Patapsco Valley State Park Avalon and Orange Grove Areas Are Awesome for Kids!
Did you know there is a fantastic State Park literally in the backyard of Baltimore? Well, Patapsco State Park is an incredible jewel and any parent who wants to get outside with their kids should have this State Park at the top of their Maryland day trip bucket list!
The Patapsco Valley State Park Avalon and Orange Grove Areas are part of a huge park that spans multiple counties.
This part of Patapsco Valley State Park encompasses the Orange Grove, Glen Artney, and Avalon areas of the park. They all have easy access from the park entrance in Halethorpe, MD.
And there are quite a few family friendly options in this part of the park that are sure to tickle your kids’ happy spots! Here are the 9 best reasons Patapsco Valley State Park Avalon and Orange Grove Areas are Awesome for Kids!
About Patapsco Valley State Park Avalon and Orange Grove Areas
One of the best things about the Patapsco Valley State Park Avalon/Orange Grove Area is that it is incredibly accessible, especially for anyone living in Howard County, Baltimore County, or the City of Baltimore. To get here, take I-95 or I-295 to I-195 (the highway that takes you to the BWI airport).
Get off at Exit 3 for Rt. 1 and follow signs for Route 1 South towards Elkridge. Follow the signs for the park and turn right onto South Street (not very far, about 1/2 mile). Almost immediately you will turn left into the park.
As you drive along the entrance road and your blood pressure starts to drop (yes, it is a really pretty drive), don’t forget to look out for the Thomas Viaduct. Ok, you can’t miss it actually… but point it out to your kids as you drive under it. This viaduct is actually the world’s largest multiple arched stone railroad bridge that has an arc.
Too technical? Well, it looks really cool too. After you go through the guard shack, there are three distinct areas you can visit. All three areas have fun activities for your kids and the three areas are connected. Depending on how long you have, you could do it all or pick and choose.
Related: All the best Maryland State Parks for families!
Orange Grove Area
If you are only going to visit one area of the park, this is the area you MUST visit with your kids. We have visited this area of the park so many times, even when my daughter was still stroller-bound. I started bringing her to walk/hike here as soon as she could start walking and we always have a blast. Here are the major highlights:
Related: The Best Easy Hikes for Kids in Maryland
The Swinging Bridge
This bridge is positively iconic. Depending on the age and temperament of your kids, you may want to be extra vigilant when crossing the bridge. However, it is sure to delight everyone because yes, it does swing. More importantly though, the views of Patapsco River are spectacular from this bridge.
Grist Mill Trail
Note for 2023: Parts of the Grist Mill Trail will be closed until Summer 2023 in order to make repairs. You can still access the Swinging Bridge, but will not have access to the Grist Mill Trail while repairs are taking place. Click here for more info and updates. As of July 2023, parts of the Grist Mill Trail have reopened.
After you cross the swinging bridge, you will be on Grist Mill Trail. I cannot stress enough how amazing this trail is. It is wheelchair accessible. It is paved, wide, and relatively level (no hills to speak of).
Along the way, there are cut outs to the river that are great for exploring with even the smallest of children. If you turn left after the bridge, you can walk all the way to where Bloede Dam used to be, but we always stop about 3/4 mile down the trail and walk under the railroad track tunnel to the other side.
River Road Trail
Another option that doesn’t involve crossing the swinging bridge is to walk along the remains of River Road, on the River Road Trail. Again, this is such a beautiful area, with numerous options for going down to the river, throwing some rocks, sticking your feet in, etc…
Related: The 8 Most Gorgeous Waterfalls in Maryland!
Cascade Falls
I have a confession to make. We had been visiting Patapsco Valley State Park for many, many years before we ever made the mini-trek to Cascade Falls.
The start of the Cascade Falls Trail makes it look like a doozy of a hike. However, that could not be further from the truth! This hike is amazing!
There is a small climb at first, but the reason why this hike is so awesome, is that within 10 minutes (yes, you read that right.. 10 minutes), you will be standing at the foot of Cascade Falls. Wow, this waterfall hike is all bang, hardly any buck.
Seriously, we took our daughter when she was still 2 years old and she had no problem hiking to this waterfall at all. If you want to take your little-legged family members on a hike that they will love without begging for you to carry them… this is the hike you want to go on. Just do it.. and do it now!
How do you get to the Orange Grove Area?
This area is actually quite easy to get to. After going through the park guard shack, you will be in the Avalon Area. Turn left and follow the road past the big picnic area and playground (see below) and drive about 2 miles until you reach the parking area and swinging bridge (it will be very obvious).
Most of the time there is ample parking here. Additionally, there are restroom facilities located across the street from the swinging bridge, at the trailhead for the Cascade Falls Trail.
Related: Best Maryland Attractions for Families!
It should be obvious, but for the Cascade Falls Trail, walk up the first incline, then turn left to follow the split rail fence. Once the fence ends, veer right and the falls will literally be in front of you (well, 5 more minutes.. but you are following the river to the falls).
Avalon Area
Playground and Picnic Areas
The Avalon Area is the perfect place to visit at the end of your park trip. Why? Because it has a fantastic playground. So, if your young kid starts to get long in the tooth because they don’t want to walk anymore… or something like that, you can entice them to walk further by promising a stop at the playground on the way out of the park.
Related: 75+ Best Playgrounds in Maryland
This works. Every time. See, the kids will see the awesome playground as you drive by on your way to Orange Grove. It is really a great playground too. In addition to the play structure there are tons of swings for older kids, toddlers, and even kids with special needs.
The other great aspect of the Avalon Area is that it boasts picnic facilities that can accommodate up to 100 people. You have to reserve in advance but we often see family reunions, birthday parties, etc… being held as we drive by.
Swimming and Tubing
In the summer months, lots of families go down to the river here to splash and cool off. And there are numerous people who float Patapsco River from the Orange Area to the picnic area in the Avalon Area.
Glen Artney Area
There are two main reasons I love the Glen Artney Area-
Glen Artney is not nearly as crowded as Orange Grove
True, there is not a swinging bridge or a waterfall. However, when the Orange Grove Area is overrun with people but you still want to spend some time in nature with your kids, turn right at the Avalon Area fork in the road and follow the road (taking another left) to this area of the park. Drive slowly… there will be lots of runners, walkers, and bicyclists.
Turn right to drive under the railroad track tunnel and then you can start meandering. At this point, the Glen Artney Area is essentially a loop (so, you can pick left or right). The loop is dotted with many smaller picnic areas and at least 1 or 2 larger areas that also have playgrounds (smaller than the Avalon Area playground though).
Even if you are not in the mood to picnic or grill out, you can pull into any of these picnic areas and have a relatively secluded ‘explore nature’ experience with your kids. Additionally, there are a few trailheads in this area that will connect with other parts of the park, as well as the river itself.
Lost Lake
As you enter the Glen Artney Area, there will be a small parking area on your left, and extending past the railroad track tunnel. If you can get a parking spot, you should definitely check out Lost Lake.
The lake is beautiful to walk around, and there are picnic tables set up at numerous locations. Also, the lake is stocked with fish and is a perfect place to introduce kids to fishing.
You can also park here and access the Grist Mill Trail very easily. There are not public restrooms here like the other areas of the park, but there are port-a-potties.
More Tips for Patapsco Valley State Park
Patapsco Valley State Park can get really crowded. On weekends and holiday during the late Spring through mid Fall, the park will fill up and park rangers will turn you away. If this is the only time you can visit the park, come early.
Otherwise, I would highly recommend trying to visit on a weekday, even after work. The park is beautiful, but it is even more beautiful when you don’t have to share it with the hordes of humanity.
Great in every season!
Visit the park every season. Seriously. There may not be leaves on the trees, but this park is still totally beautiful in late Fall and Winter. The Grist Mill Trail in particular is magical after a snowfall, as is Cascade Falls.
Bring food and water.. and a trash bag. There are no concession facilities here so bring a snack and some water. However, this is a zero trash park, so be prepared to leave with your trash as well.
I hope you can make the time to visit Patapsco Valley State Park very soon.
Patapsco Valley State Park Avalon/Orange Grove Area FAQ
Yes, there is an entrance fee. Cost: April through October: Weekdays: Maryland residents $2/vehicle; out-of-state residents $4/vehicle. Weekends and holidays: Maryland residents $3/person; out-of-state residents $5/person. November through March: Honor System in effect: $2 per vehicle in-state; $4 per vehicle out-of-state
YES! There are nice indoor public restrooms at the Avalon and Orange Grove areas, as well as a restroom facility about halfway through the loop in the Glen Artney Area.
The Avalon and Orange Grove areas are very stroller friendly. You can easily maneuver a stroller on the River Road Trail, the Grist Mill Trail, and across the swinging bridge.
Address: 5120 South Street, Halethorpe MD 21227
Google Map Directions click here.
The park is open 9am-sunset 365 days a year.
Swimming is allowed in all areas along the river unless posted otherwise. This would include most of the Avalon and Orange Grove area of the park. Note: Swimming and wading are swim at your own risk. There is no lifeguard and swimmers should be careful with swift currents and cutting feet on the river bed. I would highly recommend wearing water shoes to swim or wade in the water.
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The park seem very peaceful and far from the traffic. I think it wouldn’t be bad if my sister take her son there, as she seeking a place like this where they don’t have to be worried about traffic and crowd.