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Patapsco Valley State Park, Ellicott City, MD

Photo: Edmund Barrett, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

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Patapsco Valley State Park

Hike river trails, cross the swinging bridge at Orange Grove and see the stone Thomas Viaduct in Maryland's oldest state park.

8020 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21043 · Ellicott City, MD

About Patapsco Valley State Park

Patapsco Valley State Park follows 32 miles of the Patapsco River west of Baltimore and covers 16,043 acres in eight developed areas. Founded in 1907, it is Maryland's oldest state park, with mill ruins, the swinging bridge at Orange Grove and the Thomas Viaduct railroad bridge in the Avalon Area. About 70 miles of trails are maintained for hikers, riders and mountain bikers. Entry is $2 to $5 depending on residency and day. Avalon and Hollofield fill up early on weekends.

  • #state park
  • #hiking
  • #mountain biking
  • #swinging bridge
  • #camping

What's around here?

The closest stops to Patapsco Valley State Park, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Howard County Welcome Center

    No admission fee

    The official visitor welcome center for Howard County, Maryland, in historic Ellicott City.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    2.0 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Shopping

    Security Square Mall

    Check prices

    Shopping center in Woodlawn, Maryland, near Baltimore, with more than a hundred shops and eateries.

    2.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping

  • Sightseeing

    Baltimore National Cemetery

    Check prices

    A federal burial ground in southwest Baltimore that serves veterans and their eligible family members.

    4.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Outdoor Adventure

    Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park

    Check prices

    Hike wooded stream-valley trails, bike the Gwynns Falls Trail or picnic by a 19th-century mansion in one of the largest city parks in the East.

    5.1 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Outdoor Adventure

    Druid Hill Park

    Check prices

    Walk the loop around Druid Lake, visit the 1888 Palm House at the Rawlings Conservatory and spend a day at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore's oldest big park.

    7.9 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors

    James and Anne Robinson Nature Center

    Under $25

    A Howard County nature education center with indoor exhibits, a planetarium, and wooded trails beside the Middle Patuxent River.

    9.2 mi awayMore like this

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