Baltimore City has over 4,600 acres of parkland spread across more than 270 parks. These parks include everything from small community green spaces to large regional parks, and they offer a variety of recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Some of the most popular parks in Baltimore City include Patterson Park, Druid Hill Park, Carroll Park, and Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park. Many of these parks feature hiking and biking trails, playgrounds, sports fields, picnic areas, and other amenities that make them great places to relax, exercise, and enjoy the outdoors.
Cylburn Arboretum is a 207-acre public garden and nature preserve located in Baltimore, Maryland. The arboretum is known for its collection of trees, plants, and wildlife, as well as its historic mansion and carriage house. The arboretum is open to the public year-round and features over three miles of walking trails, gardens, a bird-watching area, and a nature museum. Visitors can also take guided tours of the historic mansion and carriage house, which now serve as event spaces and classrooms for educational programs. The trails are well-maintained and range from easy to moderate difficulty.
This is a large park located about 25 minutes north of Baltimore City. The reservoir covers an area of approximately 2,400 acres and has a maximum depth of 144 feet. It is surrounded by over 35,000 acres of protected land, including forests, parks, and wildlife preserves, making it a popular destination for outdoor recreation. It offers several hiking trails that range from easy to moderate in difficulty level. The trails are well-marked and offer beautiful views of the reservoir.
Loch Raven Reservoir provides drinking water for Baltimore City and Baltimore County and is fed by the Big Gundpower Falls River. Our favorite trail within the park is the "Morgan Mill Trail" which is a beautiful 2.6 miles loop trail that features a close view of Gunpowder Falls River and 315 ft of elevation gain.
This is a 1,043-acre park located in Cockeysville, MD just north of Baltimore City. It offers several hiking trails that range from easy to moderate in difficulty level. The "Oregon Ridge Trail" is a 4.4 mile loop and a great place for beginner hiking and introducing the family to the joys of hiking. The trails in the park are well-maintained and offer beautiful views of streams and of the surrounding area.
This is a large park located just outside of Baltimore City. The park extends 32 miles along the Patapsco River and offers several hiking trails that range from easy to moderate in difficulty. There isn't a cost to get in the park during the off season, but during the peak season (April - October) it's $2/vehicle for MD residents and $4/vehicle for out of state visitors during the weekdays and $3/vehicle for MD residents and $5/vehicle for out of state visitors during the weekend. Our favorite trail is "Cascade Falls". Located in the Avalon picnic area, this trail is a 2.3 mile loop and offers waterfall and riverside views of the Patapsco River.
This is a 380-acre park located in Parkville, MD; just northeast of Baltimore City. It offers several hiking trails that are great for beginners. One of the park's main attractions is the historic Willow Grove Farm, which dates back to the early 19th century and has been restored as a living history museum. Visitors can tour the farmhouse, barn, and outbuildings, which feature exhibits on life in rural Maryland during the 19th and early 20th centuries The park has over five miles of marked trails which take visitors through the varied habitats and past historic structures, including lime kilns and log cabins.
What are some of your favorite hiking trails near the city? Let us know in the comments below!
Until then, happy hiking!✨🌱