Fresh Air Family Time: Baltimore

Fresh air and social distance are a natural pair.

At happyly, it is our goal to support your family's innate desire to remain healthy and happy, while still having fun. In this period of social distancing, there are ways to safely supplement your creative time at home with fresh air activities. They should be deliberate outdoor plans that respect and honor our community initiative to eliminate the threat of this virus through our united efforts.

Every family has to make their own choice when it comes to entering public spaces, so following an honest assessment of previous personal exposure and potential signs of questionable health, we feel that hiking in nature is an ideal way to keep an active family moving.

Obviously, taking precautions and paying careful attention to maintaining a respectful distance has never been more important. We have put together a list of some of our favorite hikes, and we highly suggest using alltrails.com as your secondary source for additional walks off the beaten path.

Please explore some of our recent blogs COVID-19 daily schedule for pre-school and grade school and Keeping kids active while protecting them, yourself and the community from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) for more information and creative ways to stay positive during this very anxious time. There will be much more to come, so keep an eye out for new content, stay healthy and honor our elders through respectful caution.

Visit Maryland’s Second Biggest Waterfall: Kilgore Falls

The Falling Branch area of Rocks State Park comprises 67 acres of land five miles north of the main area of the park. It is home to Maryland’s second highest waterfall, Kilgore Falls. The hike to the falls is only half-a-mile and offers really fun terrain. Hikers will cross a bridge, climb over rocks and, finally, reach the summit of the falls. Visitors can also wade in the stream below, although no lifeguards are on duty. 

The trail is not difficult, but it is definitely not stroller friendly. Baby-wearing for infants and unstable walkers would be advised. There is a portable toilet in the parking lot, but that is the extent of the bathrooms. There are also no designated eating areas or picnic tables. If a snack is necessary, you’ll have to step off to the side of the trail.  

Falling Branch is a very popular destination but the parking lot is very small. It’s kept small to reduce crowding and minimize damage that may be caused by too many visitors, which makes it an ideal hiking opportunity when you’re trying to maintain social distance in light of the novel Coronavirus. It’s best to visit at off-peak times such as weekdays or early in the morning. The parking lot is free to use and opens at 8 am from March to October and 10 am from November to February. 

When you’re done visiting the falls, check out the nearby Eden Mill Nature Center where you can get up close and personal with native Maryland species, learn about the property’s history as a grist mill, and explore more great hiking trails. The main area of Rocks State Park is also a short drive away and offers even more hiking, a nature exploration area and Deer Creek, where visitors can wade and tube.

*As of June 24, 2019 the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has implemented a parking pass system. In order to visit on summer weekends or holidays, guests will need to reserve a free parking pass by calling 410-557-7994 Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - noon. This ensures that all who play to visit the falls will be able to park and enjoy the area!*

Oregon Ridge in Cockeysville, MD

If you're looking for a family friendly park in Maryland, check out Oregon Ridge Park and Nature Center, about 18 miles from Baltimore. Originally an iron ore and marble mine in the mid-19th century, the land is now a public park on over 1,000 acres owned by the Baltimore County Department of Parks and Recreation. The central area of the park features the well-maintained Oregon Ridge Nature Center, kid-friendly hiking trails, playgrounds, and the remains of some of the original buildings from the mining village of the 1840s and '50s. 

The park also features a picturesque lake, although swimming and boating are prohibited.  Throughout the grounds and in the nature center you can check out the birds, reptiles, and small mammals that are housed at Oregon Ridge. Picnic tables are scattered throughout the park so make sure to pack a lunch – you’re going to want to spend all day here!  

The Oregon Ridge Nature Center is staffed with friendly and knowledgeable park service rangers that will happily answer any questions you may have. You’ll also find trail maps, bathrooms (with changing tables), green space, and a children’s activity area. Students can learn about the history of the area, rich in natural resources, via Baltimore County Public School's archeological programs to conduct excavations and historical research. 

There's a self-guided walking tour available, as well as viewing of live excavations, and displays of various artifacts from the former residents and labor force that lived in the former town. We recommend making that your first stop and planning your visit from there. 

There are too many awesome areas to pick a favorite, but one of the most unique features of Oregon Ridge is the natural play area. Kids can leap across tree stumps, see-saw on a log, and climb up a steep hill with the assistance of a rope, among other things.  The focus of the park is "getting back to nature," and it can be muddy, even a few days after a rain. Dress appropriately and definitely choose footwear that can handle the dirt.  

If the natural playground is too muddy for your crew, check out the other section of the park that's just a short drive up the road (turn right when exiting the main entrance and drive about half a mile, the driveway and parking lot will appear on your right). There you’ll find a huge playground with a solid rubber surface and tire playground that's great for all weather.

Parking is abundant and there is no fee for entry to the grounds or nature center. The layout of the park does not make it stroller friendly so baby-wearing is the best choice for infants and young toddlers. The vast space available in the park also ensures that it’s never overly crowded, even during popular events, which is why this is such a fantastic spot when you're looking for parks near Baltimore appropriate to hike that allow you to keep your social distance. The park is open every day sunrise to sunset, March thru October. In the winter (November thru February) the park is open 8am-5pm.

North Point State Park

North Point State Park is not short on history. It was home to the Bay Shore Amusement Park from 1906 to 1947, and before that, soldiers marched along The Defenders Trail during the War of 1812. Today, you’ll find a beautiful waterfront park that features fishing piers, scenic water views, and hiking trails. 

North Point allows visitors to get a sense of one of Maryland’s great ecosystems. Over half of the park is designated as protected Wildlands. There you can see local birds and wildlife including muskrats, beavers, foxes, otters, osprey, great blue herons, and bald eagles.​​ 

Visitors can hike on the easy to navigate Black Marsh Trail to get to the observation trail for the best views of the area. The Hiker-Biker trail, a stone dust surface, runs through the woods behind the old trolley station. It makes a great spot for stroller running or bike riding. Additionally, there is some access to the water for wading and swimming, but it is limited. 

There is a very small beach (maybe 60-90 feet of beachfront) that provides just enough sand to let the kids get their fill and just enough water to dip toes in. North Point is great for the family that wants to combine hiking with the beauty of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay.

North Point also features ample picnic tables for sitting, snacking, and relaxing. The Visitor’s Center opens from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Outside of those dates, there are portable toilets available. The park is trash-free so plan to carry out whatever you carry in. The price to enter the parking lot is $3-6 per vehicle and varies by season. 

Sandy Point State Park

If you’re looking for a state park with an incredible view then you’d be hard pressed to top Sandy Point State Park.  This 786-acre Maryland State Park is situated along the Northwestern shore of the Chesapeake Bay in full view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The park offers both beaches and picnic areas that take full advantage of the view. 

The beach area has very small waves that are the perfect size for delighting little people without sweeping them away.  Sandy Point offers a marina store and boat rentals and accessible food and beverage concession in season. There is fishing as well as picnic areas, shelters, bathhouses and playgrounds. 

About a thousand feet from the shore you can observe the Sandy Point Lighthouse, built in 1883. It features a 37-foot Empire-style, eight-sided red brick tower with a white roof and black lantern. The lighthouse is a beautiful symbol of the scenery of the Chesapeake Bay and the history it has to offer in addition to the abundant flora and fauna.

If hiking is what you’re looking for the Symbi Trail is located by the first picnic area on the right after entering the park. This trail provides views of an old planted pine forest and leads to nearby marshes. There is another short trail near the small craft parking lot that provides hikers with plenty of bird watching opportunities. Bordering Sandy Point State Park is the Tract, a natural environmental area. Here there are approximately four miles of trails where you can hike, jog, and experience nature!

The Sandy Point Nature Center displays much of the usual nature center fare including a indigenous snakes, turtles and frogs. Hands-on displays for kids include an area where they can dress up like a ranger. 

A word to the wise, Sandy Point is a popular park when the weather is nice and often fills to capacity. Arrive early to ensure you can gain entry!  Pets are allowed in the boat ramp area to board vessels and in the day use area from October 1 through April 30​.

Stroller Running the NCR Trail

The NCR trail is twenty miles, extending from northern Baltimore County all the way to the Pennsylvania State Line. The trail is ten feet wide and the surface is entirely stone dust, ideal for bike riding, running, and even horseback riding. The easy terrain is a great choice for even the youngest hikers. While the stone dust makes for a smooth walk, it is definitely not as smooth as pavement. A jogging stroller may do the trick if you’re bringing along an infant, but a conventional stroller is probably not advisable.

The trail is mostly well shaded, so it can be enjoyed even when the weather gets hot. Visitors can also gain access to the Gunpowder River on the southern half of the trail. Fishing and tubing are permitted for those looking for an up-close experience with the water in season.

There are parking lots available at various points along the trail. Each lot has access to different amenities, including portable toilets, water fountains, and picnic tables. The southern portion of the trail tends to be the busiest and the lots can fill up on weekends. You’ll find the northern side to be less crowded and easier to navigate if you’re bringing a new walker or bike riding with kids. Regardless of where you park, be advised, all areas are trash-free so be prepared to pack out what you bring in.

Sparks Bank Nature Center is open on weekends from 10 am - 3pm and has it’s on parking lot and trail access. There's no official trail map, but you can find detailed directions to the major lots as well as the available amenities on citizen created sites. You can also find the parking lots on Google Maps. The trail is indicated by the green dotted lines and parking lots are pinned on the map. 

Sugarloaf Mountain

Sugarloaf mountain is owned by a private incorporation specially formed for the purpose of preserving the beauty of the mountain and surrounding area. Gordon and Louise Strong spent years gaining ownership of the many tracts that make up the property so visitors can enjoy them today. Stronghold, Incorporated was formed in 1946 to ensure that the beauty of the mountain would continue to be available to all. 

The first stop visitors can make after driving up the mountain is at the East View. The overlook is a very short walk from the parking lot and is a great spot for families to stop and take in the breathtaking scenery below. 

Hop back in the car and continue to drive to reach the West View. This is the area to go if your kids want to pretend to be mini mountain climbers. The area is full of boulders, big and small, that our kids love to scramble over as we make our way to the overlook. Visitors will have to climb a fairly steep set of stairs to reach the overlook on this side of the mountain, but it’s well worth it. The area also features many beautiful stone structures that have been put in by various superintendents over the years. 

We think that the best way to enjoy Sugarloaf is to just park and let the kids lead the way. The landscape is so varied and interesting that it is easy to spend a whole day there. Sugarloaf does offer bathrooms at the parking lots as well as some picnic areas. Because of the rocky terrain, strollers are not recommended.

For more information about coping with the necessary school closures and maintaining a spirit of community during this period of social distancing, we encourage you to check out the following articles.

Yes, You Actually Can Do Something About the Coronavirus

By Anne Helen Petersen

This Can Be Our Finest Hour -- But We Need All Of You.

By Gretchen Schmelzer

Schools Are Closing for Coronavirus. Now What?

By Marisa Porges

Please check out the blog for more inspiration from a list of March Weeknight Meals, Convenient Washington DC Cherry Blossom Stroller Runs, or join us as we Disconnect to Reconnect with more time at home as a result of necessary social distancing. If you are looking for family team-building at home, we recommend 100 Things: A Rewarding and Fun Family Activity.

Take a moment to explore suggestions from the happyly team aboutKeeping Kids Active while Protecting Them, Yourself and the Community from the Coronavirus as well as our Daily Schedule For Pre-School and Grade School. As always, we welcome your family's highlights! Tag us on Instagram @gethappyly!

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