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Patapsco Valley State Park is located in Maryland and extends along 32 miles of the Patapsco River, encompassing 14,000 acres and five developed recreational areas. Recreational opportunities include hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, horseback riding and mountain bike trails, as well as picnicking for individuals or large groups in the park's many popular pavilions. It is one of Maryland's first state parks (1907)[1][2], the valley and its natural resources have been enjoyed by the Native Americans, explorers, settlers and present-day citizens. With its source in Frederick and Carrol counties, the Patapsco serves the Port of Baltimore, and empties into the Chesapeake Bay. The Avalon Visitor Center houses exhibits spanning over 300 years of history along the Patapsco River. Housed in a 19th century stone dwelling in the Avalon Area, the center includes a re-creation of a 1930's forest warden's office.
[edit] The 6 sections
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- Hollofield Area – This area features a scenic river valley overlook, playgrounds, picnic sites including rental pavilions, fishing and camping. There are 73 campsites, some with electric hookups. Hunting is available by permit.
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- Daniels Area – This area provides year-round flatwater canoing for two miles of river behind Daniels Dam. Paddle your canoe or kayak and enjoy your lunch on rocks at the headwaters of the Patapsco. View abundant Great Blue Heron, kingfishers and beaver activity, or bring along your fishing rod. The Daniels Dam has a fish passage and accompanying exhibit.
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- Hilton Area – Hiking trails and shaded picnic sites are available, along with a recycled tire playground. Youth group camping area is open from the end of April through Labor Day. There are 14 family campsites (tent camping only - no electricity).
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- Avalon-Glen Artney-Orange Grove – Often abbreviated as simply "Avalon Area". This area offers hiking, picnicking, mountain biking, canoing, bicycling, tubing, rental pavilions, fishing, equestrian trails, ball fields and playgrounds. The Orange Grove Scenic Area has a two mile drive along the Patapsco to the Swinging Bridge. A fish passage has been installed at Bloede's Dam. This area is known for several historical sites – the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the Thomas Viaduct, remains of the Orange Grove Mill, Avalon Iron and Nail Works and Bloede's Dam.
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- McKeldin Area – This area offers youth group camping, picnicking, rental pavilions, playgrounds, fishing, ball fields, hiking, mountain biking, equestrian trails and a Disc golf course. Hunting is available in designated areas by permit only. Hike, bike or horseback ride scenic valley trails.
[edit] Historic Sites
- Elkridge Landing
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- Thomas Viaduct
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- completed in 1835 and is the world's largest multiple arched stone railroad bridge built on an arc. Enter the Avalon Area the Thomas Viaduct is in view behind the gate house.
- Old Gun Road Stone Arch Bridge
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- not in use but it has since colonial times spanned the "Mill Race" supplying water power to the Dorsey Forge. George Washington reportedly laid out Gun Road to move guns for the American Revolution produced at the Dorsey Forge. Transported via Gun Road to Elkridge Landing, the guns were shipped down the River and the Bay to Annapolis for final assembly. In 1815 the Ellicott family acquired Dorsey Forge and expanded it to become the Avalon Iron and Nail Works. Floods in 1868 destroyed the Iron and Nail Works along with the village of Avalon.
- The River of History and Conservation Visitor Center
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- located in a 185 year old stone house, the only remaining Avalon house that survived the 1868 flood. The Avalon site was improved by Victor G. Bloede, pronounced "Blerda," to become the Avalon Water Works in 1910. Remnants of the Water Works remain today as does bits and pieces of Camp Tydings. This Civilian Conservation Corps Camp (CCC) was operational between 1933 and 1942 and was located north-west of Old Gun Road Bridge between the Mill Race and the first commercial railroad in the U.S., originally the B&O Railroad and now known as CSX]. Following the start of World War II, the CCC Camp was converted to the nation's first Conscientious Objector Camp. This part of Patapsco Valley State Park is appropriately named the Avalon area.
- The Swinging Bridge
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- spans the Patapsco at Orange Grove, 1.6 miles northwest of Avalon following the Park Road in Howard County beyond shelters 104 and 105. Prior suspension foot bridges at this location enabled residents of the Orange Grove mill town to cross the river to Baltimore County to work in the five stories high Orange Grove Flour Mill of the C.A. Gambrill Manufacturing Company. This mill burned May 1, 1905. Cross the bridge to discover ruins of this large mill site that extended from the railroad tracks to the Swinging Bridge abutment. Orange Grove flour was sold in white bags whose tops were string tied and whose labels proclaimed "Patapsco Superlative Flour."
- Bloede's Dam
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- Union Dam
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- Daniels Dam
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[edit] See also
- Thomas Viaduct Patapsco State Parks signature monument.
- Bloede's Dam The worlds first dam of it's kind.
- List of Maryland state parks
- List of National Park System areas in Maryland
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ Catonsville Times. Celebrating a century of service.
- ^ Detroit Examiner. State park celebrates 100 years.
[edit] External links
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources
- Patapsco Valley State Park
- City Paper boasts 'The best place to hike'
- Maryland Parks at a glance
