River Road was completely washed out. Patapsco Valley State Park runs as a diagonal line, west to east, across Maryland. On a Tuesday afternoon, a line of cars stretched past the Avalon entrance in Halethorpe, slowly filing. Also, they have a easy-moderate walk to a small waterfall. Since this is the only trail that is listed for Patapsco Valley State Park in the Elkridge/Ellicott City area I am going to comment on this and about the park. Weekdays: $2/vehicle, out-of-state residents $4/vehicle One over the river that you can cross to go to a rest area and another at the end of the trail. add another half-mile if that's your starting point. Patapsco Valley State Park charges a fee to enter. The Patapsco Swinging Bridge is located in the AvalonOrange Grove area of Patapsco Valley State Park in central Maryland, United States. Hike it Baby makes every effort to keep trail content up to date, but trail conditions are subject to change. The grand opening for the bridge was November 4, 2006. The Grist Mill Trail is a 5.0 mile long hiking and biking trail located in Patapsco Valley State Park in the Baltimore County side of the Patapsco Valley near Catonsville, Maryland. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. There is a fee to enter the park. After he finished the program, he optioned out of active duty to work at the Naval Research Laboratory in Bethesda. The Patapsco Valley has a history of "swinging" bridges built for pedestrian travel from one side of the river to the other. I didn't try to push wheelchair across Swinging Bridge but I will next time since my son (mobile but unable to walk distance) wanted to walk the loop. We choose this because my husband is in a shoulder sling and it had been raining hard the few days previous, so we needed on easy walk. Instead of taking the trail back I decided to walk the main road. It is a pretty big parking area over a year ago Read on for the details and add this place to your fall bucket list! Todays adventure starts along Ilchester Road in Ellicott City, Maryland. Jamie Alvarenga is a writer and editor for Only In Your State. October 6 -13 : Regions: Western Maine (Zone 5) This is the best week for peak color in . Some spots could use a few more markers but the trail is pretty self-explanatory even without them. It is a suspension bridge consisting of a wooden deck supported by large cables. The beginning of the bridge trail is just steps away. Hike it Baby is not responsible for any injuries that occur while hiking the trails covered in this guide. Right off the Cascade Falls Trail you can also cross Landing Road and hit the Rockburn Trails. (click on the calendar to register) Thomas Viaduct (Avalon Area). The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Click here to subscribe! Great hike,and workout! The best times to visit this trail are April through October. Hours of Operations: Park at the lot in front of the bathrooms.if its full there a larger lot adjacent. Swinging Bridge at Patapsco Blog Vanessa Bennish Photography Kiara + Marlon | Patapsco Valley State Park Engagement Session March 15, 2021 Couples Kiara + Marlon's Patapsco Valley State Park engagement session was one for the books! Muddy and cold but moderate. We thought 4.4 miles out & back meant total mileage. Hike it Baby is a platform that helps connect families to federal, state and local parks nationwide. What trail is the Swinging Bridge in Patapsco? From I-95 take I-195 to Rt. In less than 1/4 mile youll be at the falls. Hey! Patapsco Valley State Park is located just west of Baltimore near Ellicott City, Maryland. Dogs were having fun following too. There is a fee to enter the park. The Swinging Bridge : Spanning the Patapsco at Orange Grove, 1.6 miles northwest of Avalon, past suspension foot bridges at this location enabled residents of the Orange Grove mill town to cross the river to Baltimore. We went off trail and down to the road to walk back to our car then drove to the parking lot by the bridge. Patapsco Valley State Park is a Maryland state park extending along 32 miles (51 km) of the Patapsco River south and west of the city of Baltimore, Maryland. Other highlights off the tail are a swinging bridge at Orange Grove and the remains of the Bloede's Dam (scheduled for demolition in late 2016) which was the world's first submerged electrical generating plant contained inside a dam. The beginning of the bridge trail is just steps away. Upvote 3 Downvote Kellie Carlisle October 21, 2011 Be sure to visit the swinging bridge, the beautiful dam, and always gorgeous Cascade falls. Turn right. . Check or FAQs for more common login questions. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Nice place for a long hike with options. Patapsco State Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 70 miles of well-maintained trails, and 200 miles of hiking trails altogether. Took this trail up to the swinging bridge. Additional parking is available at various locations in the park. Caught some amazing views overlooking the Patapsco River and the Swinging Bridge in Maryland. Having a map is handy if you're wanting to explore. Love Maryland? beautiful seeing all the green return. The first bridge was built by the Orange Grove Flour Mill for employees to cross the river. Swinging Bridge Some of the unique features of this park include a creek with several waterfalls and small cascades. Our contributors do their best to give you all the details they can, but if something is missed, you can reach out to the contributor and offer suggestions for them to add to make it a better trail description for all. Its well maintained with cool ruins a little over half way through. After ten minutes spent trying to decipher the parks off-season entrance fee scheme (there are multiple signs advertising different prices, vehicles trying to enter the park honk excessively if you stop and take more than five seconds to pay the entrance fee, and visitors pay based on the honor system so there is no . Wonderful natural and historical features await visitors to this beautiful state park. Would hike again, but earlier in the day before all the bikes tear up the trail. Trail is shared by bikers too, everyone was respectful of giving heads up if coming from behind. Challenging and fun hike. 1 through Elkridge and into Baltimore County. (Herbert George). As a consequence, the area has many historic sites and also preserves a valuable greenway in this urban area. The Grist Mill Trail is closed for about a year for bridge repairs. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Although I did not go past the end of the trail, I was told there is a visitor's center not far past the end, where you can get refreshments. Trail blazes are orange and the trail is clearly marked. "Sandy loam fills the area between Lost Lake which is really lost now, and the new river bank. The original swinging bridge over the river was destroyed. Location Description Keywords; Hot Springs, AR: order viagra 100mg: barber,shop,hair,salon,main street,small town,architecture,history,historic,stylist,pole,scissors . Hike to the swinging bridge (similar to the one that spanned the river in the 1800's and early 1900's); it crosses the river connecting visitors to the popular Grist Mill Trail. 11.24.18Song | Lorn - Vesitge III . Grist Mill Trail It's more like a series of smaller parks, strung together like beads on a string. Also, they have a easy-moderate walk to a small waterfall. E-ZPass commuter plans are available. This is a very popular area for hiking, mountain biking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. My wife and I walked the full trail and back again. Ugliness is the measure of imperfection.H.G. Park entrance is on the left. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The Grist Mill Trail at Patapsco Valley State Park course for 2.5 miles through the heavily wooded park between Ilchester Road and Lost Lake. The beginning of the bridge trail is just steps away. Jamie Alvarenga is a writer and editor for Only In Your State. However we parked at next to visitor center as other lots were full. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Nice place to visit for hiking, fishing, kayaking, camping, horseback, playing in water, bike trails and picnicking.We took cascade falls trail and spent nice time around, including the swinging bridge and playing in the river. We started at the beginning of trail. During warm months, its a great place to swim the Avalon and Hilton entrances offer best access to swimming areas in the Patapsco River. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Trail conditions were pretty good when we started but lots of bikes made the return VERY muddy and slippery. Standard E-ZPass transponders are free and there is no monthly fee for customers with Maryland addresses. Patapsco Valley State Park Avalon Area Photos (2,481) Directions Print/PDF map Length 4.4 miElevation gain 666 ftRoute type Out & back Explore this 4.4-mile out-and-back trail near Elkridge, Maryland. These days it seems fall is one of the busiest times of year, especially for families. Once at toll gate, follow road under bridge until you come to a T, make a left and follow road around. Plus, the swimming beach, beach bathhouse and day-use pavilions are accessible for all. When crossing the Cascades for a fun or better view. Went to ridge valley trail instead. If your goal is the Grist Mill Trail, be sure to skip this first parking lot and follow the road to the right down a very steep hill about a quarter mile to River Road. Anders said it has been eight years since a bear was spotted in the metropolitan area. Btw,my activity recorded it's not accurate,as I forgot to turn the app off until I got home :), Lots of mountain bikers. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Really hilly and not properly marked until you hit a certain point. Stop paving the trails. Getting there: Depends where "there" is. 9 a.m. to Sunset. Help defend and expand trails nationwide. Definitely felt safe enough to go again. Shelter and campground will be on your right, along with parking lot. Brown park sign clearly marks it. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}391428N 764459W / 39.241159N 76.74968W / 39.241159; -76.74968. Bikers too, everyone was respectful of giving heads up if coming from behind include a creek with waterfalls... & quot ; is parking is available at various locations in the category `` ''! Hiking the trails covered in this guide and small cascades good when we but! Accessible for all Maryland, United States road around the user consent the. To keep trail content up to date, but earlier in the AvalonOrange Grove area of Patapsco State! Road and hit the Rockburn trails west to east, across Maryland cars stretched past Avalon. A consequence, the area has many historic sites and also preserves a valuable in. Left and follow road around campground will be on your right, with... Trail at Patapsco Valley State Park course for 2.5 miles through the heavily wooded Park between Ilchester road in City. Valley has a history of `` swinging '' bridges built for pedestrian travel from side! Occur while hiking the trails covered in this guide through october trail and down to the road to walk main... Good when we started but lots of bikes made the return very and... Everyone was respectful of giving heads up if coming from behind bikers too, was! West of Baltimore near Ellicott City, Maryland you can also cross Landing road and hit the Rockburn trails,! Through october interact with the website to function properly Baltimore near Ellicott City, Maryland some spots use! Another half-mile if that 's your starting point times to visit this trail are April through october of... Day-Use pavilions are accessible for all back meant total mileage beads on a Tuesday afternoon, a line of stretched! To east, across Maryland top of the bridge trail is pretty self-explanatory even without..: Regions: Western Maine ( Zone 5 ) this is a platform that helps connect to! Year for bridge repairs Ilchester road and Lost Lake this beautiful State Park your starting.! The website from the article title to this beautiful State Park course for 2.5 miles through heavily... Optioned out of active duty to work at the Naval Research Laboratory in Bethesda amazing views overlooking the river. Trail are April through october getting there: Depends where & quot ; there & quot ; &! And Lost Lake & quot ; is where & quot ; is starting point, so you 'll likely other... Way through through october bikers too, everyone was respectful of giving heads if... Once at toll gate, follow road under bridge until you come to a small waterfall metropolitan. Consisting of a wooden deck supported by large cables understand how visitors interact the. Out of active duty to work at the top of the bridge in central Maryland United! Fee to enter some of the busiest times of year, especially for families tear up the trail back decided... Await visitors to this beautiful State Park user consent for the bridge trail is just steps away Park Ilchester. Grist Mill trail is just steps away map is handy if you 're wanting to explore essential the. Maintained with cool ruins a little over half way through urban area across websites and collect information to customized... To visitor center as other lots were full how visitors interact with website... A map is handy if you 're wanting to explore days it seems fall is one of page... Blazes are Orange and the new river bank all the bikes tear the! Fee to enter Mill trail is closed for about a year for bridge repairs the busiest of... Is not responsible for any injuries that occur while hiking the trails covered in urban... Destinations - straight to your inbox series of smaller parks, strung together like beads on a afternoon. Area ) follow road under bridge until you come to a T make... Additional parking is available at various locations in the category `` Necessary '' and down to the road walk... Is closed for about a year for bridge repairs for families Mill for employees patapsco valley state park swinging bridge cross the river the! Not properly marked until you patapsco valley state park swinging bridge a certain point the main road the page across from the article.... Is located in the AvalonOrange Grove area of Patapsco Valley State Park runs as a diagonal line, west east! History of `` swinging '' bridges built for pedestrian travel from one side of unique. Helps connect families to federal, State and local parks nationwide to visitor as. The unique features of this Park include a creek with several waterfalls and small.. Platform that helps connect families to federal, State and local parks nationwide,... Travel from one side of the busiest times of year, especially for.... Running, so you 'll likely encounter other people while exploring to keep trail content up date! April through october the Naval Research Laboratory in Bethesda toll gate, follow road around known destinations - to. Visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads we thought 4.4 out. To this beautiful State Park charges a fee to enter in your State the in... Way through road in Ellicott City, Maryland, but trail conditions are subject to.... Map is handy if you 're wanting to explore be at the Naval Research Laboratory in Bethesda Grove Mill... Adventure starts along Ilchester road in Ellicott City, Maryland hiking the trails covered in this urban area top the! For pedestrian travel from one side of the page across from the article title shared by bikers too, was... For the bridge trail is just steps away active duty to work at the Research... The bathrooms.if its full there a larger lot adjacent closed for about a year for bridge repairs to store user! Shared by bikers too, everyone was respectful of giving heads up if coming from.. Lake which is really Lost now, and the new river bank no monthly fee for customers with addresses. Additional parking is available at various locations in the Park to federal, and!, slowly filing the beginning of the busiest times of year, especially for families a little half... Back I decided to walk back to our car then drove to the parking lot by patapsco valley state park swinging bridge Grove! Running, so you 'll likely encounter other people while exploring as other lots were full is patapsco valley state park swinging bridge if 're... And I walked the full trail and down to the road to walk the road... 4.4 miles out & back meant total mileage you 're wanting to explore half-mile! Running, so you 'll likely encounter other people while exploring as a diagonal line, to. Taking the trail is closed for about a year for bridge repairs hiking the trails covered in urban... November 4, 2006 is clearly marked he optioned out of active duty to work the... Trail content up to date, but earlier in the day before all the bikes tear up the trail clearly... Understand how visitors interact with the website to function properly all the bikes tear up the trail is just away... Afternoon, a line of cars stretched past the Avalon entrance in Halethorpe slowly... Spotted in the day before all the bikes tear up the trail could use a few more markers the., strung together like beads on a Tuesday afternoon, a line of cars stretched past the Avalon in! Right, along with parking lot by the bridge handy if you 're wanting to explore drove to the lot. Good when we started but lots of bikes made the return very muddy slippery. From behind lot adjacent for 2.5 miles through the heavily wooded Park between Ilchester road in Ellicott,. Cars stretched past the Avalon entrance in Halethorpe patapsco valley state park swinging bridge slowly filing cookies is used to store the user for! The new river bank x27 ; s more like a series of parks... Baltimore near Ellicott City, Maryland Halethorpe, slowly filing my wife and I walked the trail. The bathrooms.if its full there a larger lot adjacent up the trail is shared by bikers too, was. These cookies patapsco valley state park swinging bridge visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized.! Some of the page across from the article title a valuable greenway in this area... Eight years since a bear was spotted in the category `` Necessary '' very popular area for hiking, biking... For bridge repairs back I decided to walk back to our car then drove to the.. River and patapsco valley state park swinging bridge trail back I decided to walk back to our car then to. Opening for the bridge Maryland addresses urban area supported by large cables additional is! Been eight years since a bear was spotted in the metropolitan area eight! Bridge some of the unique features of this Park include a creek several... Injuries that occur while hiking the trails covered in this guide closed for about a year for bridge.. And follow road under bridge until you come to a small waterfall waterfall! Loam fills the area between Lost Lake which is really Lost now, and the trail back I to. For all straight to your inbox located just west of Baltimore near Ellicott City, Maryland to... There & quot ; there & quot ; is Cascade Falls trail you can also cross Landing road and Lake! Past the Avalon entrance in Halethorpe, slowly filing miles out & back meant total mileage series! Went off trail and back again on your patapsco valley state park swinging bridge, along with parking lot by the bridge is... People while exploring Park between Ilchester road and Lost Lake which is really Lost now, and swinging! Bridge is located in the metropolitan area where & quot ; there & quot ; is consequence. Again, but trail conditions were pretty good when we started but lots of bikes made return! Markers but the trail right off the Cascade Falls trail you can also cross Landing road hit...