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Gunpowder Falls State Park |
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Gunpowder Falls State Park |
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Gunpowder Falls State Park (nearly 18,000 acres in Harford and Baltimore Counties) was established to protect the stream valleys of the Big and Little Gunpowder Falls and the Gunpowder River, which begins at Days Cove where the Big and Little Gunpowders converge. A variety of topography exists in this long, narrow park, from tidal marshes and wetlands to steep, rugged slopes.There are more than 100 miles of trails, including the 21 mile Northern Central Railroad (NCR) Trail, now known as the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail in honor of Maryland's third Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary. The park features excellent trout fishing opportunities, as well as other freshwater and tidal fishing areas. Park areas include Hereford Area, along York Rd. in Parkton; the NCR/Torrey C. Brown Trail which extends from Ashland to the Pennsylvania line; the Central Area which extends from Baldwin to Days Cove along both river valleys and includes the historic village of Jerusalem; the Hammerman Area which is located in Chase near the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Grace Quarters Road and offers a swimming beach on the Gunpowder River; and Dundee Creek Marina, also located in Chase which offers boat launching, rowboat rental, fuel and a marina store.
Maps of specific park areas are available at park headquarters. To get the most out of your visit, be sure to obtain the appropriate maps, as they provide a lot of helpful information. The Gunpowder Currents, a semi-annual calendar of events and programs, is also available upon request from the park.
Pets are prohibited at the Hammerman Area. Pets are permitted in other areas of the park, but they MUST be leashed at all times.
The launch fee is $10 at the Dundee Creek Marina. Various other service charges may apply for services provided (pavilion rental, boat rental, participation in some programs and special events, etc.)
MILL POND COTTAGE
If you are looking for a unique getaway that is relaxing and close to nature, then Gunpowder Falls State Park has the place for you.
Nestled in the Hereford Wildlands, the Mill Pond Cottage offers visitors an array of outdoor recreation opportunities. Hikers and nature lovers will enjoy the miles of trails. Paddling, tubing and world-class trout fishing are also located just out the front door while cyslists will find the nearby Northern Central Rail Trail to be an enjoyable ride. Visit the Mill Pond Cottage web page for pricing and reservation information.
You can read more about Mill Pond Cottage in our full color brochure.
The brochure is in a PDF format that requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. (Adobe Acrobat file 4MB) - To get the free Acrobat Reader go to Adobe.com.
FEATURES
Biking trails, boat launch, boat rentals, cross-country skiing, interpretive programs, food and beverages, fishing, flatwater canoeing, hiking trails, historic interest, hunting, picnicking, playgrounds, equestrian trails, picnic shelters, swimming, whitewater canoeing, boardsailing lessons and equipment rental.
Gunpowder Falls State Park offers an accessible floating boat dock, picnic areas, NCR/Torrey C. Brown Trail, visitors' center, youth group camping, path to swimming beach, beach bathhouse and day use pavilions. For additional accessible amenities in Maryland State Forests and Parks, visit the Accessibility For All section of this website.
Self-Guided Recreational Activities
- Birding in Gunpowder Falls State Park
- Canoeing/Kayaking Big Gunpowder Falls, Falls Road to Big Falls Road (4.1 mi.)
- Canoeing/Kayaking Big Gunpowder Falls, York Road to Sparks Road (11 mi.)
- Canoeing/Kayaking Big Gunpowder Falls, Jones Road to Marriner Park (4.1 mi.)
- Kayaking Big Gunpowder Falls, Bel Air Road to Jones Road (3.4 mi.)
- Cross country skiing at Gunpowder Falls State Park (7.5 to 40 mi.)
- Tidal water fishing/crabbing at Dundee Creek Marina
- Put and take trout fishing on Lower Big Gunpowder Falls River
- Put and take trout fishing on Little Gunpowder Falls River
- Put and take trout fishing on Little Falls and Beetree Run
- Put and take trout fishing on Upper Big Gunpowder Falls River
- Catch and release trout fishing on Upper Big Gunpowder Falls River
- Hiking, Big Gunpowder Trail (4.8 mi.)
- Hiking, Sweathouse and Stocksdale Trails (1.7 and 3.7 mi.)
- Hiking, Jerusalem Village (1 mi.)
- Hiking, Jerusalem Village (2.5 to 4 mi.)
- Hiking, Lost Pond Trail (3.1 mi.)
- Hiking, Northern Central Rail Trail (7.5 to 40 mi.)
- Hiking, Big Gunpowder Trail (4.8 mi.)
- Hiking, Panther Branch Trail (4.2 mi.)
- Hiking, Mingo Forks Trail (3.6 mi.)
- Hiking, Gunpowder South Trail (5.3 mi.)
- Hiking, Gunpowder South Trail (5.1 mi.)
- Horseback riding, Bunker Hill Road to Falls Road (5.3 mi.)
- Horseback riding, Hereford Area (11.5 to 21 mi.)
- Bow hunting
- Waterfowl hunting
- Mountain Biking, Sweet Air Area (11.6 mi.)
- Mountain Biking, Lost Pond Trail (3.1 mi.)
- Road biking, Hereford Area (7.5 to 40 mi.)
- Tubing, Hereford Area (.9 mi.)
Hereford Area:
This northern-most section of the park includes excellent fly fishing in the Big Gunpowder, in a special Catch and Return Area downstream from the Prettyboy Dam. Bowhunting opportunities are also available (permits may be obtained through park headquarters). Hiking and horseback riding are popular activities in the area.Check out a copy of the Hereford Area Trail Guide. This trail guide, complete with a topographical map of the hiking trails, is available for sale at Gunpowder Falls State Park headquarters.
Sweet Air Area:
With 1,250 acres, the Sweet Air section is one of Gunpowder Falls State Park's largest enclaves. The Little Gunpowder Falls flows through the area, following the border between Harford and Baltimore Counties before reaching the Chesapeake Bay. This hidden treasure includes 18 miles of trails, popular among horseback riders and mountain bikers. Visitors also enjoy hiking to the river and taking a rest at one of the numerous benches located along the trails.
NCR Trail -- Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail
This 21 mile abandoned railroad bed makes an ideal surface for hikers, bikers and horseback riders to enjoy. The rail trail has been officially renamed the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail, in honor of Maryland's third Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary. Dr. Brown's vision was the major driving force in developing this multi-use recreational trail. Points of natural and historic interest can be found along the way, including the restored Monkton Train Station, which serves as a museum, gift shop and Ranger Station to visitors on the NCR. The Monkton Station is open Wednesday through Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The Station is also open on weekends in the spring and fall. The Sparks Bank Nature Center is also located on the NCR Trail. Operated by park volunteers, the Nature Center is open on summer weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is available to school groups on request. Click here for a map of the NCR Trail.Ambitious trail enthusiasts no longer need to make a U-turn when they get to Pennsylvania. The York County (PA) Park system has picked up where we left off. The Pennsylvania portion of the trail extends about 20 miles north to York, Pennsylvania.
Central Area
From the Sweet Air section in Baldwin to the Days Cove Area in White Marsh, Central Area property follows the Big and Little Gunpowder Falls through mostly undeveloped areas. Many miles of hiking trails traverse this area. The Big and Little Gunpowders are both stocked with trout in put-and-take fishing areas. Areas of special interest in Central include:
- Sweet Air - This area is approximately 1,250 acres in size and is popular among equestrians. Located in Baldwin, access to the area is on Dalton-Bevard Road.
- Sweathouse Branch Wildlands Area - This area features several loop trails through hardwood forest along the banks of the Big Gunpowder. Birders and wildflower enthusiasts enjoy these trails. Bicycles are prohibited in this and other Wildland areas. Parking is located at the Route 1 bridge over the Big Gunpowder, north of Perry Hall.
- Jerusalem Village - Located on the banks of the Little Gunpowder Falls, this quaint historic village includes several newly restored structures. Among these is the historic Jerusalem Mill, which houses the park headquarters and a small museum. The village also has a Blacksmith shop and gun factory, where gun stocks were crafted during the Revolutionary War. Visitors can also enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Little Gunpowder from the Mill to the Jerico Covered Bridge. The round-trip hike is less than one mile. The museum, staffed completely by volunteers, is open on weekends from 1p.m. to 4p.m. and is also available by special request. The park offices are located on the second floor of the Jerusalem Mill, and are open Monday - Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Historic weapons safety guidelines for interpretive demonstration purposes as authorized by the Maryland Park Service.
Hammerman and Dundee Creek Marina
The Hammerman Area offers 1,500 feet of beach and swimming area on the banks of the Gunpowder River. The swimming area is supervised by lifeguards from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Swimming is permitted at your own risk when lifeguards are not on duty. Three picnic shelters are available for rental. The area also has a food concession, picnic tables and grills, playground equipment and a windsurfing beach. Ultimate Watersports rents kayaks, wind surfboards and catamarans at the beach. Hammerman is open year-round, except Christmas and Thanksgiving. Hours are 8 a.m. to sunset. For more information check out a map of the Hammerman Area.
Dundee Creek Marina is located in the Chase Community of Eastern Baltimore County. The marina is located on Dundee Creek, which is off the mouth of the Gunpowder River. The marina offers a number of amenities to the slip holders and the boating public, including premium gas sales, sewage pump out, boat accessories, bait, fishing tackle, ice, packaged foods, gifts, fishing licenses and boat rentals. The marina store is open weekdays 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. June through August; 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends April through October; and weekdays 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March-May and September-October.
Slip Lease Includes:
- Slip; stationary inside maximum boat length 27'
- Eight-month contract (April 1-November 30)
- Municipal water hook-up at slip
- Electric hook-up at slip (private lighted pedestal)
- Sewage pump-out at pier
- Winter storage for boats on trailers (non-fenced)
- 24 hour access for all slip holders
- Combination gate (new automatic gate coming soon)
- Designated slip holder parking
Note: - Gunpowder Falls State Park is a day use park. However, primitive Youth Group Camping is available. Click here for camper cabin and shelter service charges.
Location - The park is in Harford and Baltimore Counties, Park headquarters is at 2813 Jerusalem Road in Kingsville, Harford County.
- Hammerman -- From I-95 take exit 67A for Route 43 east (White Marsh Boulevard). Follow 43 to route 40 east. Turn right at the first light onto Ebenezer Road and follow it for 4.5 miles. The park entrance will be on your left.
- Monkton Station -- From I-83N, take exit 27 and turn right on Mount Carmel Road. Turn right on York Road and make a quick left onto Monkton Road. Follow it until it crosses the NCR Trail. Monkton Station will be on your left. Limited parking.
- Jerusalem Mill (park headquarters) -- From I-95 take exit 74 for Route 152 West (Mountain Road). Follow Mountain Road toward Fallston and turn left onto Jerusalem Road. Jerusalem Mill will be on your left after 1.1 miles. Parking is in the lot on the right, just before the mill.
Gunpowder Falls State Park
PO Box 480
2813 Jerusalem Road
Kingsville, MD 21087
(410)592-2897
Call 1-888-432-CAMP(2267) for reservations
Click here to make reservations on-line for Gunpowder Falls State Park.
Funding for Maryland's State and local parks and conservation areas is provided through The Department of Natural Resources' Program Open Space. Established in 1969, Program Open Space symbolizes Maryland's long term commitment to conserving natural resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities.
Updated on March 5, 2008