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August Updates

Hollofield Area Campground is Closed for Renovations

Please be advised that the Hollofield Area Campground is not accepting reservations for the 2025 season due to a long-anticipated renovation.

While the Hilton Area campground will remain open for the season, campers should be aware the campground has a limited capacity and offers only camper cabins and non-electric, tent-only sites.

Hilton Area Nature Center and William Offutt Johnson History Center

These areas are currently closed as part of a temporary adjustment in staffing, made necessary by broader resource limitations. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to reopening these facilities when conditions allow.

Soldiers Delight Visitor Center Hours of Operation

Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Stop in to learn about the unique Serpentine Barren ecosystem and visit your favorite animal ambassadors! Due to resource constraints, park management may occasionally need to adjust staffing on short notice to meet operational needs across the park. We appreciate your patience and continued support.

August Programs and Events

Click the calendar to register for a program.

Hora De Cuentos Bilingüe/Bilingual Storytime
11 a.m. - noon

Remaining Sessions:

August 16 at McKeldin Area, Shelter 501

September 14 at Pickall Area

¡Únete a Latino Outdoors y Growing Minds Bookstore en su próxima hora de cuentos bilingües! Los niños de kinder a quinto grado disfrutarán de atractivas historias bilingües y pizza proporcionada por Scittino's.

Join Latino Outdoors and Growing Minds Bookstore at their upcoming bilingual storytime! Kids from kindergarten to fifth grade will enjoy engaging, bilingual stories, and pizza provided by Scittino's!

August 9: Cryptid Conservation Hike 6:30-7:45 p.m. at McKeldin Area, Plantation Trail Leave no trace! Bigfoot's been doing it for years! Learn about Maryland's cryptids on a guided hike through the Plantation Trail. This hike is about 1.7 miles and features rocky terrain and gradients. Signup is encouraged, hike is limited to 25 participants. Weather permitting.

August 15: River Snorkeling 2.0
6:30-8 p.m. at Avalon Area, Shelter 106

Spend an evening with a naturalist exploring the underwater world of Patapsco through freshwater river snorkeling! Ages 18-plus. Signup is required, masks and snorkels provided, limited to seven participants. Suitable weather and river conditions only.

August 16: Stickin' Around
1-3 p.m. at Soldiers Delight Visitor Center

Join us in Red Dog Lodge for an afternoon of crafting the perfect walking stick just for you! Learn about some of the historic uses of walking sticks as well as a bit about the trees they came from. Signup required, limited to 15 participants. $10 per stick. Rain or shine.

August 16: The Cosmic Distance Scale - A Journey Across the Universe 8:30-10:30 p.m. at Soldiers Delight Visitor Center Join Westminster Astronomical Society Inc. for an enlightening voyage through the vastness of space! Our stellar navigators will unravel the secrets of cosmic distances, allowing us to piece together the fabric of the universe using the astronomical unit (AU), parallaxes, and "standard candles."  Buckle up, stargazers! Reserve your seat for this cosmic odyssey. Signup encouraged.  Rain or shine.

August 17: Nature Painting 1-2 p.m. Hilton Area, Nature Center  Ever wanted to use paint made from a berry? Come join us to see what works of art you can create with the natural world. Signup required, limited to ten participants. Fee is $10 per participant. Rain or shine.

August 23: Citizen Science Coalition
1-3 p.m. at Soldiers Delight Visitor Center

Learn about the impacts and importance of citizen science and become a citizen scientist, yourself, as you help naturalists out on the trail and in the classroom. Includes a class and hike portion. Signup required, limited to 15 participants. Rain or shine.

August 24: Weaving with Invasives 
Noon - 3 p.m. at Soldiers Delight, Red Dog Lodge

Put some invasive plants to use by weaving them into a basket! Join the naturalist at the Historic Red Dog Lodge at Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area for an afternoon of weaving and learning about the invasive species that are affecting the area.  Signup required, limited to 15 participants. Rain or shine.

August 24: Folk Wisdom Weather 11 a.m. - noon at McKeldin Area, Shelter 576 People have been using folk wisdom to forecast the weather for generations. Take a leisurely guided hike on the Tall Poplar Trail with a naturalist and learn to separate fact from fiction. Signup required, limited to 25 participants. Weather dependent.

August 27: Ethnobotany Hike 10 a.m. - noon at Avalon Area, Cascade Falls Trailhead Curious about how Native Americans use the plants growing in our parks? Join a naturalist on a guided hike through Cascade Falls to learn more about the practical uses for plants in our backyards. This hike includes rocky terrain, inclines, and occasional narrow passages. Signup encouraged, limited to 25 people. Weather dependent.

August 27: Daniels Critter Canoe 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Daniels Area Dam Parking Lot Let’s explore the Patapsco River in search of wildlife via canoe! Come paddle with us and enjoy a serene summer evening. Only 16 spots available. Signup required. Event will be cancelled for heavy rain or extreme heat (temperatures above 100 degrees).

August 30: Gesture Drawing Hike 1-2:30 p.m. at McKeldin Area, Spring Glenn Trailhead Observe, hike, and sketch one of our most beloved trails using the technique of gesture drawing! You will learn how to quickly depict detailed natural objects and scenes with only a pencil and sketch pad. Signup encouraged, limited to 15 people. Weather dependent.

August 31: Reptile Rendering Noon - 2 p.m. at Soldiers Delight Visitor Center Join us to meet our residential Scale & Tales reptiles - then put a brush to canvas and paint one of these inspiring critters! All materials provided - beginners encouraged! $10 per painter.  Signup required, limited to 20 participants. Rain or shine.

Save the date for these upcoming programs!

September 6 International Vulture Awareness Day Celebration! How to Train Your Vulture 1-2 p.m. at Soldiers Delight Visitor Center This is Soldiers Delight. Northwest of Baltimore, North of D.C. This aviary? Sturdy  home to many raptors. But who are we here to celebrate? Nature's very own cleanup crew... the wonderful vulture! Join our naturalists as they lead you through a training session with our sociable vultures. Signups required, limited to 15 people.

September 7: School of Fish
9:30-11 a.m. at Avalon Area, Lost Lake

Fulfill the Maryland Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights that says that every Maryland child shall have the opportunity to catch a fish. Join us for an opportunity to catch a fish in the beautiful Avalon Area. No license required for anyone under 16. Limited gear available. Signup required, limited to 25 people. Weather dependent.

Girl Scouts Love State Parks! Every year, Girl Scouts explore the natural wonders found across our country during the Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend. During the weekend of September 13  & 14, 2024, Girl Scouts across Maryland will join their sister scouts to celebrate our shared love for the outdoors in our state parks, along with their troops, family, and friends. Each event is by registration only. Signup here.

September 12: Night Owl

6-8 p.m. at Avalon Area, Shelter 106
Night has captured the human imagination for centuries, and tonight will be no different! Join our naturalists as they lead you on a journey through the night, listening to stories and the nature all around you. Weather dependent.

September 13: Eco-Friend

1:30-3:30 p.m. at Hilton Area, Nature Center
Whenever you spend time outdoors, you can take care of the environment! Come join our naturalists as they lead you through the eco-friend badge and learn about the world around you. Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors welcome! Weather dependent.

September 13: Dark Skies Patch Program

6:30-8 p.m. at Soldiers Delight, Red Dog Lodge
Ever wondered why you can see the stars better in some areas than in others? Come join our naturalists as they guide you through the dark skies patch program. Weather dependent.

September 14: Outdoor Art Adventure

10 a.m. - noon at McKeldin Area, Shelter 550
Crafty day to you! Join our naturalists as they lead you on an awesome adventure through the outdoors through the medium of art! Seniors and Ambassadors welcome! Rain or shine.

September 14: Water Drop Patch Program

2-4 p.m. at Avalon Area, William Offutt Johnson History Center
Everywhere around you is water, do you want to learn how to protect it? Come join our naturalists as they lead you through the EPA’s water drop patch program. Cadets and under welcome. Weather dependent.

September 17: Patapsco Valley History Ride
12:30-2:30 p.m. at Avalon Area, William Offutt Johnson History Center

Patapsco Valley’s history is full of creation and destruction, and its future is full of promise. Led by a Naturalist, you’ll take a mostly flat and paved (6 mile) bike tour of the Avalon Area to discover the past, present, and upcoming potential of the areas that make up Maryland’s oldest state park. Participants will need to provide their own bicycles and safety gear. Helmets are required. Signup required, limited to 15 participants. Weather dependent.

A message from our Friends...

Friends is gearing up for an exciting stretch at PVSP, and we’re thrilled to be working alongside the Maryland Park Service to make it all happen!  The end of July and early August are packed with opportunities for everyone to get involved—volunteer trail work on July 26, an adaptive hike on August 3, and the always-anticipated MD Heat Race on August 9. It's a great showcase of community, inclusivity, and outdoor fun at PVSP! Tune into the Friends' website at fpvsp.org for all the details!

ADVISORY: Avian Influenza in Maryland

Highly Pathogenic H5 Avian Influenza (HPAI), often called “bird flu,” should be considered endemic throughout Maryland’s wild bird populations, especially waterfowl and raptors. Risk to human and pet health is low and outdoor activities are safe, but some precautions are advised. Anyone who sees sick or dead birds in the wild should not handle or move the birds, but should report them by calling 1-877-463-6497 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or leave a voicemail) or if in a Maryland State Park, they can also be reported to a park ranger. 

Unless otherwise noted, events are held rain or shine, free and fun for all ages; donations are always welcome. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

Dress for the weather/activity, wear sunscreen and insect repellent, bring plenty of water and snacks, and remember to check for ticks.

Please call 410-461-5005 for additional information or to register.

Patapsco Valley staff also manages Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area and Morgan Run Natural Environment Area.

Join Patapsco Heritage Greenway for 2025 events. Learn more on their website. 

Save Our Pollinators! Donate today to support butterfly and bumblebee habitat and education in state parks!  Donations in any amount are a helpful way to make a difference. Thank you!

Annual Pass Available for Purchase
$75 for Marylanders; $100 for out-of-state visitors

Our annual State Park and Trail Passport grants unlimited day-use admission and boat launching at state parks, and a 10 percent discount on state-operated concessions and boat rentals. 

To enhance convenience and value, this year's pass will arrive in a self-contained packet with a detachable hang-tag, and will be valid for a full year from the month of purchase. 

Our network of 75 state parks include more than 900 miles of trails for biking, hiking and horseback riding, as well as unique water access and camping facilities.

First Responders & Law Enforcement Discount: $40 off the Annual Park Pass, which provides unlimited day-use entry to all Maryland State Parks, plus free boat launching and discounts on concessions and boat rentals. Offer good for Maryland residents only.

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