Best Hiking Trails Near Baltimore, MD
Updated November 2026
The best hiking near Baltimore is in the stream valleys that ring the city: Patapsco Valley State Park to the west, Gunpowder Falls State Park to the north and east, and the Loch Raven, Liberty and Prettyboy reservoirs. Most are 20 to 40 minutes from downtown, and several, like Leakin Park and Lake Roland, are inside or right next to the city.
Hikes within about 30 minutes of downtown
Patapsco Valley State Park (Avalon, Hilton and McKeldin areas)
Maryland’s first state park follows 32 miles of the Patapsco River between Ellicott City, Catonsville, Elkridge and Marriottsville. Popular routes include the Cascade Falls Trail and the Swinging Bridge in the Avalon and Orange Grove area, and the Rapids Trail at McKeldin. Some areas charge a day-use fee and fill up on summer weekends.
Gwynns Falls Trail and Leakin Park, Baltimore City
Leakin Park and Gwynns Falls Park form one of the largest urban forests in the eastern United States. The paved and natural-surface Gwynns Falls Trail runs about 15 miles from the park to the Inner Harbor.
Lake Roland, Baltimore County
A lake and wooded park just north of the city line, with a boardwalk through the serpentine area, a dam and an easy loop around the lake. The Falls Road light rail stop is next to the park.
Cromwell Valley Park, Towson
Rolling farm fields, orchards and wooded trails in the Minebank Run valley, with a nature center and easy to moderate loops.
Oregon Ridge Park, Cockeysville
About 1,000 acres of forest with hilly trails, a nature center and a lake that was once an iron-ore pit.
Loch Raven Reservoir, Towson
Baltimore City’s reservoir north of Towson has miles of fire roads and singletrack along the water. Loch Raven Drive is closed to cars on some weekend hours for walking and biking.
Hikes about 30 to 60 minutes away
Gunpowder Falls State Park
This park follows the Big and Little Gunpowder rivers across northern and eastern Baltimore County. The Hereford area has some of the best trout-stream hiking in the region, and Jerusalem Mill offers a restored mill village with trails along the Little Gunpowder.
Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area, Owings Mills
One of the largest serpentine grasslands in the eastern U.S., with rare plants, open barrens and a rocky, exposed trail network unlike anywhere else near Baltimore.
Prettyboy and Liberty reservoirs
Quieter city-owned watersheds in northern and western Baltimore County with long trails through forest and along coves.
Rocks State Park, Harford County
Known for the King and Queen Seat, a rock outcrop above Deer Creek, and the nearby Kilgore Falls area.
Susquehanna State Park, Havre de Grace
Riverside trails, a restored grist mill and views of the Susquehanna River near the top of the Chesapeake Bay.
Worth the longer drive
Sugarloaf Mountain, Dickerson
A privately owned mountain open to the public, with views over Frederick County farmland, about 1 hour from Baltimore.
Catoctin Mountain Park and Cunningham Falls State Park, Thurmont
Waterfalls, overlooks such as Chimney Rock and Wolf Rock, and a lake, about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Baltimore.
The Appalachian Trail in Maryland
About 40 miles of the AT cross Washington and Frederick counties along South Mountain, with day hikes to Annapolis Rock and Washington Monument State Park.
Tips for hiking around Baltimore
Weekend mornings are busiest at Patapsco and Gunpowder, so arrive early or try a weekday. Check the Maryland Department of Natural Resources site for fees, closures and parking. Ticks are common from spring through fall, and stream crossings can be high after storms.
Moving here? Our guides to Catonsville, Ellicott City, Towson and Cockeysville cover the communities closest to these trails. For county park lists, see Baltimore County parks and Howard County parks.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best hiking near Baltimore?
Patapsco Valley State Park and Gunpowder Falls State Park have the most trail miles close to Baltimore. Loch Raven Reservoir, Lake Roland and Leakin Park are good options inside or right next to the city.
Are there waterfall hikes near Baltimore?
Yes. Cascade Falls in Patapsco Valley State Park is about 20 minutes from downtown, Kilgore Falls at Rocks State Park is about 50 minutes away, and Cunningham Falls near Thurmont is about 1 hour and 15 minutes away.
Do Maryland state parks charge an entry fee?
Some do. Several Maryland state park areas charge a day-use fee per vehicle or per person, especially in summer. Check the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website for current fees.
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Sources: Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Park Service; Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks; Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks; National Park Service. Hours, fees and conditions change, so check with each park or venue before you go.