Maple Lawn community
Everywhere to walk, hike, play ball or let the dog run — sorted by how close it is to home.
57 spots · within 25 miles
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57 spots
Big Howard County park with ballfields, tennis and basketball courts, a large playground, an equestrian ring and a wooded trail loop around the perimeter.
Rail-trail following the old Patuxent Branch line between Savage Park and Lake Elkhorn — crosses the Bollman Truss Bridge, mostly flat and shaded along the river.
1000+ acre nature preserve with quiet hiking trails through meadow and forest. No bikes, no playgrounds — this one is for walking and birding.
Columbia lakefront with a paved loop path around the water, a fishing pier, and a boardwalk section. Popular for evening walks and stroller-friendly.
Wooded park along the Little Patuxent with ballfields, a playground and access to the Patuxent Branch Trail and the historic Bollman Truss Bridge.
Ballfields, tennis courts and a playground split across two sections on either side of Cedar Lane.
Modern regional park with synthetic turf fields, an inclusive all-abilities playground, tennis and basketball courts and paved paths.
Howard County's signature park — a paved 2.4 mile loop around Centennial Lake, boat rental, fishing, playgrounds and lots of picnic pavilions.
Large park with ballfields, a disc golf course, playgrounds and wooded mountain-bike and hiking trails.
Fenced off-leash area with separate large and small dog sides.
Start in Edmonston, go to Ellicott city for coffee and back Listed at 3 miles.
The classic local hike. River-valley trails ranging from flat towpath to steep ridge climbs, plus the Swinging Bridge and Cascade Falls. Entrance fee applies.
Quieter Patapsco section with the Switchback Trail loop and rapids along the river. Fewer crowds than Avalon.
Listed at 4.1 miles.
(hugs the water the entire way, very beautiful, out and back trail) Listed at Varies, ~5-10 miles.
Listed at 7.1 miles.
Listed at 4 miles.
Listed at 5 miles, nice views.
Public Beach! Listed at 4.6miles.
Listed at 4.6 miles.
Awesome mural on the trees!! Top pick so far. Listed at 4 miles.
Note: actually park here to enter (this is not exactly where google takes you by typing in "cromwell valley" but a little further up) Listed at ~4 miles.
One option. Many options: Listed at 2-6 miles.
Listed at 7.4miles.
Some more involved tree crossings, excellent for a picnic. Part of Merryman's Mill trail. Listed at 5.6 miles.
Listed at 10.9 miles.
Listed at 4.1 miles, out and back.
Listed at 4.4 miles.
Listed at 4.2 miles.
Listed at 19.5 miles.
Listed at 3 miles.
Greatest view I've seen so far Listed at 6 miles, or 8 miles if you park at the visitor's center.
Several route options. Listed at 4 - 18 miles.
there's always a ton of people at the falls and lake but not on the Cat Rock trail. Listed at Varies, ~1-10 miles.
Listed at 5.1 miles.
(one option; take the road to the orange trail, not the purple trail) (unique views, not as many of the river as one might hope. Starts with one hill and then smooth sailing) Listed at Varies, ~6 miles.
Listed at Varies, 2-6 miles.
Looks tough, who's down? Listed at 10.9 miles.
Cool fossils here?! Listed at Multiple possible trails, ~4.5 miles.
Connects to the AT Listed at 4.5 -11.6 miles.
Listed at 10 miles, challenging.
Connects to Old Rag Listed at ~9.5 -10 miles , diffrent routs.
Mostly for beach camping, Public Beach! Listed at Mostly for beach camping, 3/4 mile trail.
River corssings, pay attention to water levels, and Upper Red creek tast like litteral crap Listed at 22.5 - 24.5 miles.
Listed at 9.9 miles.
Miles of connected paved paths threading through Columbia's villages, lakes and wooded buffers — good for running, biking and stroller walks.
Small neighborhood park built around a pond and wetland, with a short accessible loop and a playground. Easy outing with little kids.
Listed at 7.2 miles.
Turf and grass fields plus indoor courts — home to a lot of the county's youth league play.
Open turf fields and walking paths inside the neighborhood — the closest place to kick a ball or walk a loop without getting in the car.
Listed at 3.9 miles.
Also hemlock gorge is gorgeous Listed at Varies, ~4-20.5 miles.
Fenced off-leash dog park with separate small and large dog areas, inside Schooley Mill Park.
Family friendly, also beautiful. Swimming hole partway through. Listed at 4 miles.
Big western-county park with lighted ballfields, a skate park, a large playground and open lawn space.
Listed at 3.2 miles.