It's always cool to happen by a really park that you have no idea exists, with Lake Roland being just that. The park has hiking trails, a nature center, picnic spots, a playground, and a dog park, all adjacent to Lake Roland. I recently discovered that canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and birdwatching and local favorites, too. Sometimes I go just to zone out while enjoying the weather or just taking a quick nap in the car. Very peaceful spot. read more

Lake Roland will always be one of my fav spots to unwind . It's the Perfect place to chill , walk the trails , fish or Canoe . It's Dog & Kid Friendly . The have a covered space to rent out for Birthday Parties etc . There's a parking lot or you can Park at the Light rail entrance and walk along the wooden path . read more

See all

Sunny day @ 50 degrees, but the lake is still covered in a sheet of ice on February 27, 2026. We brought some snacks and sat at picnic table overlooking the lake. So pleasant a day. A pleasant and peaceful way to celebrate a birthday. read more

See all

Well maintained trails. A lake. Close to restaurants and ices for after the hike. New artwork, story paths and more. Light rail stops here as well. read more

See all

I was introduced to Lake Roland by a friend, and I'm so glad I know this park now. Very scenic, peaceful and relaxing place. I love to visit whenever I'm in the area. Nice walking trails and a lot of different paths to explore. Plenty of places to sit and read a book, enjoy the scenery, walk, or decompress. There's at least one small cave hidden away (at least I think it can be considered a cave), but really pretty views of the lake. Overall, this is a beautiful park and lake that's worth the visit. There are clean restrooms inside of the nature center and plenty of areas to park near the Falls Rd Light rail station and a parking lot near the main entrance. They also post different events or activities happening at the park. Definitely worth checking out. read more

One of my favorite places to walk. I used to come here all the time during the pandemic and most recently went back for a walk with a friend. There's so many different trail path so every walk is going to be different. It's really the only places in the city that you can hike without going to the county. The area around Lake Rowland is lovely as well but lake Roland is special because there's a damn so there's a water element as well as a forest/mountain hiking vibes. There's ample parking and they are very gracious about closing, but they do close at sunset! read more

Lake Roland - Information sign - Lakes Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I love this park! It has several trails where I can walk with my little dog. Inside the park, there's a dog area called Paw Point. You can register your dog for a small fee, and they'll send you a code to access the dog park. One downside is that some dog owners with big dogs don't intervene when their dogs try to hump the smaller ones. Since big and small dogs are mixed inside the dog park, it's a bit hit or miss. Despite this, it's still nice to walk around the lake and explore the trails. read more

Gorgeous walk on well maintained path that feels like an escape from the city. A variety of parking as well!

This Park is terrific! Since Baltimore County staffed the Park, many exciting things have happened. Also, the Friends of Lake Roland, support the area in so many ways. 1. The Nature Center is full of natural objects, live animals, local history, waterworks workings, clean restrooms, and knowledgeable Rangers. 2. The Programs are awesome for all age groups - even out of school camps. 3. The Park trails are well marked and maintained. 4. The dog park is enjoyed by many, with a place where pups can swim. A slight membership fee is paid for entry. 5. Easy Light Rail Access. Check it out and Volunteer! Make a difference. read more

Lake Roland - Lakes Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

See all

I've been to Lake Roland, multiple times. There are multiple trails, I believe red and purple are more beginner friendly, and don't allow bikes (confirm that when you get there). There's a park for kids, and you can rent the covered picnic tables. Parking can get pretty packed, but that should come as no surprise on those nice days. read more

Well this is magical. I will say autumn and spring are my favorite times to go. If you have pups that are social, this is a great walk, as there are often pups and pup owners on the trail. I am more of a causal walker myself, but I see a lot of people jogging the trail. If you want high visibility and larger walking trails, the RED loop is made for you! It travels along the water as well, which is stunning. I like the trails that feed into the trees a bit more. The White trail takes you out from the water pretty far, the Purple trail has a lot of elevation change and yellow is a nice trail as well. In the autumn I like to look for mushrooms if you're looking for a fun game. See how many varieties you can identify! In the spring I am definitely counting up blooms. If you pup stays on the trail they will likely come home with minimal stickers and ticks, but if you have pups that love off road in front and rolling in leave, be sure to check them and that they are up to date on their flea and tick medicine! read more

See all

I cannot say enough nice things about Lake Roland Park off of Falls Road in Mount Washington, Baltimore, Maryland. First, I used to live nearby about 30 years ago and would often run to the Park from my apartment for exercise. I loved the park then even though it was called Robert E. Lee Park then. (Sometimes, change is good and in this case I totally approve and agree. Words are important and times change.) Parking here can be tricky on the weekends. Arrive early. There are many paths in the woods and around the lake that you can explore. We were thrilled to see so much wildlife even amongst the many people who were here in search of similar solace. We saw turtles, vultures, snakes, fish, frogs, and deer! (The snakes we saw were common garter snakes, totally harmless and exceptionally cute.) We saw people in kayaks paddling around the lake picking up trash which was really nice. This park is exceptionally clean-- when you go to Lake Roland, please make sure you pick up after yourself so that others will find it as enjoyable. We avoided the Dog Park on this trip and hiked up over the parking lot and around the back part of the lake. We did not explore every trail so we absolutely have to come back. Thank you, Lake Roland Park, for being an important green space of solace for Baltimore and beyond! read more

Lake Roland - The forest floor was green with new spring growth at Lake Roland Park in Baltimore. - Lakes Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

If you need a break from stress this is your sanctuary. Or if you want to take your kids to the park to tire them out this is also your place. I've been wanting to come here for a while and I will be back soon for sure. The water is the views are beautiful! They also have a reptile display. I'm definitely coming back when it's warmer. Oh and they have a park for the kiddies. read more

See all

I was in Baltimore for a long weekend this past week, and I visited Lake Roland twice! The park is 500 acres - with trails, pavilions, picnic tables, areas to put in kayaks and canoes and more! The first time I visited, I explored a bit of the hiking trails around the perimeter of the lake. The second time, I brought my takeout lunch from a nearby restaurant to enjoy at one of the picnic tables along the water. The park is beautiful, not very crowded, and I look forward to exploring it more in the future! read more

See all

This place is beautiful. It's the best kept secret in Baltimore. They have hidden trails. There are beautiful parks to take the kids. The trails go all way from falls road, to Ruxton Road. Be careful for the bees in summer. They have lots of hives in this park. There is free parking. Very glad I found this especially during Covid, great workouts either on the trails or waking around the park. The trails is hard to find you have to walk through the park, down some stairs the stairs a workout on its own lol. Once you walk down the stairs there are light rails tracks, and there the trail begins. read more

Lake Roland - Standing on bridge - Lakes Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

What a little gem not far from the city. There are great hiking trails and the lake is one of the few places around that allows you to take your own kayaks to explore at no cost. To kayak, the space to get in isn't really constructed so it's more of stepping off the dock or walking through the grass and hopping in where others have forged a path. It is near where the locals fish, so you have to navigate carefully. Once out past the fisherfolks, you can take in the quiet of the lake and turn the corner to see an even larger area. I've been a few times and it was always quiet with at most only 2 other boats were out there at the same time. The trails themselves are well maintained and there is a great variety. It does seem to get busy mid-morning on nice days (totally expected), but during COVID I've seen most people being very respectful of masking and distancing. I also know there is a sizable playground and dog park area for folks who are looking for those amenities. read more

Even though this park is 25 minutes from us, it's our favorite place to go for small hikes, walks or just sitting out on a blanket reading and enjoying a snack. Very family friendly, and if you go when the nature center is open, it offers clean restrooms (a plus for someone like me who has a tiny bladder, but loves water and coffee). There is a members only dog park here with a code to enter. If I had a dog of my own, I'd definitely sign up. Little pavilion areas are available, as well as grills. Trails are located on the other side of the light rail tracks. We actually discovered a new one the last time we were there. read more

Lake Roland - Borrowed a friends dog for the day to sit on the hill and read. Overlooking the dog park - Lakes Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I love this place. Be careful going through the trails because ya might just get lost but either way, it's fun and beautiful! Very clean as well read more

Lake Roland - Deep in trail - Lakes Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Lake Roland is part of Lake Roland Park and included in Lake Roland Historic District. It is home to the The Baltimore Water Company was purchased by the City of Baltimore in 1854. However, by 1915, due to various issues its service to the City ended. Today, it is a defunct reservoir. There are several nature trails, a dog park, a nature center, covered pavilions, sitting areas, a playground, and seasonal water activities. Beautiful and scenic, if offers flora and fauna, a variety of wildlife, and paved walkways. read more

See all

Love the old railroad trails. Nice lake for walking and recreation. On the trail someone has started installing rustic art. Kind of Blair witch like. The flat trail gives you a nice 5K out and back off of parking on Falls Road Great park. read more

This park is close to our house. We visit often to hike or play at the playground. The dog park is for members only. The trails are simple, easy and not complicated. Parking is a bit weird and you have to walk a Waze from the parking lot to the trail heads or playground. read more

What a great escape from the city! I love that it's only 10 minutes from downtown, but it's just far enough to seem like a getaway. It's open from sunrise to sunset, and it's free which is always a plus! There's a fenced in dog park, a nice kid's playground, and today I saw quite a few people bring their kayaks and canoes to go for a paddle. I could see where you may need to wear some heavier duty hiking boots if it has rained recently because the paths can get a bit muddy in areas. The pink trail going north from the main parking lot is fun and along the trail there is a neat overhang/cave which is a fun place to sit and look over the lake. The red trail runs along the old rail road and this is the path where they have this Art on the Trail program where artists can propose projects or sculptures to put up along the trail. I really love this idea, it makes the hike more fun when you're looking for art! read more

See all

I have been coming to Lake Roland for years and love how charming this park is. With wonderful hiking trails and with Autumn here, the leaves are to die for! You can bring any type of hiker here- I take my older family and just walk around the paved section of the park because it's easier for them to walk around and then when my active friends want to really hike, we go deep into the woods and use tree roots and boulders for support! So much wonderful wildlife- turtles, cranes, beavers, sunfish, all types of birds and eagles, foxes- plenty of great animals for children and adults alike to appreciate year round. There is a dog park that I'm not particularly fond of because that used to be my favorite part of the park to have a picnic and you have to be a member to gain access, but it is wonderful for dog owners! They have a playground for young children, a new nature center, and always have a good mix of bikers, hikers, and walkers! Go here after work or on a weekend to decompress without exhausting yourself trying to plan an extensive weekend hiking trip! read more

Lake Roland - Sitting on cave @ Lake Roland - Lakes Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Boasting miles of hiking trails winding around a shimmering lake in the middle of serenity, Lake Roland (formerly Robert E. Lee Park) is one of my go-to destinations if I yearn to seek a sense of calm. It's easily accessible off of Falls Road and surrounding neighborhoods, and features many great attractions: the red trail displays wooden sculptures by local artists, the blue trail leads you beside a creek, and the pink trail brings you to an overhang that makes you feel like you're in a cave. The paved loop leads you to a beautiful dog park that includes part of the lake, but paid access is required. If you get lucky, you can even glimpse a great blue heron every now and then! Trail map: http://lakeroland.org/trail-maps/ read more

Lake Roland - The "cave" overlooking Lake Roland iin the winter - Lakes Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

If you are looking for beauty and peace this is the place for you. There were so many beautiful babies and wonderful Pets. I can not wait to come back. Warning... You may start creating your own family and looking forward to purchasing a puppy once you are here. I went and now I can't wait to have another one and get a dog. They are now both on my to do list. read more

Lake Roland - Just Beautiful - Lakes Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

See all

The trails throughout Lake Roland are my favorite for trail running in the Baltimore area. There's a great mixture of flat and hilly trails, paved and dirt, whatever floats your boat! (Although I don't believe they allow boats on the lake.) I really love the main trail with the environmental art installations. Even though I've seen the pieces countless times I always think it's fun to read about the local artists who created them. By far my favorite time to visit the park is in the spring - there are hundreds of turtles basking in the sun! What a site to see. This park has a great dog area where pups can play off-leash. On top of that, there's a decent-sized playground that seems like it would be a great place for youngins to make new friends. The picnic area is great for group get-togethers and I've had several wonderful Sunday picnics on the grass. I love how much parking is available, and that you can access the park by getting off of the Falls Rd. light rail stop. I regularly bike to the lake from my home in Hampden using the bike lane on Roland Ave. Though there isn't any designated bike parking, I've never had any trouble locking my bike up to a fence. read more

Robert E. Lee park is great for people of all exercise levels, kids, dogs, etc... there is something outdoorsy for everyone! There are two entrances to the park... the main entrance is off Falls Road (look for signs by Pepe's Pizza and the Snow Ball stand)... it is a little windy road that will take you all the way back to a parking lot. A short walk from the parking lot will get you to the dam, beautiful views, always clean and never too busy. So if you want a short walk, this is perfect, picnic tables are around the dam as well. If you pass dam and go over the bridge you will get you to the park where there are pavilions to rent out plentiful trees and some field space and even a butterfly enclosure (I have never seen this in use though), the pathway is about a half mile loop. Paw Point dog park, is beyond all of the pavilions at the end of the park. It is huge! And very very very nice for a dog park. There is even a small area where dogs can jump in the water! The reason it is so nice is because you have to be a member, I believe the fee is $30 a year and you can have up to two dogs per household for that price. (more info: http://pawpoint.org). Also in the park there is a hiking/running trail (if you follow the path around the park you cannot miss it).... the trail is about 2 miles long to the very end which is were the second entrance is. The second entrance is for runners/hikers/dogs... you can park right off the road on Falls Road, this is North of the main entrance before you get to Ruxton Road. Parking here will allow you to get on the trail that is a straight shot to the main park.... there are plenty of areas where you can let your dog jump in the creek on this walk/run (especially if you make it to the bridge, about 1/2 mile). When you get to a split in the path, the straight one is flat, the other one is more hills and narrow at times, but they always run back into each other... for more trail info read here: http://www.trailrunner.com/state_trails/md_robertelee_park.htm read more

This review is only for the trails at Robert E. Lee. The trails are gorgeous, pristine, just long enough for a mild out and back in the morning and quiet. Why 3 stars? EVERYONE has their dog off leash in these trails. That's fine, my dogs are off leash too, but they don't leash their dogs up when encountering other dogs or people. Dogs are supposed to have the option of greeting other dogs, not be required to do so. My dog is leash reactive, which means he gets very uncomfortable greeting other dogs while on leash. I've had 100 lb + dogs come barreling towards us while the owner calls from far back 'Don't worry! He's friendly!' That's great but I'm not going to take your word for it. If you don't have the recall to get your dog back to you with another dog approaching, they shouldn't be off leash in the first place. Moving my morning walks over to Oregon Ridge. read more

It's a beautiful dog-friendly park! I enjoy coming here to watch the pups run over each other and drool everywhere. It's great free entertainment, although you need a code to get into the actual dog play pen area if you want to participate in those activities. I believe you need to be a yearly subscriber to the dog club or something. Aside from that, there's a playground for the kids, a lake, dam, walking trails, and tracks where the light rail breezes by every now and then (so be aware!). I enjoy coming here :) read more

I used to visit here a lot. Its very peaceful, especial when there isn't a lot of foot traffic. I like going early in the morning. Someone told me that she usually would go super early to watch the sun rise. I may actually do that too. The waterfall is very refreshing to see and hear. I need to get back out there. read more

Beautiful park great place for events and family outings. Lots of lovely fall colors and the waterfall is amazing. Park had great play areas for children also. Definitely would recommend checking out. read more

Lake Roland - Very nice view..... - Lakes Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Such a nice, well manicured and clean park. Lots of great play areas for the little ones with the requisite swings and slides but this one was special with a cute sandbox and drum sets. Our girls loved it! It's tucked away off the main road and easy to miss - which might've why it's so nice, lol read more

Lake Roland - Play area - Lakes Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

See all

The newly re-opened dog park is great. Nice and spacious, and there is even an official doggy swimming area. This is the best place I've found to let my dog run free without driving way out. It does require "membership" - an annual fee and a gate code, but to me this is worth it for a nice, safe place to take the pooch. read more

Great park for long walks through the woods, or taking your dog (leash-free) for a swim in Lake Roland. There's a big grassy area where dogs and their owners hang, and some people lying about on blankets. Keep walking towards the woods and there's tons of trails going deep into the woods along an old railroad track and the Lake. Lots of people here walking, running, and biking. There's tons of trails to explore, although watch out for fallen logs in the beginning, especially if you're on your bike! You could get lost in this park for hours and keep discovering new areas everytime you go back. read more

This park is somewhat mis-characterized as a dog park, even though that is what seems to attract the majority of visitors. It's so much more, at least for those who like secluded trails around Lake Roland and the gorgeous surrounding neighborhood. Of course, be prepared for lots of dogs and their owners. read more

Don't even think about going if you have a dog. There is a woman ranger there who is very aggressive about ticketing for ANY reason. She will ask for your dog liscense...don't have it. $30. Is your dog wearing it's rabies tag...no...$30. And just forget about any thought of letting your pet off leash. TICKET! I understand dog rules are important in the community, but if everyone's well behaved this kind of ticketing is too much. read more

Really lovely, well-maintained dog park. I know that many complain about the yearly "membership" fee - however, I think it's the best $30 I've spent. There is peace of mind knowing that all the dogs in the park have all their vaccinations and the park is well taken care of. The trails in the back of the park are great as well, though they can get a bit muddy. read more

The only reason I am giving this park 4 instead of 5 stars is because of some of the issues I have had with PawPoint: 1. I wrote a check to PawPoint in January and no one attempted to withdraw the funds until March. This would have been fine if I hadn't switched banks. Well, PawPoint was kind enough to email me to say I owed them 35 dollars plus 10 dollars for a declined check fee. I nicely emailed them back to say I had no problem writing another check for 35, but the additional 10 was bogus. How is it my fault that you can't get to the bank in a reasonable amount of time? I then received two annoying calls at work asking me where the 45 dollars was. At that point I talked to my sister (who also happens to be an attorney) who reassured me that, yes, they're full of bs. But we both decided it wasn't worth "fighting", so I wrote the check and went on my way. I guess I thought maybe, just maybe, they would do what a reasonable person would do and actually get that check to the bank within a reasonable amount of time. And I was wrong. The check didn't hit my account until July 16. I wrote the check in May. All told, it took over 7 months for PawPoint to officially accept me as a member. 2. I thought my dog and I would meet dogs and people who wanted to arrange playdates. That is definitely not the case. People just want to wear their dogs out. And that's cool, but also unfortunate. My dog has really bonded with some of the dogs there on occasion, and it would be cool if he could have some one-on-one time with his friends. 3. My dog is ridiculously good-natured, and he will submit or run away before he ever fights. (That said, my dog LOVES to watch a fight, and trots over to watch whenever one breaks out.) You definitely encounter some aggressive dogs here. There have been times when my dog has become completely prostrate in the face of a snarling, growling dog. Did the owner remove her dog? No. Another time, a dog that entered the dog park walked around and systematically peed on other dogs, including my dog. My dog was in shock as this was happening. He then ran to me and sat at my side, confused about this behavior. Did the owner remove her dog? Of course not. Just imagine that, a random dog kicking his/her leg up and peeing on your dog! Ugh...I'm not a dog expert, but even I know this is not right! 4. Some people don't "believe" in picking up after their dogs. This is gross. Ok, 2 and 4 are really somewhat insignificant, but 1 and 3 are not. Although I may not rejoin PawPoint next year, I will continue to visit Robert E. Lee. It is a beautiful park, but my experience with PawPoint (particularly the payment and dog aggression issues) have not been good. On the plus side, the park is generally well-maintained, and I like the variety of dogs (from dachshunds to great danes). We will miss these aspects if we do not return. read more

While I would have rather the name change been to what The Little Bells have been calling it since the first one could talk: The Whispering Woods.....I'll settle for Lake Roland we love this place and it's great that those who run this place wanted it's name to reflect a spirit of welcome for everyone regardless of race. Kudos! There's a dog park here. A light 'hiking' trail, a kids park, a waterfall etc. they also do great programming here. Camp out. Camp fires and fishing for kids. Wonderful place for you to bring the kids for some outdoor time. read more

This is very close to my home, I went when they had their grand opening, the park itself is actually quite small. That day I over heard a man from the 70's era say that they used to rent out boats, I suppose that is what the little dock area was used for, also that day I saw some people fishing... so I suppose you can do that too! The dam or whatever it is, is really cool to look at. Theres a large gazebo where you could have a big picnic table party if you wanted I suppose... Anyways a friend that had been there a few years back took me on an off trail venture to the "cave" IDK its an overhang... you can see it from the dock area, its in the back, just looks like a stone, well you can actually crawl under this, and its like a mini cave, and it was really cool chilling on top of teh rock/cave sunbathing. On another note, go down the steps to the left of the main park area and there is a LONG trail... my bf and I walked for a very long time down this trail and it was very interesting with a swampy area full of toads, and I believe I heard geese mating, and saw a deer, this is WAY far down the trail, and we asked an elderly man where it lead and he said Falls road... Anyways we went in a very good time, but I think you should bring mosquito repelent should you choose to cross over the lite rail tracks, and onto the LONG trail, where you can see old train tracks. Will see wild life! read more

Lake Roland - From inside the overhang - Lakes Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland