Great hike for all ages and most abilities. I went hiking with my brother and his family and they…read morehave 4 kids ages 3-9. There is a Porta Potty at the beginning of the trail in the parking lot. The trail is well maintained. The are parts where the elevation is a little steep and long. If you have lunch issues then the elevated parts may be an issue. There is one part where you have to cross the river that requires some balance and walking across stones or through the water, whichever you prefer. The trail has tree roots on it in several parts, so watch your ankles so you don't roll them. There are benches along the way to sit rest on and there are benches at the end of the trail overlooking the falls. The falls has a little pool below it that is fun for the kids who like to wade in it. There are large flat stone spaces where you can sit and observe the falls.

Beautiful spot for a family splash. Reserve your spot in advance to ensure you are able to park. We…read moregot there early on our reservation day and had plenty of space and peaceful time there.

Absolutely love coming here. Good fishing amazing views the boat rental place has great service and…read moregood people working there.

Such a beautiful place for an easy hike. My friends and I did an easy 6.5 mil hike here at Loch…read moreRaven Reservoir. No hiking sticks needed. Long trails. Some muddy areas, not much. Lots of water to see. Fun fact: I didn't know but Loch Raven Reservoir supplies drinking water for the city of Baltimore!! The Reservoir is pretty popular on Saturdays and Sunday morning, early before 9am. I've never been during the week so I'm not sure of the traffic during those times. 5 stars! Heading back with my bike

Not exactly the safest hike since I went down closer to bridge trekking through rocks LOTS before…read moregetting to platform then took steep steps up only to find trail closed Oops!

Definitely a hidden spot, but not quite a gem. The place needs upkeep. Steep downhill walk, you…read moredefinitely need shoes with traction; one wrong move and you could impale yourself in one of the rebars sticking out along the trail. The viewing platform is old and needs reinforcement. The site is pretty especially with the autumn colors, but desperately needs work. There are two viewing spots: one on the deck right near the falls, and one concrete path spanning the creek and you can view the whole falls.

I hadn't been out to OR for a long time but had the opportunity to enjoy some nature and food truck…read moretacos on a beautiful Baltimore day. The trees are in full bloom, everything is green and bursting with life and it was peaceful in this place. Beware of the poison ivy though - it's everywhere and it's YUGE!

This is one of our favorite places to visit because of the scenic trails and the indoor nature…read morecenter displays. The trails are relatively easy but fun to explore and you can go shorter or longer distances depending how much time you have. We enjoy visiting for a change of pace from the Pennsylvania State Parks because while the trails aren't extremely rugged or long, they're fun and the nature center has interesting displays and creatures to visit.

Divided into 6 parts, it's not possible to do it in one day or even one week. Each part is…read moredifferent, although there is overlap. It could take a lifetime to get to know this park well. It's pretty huge. In fact, it's Maryland's largest state park. I spent 4 days here camping recently and barely scratched the surface. There are lots of hiking trails for all levels. There are numerous bike trails that are flat and easy, including the famous Torrey C. Brown rail trail that goes for about 20 miles and crosses into Pennsylvania. And there's also a fair amount of mountain bike trails that range from moderate to difficult. There are places to swim and picnic too. All of it is family friendly. Essentially, the park is the land all along both sides of the Little Gunpowder Falls River. You'll just have to see it for yourself. I can recommend Jesse's Trail and Pleasantville area loop for mountain biking; Torrey C. Brown rail trail (an all-weather trail made of crushed stone that's flat and smooth) for both hiking and biking; and Hobo Beach for a dip in the water. Parking can be challenging, so the earlier in the day, the better.

a magnificent state park offering endless opportunities for outdoor adventure! with scenic hiking…read moretrails, beautiful river views, kayak and canoe launches, and peaceful picnic areas, it is a perfect destination for nature lovers, families, and anyone looking to relax outdoors.

Amazing hiking trails! Trails are pretty accessible for all levels…read more The trail maps need updating as there are some new trails.

It's closed for months to repair a sewage siphon in spring, which is ridiculous. There's a sewage…read morepipe that empties into the waterfall area, but people don't seem to care and they swim, even though you can smell the sewage. The whole place and even the forest is littered with hard lemonade and beer bottles, babies diapers, dog poop and all kinds of food wrappers.

Can't believe I've never come across this park before! I wanted to go for a walk after running some…read moreerrands and looked up nearby parks and decided to go this one. So happy I went! It's a beautiful, wide open area with plenty of space to walk. There's also trails but I didn't explore that part because I wasn't wearing the right shoes and didn't know how to get to the trail itself. I love the history about the apple orchard trees and will definitely be coming back.

Cromwell is such a magical place for me and my family! We come here on rainy days and on sunny days…read moreas well! There is so much to do no matter the season. I'm always looking for something to do with my toddler on rainy days and the nature center is the perfect place to get out of the house for a bit. Whether you want to wander on a trail, visit the nature center, pack a picnic and sit on the grass, or attend an event, Cromwell has so many options. There is something to do for all ages! The events they organize for children and adults are thoughtful and engaging! We have all learned so much through their educational programs. My 3 yr old loves to visit the chickens and play in the nature center. It is such a great place to go on a rainy day! The parking lot is a short walking distance to the entrance of the nature center. On sunny days, we like to pack snacks and sit out on their picnic tables and/or grass. Their outdoor playground is so much fun too! We love exploring the gardens, visiting the frogs and seeing all the flowers bloom. It's so peaceful and relaxing to sit and listen to all the sounds of nature. On warm days, Cromwell is the perfect place to throw rocks in the stream and dip your feet in the water after hiking on the many trails! There are so many shaded spots to sit and relax. We love to go to the open fields to bring a soccer ball and a picnic blanket. Everyone who works there is so friendly and inclusive! It really is a magical place to explore and wander. My son has developed a deep love for nature through exploring the nature center and the park! We can't wait to come back!

I have so many fond memories of this place.. My mini mees' and my hubs would often hike and take…read morepics and then we would go home to paint a scenic mural on canvas. When you reach the overlook be careful there are snake pits! My hubs thinks its funny when he sees me scream in a panic and I thought all of Maryland heard my screams! I suggest wearing pants and bring repellent especially for ticks.. wear socks and shoes with good traction. No Crocs, No Yeezys, No Birkinstocks, No AF1s. You will have to climb some rocks or trees so you dont wanna slip n slide . If youe coming here for a picnic get your chicken and grub from the Dickerson market!! Best time to go is mid October when the leaves change colors!

I visited this place for the first time. Beautiful view. Now, as a non-hiker this was a little…read morechallenging BUT, very rewarding! There are a lot of rocks to walk and shift over, a few fallen trees you have to sorta climb over. (Not too hard) Those steps however, MAN! Them things will take you out! Lol. There were plenty of areas to stop for breaks though so do it your own pace. Everyone there was very friendly and few shared very helpful tips! Overall a great experience, and as crazy as it sounds, I do it again! Something to think about though...I wore shorts, but I would suggest wearing pants. Someone I was with kept getting these green spiky things stuck to them and I have no idea what that was but it's a no. Also, if you have some hiking shoes or boots wear those. Trying to walk on rocks and walk downhill you might slide a little bit. You want to have some sort of stability. Last they have these, for a lack of better word, hiking sticks that a lot of other hikers had that seem to be very helpful from what one of them told me I would suggest getting a pair of those as well. I hear they have them at Costco.

I've been coming to this state park since before I could walk. I raised my three children at this…read morepark. I remember when they had a boardwalk and a game room. I've been coming for years and they have still maintained this park from 2001 when my oldest was born until now in 2025. The grounds are always maintained, plenty of parking, and grills. The pavilions have outlets and plenty of space. I can appreciated this park being maintained throughout the years. The park rangers are knowledgeable , helpful and nice.

I am OBSESSED with the Hammerman Area at Gunpowder Falls. I purchased an annual state park pass,…read moremainly so I could come here and to Patapsco more regularly. The Hammerman area has a small beach, with sand and grass options. The water was a great temperature both times we went, and the water is not at all gross like I was expecting. You can go in without any water shoes. There is a building with showers, changing rooms, bathroom, water fountains, vending machines. It is close enough to walk to from the picnic table area that has grills and a large pit for hot coals. One huge downside was that I did not notice any trash cans in the area nearby. I want to go back to try some of the trails nearby.

[Coronavirus review] Maryland is a diverse state, and…read morefrankly this is the least interesting region of it, lacking the grace and and beauty of shale infused mountains to the west, the richness and peace of the waterside, or the dynamism and diversity of the more urban areas, Central Maryland is mostly known for farms and horses, which are nice enough but not something I drive to. This park does have some things to offer, and it is a viable destination during corona time. Parking in the "rapids" (I discerned nothing approaching white water on the lazy stream running by) is free, but yields a significant uphill climb up stairs that look like they might lead up to Shelob's lair. The park lives up to its name. If you're looking to shed some corona pounds, the trails are not long, but the changes in elevation make for a workout. The most picturesque rock outcropping challenged my fear of heights and I got the best shots I could. A wetland on the other side was a nice change of pace. I'm not a huge fan of parks that have different sites under one name, but in this case, the satellite Rocks Park sites, including Hidden Valley and a waterfall both to the north, provide a combined experience which makes the drive more worthwhile. I got a couple of hours of hiking out of the main location, but a solid half day including the other two sites, so if you're going to drive up here, you might as well check everything out.

This review is specifically for the King and Queen Seat Loop (white trail). Came at 10am on a Sat…read moreAM in Feb (30 deg, windy). Had no trouble parking at what I assume is the Rapids Parking Area prob 0.1 miles down from the Park HQ. The spot I parked at had about 5-6 spots, did not cost $, and there were not many people there that day at all. The tree blazes are well marked and visible with the different colors and there are plenty of signs on the trail for guidance (some of them were a bit convoluted). Well kept trails, with plenty of mossy rocks (true to name) and running next to a river/creek. I'm sure there would be much more greenery and plant life in the spring and summer. For the King and Queen Seat Loop (white trail) specifically: - at the trailhead, turn left to get the whole 3 mile loop experience (turning right leads you straight to the rock/view which isn't very rewarding). At some point you run into the blue loop which you can take for a small detour before coming back to the white trail. - as someone who works out and runs regularly, the loop is easy to mild moderate. Not too much incline. Great for a nature walk with some terrain and nice views. - the view at the King and Queen Seat is great! Hawks also perch and fly around there so you can see them pretty closely! Overall, a very nice park! I would come back again another season when more plants are back to life and also to check out Kilgore Falls close by.