Recreation

The Patapsco Valley Heritage Area includes great attractions for people of all interests, whether you are new to the area or have been living here your whole life. You can find local restaurants with character, miles and miles of trails, and museums celebrating our rich local history. Local organizations host a variety of events including comedy shows, Shakespearean plays, open air movie nights, and music festivals for all. Patapsco Heritage Greenway can help you find the perfect activity in order to make the most of your visit to the Patapsco Valley.

Patapsco Valley Trail Blog

Patapsco in COVID19

Hiking in COVID-19 Social distancing is a new concept for all of us, but it doesn't mean locking ourselves inside the whole time. Hiking and outdoors time are still acceptable (and important!) for now. One of the best ways to avert cabin fever, stay sane, and even support your immune system while social distancing [...]

5 Reasons to Hike in the Winter

5 Reasons to Hike in the Winter Myth: Hiking season ends after fall and there is nothing to do in Patapsco until spring. Fact: Winter hikes have a lot of offer and you can find things you wouldn't be able to in the warmer months. Read on for five reasons you should go find your [...]

Along the Trail: The Breadery

Along the Trail: Trolley Trail #9 and The Breadery Welcome to our new blog series, Along the Trail, which will be highlighting a trail in the Patapsco Valley, and some local businesses worth exploring along the way! This post includes Trolley Trail #9, a paved trail that runs from Ellicott City into Oella, and a [...]

Paddling the Patapsco

Paddling the Patapsco The Patapsco is quickly becoming one of the most popular put in spots for Maryland Paddlers! The river boasts breathtaking views as it winds its way southeast towards the Baltimore Inner Harbor. Paddlers will find their path draped on either side by the thick canopy of trees dotted with age old sycamores. [...]

Healthy Hiking in the Patapsco

Healthy Hiking in the Patapsco The best way to enjoy the Patapsco outdoors is to do so safely, so here are helpful tips for avoiding some of the most common risks in the valley. Poison Ivy If you frequent the outdoors, chances are you are familiar with poison ivy and other such plants. We [...]

Plant ID Apps

Plant ID Apps Have you ever been on a trail and wondered what a certain plant was? Do you have a favorite plant you want to learn more about? Do you just want to learn more about various plants that you encounter day to day? Learning how to identify plants has long been a difficult [...]

Plogging In Patapsco

Plogging In Patapsco Chances are you have never heard of "plogging" before, as it is a rather new trend in the world of outdoor recreation. Plogging is any form of picking up trash/litter while traveling on foot. The name plogging comes from merging the Swedish phrase "Plocka upp" with "jogging", but it can include [...]

Plants Invading Patapsco

Plants Invading Patapsco The colors of Spring are always a welcome sight after months of dull greys and browns throughout the Patapsco valley. Shades of greens and bright pinks dot the branches as our favorite trees begin to fill out again. As exciting as these changes are, some of them only appear to be [...]

Muddy Trail Etiquette

Muddy Trail Etiquette We all hike a little different in wet weather, but muddy trails can have more implications than muddy shoes. Using trails when the ground is saturated can damage the trail and increase your impact on the surrounding ecosystem, it's important to use your judgment on when to hike wet trails and [...]

Preserve. Protect. Interpret. Restore.

Patapsco Heritage Greenway, the managing organization of the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area, is dedicated to preserving, protecting, interpreting, and restoring the environment, history and culture of Maryland’s most dramatic river valley for the enjoyment of all.

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