Maryland Official Visitors Guide - 2026 Maryland Official Visitors Guide
Trail Mix
2025-11-04 05:40:25
Plot a New Path Each Season
Got trails? We do. Miles (and nautical miles) of them. Take a gander at just a handful of our trail networks — and turn your next hike, bike, paddle or snowshoe into a memory-filled retreat.
By Land
GREAT ALLEGHENY PASSAGE TRAIL
You could easily check out of real life for a week or more hiking, biking, camping, fishing, Nordic skiing and gazing at geologic landmarks along the Great Allegheny Passage Trail (GAP) in Maryland. You’ll travel alongside the Potomac River and Wills Creek and pick up excellent meals and camaraderie in friendly trail towns like Frostburg, Hancock, Williamsport, Brunswick and Cumberland, which is where the GAP meets the C&O Canal Towpath, allowing you to tack on another 184.5 miles of scenic pedaling. Sprinkle a helping of history into your hike or bike trail mix with stops at Antietam National Battlefield, Fort Frederick State Park, Harpers Ferry and Round Top Cement Mill. More on p. 40 and p. 44
LODGING TO LOVE
In addition to breakfasts with locally sourced ingredients and homemade vegan options, the Allegheny Trail House Bed & Breakfast in Frostburg will give you a tuneup at the in-house bike shop and a box lunch to take back to the trail for another day of exploration.
TORREY C. BROWN RAIL TRAIL aka Northern Central Railway (NCR)
What was once a 22-stop section of the Baltimore & Susquehanna Railroad, one of the nation’s oldest rail trails is also a favorite of cyclists, birders and hikers in all seasons who like to read historical railroad signs while they stop to smell the native plants. The Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail is 20 often tree-shaded and river-adjacent miles, starting at the Pennsylvania state line and heading south toward Cockeysville. One of the most popular stops for a picnic is the 1898 Monkton Train Station in Gunpowder Falls State Park. Inside, learn about the history of the railroad and then explore the Gunpowder Garden Club’s tranquil beautification efforts. Rent a river tube at Monkton Bike Rentals for a lazy float on the Gunpowder River, and check the calendar at ncrtrailsnails.com for group trail runs to join year-round. More on p. 44
LODGING TO LOVE
Before you’ve arrived at the trail’s southern terminus, book a retreat at Gramercy Mansion in Stevenson for some rest and rehab. Spa tubs, fireplaces, massages and breakfast crafted from the onsite organic farm’s ingredients will have you blissed out in no time.
Not sure where to start? Cumberland’s Mountainside Bike Tours can tailor a course for you, plus set you up with meals and places to stay, while WheelzUp Adventures can hook you up with guided or selfguided tours, rentals and shuttle services.
ACCESSIBLE & TRAILS
Both of these trails have average grades of less than 1% (or 4–5% at their steepest), with paved, crushed-stone surfaces and hard-packed dirt surfaces that many wheelchairs can navigate. Others to consider:
• Patapsco Valley State Park near Ellicott City offers adaptive programs for hiking, fishing, paddling and cycling, and its Tall Poplar Trail, lined with leafy poplars of course, has a wide corridor that accommodates adaptive mountain bikes and has accessible bathrooms along the way.
• Acorn Loop in the Fork Run Recreation Area near McHenry is designated for trail users with limited mobility, featuring a wide, crushed-limestone path free of roots and rocks that still has challenging turns and corners that keep things interesting.
More on p. 54
By Water
MARYLAND FLY FISHING TRAIL
The first-of-its-kind Maryland Fly Fishing Trail leads avid anglers to water in all 23 counties and Baltimore City with information on where to park and launch watercraft, recommended gear, the best time of year to fish different locations, and guides and fly shops that can assist in the day’s catch and share local secrets. In Southern Maryland near Indian Head, Mattawoman Creek fly-fishers wind downcreek through the wetlands in kayaks, canoes, SUPs and bass boats toward the Potomac River, where more than a dozen species await, from blue and white catfish to largemouth bass, river herring, carp and channel catfish. Solomons Island’s location at the mouth of the Patuxent River opens up opportunities for excellent tidal-water fly-fishing for striped bass and others. Creeks off creeks off creeks ensure boaters can find a new waterway to explore each day of the trip. More on p. 70
LODGING TO LOVE
For a short fishing commute, stay at Back Creek Inn. Past guests have sung sea shanties of praise about the soft pillows, kind hosts and how easy it is to walk to restaurants and shops on Solomons Island. A basket of homemade goodies makes for an extra special welcome.
EASTERN NECK ISLAND WATER TRAIL
Paddler’s paradise is found in the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge near Rock Hall on the Eastern Neck Island Water Trail, a challenging 10-mile route around the island from the Chester River into the main waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Watch for diamondback terrapins, osprey, herons, bald eagles and other migrating waterfowl. Federal and local agencies are actively working to preserve and restore the wetlands, vegetation and submerged aquatic vegetation beds, and paddlers can “pull over” to view historical markers and interpretive signs. Hop off your watercraft to take hiking trails that lead to wildlife-viewing platforms — including a boardwalk dedicated to admiring migratory tundra swans — and other points of interest. Stop into the visitor center to pick up a map and guide to all there is to see. More on p. 32
LODGING TO LOVE
Nothing on the Eastern Shore beats the nautical ambiance of The Mariner’s Motel in Rock Hall. After a day on the water, pull your boat into the property’s slip, and prep for an evening barbecue and sunset cocktails around the firepit.
Anglers never need to look far for advice, but for some of the most qualified, pop into Shore Tackle & Custom Rods in Grasonville, where experienced team members will share tips and tales, as well as set you up with a custom rod based on your preferred action, length, reel and more. At Larry’s Outdoor Store in Rock Hall, you’ll get all the gear, bait and licenses you need to start casting, including Maryland-made Addiction Baits spinners, chatter baits, grippers and jigs.
By Snow
NEW GERMANY STATE PARK
Rent snowshoes and cross-country skis right inside New Germany State Park near Grantsville in Western Maryland to swish along 7.6 miles of trails, some of which are groomed for smooth sailing when the conditions allow. You’ll feel fully submersed in nature along the park’s quiet, forest-lined paths. Pause for a break where the sun glints through the trees or to warm up at one of the sheltered firepits that can extend your day on the snow. The trails meander through flat areas as well as hillsides, so options are available for different experience levels and abilities. The park also rents out sleds, and rangers can point you to the best spots for this quintessential cold-weather joy. More on p. 14
LODGING TO LOVE
From traipsing beneath the trees to overnighting in them, Ella’s Enchanted Treehouses in Jennings will keep the nature vibes high on this vacation — literally. Situated above the forest floor, these cozy cabins — one of which is ADA-compliant and wheelchair accessible — have all the amenities for a comfortable night’s stay (including bathrooms) and sleep up to six.
If following a trail map isn’t a particular skill of yours or you’re a first-timer wanting a little more assistance, All Earth Eco Tours in the Deep Creek Lake area near Friendsville will guide you along a snowshoe tour or winter hike so you need not care what direction you’re headed. They’ll also take the best pics of your excursion and supply you with the hot chocolate needed to suitably enjoy winter outdoors.
HERRINGTON MANOR STATE PARK
Herrington Manor State Park near Oakland is another excellent Western Maryland option for winter with on-site snowshoe and cross-country-ski rentals, as well as fat bikes, whose wide, chunky tires let you cut through the snow on the park’s 10 miles of trails — plus an additional 5.5-mile trail that enters Swallow Falls State Park. Separated into four loops with different lengths and levels of difficulty, the park gives trekkers several options. Trails are groomed when the conditions allow, and there’s a sledding hill, too.
LODGING TO LOVE
There’s no better basecamp for spending a few days exploring Herrington Manor than one of the park’s 20 on-site cabins. For something a little less rustic, try The Garrett Inn in Oakland, which is just a 15-minute drive away and is close to several great restaurants to warm and wet your whistle after a day on the snow. Owned by a local family that makes everyone feel welcome, the inn is popular with outdoors lovers who escape to this corner of the Maryland woods.
Not enough trail for you? We get it — and we’ve got more.
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Trail Mix
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