Maryland Chapter

Anne Arundel County Group

"Where can I go to....?"

Anne Arundel County is blessed with lots of opportunities to get outdoors and have a good time. If you can't find it here, it is available nearby!

Hike

We use the term "hike" here to mean walks in areas were hiking boots are a good idea, where the "pavement" is dirt or rock.

Unfortunately, there are few places in Anne Arundel County that meet this definition.

• Severn Run Natural Area
• Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary (about 6 miles of trails)- directions
• Please suggest additions by e-mail to John Cochran

Nearby, there are

• Jug Bay Natural Area (Prince Georges County)
• Sugarloaf Mountain (Montgomery County)
• Washington DC area river parks (Northeast and Northwest Branches, Anacostia, Rock Creek, etc.)
• Potomac River trails (Billy Goat, C&O Canal, Potomac Gorge, Key Chain, etc)
• Local book stores have several versions of Washington area hiking guides
• Please suggest additions by e-mail to John Cochran

Walk

Here "walk" means "a good stretch of the legs." No special equipment is needed, and the walking is generally on paved or smooth surfaces.

• Historic City of Annapolis and Eastport
• Quiet Waters (directions), Downs, Kinder Farm parks
• B&A Trail
• Please suggest additions by e-mail to John Cochran

Paddle

This is a complex topic that requires a good guidebook. Please visit one of the local shops (Spring River, Hudson Trail Outfitters, or Eastern Mountain Sport, for example) to find a good selection of guides. The county library has several guides.

Here are some of the places we have gone.

• Annapolis harbor and surrounding creeks (rent a kayak from Spring River)
• New Jersey Pine Barrens
• Eastern Shore rivers, especially the Pocomoke and its tributaries
• Patuxent River and its tributaries
• Potomac River (with care)
• Gunpower Falls River

Backpack

"Backpacking" means putting all your equipment for a weekend into a special pack, hiking to some destination, and camping out.

Unfortunately, Anne Arundel County does not have any backpacking venues. Here are some suggestions for places that are not too far away.

• C&O Canal is easy: flat with "Hiker-Biker Overnighter" campsites at about 5 mile intervals.
• Shennandoah National Park
• Monongahela and George Washington National Forests
• Green Ridge State Forest

Cross-Country Ski

When it snows about 6 inches or more, try skiing at the following:

• Quiet Waters, Kinder Farm, and Downs Parks
• Eisenhower Golf Course
• B&A Trail
• Please suggest additions by e-mail to John Cochran