Hello Summertime!
June has arrived, marking the official start to the summer season! With schools out and the kids at home, now is a great time to hit the trails and get in your "Miles for Maryland."
We kick off June with National Trails Day, an annual nationwide event held on June 6, to celebrate, advocate for, and maintain America's public trail systems. Show your support by taking a hike or volunteering in a park. We have a few suggestions to get you started...
- Tuckahoe State Park - National Trails Day Volunteer Project
Saturday June 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Meet at the Tuckahoe Office - 12282 Eveland Rd. Ridgely, MD 21660
Help us finish our reroute of the Tuckahoe Valley Trail. Tools provided. Bring sturdy work clothes and plenty of water. To register email:mark.herring@maryland.gov.
- New Germany State Park - 6-mile Endurance Hike
Saturday June 6 at 3 p.m. Meet at the Lake House.
Come prepared for a challenging hike throughout New Germany State Park to celebrate the recreational and health benefits that comes from hiking the trails! Bring plenty of water and snacks.
-
Paddlefest Returns to Janes Island State Park June 6-7
The annual Paddlefest at Janes Island State Park offers an opportunity to explore the salt marshes and water trails of Maryland’s southernmost park. Paddlefest includes nine scheduled paddles, as well as events for non-paddlers, such as pontoon boat tours, kids crafts, an afternoon concert, and s’mores in the evening. Admission is free. Read more.
Hike of the Month - Exploring the "Ice Cream Trail"
Our monthly hike recommendation for June comes from Emily Morrow, Outdoor Recreation Specialist with the Office of Outdoor Recreation, who suggests logging some of your "Miles for Maryland" on the 2026 Ice Cream Trail:
Looking for the perfect weekend plans? Maryland’s Best and the DNR Office of Outdoor Recreation have paired up yet again to bring you the 2026 Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail! Think of it as a delicious scavenger hunt across the state. The trail includes a curated list of Maryland creameries and nearby public lands where you can enjoy a hike before grabbing a scoop. Get outside, eat sweet treats, support local farms, and explore new places - what’s not to love?! Sign up for the free mobile pass to check in at participating locations and earn points and prizes. If you want to unplug while on the trail, you can also print out the free map to track your stops the old-fashioned way.
The 2026 Ice Cream Trail runs through Labor Day. Learn more and sign up today at marylandsbest.net.
Outdoor Recreation Specialist Isabel Layton takes a selfie along the Ice Cream Trail.
Hike the Rainbow
Discovering Maryland's Most Colorful Trails
This month, Myles challenges you to "Hike the Rainbow." How many different colors can you complete before the end of June? You can find the sheet (pictured left) to help track your colorful hikes on the Miles for Maryland Website. Print it out and color it in as you complete your hikes.
Here are just a few of our favorite colorful trails from which to choose, but there are many others for you to discover!
|
RED TRAILS:
-
Big Red Trail - Greenbrier State Park (Washington County) - The longest and most difficult in the park, this 4.5 mile forested trail is a complete circuit. Several very steep sections make this trail challenging. Find all of the trails at Greenbrier here: Greenbrier Trail Map
-
Red Trail - Fair Hill NRMA (Cecil County) - This 2.5 mile former logging road offers an easy-to-moderate hike through mature woodland and open hayfield, often skirting and crossing Grammies Run Creek. This is the least strenuous circuit at Fair Hill. Find all of the trails at Fair Hill here: Fair Hill NRMA Map
ORANGE TRAILS:
-
Orange Trail - Cedarville State Forest (Prince George’s County) - This 7-mile forested trail is a relatively flat, mostly single track with an easy rating. The Orange Trail crosses several other trails, making it easy to either shorten or extend your hike. The trailhead is located at the Park Headquarters parking lot. Find all of the trails at Cedarville here: Cedarville Map
-
Orange Trail - Calvert Cliffs State Park (Calvert County) - Enjoy the diverse landscape as you travel 2.4 miles along the most northern trail in the park, which runs through the State Wildlands area and crosses the Thomes Creek Bog. Find all of the trails at Calvert Cliffs here: Calvert Cliffs State Park Map
YELLOW TRAILS:
-
Yellow Poplar Trail - Gambrill State Park (Frederick County) - The longest of the Gambrill trails at 7 miles, this trail is moderately difficult. Spend several hours hiking up the mountain and out into the far reaches of the park to enjoy the view from North Frederick Overlook. Find all of the trails at Gambrill here: Gambrill Trail Map
- Yellow Trail - Fair Hill NRMA (Cecil County) - This moderate, 3.2 mile hike offers scenic views at the Scott’s Mill Bridge crossing on Big Elk Creek after a fairly rapid downhill descent. Continue north along the creek to enjoy the serene beauty. Find all of the trails at Fair Hill here: Fair Hill NRMA Map
GREEN TRAILS:
-
Green Trail - Fort Frederick State Park (Washington County) - The Green Trail is a 2-mile loop hike that follows a historic road previously used by the Civilian Conservation Corps. One mile is paved road (dotted green line on park map) and the other is along a rocky path through the woods, making it a medium difficulty hike. This is the longest trail in the park and there are upslopes and downslopes along the rocky trail. AllTrails Fort Frederick Fort Frederick Map
-
Seneca Greenway - Seneca Creek State Park- Spanning 16.5 miles from the C&O Canal and the Potomac River to MD-355, the Greenway provides the full panorama of Seneca Creek State Park. Due to its alignment in the floodplains of the creek, much of the Greenway is for foot-traffic only. The trail design allows for beautiful photography of the flowing creek waters as well as abundant wildlife observation. AllTrails Seneca Greenway Lower Trail
BLUE TRAILS:
-
Blue Trail- Herrington Manor (Garrett County) - This 2.4 mile loop trail goes through a hardwood forest with a moderate hill on one portion of the trail. Find all of the trails at Herrington Manor here: Herrington Manor State Park Trail Map
-
Blue Trail- Greenwell State Park (St. Mary’s County) - This moderate, 2.1 mile hike travels along the edge of open fields, ducking into the forest where you'll see Hog Neck Creek and Quarter Creek, secluded tidal creeks offering excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Find all of the trails at Greenwell here: Greenwell State Park Map
WHITE TRAILS:
-
White Trail - St. Mary’s River State Park (St. Mary’s County) - This 7.5 mile multi-use trail circles the lake and is popular for hiking, biking and horseback riding. St. Mary's Lake Map
-
White Oak - Gambrill State Park (Frederick County) - This easy 1-mile trail is open to hikers only (no bikes), and is a good choice for anyone looking for a short hike, including families with small children. Find all of the trails at Gambrill here: Gambrill Trail Map
BROWN TRAILS:
-
Brown Trail - Greenwell State Park (St. Mary’s County) - This easy 1.3 mile trail winds along fields, forest edges and the Patuxent River shoreline. It offers scenic overlook sites, as well as access to a small beach and the pavilion. Find all of the trails at Greenwell here: Greenwell State Park Map
-
Brown Trail - Cedarville State Forest (Prince Georges County) - The 2.5 mile Brown Trail is an easy loop, as it is generally level and dry. This trail passes an abandoned pine plantation and a four-acre pond. You will find the trailhead for the Brown Trail by the pond parking lot. Find all of the trails at Cedarville here: Cedarville Map
Where's Myles?
It certainly seems that Myles has been out and about with many of you during the past month. We love following his adventures with YOU!
 Photos of Myles submitted by Ruth, Bonnie, Jodi and Michael.
Thanks to everyone who has submitted photos while tracking their miles. Don't forget to submit your best photos with Myles - it may be in the next newsletter!
June Guided Hike Opportunities:
Guided Hikes - Every Saturday in June at 3 p.m.- Herrington Manor State Park
Nature is full of diversity and unpredictable elements, and so are our guided hikes. You never know what might be encountered! Hikes are at a relaxed pace. Frequent stops are made for interpreting. Meet at the Herrington Manor Boat Launch.
Wellness Walk Wednesday - June 10 at 3 p.m.- Deep Creek Lake State Park
During this outing, we will be taking time to practice mindfulness in nature. We will be teaching techniques to reframe life’s everyday stress by observing our natural world. We will be meeting at the Overflow Parking Lot/Trailhead inside the main park entrance.
Pride in Nature: Miles for Maryland Challenge Hike - June 27 at 10 a.m. - Seneca Creek State Park
Join our monthly guided hike series and work toward your 2026 Miles for Maryland Trail Challenge goals! We will explore vibrant plants, wildlife, and natural wonders while reflecting on the many ways both people and ecosystems thrive through diversity. Hikes are 2–5 miles at a relaxed pace, suitable for all ages and abilities. Please bring water and dress for the weather. Meet at the Peony Garden at Seneca Creek State Park.
Find all of the programs offered at Seneca Creek State Park online.
AMERICA IN MINIATURE:
2026 State Park Adventure Challenge is now underway!
To commemorate the MD 250 and America’s semi-quincentennial, Maryland State Parks are challenging you to the “America in Miniature: 2026 State Park Adventure Challenge.”
Maryland is often referred to as "America in Miniature" because so much varied geography is packed into its 10,460 square miles of land and waters. Within just a few hours' drive, one can travel from ocean beaches to mountain forests. The "America In Miniature" title also applies to Maryland’s role in our nation's history. Maryland's story is America's story.
Click here for all of the details and to register: America in Miniature Adventure Challenge
|
Plan Ahead... Make a Day-Use Reservation
Day-use reservations are required at Greenbrier, North Point, Point Lookout, Newtowne Neck, Rocky Gap, Swallow Falls, and Sandy Point State Parks on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day.
CLICK HERE TO MAKE A RESERVATION
Here’s What You Need to Know:
- Reservations are required on weekends & holidays—no same-day drive-ups.
- Make your reservation online up to 7 days in advance.
- Pay the regular day-use fee at checkout using a credit card or online payment method.
- Check in with a QR code when you arrive (and park pass, if applicable)
- Annual Park Pass holders, Golden Age Pass holders, veterans, and individuals with disabilities still receive discounts! The passholder must present pass at check-in.
- You can modify or cancel your reservation until 8 a.m. the day before your visit.
Maryland’s Story is America’s Story
Experience Maryland
To truly know Maryland is to experience it firsthand. That’s why we’re inviting you to visit historic places and attend events that celebrate all that our state has contributed to America’s 250 years.
|
|
