Patapsco Valley State Park Daniels Area
Managed by Maryland Park Service
451 acres11.7 mi of trail
Old Main Line (HoCo Thru Trail)Daniels SingletrackDaniels Laurel TrailChurch Loop 1+1
Dogs on leash
Directionsto the parking lotWebsite ↗
Photo: Scott Saghirian · CC BY 2.0AOutdoors
Outdoors in Ellicott City
Ellicott City has 63 miles of mapped trails, 2.1 for every square mile of land
16% of Ellicott City’s land is conserved, about 3,055 acres. The biggest trail networks: Patapsco Valley State Park Daniels Area (11.7 mi), PVSP Hollofield Area (10.6 mi), Patapsco Valley State Park Davis Area (10.1 mi). 1,674 acres are parks and preserves, 22 per 1,000 residents.
Ahead of 90% of U.S. towns · #40 of 261 in Maryland. What drives it
Conserved land
16%
3,055 acres · of 30.0 sq mi of land
Trails
63 mi
2.1 per sq mi of land
Park land
1,674 ac
22 acres per 1,000 residents
Near a park
75%
of residents within ½ mile
Bike routes
11 mi
6.6 mi lanes · 1.7 mi paths
Highest peak
554 ft
Chestnut Hill
Lakes & rivers
9
4 beaches · 2 boat launches
What kind of outdoors town is Ellicott City?
Read from the map. The page puts what stands out first.
Outdoors grade
How much outdoors does Ellicott City have?
On conserved land, trails, park land and how close residents live to a park, Ellicott City is ahead of 90% of U.S. towns, #40 of 261 in Maryland. All four inputs are above most U.S. towns; trail miles rank highest, the share of residents near a park lowest.
A
OutdoorsA character grade: shown, never part of Ellicott City’s overall grade.
Conserved land16% of the land · typical MD town 9% · U.S. 4%ATrails2.1 miles of mapped trail per square mile of land (63 mi) · MD 0.5 · U.S. 0.4APark land22 acres of park per 1,000 residents (1,674 acres) · MD 9 · U.S. 13B+Parks close to home75% of residents within a half mile of a park · MD 87% · U.S. 72%B
All U.S. towns we grade (21,298)Ahead of 90%
LessMore
Maryland towns of 2,500+ (261)Ahead of 85%
Maryland towns conserve more land than most (a typical one, 9%; the U.S., 4%), so Ellicott City’s 16% is ahead of 77% of Maryland towns, while its trails per square mile lead 90% of them.
How sure. Graded on any three of the four inputs instead, the letter would range from A− to A. Trails and many small parks come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by volunteers, so coverage varies from town to town; the half mile is a straight line from each census block, so a river or highway in the way isn’t counted against it.
PAD-US, OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors), Census 2025 Gazetteer and 2020 blocks; details in Sources below. How TownRatings grades the outdoors →
The map
Conserved land, trails & bike routes
Tap a number to zoom to a park. Tap a layer to hide it.
Easements protect land from building but are usually private.© OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
Places to walk
Pick a walk
The longest trail network is Patapsco Valley State Park Daniels Area, with 11.7 miles. Directions go to the nearest trailhead or public parking.
PVSP Hollofield Area
Managed by Maryland Park Service
610 acres10.6 mi of trail
OEC Connector TrailOle Ranger Trail (blue)Out of Range TrailNew Ranger+1
Dogs on leash
Directionsto the parking lotWebsite ↗
Patapsco Valley State Park Davis Area
Managed by Maryland Park Service
318 acres10.1 mi of trail
Woodstock Station (HoCo Thru Trail)Old Main Line (HoCo Thru Trail)Lil' BirdDavis Trail (Affeldt Gasline)+1
Dogs on leash
Directionsto the trail signWebsite ↗
David Force Natural Resource Area
Managed by Howard County Recreation and Parks
251 acres7.6 mi of trail
TVO Main TrailLittle Patuxent FlatsMullineaux OrchardTurf Valley Flats+1
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Patapsco Valley State Park Ilchester Area
Managed by Maryland Park Service
217 acres5.8 mi of trail
Access Road Path
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto Hunter ParkingWebsite ↗
All 18 parks & preserves
Patapsco Valley State Park Daniels Area451 acres · 11.7 mi of trail · Maryland Park Service
DirectionsPVSP Hollofield Area610 acres · 10.6 mi of trail · Maryland Park Service
DirectionsPatapsco Valley State Park Davis Area318 acres · 10.1 mi of trail · Maryland Park Service
DirectionsDavid Force Natural Resource Area251 acres · 7.6 mi of trail · Howard County Recreation and Parks
DirectionsPatapsco Valley State Park Ilchester Area217 acres · 5.8 mi of trail · Maryland Park Service
DirectionsCentennial Park326 acres · 1 mi of trail
DirectionsCovenant Park51 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsFont Hill Wetlands Park22 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
Worthington Park88 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Howard County Recreation and Parks
DirectionsAutumn Overlook43 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Howard County
Cypressmede Park19 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsKiwanis-Wallas Park24 acres
DirectionsPatapsco Valley State Park Woodstock Area10 acres · Maryland Park Service
DirectionsPatapsco Valley State Park Alberton Area7 acres · Maryland Park Service
DirectionsYingling Ridgely Park7 acres
DirectionsPatapsco Valley State Park Hilton Area1 acres · Maryland Park Service
DirectionsPatapsco Valley State Park Pickall Area1 acres · Maryland Park Service
DirectionsPatapsco Valley State Park Gray's Mill Area1 acres · Maryland Park Service
DirectionsWho protects it
3,055 conserved acres
16% of Ellicott City’s land. Who manages Ellicott City’s conserved land, from the USGS Protected Areas Database. Approximate, because parcels can overlap.
County1,521 ac
Other or Unknown Local Government522 ac
Other state land133 ac
State parks40 ac
State natural resources29 ac
Town or city27 ac
Joint27 ac
Local Other or Unknown · 1,258 acConservation Easement · 1,126 acForest Stewardship Easement · 776 acState Park · 751 acLocal Park · 286 ac
Good to know
Conserved doesn’t always mean open to visitors. 846 acres are conservation easements, usually private land. Public access isn’t recorded for 386 of 792 parcels. The walks above are places people visit.
The biggest protected parcels
| Parcel (PAD-US) | Managed by | Acres | Public access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patapsco Valley Sp State Park | Not recorded | 751 | Unknown |
| County Open Space Local Other or Unknown | Not recorded | 462 | Unknown |
| Natural Resource Man. Area Local Other or Unknown | Not recorded | 239 | Unknown |
| Font Hill Wetlands Park Local Park | Not recorded | 181 | Unknown |
| Open Space Private Other or Unknown | Not recorded | 178 | Unknown |
| Open Space To Be Recorded Local Other or Unknown | Other or Unknown Local Government | 163 | Open |
| Daniels Mill Overlook Local Other or Unknown | Not recorded | 68 | Unknown |
| Autumn View Local Other or Unknown | Not recorded | 56 | Unknown |
| Oakwest Local Other or Unknown | Not recorded | 43 | Unknown |
| Kiwanis Wallas Park Local Park | Other or Unknown Local Government | 24 | Open |
5 smaller protected places aren’t shown.
Things to do
94 places to go in Ellicott City
Beaches, playgrounds, peaks, falls and more. Pick a kind.
Beaches in Ellicott City
4 beaches without a name on the map. Tap “Show all on map” to see them.
Public pools in Ellicott City
Dorsey Hall Swimming Pool
DirectionsNob Hill Swim Club
DirectionsPlaygrounds in Ellicott City
Northfield Playground
Directions59 playgrounds are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Dog parks in Ellicott City
Sandy-Trevor Dog Park
DirectionsWorthington Dog ParkIn Worthington Park
DirectionsWorthington Dog ParkIn Worthington Park
DirectionsPlus 1 dog park without a name on the map. Tap “Show all on map” to see it.
Boat launches in Ellicott City
2 boat launches without a name on the map.
Scenic views in Ellicott City
Cemetery Altar
DirectionsCemetery Overlook
DirectionsFormer Altar
DirectionsFriction Wall OverlookIn Patapsco Valley State Park Ilchester Area
DirectionsGrotto Overlook
DirectionsShrine Overlook
DirectionsSt. Mary's Overlook
DirectionsValley OverlookIn PVSP Hollofield Area
DirectionsPlus 2 scenic views without a name on the map.
Peaks in Ellicott City
Chestnut Hill554 ft elevation · In PVSP Hollofield Area
DirectionsPicnic areas in Ellicott City
Hollofield SheltersIn PVSP Hollofield Area
DirectionsPlus 10 picnic areas without a name on the map.
Campgrounds in Ellicott City
Hollofield Area CampingIn PVSP Hollofield Area · Maryland Department of Natural Resources
DirectionsTrails & water
25 named trails and 9 lakes & rivers
Named trails
Open to bikes · 38.7 miHorses · 16.3 miUnpaved · 53.6 mi
Old Main Line (HoCo Thru Trail)3.0 mi
OEC Connector Trail2.3 mi
Daniels Singletrack1.9 mi
Daniels Laurel Trail1.8 mi
TVO Main Trail1.0 mi
Ole Ranger Trail (blue)1.0 mi
Out of Range Trail0.9 mi
Woodstock Station (HoCo Thru Trail)0.9 mi
Mullineaux Orchard0.9 mi
Lil' Bird0.8 mi
15 more trails
New Ranger
0.8 miOutside of Range
0.8 miOEC Connector
0.8 miDavis Trail (Affeldt Gasline)
0.7 miUnion Dam Trail
0.7 miLittle Patuxent Flats
0.7 miChurch Loop 1
0.6 miTurf Valley Flats
0.6 miTurf Valley Nature Trail
0.6 miWhoop De Doos
0.5 miDavis Trail (Allenford)
0.5 miTVO Grass Trail
0.5 miDaniels Singletrack (Switchplate)
0.5 miTurf Ridge
0.5 miChurch Loop 2
0.5 miBiking & sports
11 miles of bike routes
Bike lanes are often missing from the map in smaller towns, so that number is likely low.
6.6 mi
painted or protected bike lanes
1.7 mi
off-road bike paths
2.8 mi
shoulders & shared lanes
Patapsco Traverse (south mtb)Bike route
14.4 miPatapsco Alt HoCo Thru TrailBike route
13.5 miOEC ConnectorBike route
3.6 miCourts & fields
55Tennis
37Baseball
17Basketball
9Soccer
7Volleyball
6Multi-sport
2Beach volleyball
2Football
Includes school and college facilities, which aren’t always open to the public.
History along the way
History →14 places on the National Register, 2 of them National Historic Landmarks
The country’s official list of places worth saving (National Park Service). The map also marks 15 historic points from OpenStreetMap: plaques, memorials and old buildings.
Daniels MillDistrict · listed 1973
About itWaverleyBuilding · listed 1974
About itTemoraBuilding · listed 1976
About itWhite HallBuilding · listed 1977
About itEllicott City Historic DistrictDistrict · listed 1978
About itElmonteBuilding · listed 1978
About itBurleighBuilding · listed 1982
About itEnniscorthyBuilding · listed 1986
About itBrick House on the PikeBuilding · listed 1996
About itDorsey HallBuilding · listed 2001
About it2 more on the History page.
When to get out
The best walking months in Ellicott City: April to June and August
NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for the town and the daylight at its latitude. Outlined months have long days, highs of 59 to 86 °F and little rain for the place.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daylight (h) | 9.7 | 10.7 | 11.8 | 13.2 | 14.3 | 14.9 | 14.7 | 13.7 | 12.4 | 11.1 | 10.0 | 9.4 |
| High (°F) | 42 | 45 | 54 | 66 | 75 | 83 | 87 | 85 | 78 | 67 | 56 | 46 |
| Rain (in) | 3.2 | 2.8 | 3.9 | 3.7 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 3.5 | 3.8 |
February is the driest month (2.8 in) and July the warmest (highs of 87 °F). 4.5 inches fall in September, the wettest month. Summer highs reach 87 °F, too hot for the outline. The climate in Ellicott City →
Next door
Ellicott City and its neighbors
Ellicott City has the most mapped trails of the 5 towns around it. Tap a town to see its outdoors.
| Town | Conserved of land | Trail mi per sq mi | Park acres per 1,000 | Near a park ½ mile | Outdoors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellicott City | 16% | 2.1 | 22 | 75% | A |
| Catonsville | 3% | 3.8 | 7 | 77% | B+ |
| Ilchester | 19% | 3.3 | 18 | 87% | A |
| Woodlawn | 4% | 1.7 | 4 | 78% | B |
| Columbia | 26% | 1.0 | 41 | 99%+ | A+ |
The four inputs of the Outdoors grade, from the engine; shares are of land, not water.
Questions about parks and trails in Ellicott City
Where can I hike in Ellicott City?
The longest trail networks: Patapsco Valley State Park Daniels Area, 11.7 miles; PVSP Hollofield Area, 10.6 miles; Patapsco Valley State Park Davis Area, 10.1 miles; David Force Natural Resource Area, 7.6 miles. Each one is on the map above, with directions to the nearest trailhead or parking.
How much of Ellicott City is conserved land?
16% of its land, against a typical 9% for a Maryland town and 4% nationally (PAD-US). Conserved doesn’t always mean open to visitors: easements are usually private land.
Are dogs allowed on Ellicott City’s trails?
OpenStreetMap records dogs as welcome at Patapsco Valley State Park Daniels Area (on leash), PVSP Hollofield Area (on leash) and Patapsco Valley State Park Davis Area (on leash). For the rest, check the signs at the trailhead.
Where can I bike in Ellicott City?
11 miles of bike routes are on the map: 6.6 of painted or protected lanes, 1.7 of off-road paths and 2.8 of shoulders and shared lanes. Named routes: Patapsco Traverse (south mtb), Patapsco Alt HoCo Thru Trail and OEC Connector.
Is there public land near Ellicott City?
22,096 acres of parks and open public land lie inside Ellicott City or within 10 miles of it (PAD-US), 1,674 of them inside the town line.
How much outdoors does Ellicott City have?
Ahead of 90% of U.S. towns on the Outdoors grade, #40 of 261 in Maryland. The grade combines the share of land that is conserved, miles of mapped trail per square mile of land, park acres per 1,000 residents and the share of residents within a half mile of a park. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.
Trail talk
Conditions, parking and favorite walks from Ellicott City neighbors.
Share a tip
Sources
Where this page comes from
Conserved and public land: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), service updated July 2026. Parks, trails, playgrounds, beaches and other places: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), map data as of 2026-10-28. Land and water area: Census 2025 Gazetteer. Residents near a park: 2020 Census blocks. National Register: National Park Service. How TownRatings grades the outdoors →