Any time’s a great time to get outdoors to explore our beautiful state. You just have to know where to look. Here are 10 adventurous places in Maryland that are definitely bucket list-worthy. They include epic hiking trails, picturesque state parks, and a sprawling wildlife refuge.
- Appalachian Trail
Jerry Edmundson / Flickr Forty miles of the Appalachian Trail, which travels from Maine to Georgia, are in Maryland. You can spend four to five days exploring the entire Maryland portion or choose a length perfect for a day trip here. The trail includes several scenic views, including the pictured Black Rock Cliffs.
- The East Coast Greenway
Elvert Barnes / Flickr The East Coast Greenway connects cities and towns from Maine to Florida. The Maryland portion is 166 miles long, with a third of it being off-road trails. Adventurous hikers and cyclists can find more information here.
- Rock Climb at Carderock
TrailVoice / Flickr Part of the Chesapeake and Ohio National Historic Park, Carderock is a great place for rock climbing and bouldering. The rock has a variety of features and heights, perfect for climbers of all abilities. Check it out here.
- Patapsco Valley State Park
Chesapeake Bay Program / Flickr With over 16,000 acres, there’s plenty to discover at Patapsco Valley State Park. Ride your bike or hike while exploring waterfalls, bridges, viaducts, trails, and so much more. If one day simply isn’t enough for your visit, plan a camping adventure for a few nights or more.
- The C & O Canal
Steve 1828 / Flickr With a total distance of 184 miles long, there are sure to be plenty of interesting spots on the canal perfect for exploring. You can hike or bike just some of the path or the entire trail. Plan your trip here.
- Great Allegheny Passage
Larry Brock / Facebook At the tail-end of the C & O Canal, you’ll find the Great Allegheny Passage. Starting near Cumberland, it stretches all the way to Pittsburgh, PA. It’s full of old bridges, tunnels, and gorgeous woodland sights. You can find more information here to start planning your journey.
- Battle Creek Cypress Swamp
alliecat1881 / Flickr The wetland boardwalk allows you to explore the cypress swamp while staying dry. This is a unique spot, indeed, for hiking, wildlife watching, and birdwatching. You might even want to take a picnic along. Check out the website here.
- Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
Darren & Brad / Flickr Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge has several ways to explore their 27,000 acres including by land or water. You’ll witness an abundance of wildlife among this serene refuge, that you won’t soon forget. The wildlife refuge has a Visitors Center and, outdoors, you’ll find walking paths and a butterfly garden.
- Swallow Falls State Park
marabuchi / Flickr Most people visit Swallow Falls State Park for the waterfalls, but not everyone knows that the park is actually 257 acres. With so much to see and do, you could easily make it a multi-day camping trip.
- Western Maryland Rail Trail
bridgevillepennsylvania / Flickr Starting in Hancock, you can find the Western Maryland Rail Trail. With 21 miles of paved trail, this location is great for running, cycling, or simply taking in the sights of nature.
Now put on your exploring hat and get going to one of these 10 adventurous places in Maryland. What else would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments! On the lookout for fun day trips? Here are 11 very best day trips in Maryland.
Jerry Edmundson / Flickr
Forty miles of the Appalachian Trail, which travels from Maine to Georgia, are in Maryland. You can spend four to five days exploring the entire Maryland portion or choose a length perfect for a day trip here. The trail includes several scenic views, including the pictured Black Rock Cliffs.
Elvert Barnes / Flickr
The East Coast Greenway connects cities and towns from Maine to Florida. The Maryland portion is 166 miles long, with a third of it being off-road trails. Adventurous hikers and cyclists can find more information here.
TrailVoice / Flickr
Part of the Chesapeake and Ohio National Historic Park, Carderock is a great place for rock climbing and bouldering. The rock has a variety of features and heights, perfect for climbers of all abilities. Check it out here.
Chesapeake Bay Program / Flickr
With over 16,000 acres, there’s plenty to discover at Patapsco Valley State Park. Ride your bike or hike while exploring waterfalls, bridges, viaducts, trails, and so much more. If one day simply isn’t enough for your visit, plan a camping adventure for a few nights or more.
Steve 1828 / Flickr
With a total distance of 184 miles long, there are sure to be plenty of interesting spots on the canal perfect for exploring. You can hike or bike just some of the path or the entire trail. Plan your trip here.
Larry Brock / Facebook
At the tail-end of the C & O Canal, you’ll find the Great Allegheny Passage. Starting near Cumberland, it stretches all the way to Pittsburgh, PA. It’s full of old bridges, tunnels, and gorgeous woodland sights. You can find more information here to start planning your journey.
alliecat1881 / Flickr
The wetland boardwalk allows you to explore the cypress swamp while staying dry. This is a unique spot, indeed, for hiking, wildlife watching, and birdwatching. You might even want to take a picnic along. Check out the website here.
Darren & Brad / Flickr
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge has several ways to explore their 27,000 acres including by land or water. You’ll witness an abundance of wildlife among this serene refuge, that you won’t soon forget. The wildlife refuge has a Visitors Center and, outdoors, you’ll find walking paths and a butterfly garden.
marabuchi / Flickr
Most people visit Swallow Falls State Park for the waterfalls, but not everyone knows that the park is actually 257 acres. With so much to see and do, you could easily make it a multi-day camping trip.
bridgevillepennsylvania / Flickr
Starting in Hancock, you can find the Western Maryland Rail Trail. With 21 miles of paved trail, this location is great for running, cycling, or simply taking in the sights of nature.
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Address: Appalachian Trail, United StatesAddress: E Coast Greenway, Baltimore, MD, USAAddress: Carderock, Potomac, MD 20817, USAAddress: Patapsco Valley State Park, Woodstock, MD 21163, USAAddress: Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, United StatesAddress: Great Allegheny Passage, La Vale, MD, USAAddress: Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, 2880 Grays Rd, Prince Frederick, MD 20678, USAAddress: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 2145 Key Wallace Dr, Cambridge, MD 21613, USAAddress: Swallow Falls State Park, 2470 Maple Glade Rd, Oakland, MD 21550, USAAddress: Western Maryland Rail Trail, Hancock, MD, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
adventurous places in Maryland December 11, 2020 Beth Price-Williams Are there any covered bridges in Maryland? Some of the most scenic spots in Maryland are its covered bridges. Covered bridges often conjure images of a simpler time. You have several covered bridges you’ll want to add to your must visit list. Roddy Road Covered Bridge, for example, dates back to 1856 and holds distinction as the smallest covered bridge in Frederick County. Jericho Covered Bridge opened 10 years later in 1865 and sits across from Little Gunpowder Falls. Be forewarned, however, that the covered bridge is said to be haunted by the souls of Civil War soldiers and slaves. What underrated places in Maryland should I visit? Maryland’s known for some pretty amazing spots. You’ll also find some unique places to visit in Maryland that are also underappreciated. Whether you want to visit on your own or take along out-of-town guests, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Point Lookout State Park. There, you’ll be treated to sweeping views of the water. Sideling Hill is another must visit, although vastly underappreciated, destination. Don’t forget your camera, so you can take photos of the picturesque rock cuts. A stop at the welcome center is also well worth your time. What are the most unique parks in Maryland? Finding things to do outside in Maryland is as easy as going to your local state park. Maryland, in fact, is home to quite a few underrated state parks that definitely deserve a little more love and attention. Washington Monument State Park in Middletown, for example, features a gorgeous Washington Monument of its own. Climb to the top for simply sensational views of that stretch for miles. Bring a sturdy bag along for your visit to Purse State Park, an ideal destination for hunting for fossils. You might even be able to find shark teeth that you can take home with you.
The OIYS Visitor Center
adventurous places in Maryland
December 11, 2020
Beth Price-Williams
Are there any covered bridges in Maryland? Some of the most scenic spots in Maryland are its covered bridges. Covered bridges often conjure images of a simpler time. You have several covered bridges you’ll want to add to your must visit list. Roddy Road Covered Bridge, for example, dates back to 1856 and holds distinction as the smallest covered bridge in Frederick County. Jericho Covered Bridge opened 10 years later in 1865 and sits across from Little Gunpowder Falls. Be forewarned, however, that the covered bridge is said to be haunted by the souls of Civil War soldiers and slaves. What underrated places in Maryland should I visit? Maryland’s known for some pretty amazing spots. You’ll also find some unique places to visit in Maryland that are also underappreciated. Whether you want to visit on your own or take along out-of-town guests, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Point Lookout State Park. There, you’ll be treated to sweeping views of the water. Sideling Hill is another must visit, although vastly underappreciated, destination. Don’t forget your camera, so you can take photos of the picturesque rock cuts. A stop at the welcome center is also well worth your time. What are the most unique parks in Maryland? Finding things to do outside in Maryland is as easy as going to your local state park. Maryland, in fact, is home to quite a few underrated state parks that definitely deserve a little more love and attention. Washington Monument State Park in Middletown, for example, features a gorgeous Washington Monument of its own. Climb to the top for simply sensational views of that stretch for miles. Bring a sturdy bag along for your visit to Purse State Park, an ideal destination for hunting for fossils. You might even be able to find shark teeth that you can take home with you.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Some of the most scenic spots in Maryland are its covered bridges. Covered bridges often conjure images of a simpler time. You have several covered bridges you’ll want to add to your must visit list. Roddy Road Covered Bridge, for example, dates back to 1856 and holds distinction as the smallest covered bridge in Frederick County. Jericho Covered Bridge opened 10 years later in 1865 and sits across from Little Gunpowder Falls. Be forewarned, however, that the covered bridge is said to be haunted by the souls of Civil War soldiers and slaves.
What underrated places in Maryland should I visit?
Maryland’s known for some pretty amazing spots. You’ll also find some unique places to visit in Maryland that are also underappreciated. Whether you want to visit on your own or take along out-of-town guests, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Point Lookout State Park. There, you’ll be treated to sweeping views of the water. Sideling Hill is another must visit, although vastly underappreciated, destination. Don’t forget your camera, so you can take photos of the picturesque rock cuts. A stop at the welcome center is also well worth your time.
What are the most unique parks in Maryland?
Finding things to do outside in Maryland is as easy as going to your local state park. Maryland, in fact, is home to quite a few underrated state parks that definitely deserve a little more love and attention. Washington Monument State Park in Middletown, for example, features a gorgeous Washington Monument of its own. Climb to the top for simply sensational views of that stretch for miles. Bring a sturdy bag along for your visit to Purse State Park, an ideal destination for hunting for fossils. You might even be able to find shark teeth that you can take home with you.
