Who builds and maintains PVSP’s 200+ Mile Trail System?
We do!
The Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park dedicate significant resources to our shared, natural surface trail system each year.
We helped build all of the trails listed below through fundraising and thousands of volunteer hours!
Adaptive Trails at McKeldin
Completed in 2024
Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park has expanded the McKeldin Adaptive Trail Network, making more of the park accessible to visitors of all abilities. The upgraded trails feature wider, smoother surfaces, improved signage, and accessible trailheads, opening up McKeldin’s scenic hills, forests, and river views. Built with community support and to leading adaptive standards, this project reflects FPVSP’s mission to ensure everyone can enjoy the park’s beauty and adventure.
Schools Out!
Completed in 2022
High above the Patapsco River, the School’s Out Event Loop travels through amazing landscapes and incorporates two bridges. The Pickall area has become a prime destination for trail users – away from the river and most informal parking areas, this section of the park remains uncrowded and retains its backcountry feel.
Blode Dam Trail Extension
Completed in 2022
The removal of the historic Bloede Dam opened the door for a long-envisioned natural surface trail connection from the dam site to Ilchester Road. Formalized during the 2019 National Trails Day event, the project extended singletrack and added sweeping views of the Patapsco River. Completed in 2022, the Bloede Dam Trail Extension now offers riders and hikers a scenic, well-built route through outstanding terrain.
Old Ellicot City Connector
Completed in 2024
The new Old Ellicott City Connector creates a long-awaited natural surface link between historic Ellicott City and the Patapsco Valley State Park trail network, eliminating tricky on-road segments and a dangerous railroad crossing. This connection opens new opportunities for campers, bikers, and hikers to easily access OEC’s shops, restaurants, and attractions while strengthening ties between the park and the local community.
Rockhaven
Completed in 2020
The Rockhaven Trail has been realigned making a sustainable connection to the Mill Race trail. The “New Rocks Trail” is open, and is arguably the most technically challenging trail in the park – taking advantage of the natural terrain in the Rockhaven Area!
Gray’s Mill Trail
Completed in 2020
Ellicott City has long been the gap in the connectivity of the PVSP trail system. Many trail users consider “Patapsco” to be the trails downriver from Ilchester Road, while the majority of the trail system in PVSP is north of Ellicott City! The planned OEC Connector coupled with Gray’s Mill Trail, makes the natural surface connection through OEC much more doable.
Garrett’s Pass
Completed in 2020
The Garrett’s Pass Trail is the first all-new trail built in the Avalon Area in years, bypassing the busy Cascade Falls Trail with a high-elevation, scenic route from Landing Road to the swinging bridge. Completed in 2018, it set records for volunteer hours and showcases expert trail design. With flowing alignment through dramatic stream valleys and views high above the Patapsco River, it’s a spectacular ride or hike in either direction
The MORE Fun Trail
Completed in 2018
The MORE Fun Trail connects Old Court Road to the Daniels Area on the Baltimore County side of Patapsco Valley State Park, opening up the lower Woodstock area to trail users. Designed by Amy Lutsko and built with thousands of volunteer hours through the Patapsco FUN Series, it offers a smooth, flowing singletrack that keeps feet dry and spirits high.
The Dogwood Trail
Completed in 2020
Funded by over 150 donors and sponsors, the Dogwood Trail adds two new bridges and replaces a hazardous on-road section along Hollofield Road with a safe, scenic connection between Pickall, Alberton Road, and the Daniels area. Built by Greenstone Trailcraft and the Maryland Park Service Trail Crew, it offers a smoother, more enjoyable route for all trail users. Centered in the popular Pickall area, it strengthens the hub for recreation and major trail events in PVSP.
The Valley View Trail
Completed in 2016
The Valley View Trail offers some of the most stunning river valley views in PVSP, but was once closed to many users over safety and sustainability concerns. In 2012, MORE and the Mountain Club of Maryland partnered with park staff to redesign, reroute, and improve the trail, completing the work in spring 2013.
Marking the Trail System
On Going!
Friends of PVSP, in partnership with the Maryland Park Service, are standardizing trail names, updating maps, and installing location identifiers across the park’s extensive trail system. Nearly 500 new trail markers and 12 trailhead kiosks are being added to improve navigation and help visitors report issues more accurately.
The Ridge Trail Extension
Completed in 2018
The Ridge Trail Extension replaced the steep, eroded “Waterbars” climb and dangerous road section with a safe, scenic singletrack entrance from the 104/105 pavilions. The project added a spur to a historic overlook commemorating Capt. John Smith’s exploration of the Patapsco Valley.
