Outdoor Trails

Family-Friendly Trails

Bikers, hikers, walkers and wildlife viewers find all kinds of diverse environments in and around the state capital of Annapolis. Easily accessible Anne Arundel County trails promise a variety of recreational activities for people of all ages.

• Baltimore and Annapolis Trail (B&A Trail)
• Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) Trail
• Downs Park Trails
• Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Trails
• Kinder Farm Park
• Quiet Waters Park Trails
• Sandy Point State Park Trails
• Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Trails
• Washington Baltimore and Annapolis Trail (WB&A Trail)

Baltimore and Annapolis Trail (B&A Trail)

• ACCESS: Jonas Green Park in Annapolis, Earleigh Heights Ranger Station in Severna Park, or parking lot near Glen Burnie Courthouse. From U.S. Rt. 50, take exit 27A and follow MD 450 toward the U.S. Naval Academy. Go 1/10 mile to South Lot on right. Or continue on MD 450 to the traffic light at the base of the Naval Academy Bridge. Make a left and an immediate right.
• DESCRIPTION: A paved, 15.5-mile trail from Jonas Green Park in Annapolis to Dorsey Rd. in Glen Burnie, where it connects to the BWI Trail. It follows the path of the former Baltimore & Annapolis Short Line Railroad on the north shore of the Severn River
• ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Biking, Fishing Pier, Picnic Area
• AMENITIES: Wheelchair accessible, Restrooms, Water, Pets welcome on leash
• IN THE AREA: The City of Annapolis provides food stores, restaurants and accommodations. The trail passes the Marley Station Mall and other shopping centers. The trail is a segment of the East Coast Greenway, which is a non-motorized recreational trail spanning the East Coast.
• CONTACT: B&A Trail Park Ranger Station, 410-222-6244. Online trail map: www.aacounty.org/RecParks/parks/aacotrails_park/bandamap.cfm.

Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) Trail

• ACCESS: Two parking lots for the trail: one at the Thomas A. Dixon Observation Area, and the other at Saw Mill Creek Park. Take US Rt. 50, exit 21, for I-97 North. Take exit 15 for MD 176 (Dorsey Rd.) and head east toward the airport. The observation area is on the left just before WB&A Road. For Saw Mill Creek Park, exit I-97 onto MD 176 (Dorsey Rd.) west. The park is on the right.
• DESCRIPTION: This paved, 12.5-mile trail encircles BWI Marshall Airport and has several scenic views. A spur trail at Andover Rd. connects to the Linthicum Light Rail Station.
• ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Biking
• AMENITIES: Wheelchair accessible, Restrooms, Pets welcome on leash
• IN THE AREA: A playground is located at the Thomas A. Dixon Observation Area on Dorsey Rd. in Glen Burnie. The trail also connects to the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail in Glen Burnie.
• CONTACT: Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks Trails Headquarters, 410-222-8820. Online trail map: www.aacounty.org/RecParks/parks/aacotrails_park/index.cfm.

Downs Park Trails

• ACCESS: Take MD 100 east until it merges with MD 177 east (Mountain Rd.). Follow for 3.5 miles. The park entrance is on the right.
• DESCRIPTION: Includes more than 5 miles of paved and natural surface trails and a self-guided nature trail through woods and fields surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay.
• ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Biking, Wildlife & nature viewing, Playground, Handball courts, Ball fields, Tennis courts, Basketball courts, Fishing pier, Pavilions can be rented, Dog beach and dog park
• AMENITIES: Wheelchair accessible, Restrooms, Water, Pets welcome on leash
• CONTACT: John H. Downs Memorial Park, 410-222-6230.

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Trails

• ACCESS: From Annapolis, take MD 2 south and turn right onto MD 258 heading west. Continue for 4.5 miles and cross MD 4. At the stop sign turn onto Wrighton Rd. Continue for 1.5 miles to entrance on left.
• DESCRIPTION: More than seven miles of natural trails provide views of wildlife and diverse ecosystems. An observation deck and pier on the Railroad Bed Trail offer a panoramic vista of wetlands and the Patuxent River. The sanctuary is open to the public three days a week March-Nov. by advance reservation. Naturalists offer educational programs, nature hikes and canoe outings. Observation blinds provide opportunities to see osprey, eagles, shorebirds and waterfowl in the tidal marsh.
• ACTIVITIES: Walking, Hiking, Wildlife & nature viewing, Fishing, Canoeing
• AMENITIES: Restrooms
• IN THE AREA: Nearby, Patuxent River Park provides recreational opportunities.
• CONTACT: Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, 410-741-9330. Call before visiting. Online trail map: www.jugbay.org/jugbay/jbwstrail.html or www.dnr.state.md.us/baylinks/9.html.

Kinder Farm Park

• ACCESS: From I-97, take exit 14A to MD 100 east toward Gibson Island. Take exit 16A onto MD 2 south (Ritchie Highway) toward Pasadena. Turn right at the first light onto Jumper's Hole Rd. Continue for 2.1 miles and turn right onto Kinder Farm Park Rd.
• DESCRIPTION: The park offers a 2.4 mile paved trail and several miles of natural trails. The park is developing an agricultural history program and working farm to show past and present agricultural practices. Farm animals are kept at the park.
• ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Biking, Wildlife & Nature Viewing
• AMENITIES: Wheelchair accessible, Pets welcome on leash, Picnic tables, Grills, Large playground, Tot lot, Pavilions available to rent
• CONTACT: Kinder Farm Park, 410-222-6115.

Quiet Waters Park Trails

• ACCESS: From U.S. Rt. 50, take exit 22 onto MD 665 (Aris T. Allen Blvd.). Merge onto Forest Dr., follow for two miles and turn right onto Hillsmere Dr. The park entrance is 100 yards ahead on the right.
• DESCRIPTION: More than six miles of paved trails wind through hardwood forests and grassy fields on a peninsula between South River and Harness Creek. The South River Promenade and Scenic Overlook provide memorable vistas. The visitor center has formal gardens and art galleries.
• ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Biking
• AMENITIES: Wheelchair accessible, Restrooms, Water
• IN THE AREA: Kayaks, canoes and pedal boats can be rented on Harness Creek. Instruction and guided tours are available.
• CONTACT: Quiet Waters Park, 410-222-1777.

Sandy Point State Park Trails

• ACCESS: From U.S. Rt. 50, take exit 32 onto E. College Parkway, which becomes South Beach Rd. and ends at the park.
• DESCRIPTION: About two miles of trails in Sandy Point. The Symbi Trail visits a planted pine forest and a marsh. The East Beach Trail visits woods and a marsh. The outlying Corcoran Environmental Area offers four miles of trail.
• ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Biking, Wildlife & nature viewing, Swimming beach on Chesapeake Bay, Crabbing & fishing pier, Marina
• AMENITIES: Restrooms, Water, Marina, Picnic areas, Pavilions by reservation
• IN THE AREA: Nearby Annapolis provides restaurants, food stores and accommodations.
• CONTACT: Sandy Point State Park, 410- 974-2149. Online map of the area: www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/southern/sandypoint.html. For information on visiting the Annapolis area, go to www.visitannapolis.org.

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Trails

• ACCESS: From U.S. Rt. 50, take exit 23A onto MD 2 south (Solomon's Island Rd.) toward MD 450 (Parole). Go about five miles and turn left onto MD 214 (Central Ave.) heading east. Turn right onto MD 468 (Muddy Creek Rd.). Proceed one mile and turn left at the SERC Sign at the corner of Contee's Wharf Rd. Take an immediate left after the gate and proceed down Dock Rd. to the Philip D. Reed Education Center.
• DESCRIPTION: The Discovery Trail is a self-guided nature trail. The Java History Trail is 1.3-mile path through woods, fields and marsh, and is a self-guided tour of local history. SERC is located in 3,000 acres of wilderness on the Rhode River in rural, southern Anne Arundel County. The Environmental Center offers organized programs and tours for all ages and interest levels. The center offers guided and self-guided canoe trips on Muddy Creek, exploring Chesapeake Bay ecology.
• ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Wildlife & nature viewing, Historic sites
• CONTACT: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 443-482-2200. Call before visiting. Online program information, www.serc.si.edu/visiting/index.jsp.

Washington Baltimore and Annapolis Trail (WB&A Trail)

• ACCESS: From MD 100, take exit 15 for MD 170 south (Telegraph Rd.) toward Odenton. After 4.4 miles, Telegraph Rd. becomes Piney Orchard Pkwy. Continue for 0.1 mile to Odenton Rd. The trail begins at this intersection.
• DESCRIPTION: A 2.3-mile paved trail that connects Odenton Rd. Bike Path to the Strawberry Lake Bike Path. The trail follows the old Washington Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad right-of-way near the Patuxent River.
• ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Biking
• AMENITIES: Wheelchair accessible, Pets welcome on leash
• CONTACT: Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks Trails Headquarters, 410-222-8820, www.aacounty.org/RecParks/parks/aacotrails_park/index.cfm.