Hiking

Weekend Adventures

Nestled between the Gunpowder and Patapsco rivers, Baltimore County offers some of the best outdoor recreation destinations on the East Coast.

After a long week in the office, you’ll want to get outside and explore the great outdoors. Not sure where to start?

Nestled between the Gunpowder and Patapsco rivers, Baltimore County is home to an extensive network of waterways and trails with some of the best outdoor recreation destinations on the East coast! These scenic destinations offer visitors hundreds of trails adorned with rich wooded hillsides, diverse topography, and rich ecosystems.

Drink your coffee then start your day at Loch Raven Reservoir, the County’s largest body of water. Visitors have been coming here for over a century to hike, fish, and enjoy the scenery along the shoreline. The landmark offers over 50 miles of interlocking trails for bikers and hikers of all skill levels, dotted with waterfalls, ruins, and rare flora to explore. Boat rentals at the Loch Raven Fishing Center give hikers the chance to explore this landmark from beyond the water’s edge and try their luck at making the big catch.

While you still have the energy, let’s hit the trails! Just 15 minutes away from Loch Raven, The North Central Railroad (NCR) Trail’s well-maintained pathways and picturesque rest stops are sure to please just about any visiting cyclist. The historic greenspace runs for over 20 miles from Cockeysville to the Mason-Dixon Line along the same route that President Lincoln took to give the Gettysburg Address in 1863. Visitors can rent a bike or bring their own—just be sure to make way for groups going tubing down the gunpowder and the occasional rider on horseback.

It’s time to grab some food and settle down for the day—Running from the banks of Liberty Reservoir to the Chesapeake Bay, the Patapsco River defines the Southern border of Baltimore County and lends its name to one of the region’s most beloved natural treasures. Just 30 minutes down the road from the NCR trail, Patapsco Valley State Park encompasses over 16,000 square acres of beautiful wilderness along its gentle banks and provides the perfect spot for a family picnic. Visit any one of the 6 locations along the watershed to enjoy a day on the trails, watersports, or lunch with family and friends beside some of the best wildlife in the state.

After lunch, you’ll want to head over to, Gunpowder Falls State Park carving through Baltimore County in several segments along its namesake. The rocky shores of the Gunpowder River invite visitors to swim in its comfortable waters or go tubing through its banks in the summer. Anglers can celebrate the abundance of rainbow trout, while families can enjoy the presence of a true freshwater beach complete with grills, pavilions, and showers at the park’s Hammerman area, a beautiful facility less than two miles from Marshy Point Nature Center.

To cool down for the evening, don’t miss out on Oregon Ridge! This 1,000+ acre nature center is a hiking haven with 6 miles of well-maintained trails cascading through some of the region’s most pristine forest and stream habitats. Come in the summertime and you’ll experience the many seasonal festivities offered here—like the annual Fourth of July celebration, the Hot August Music Festival, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra stopping by for a night full of fireworks and classical music.