With the weather warm, my family has been spending much more time outside! One of our favorite activities is hiking. We are lucky enough to live in the beautiful and scenic State of Maryland! Check out some of our favorite spots for family-friendly hiking in the area.
Family-Friendly Hiking in Maryland
Gunpowder Falls State Park Wildlands Loop in Gunpowder Estates
Gunpowder Falls features an easy trail that is 4.5 miles long. Towards the end there is even a swimming hole!
Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis
Quiet Waters is a park with many walking trails. Definitely check out this location if you are looking for super easy trails more on the walking than hiking side. There are water views of Harness Creek and the South River along with playgrounds and fields for your kids to enjoy.
Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel
This refuge feature various trails of different lengths. It doesn’t matter if you are looking to hike less than a half mile or up to 2 miles, you’ll find a trail for your family. Definitely check out the National Wildlife Visitor Center for wildlife research and exhibits to learn more before setting out on your hike.
Accokeek Farms at Piscataway Park in Indian Head
This is a fun roughly 3 mile hike through a farm! You’ll see farm animals, forest animals, and views of the river alike. There is even an area for your kids to pet some of the farm animals. If you enjoy fishing, along the trail there is a pier.
Falling Branch Trail to Kilgore Falls in Pylesville
This is a short trail just over a mile. However the the views of Rocks State Park are beyond gorgeous. You’ll definitely want to see Kilgore Falls!
Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens in Washington DC
These Aquatic Gardens sit along a 2.5 mile hiking trail. You’ll see gorgeous freshwater tidal marshes and ponds filled with water lilies and lotuses. Breathtaking!
I have not been financially compensated in any way from the locations listed above. This is simply 100% my own opinion.
It sounds like this is a great family place to visit. There are a lot of activities to do and see with the kids and keep them engaged.
My husband and I used to hike often, but we haven’t done it since we had the kids. Thanks for compiling a list of places that will work now that we’re a family!
You’re making me jealous. :-) Hiking is probably one of mine and my husband’s favorite shared activity. We did a lot of hiking when we lived in South Carolina. There isn’t as many places close by where we are now. We really miss it. My husband has said, when we move again, areas where we can go hiking is probably going to be a requirement.
Wow! That’s a ton of options! I wish we had more hiking trails available to us here in South Florida (but in the winter because it’s hotter than the face of the sun outside right now).
Ooh, I used to live in Maryland and loved all the places to hike… thanks for putting this post together.
I live in Maryland; I’ve been to Quiet Waters and definitely like it. It’s also a nice place to have a picnic. I’ve taken my daughter to Sligo Creek and enjoyed it because it was easy to run on.
On a trip to New Hampshire, we stopped in Maryland to eat lunch. This would have been so helpful then. We ate out of the back of the van in a store parking lot.
I don’t care for hiking too much, but that is because I am out of shape!!
It was truly a beautiful hike, enchanting places to visit!
We love hiking here in Maryland (although from my California/Rocky Mountain roots I still consider this more like forest trail walking. lol). Since we’re up 270, we tend to venture up north a little. My favorite places are Cunningham Falls and Sugarloaf Mountain. Such beautiful country!