Howard County Maryland Visitor Guide 2024 - Magazine - Page 14
Outdoor
>> Getaway
Without the Long Drive
CENTENNIAL PARK Top Left and Right
Patapsco Valley State Park should be
the first stop on any outdoor itinerary in
Howard County. Maryland’s first state park
boasts more than 200 miles of trails and
extends along 32 miles of the Patapsco
River. One of the most popular areas of the
park, the Cascade Falls trail, takes hikers,
mountain bikers, and trail runners on a
spectacular tour of several waterfalls and
small cascades. With a moderate 2.3-mile
loop, the whole family will enjoy the stunning
views of the trail’s most distinguishing
feature and namesake—Cascade Falls.
A favorite among locals and visitors
alike, Centennial Park is a perfect place
to escape into nature. With 337 acres,
including a 54-acre lake open to boaters
seasonally, visitors can walk, run, or bike
around the lake or take one of the many
paved pathways that connect the park with
surrounding neighborhoods. Engage in
some friendly competition on the park’s
many athletic courts, or take it easy with a
PATAPSCO VALLEY STATE PARK Cascade Falls
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// Howard County, Maryland Visitor Guide
picnic in a pavilion. During your visit, don’t
forget to keep an eye (and ear) out for the
many species of Maryland wildlife that call
the park home!
For a more educational outdoor experience,
Howard County is home to two nonprofit
organizations that promote environmental
stewardship, education, and preservation.
The Howard County Conservancy’s Mt.
Pleasant Farmstead sits on 232 acres and
is open to the public from dawn to dusk
daily for free. Explore its five miles of trails
or the gorgeous native plant garden and
get a bird’s-eye view of local wildlife at the
hawk watch station. The Robinson Nature
Center features indoor exhibits, a children’s
discovery room, an outdoor play area
and trails, a planetarium, and more. The
Center also offers opportunities for sensoryfriendly visits for an inclusive environmental
adventure! “Fly” through the Chesapeake
Bay Watershed, explore a forest as it
transitions through the seasons, turn the
