PVSP was born out of the Patapsco State Forest Reserve, which was created in 1907 to protect the valley's forest and water resources, including the (then) newly built Bloede Dam (which has been, only recently, demolished).
This is a park I've returned to over and over again. I've hiked it in the spring, summer, fall and winter.
The park consists of several "areas": McKeldin, Daniels, Avalon, Glen Artney, Orange Grove, Pickall, Hollofield, and Hilton, each offering hiking, mountain biking, pavilions, camping or other recreation.
McKeldin Area: The park's most western section features multi-use trails for horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking, a disc golf course, fishing at the confluence of the North and South branches of the Patapsco River, and the Rapids area on the South Branch. Check out the McKeldin Rapids Hike to discover some lovely hiking along the Patapsco River.
Daniels Area: Now a ghost town, Daniels was formerly a busy little mill town, although only ruins and scattered cars and debris from Hurricane Agnes, which swept through the valley in the 1970s, remain.
- Guilford/Daniels in the winter,
- Guilford/Daniels in the fall,
- a ghost hunt in Guilford/Daniels
- kayaking upstream from the Daniels Dam
- hiking to forgotten homesteads
Hollofield Area: 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.
Pickall Area: Picnic shelters and playgrounds.
Hilton Area: Located near Catonsville, the area has a small campground with mini-cabins, a nature center for children, tire playground, and access to the Saw Mill Branch Trail and other trails.
Avalon/Glen Artney/Orange Grove Area: The area features many historic sites including the Thomas Viaduct...
Website: https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/central/patapsco.aspx