Gunpowder Falls State Park – Sweet Air

Trail Description: With 1,250 acres, the Sweet Air Area is one of Gunpowder’s largest enclaves. Straddling the Little Gunpowder Falls, which makes up the border between Harford and Baltimore Counties, this area includes 18-miles of trails.  Horse Trailer Parking is on Dalton Brevard Rd off of Moores Rd.  When you turn on Dalton Brevard Rd you will see a sign for Horse trailer parking on the right. There will also be a sign to let…

Patuxent Wildlife Research Center – North Tract

Website  Map  Trail Location: 230 Bald Eagle Drive Laurel, MD 20724 North Tract Driving Directions  From Washington, D.C.: Take Baltimore/Washington Parkway (Route 295) North and exit on to MD Route 198 East toward Fort Meade. Travel almost 2 miles. Then turn right on to Bald Eagle Drive (at the ball fields) and travel 1 mile to the North Tract Visitor Contact Station. From Baltimore: Take Baltimore/Washington Parkway (Route 295) South and take the MD Route 198 exit…

Kinder Farm Park

Kinder Farm Park Website  Map  Trail Location: 1001 Kinder Farm Park Road Millersville, MD 21108 Trail Length: 5-6 miles Counties: Anne Arundel Trail Surface(s): Asphalt, grass, dirt Trail Description:  Kinder Farm Park offers picnic tables and grills located throughout the park, two large outdoor pavilions available for rental, and a large playground and tot-lot ideal for children of all ages. The park has a 2.8 mile paved perimeter trail and several miles of natural trails. Kinder Farm Park is open…

Green Ridge State Forest

Green Ridge State Forest Website  Map  Trail Location: Cumberland, MD – connects to C & O Canal Park Trail Length: 50+ miles Counties: Allegany Trail Surface(s): Asphalt, gravel, dirt Trail Description: Horseback riding is permitted on the public roads within the State Forest. Horses are not permitted on any trails other than the open public roads. There are 2 primitive campsites on the forest that are recommended for riders that wish to camp with their horses.…

Great Allegany Passage

GAP – Great Allegany Passage Website  Maps  Trail Location: Starts at the end of the C & O Canal, following railroad tracks to Pittsburg, PA. Trail Length: 150 miles! Counties: Allegany – Pittsburg, PA Trail Surface(s): Asphalt, grass verge Trail Description: Experience the gorgeous Great Allegheny Passage, a nearly flat 150-mile bicycle and walking trail connecting Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland. It runs next to winding rivers, over soaring viaducts, and through historic railroad tunnels. No wonder…

C & O Canal

C & O Canal Website  Maps Trail Location: C & O Canal Towpath Trail Length: 184.5 Miles! Counties: Allegany, Washington, Frederick, Montgomery Trail Surface(s): Asphalt, gravel, grass verge Trail Description: Horseback riding is a unique way to enjoy the canal. Horses are not rented along the canal but there are opportunities for horse owners to enjoy the park. For the most up to date regulations on group overnight rides, please consult the Superintendents Compendium. Section 2.16 specfically…

Black Hill Regional Park

Black Hill Regional Park Website Map  Trail Location: 20930 Lake Ridge Drive Boyds, Maryland 20841 Trail Length: Counties: Montgomery Trail Surface(s): Wooded trails, grass, asphalt Trail Description: The 4.3-mile Black Hill Trail is asphalt surface for most of its length, but the mid-section of the trail is natural surface and is steep and rocky in sections. The rest of the trails in the park are natural surface. The dominant feature of the trail system is the 505-acre…

Baltimore and Annapolis Trail

Trail Description: The Baltimore & Annapolis Trail Park is a 13.3 mile asphalt trail linking schools, suburban homes and apartments, shopping centers and malls, and churches. It follows the route of the old B & A Shortline Railroad, a light interurban line that connected the state capital of Annapolis to the city of Baltimore with passenger and light rail freight service. The B & A Trail is noted for a high level of community service and beautification projects along…