The Bloede Dam Trail

National Trails Day is our biggest volunteer trail workday of the year. Each year we partner with longtime park supporter REI for important trail projects and outreach events. We are fortunate to have so many great supporters at PVSP – and each year REI leads the way.
REI works to keep people connected to the outdoors – not only do they support the park, but they are also hands-on and active in our community – we are so pleased to have them as partners and fortunate to have their members and employees as friends.
-Dave Ferraro, Executive Director, FPVSP

The idea of making a natural surface connection on the Howard County side of the river, past the Bloede Dam, and to Ilchester Road had been on trail user’s radar for years at PVSP. Bloede Dam was a hydroelectric dam and is recognized as one of the earliest dams constructed of reinforced concrete – it’s removal presented huge opportunities for park connectivity. While there were informal, social trails that made the connection – the American Rivers project to remove the Bloede Dam was the catalyst to get this connection built
The Patapsco Fun Series – We Made A Monster!
We are very, very fortunate to have a huge volunteer community at PVSP. The National Trails Day event at the Bloede Dam build had over 250 attendees – and our trail work community continues to grow – the key to our success is the inclusivity of all users, all ages, and all abilities. We believe that Patapsco Valley State Park and its remarkable trail system is for everyone!





History of the Bloede Dam Project from the Department of Natural Resources
The Bloede Project from our partners at American Rivers

