Patapsco Valley State Park

The Patapsco Valley State Park is divided into six separate and distinct areas. Three support Camping, but only Daniels Area has boating.

Site #2 Daniels Area @ Patapsco Valley State Park *Paddleboards are usually not seen at Daniels Area but for first mile of waterway the water is calm and clean. More advanced paddlers might try their hands at minor rapids going up hill! *Recreational Canoes and Kayaks will have a great time as beginners and family safe paddling. *Fishing Kayaks are everywhere and for the first mile there are lots of corners to practice the casting. The water is clear and you’ll see the fish. *Sea Kayaks might find this route too tame and the larger boats not suited for the uphill paddling against small rapids. *We have seen lots of tubing from Woodstock running down to Daniels as a one-way paddle. So safe, one family brought along a small lap dog who smiled? As they drifted past us.

1# Patapsco Valley State Park - McKeldin Area 11676 Marriottsville Road Marriottsville, MD 21104 GPS N39 21.589 W076 53.467 Facility use: horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking, a disc golf course, fishing at the confluence of the North and South branches of the , and the Rapids area on the South Branch. (There are no horse to rent & ride here. Two Group Camping sites. Rural area but only three miles from Daniels Area)

2# Patapsco Valley State Park - Daniels Area 2090 Daniels Road Ellicott City, MD 21043 Put-in & Take-out Launch site GPS N39 18.888 W076 48.952 Facility use: once the site of a mill town called Daniels, the Daniels dam/spillover here backs up the Patapsco River with a constant two-foot depth providing smooth water for canoeing and kayaking, fishing, and swimming.

3# Patapsco Valley State Park - Pickall Area 8125 Johnnycake Road Woodlawn, MD 21244 GPS N39 18.705 W076 47.460 Facility use: Picnic shelters and playgrounds (Entrance by reservation only)

4# Patapsco Valley State Park - Hollofield Area 8020 National Pike Ellicott City, MD 21043 GPS N39 17.773 W076 46.861 Facility use: The park's center section features a 73-site campground, hiking trails, and shelters built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, plus a scenic overlook of the entire river valley. (Located off Rte 40 and near shopping centers, 5-mile drive to Daniels Area)

5# Patapsco Valley State Park - Hilton Area 1101 Hilton Avenue Catonsville, MD 21228 GPS N39 14.873 W076 44.568 Facility use: 12 tent-site campground with 6 mini cabins, a nature center for children, and access to Saw Mill Branch Trail and other trails. (Located in back of neighborhoods in center Catonsville town. Six-mile drive to Daniels Area)

6# Patapsco Valley State Park - Avalon Area 5120 South Street Halethorpe MD 21227 GPS N39 13.186 W076 42.307 Facility use: The area features many historic sites including , Bloede's Dam, Old Gun Road Stone Arch Bridge, and Swinging Bridge. Avalon Visitor Center is housed in a remnant of the mill town of the same name that once served the Avalon Nail and Iron Works. *The Park Ranger adds the Visitor Center is currently closed and slated to re-open 2017. He also warns this area of the park often closes on summer weekends to due capacity limitations. (Furthest from Daniels Area for boating. Patapsco River is very shallow here but wading is allowed. Avalon Pond is major draw for shoreline fishing and wild life viewing.) No camping or boating here but is most fun for family activities.

Daniels Area was developed for paddling boats and occasional tubing.

1) Daniels Area shoreline launch 2) River crossing railroad tracks as landmark for class two rapids and recommended safe turnaround. 3) Town of Woodstock put-in for tubing and smaller paddling craft one-way route. Town of Woodstock@ Rte. 125 GPS N39 19.847 W076 52.21 Patapsco Valley State Park Snap Shots

Avalon Area road sign Avalon Pond-geese Avalon Pond-turtles

Daniels Area shoreline launch Tandem Kayak couple Fishing Kayaks

Child studies Patapsco water Ankle deep water fun Patapsco 6in deep waterway

Daniels Ducks on stump Hilton Area Nature Center Canadian Geese swimming

Campground maps