Want to experience some of Maryland’s best natural sights but don’t want to spend an entire day hiking? Well then, you’re in luck. The following seven scenic hikes in Maryland are shorter in distance and lead to amazing end views. Check out these low-key spots that offer a big payoff for little effort.
- Swallow Falls State Park
Flickr / Paul Waldo It’s just a short stroll to the falls at this scenic park in western Maryland. There’s also a rustic trail that’s just over a mile in length, where you can hike between Muddy Creek Falls and Swallow Falls. Check out the official website for Swallow Falls State Park.
- Calvert Cliffs State Park (Red Trail)
Flickr / Jay The popular Red Trail at this Lusby park is a mere 1.8 miles to the cliffs. When you reach the beach, enjoy searching for fossils and enjoying the bay view with the family. This is a great spot to visit year-round. Visit the official website for Calvert Cliffs State Park.
- Patapsco Valley State Park (Cascade Falls Trail)
Flickr / Bart Park at the Avalon area of the park and the falls are a mere quarter mile hike away. It is a bit bumpy, but the payoff is worth it once you see Cascade Falls and enjoy sitting around and taking in the view. Learn more about Patapsco Valley State Park.
- Flag Ponds Nature Park
Flickr / Flag Ponds Nature Park This family-friendly spot in southern Maryland has several short trails that are great for children. The trail to the beach is flat and easy. Enjoy hunting for fossils among the pools, and have fun in the sun! Click here for more information on, including hours at, Flag Ponds Nature Park.
- Rocks State Park (Falling Branch Trail)
Flickr / Mark S This trail leads to the beautiful Kilgore Falls and is only 1.2 miles in length. In the summertime, you may find folks swimming around here, so feel free to take a dip. Not many people know that this spot was also featured in the film Tuck Everlasting. Check out the official of website of Rocks State Park.
- Terrapin Nature Park
Flickr / Forsaken Fotos There are plenty of pretty trails to enjoy at this park In Stevensville. Hike to the beach, where you’ll get a stunning view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Spend the day soaking in the sun and splashing around. Find more information on Terrapin Nature Park.
- Washington Monument State Park
Flickr / Steve Hajjar The walk to the monument at this Boonsboro area park is short and sweet. Be sure to climb to the top, where you’ll see sweeping views for miles. Be sure to bring a camera to capture the sights. Explore the official website for Washington Monument State Park.
What are your favorite scenic hikes in Maryland? Let us know below! If you’re looking for more memorable hikes, check out these 12 hiking spots in Maryland that are completely out of this world.
Flickr / Paul Waldo
It’s just a short stroll to the falls at this scenic park in western Maryland. There’s also a rustic trail that’s just over a mile in length, where you can hike between Muddy Creek Falls and Swallow Falls. Check out the official website for Swallow Falls State Park.
Flickr / Jay
The popular Red Trail at this Lusby park is a mere 1.8 miles to the cliffs. When you reach the beach, enjoy searching for fossils and enjoying the bay view with the family. This is a great spot to visit year-round. Visit the official website for Calvert Cliffs State Park.
Flickr / Bart
Park at the Avalon area of the park and the falls are a mere quarter mile hike away. It is a bit bumpy, but the payoff is worth it once you see Cascade Falls and enjoy sitting around and taking in the view. Learn more about Patapsco Valley State Park.
Flickr / Flag Ponds Nature Park
This family-friendly spot in southern Maryland has several short trails that are great for children. The trail to the beach is flat and easy. Enjoy hunting for fossils among the pools, and have fun in the sun! Click here for more information on, including hours at, Flag Ponds Nature Park.
Flickr / Mark S
This trail leads to the beautiful Kilgore Falls and is only 1.2 miles in length. In the summertime, you may find folks swimming around here, so feel free to take a dip. Not many people know that this spot was also featured in the film Tuck Everlasting. Check out the official of website of Rocks State Park.
Flickr / Forsaken Fotos
There are plenty of pretty trails to enjoy at this park In Stevensville. Hike to the beach, where you’ll get a stunning view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Spend the day soaking in the sun and splashing around. Find more information on Terrapin Nature Park.
Flickr / Steve Hajjar
The walk to the monument at this Boonsboro area park is short and sweet. Be sure to climb to the top, where you’ll see sweeping views for miles. Be sure to bring a camera to capture the sights. Explore the official website for Washington Monument State Park.
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Address: 2470 Maple Glade Rd, Oakland, MD 21550, USAAddress: 10540 H G Trueman Rd, Lusby, MD 20657, USAAddress: 8020 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21043, USAAddress: Flag Ponds Nature Park, 1525 Flag Ponds Pkwy, Lusby, MD 20657, USAAddress: 3318 Rocks Chrome Hill Rd, Jarrettsville, MD 21084, USAAddress: 191 Log Canoe Cir, Stevensville, MD 21666, USAAddress: 6620 Zittlestown Rd, Middletown, MD 21769, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
scenic hikes in maryland July 25, 2020 Beth Price-Williams Which hikes in Maryland are short and sweet? Slip on your hiking boots, and set off on one of the easy hikes in Maryland that promise plenty of scenic beauty. If you’re a fan of sandy beaches and shimmering water, follow the 3.25-mile hiking trail at Terrapin Beach Park. You’ll travel along dirt paths, boardwalks, and paved areas. Bring your swimming suit and towel, too, if you’re visiting during the summer, for a quick dip in the cool water. Other short and sweet hikes in Maryland include the Canyon Overlook Trail in Flintstone, the 1.2-mile Fall Branch Trail to Kilgore Falls in Pylesville, and the 1.8-mile trail that leads to Calvert Cliffs. What are the best family-friendly hikes in Maryland? Some of the best hiking trails in Maryland are also kid-friendly, so you can bring the little ones along for a few hours or an entire day of fun. Cascade Falls Trail spans just a quarter of a mile in Patapsco Valley State Park. The trail can get a bit rocky, but it’s short and leads to a gorgeous waterfall. You might also want to follow the Boardwalk Trail at Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, which will take you along swampland. The kiddos might even catch sight of a frog or a turtle on this .04-mile trail. What are the best waterfall hikes in Maryland? Don’t forget your camera when you embark on some of the most beautiful hiking trails in Maryland that lead to cascading waterfalls. Plan a day at Swallow Falls State Park, for example, where you can see two gorgeous waterfalls – Swallow Falls and Muddy Creek Falls – that sit just 1.25 miles apart. You’ll even pass 300-year-old trees along the way. Tucked in Cunningham Falls State Park, Cunningham Falls can be found along a 2.8-mile trail. When you arrive at the trickling waterfall, you might even want to cool off in the water.
The OIYS Visitor Center
scenic hikes in maryland
July 25, 2020
Beth Price-Williams
Which hikes in Maryland are short and sweet? Slip on your hiking boots, and set off on one of the easy hikes in Maryland that promise plenty of scenic beauty. If you’re a fan of sandy beaches and shimmering water, follow the 3.25-mile hiking trail at Terrapin Beach Park. You’ll travel along dirt paths, boardwalks, and paved areas. Bring your swimming suit and towel, too, if you’re visiting during the summer, for a quick dip in the cool water. Other short and sweet hikes in Maryland include the Canyon Overlook Trail in Flintstone, the 1.2-mile Fall Branch Trail to Kilgore Falls in Pylesville, and the 1.8-mile trail that leads to Calvert Cliffs. What are the best family-friendly hikes in Maryland? Some of the best hiking trails in Maryland are also kid-friendly, so you can bring the little ones along for a few hours or an entire day of fun. Cascade Falls Trail spans just a quarter of a mile in Patapsco Valley State Park. The trail can get a bit rocky, but it’s short and leads to a gorgeous waterfall. You might also want to follow the Boardwalk Trail at Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, which will take you along swampland. The kiddos might even catch sight of a frog or a turtle on this .04-mile trail. What are the best waterfall hikes in Maryland? Don’t forget your camera when you embark on some of the most beautiful hiking trails in Maryland that lead to cascading waterfalls. Plan a day at Swallow Falls State Park, for example, where you can see two gorgeous waterfalls – Swallow Falls and Muddy Creek Falls – that sit just 1.25 miles apart. You’ll even pass 300-year-old trees along the way. Tucked in Cunningham Falls State Park, Cunningham Falls can be found along a 2.8-mile trail. When you arrive at the trickling waterfall, you might even want to cool off in the water.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Slip on your hiking boots, and set off on one of the easy hikes in Maryland that promise plenty of scenic beauty. If you’re a fan of sandy beaches and shimmering water, follow the 3.25-mile hiking trail at Terrapin Beach Park. You’ll travel along dirt paths, boardwalks, and paved areas. Bring your swimming suit and towel, too, if you’re visiting during the summer, for a quick dip in the cool water. Other short and sweet hikes in Maryland include the Canyon Overlook Trail in Flintstone, the 1.2-mile Fall Branch Trail to Kilgore Falls in Pylesville, and the 1.8-mile trail that leads to Calvert Cliffs.
What are the best family-friendly hikes in Maryland?
Some of the best hiking trails in Maryland are also kid-friendly, so you can bring the little ones along for a few hours or an entire day of fun. Cascade Falls Trail spans just a quarter of a mile in Patapsco Valley State Park. The trail can get a bit rocky, but it’s short and leads to a gorgeous waterfall. You might also want to follow the Boardwalk Trail at Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, which will take you along swampland. The kiddos might even catch sight of a frog or a turtle on this .04-mile trail.
What are the best waterfall hikes in Maryland?
Don’t forget your camera when you embark on some of the most beautiful hiking trails in Maryland that lead to cascading waterfalls. Plan a day at Swallow Falls State Park, for example, where you can see two gorgeous waterfalls – Swallow Falls and Muddy Creek Falls – that sit just 1.25 miles apart. You’ll even pass 300-year-old trees along the way. Tucked in Cunningham Falls State Park, Cunningham Falls can be found along a 2.8-mile trail. When you arrive at the trickling waterfall, you might even want to cool off in the water.
