Editorial note: We choose and update recommended nearby parks using official park information, visitor-planning usefulness, available activities and facilities, geographic fit, and editorial review. Learn more in our Editorial Policy & Review Methodology.
Baltimore is widely known as the “Birthplace of The Star-Spangled Banner.” Penned by none other than Francis Scott Key in 1814. Key, inspired by a large American flag he saw billowing in the wind, wrote the first verse on the back of a letter he was composing.
This official slogan carries great weight in this important east coast seaport. Another moniker for Baltimore, “Charm City” (equally weighty), is a nod to the city’s welcoming spirit, exciting waterfront, and thrilling adventures.
From seeing the National Aquarium, visiting the eclectic waterside neighborhood of Fells Point, or touring the American Visionary Arts Museum, Baltimore is a fantastic city to visit for history, culture, art, natural treasures, restaurants, and shopping.
Charm City has so much to offer in recreational opportunities, too—there are parks, playgrounds, and sports courts to get you outside to stretch your legs and enjoy the natural world.
If you feel the need to get out and about and see what other natural wonders Baltimore and the state of Maryland have, state parks offer a great variety of activities and amenities to explore.
From the bay to many public areas with falls, rivers, lakes, and wildlife sanctuaries, the diverse Maryland landscape provides a wonderful array of opportunities to experience the great outdoors.
Join us as we explore 10 lovely state parks near Baltimore.
Map of State Parks Near Baltimore MD
Here is a map of the Maryland state parks covered in this post:
List of State Parks Near Baltimore
Here are each of those state parks with distance from Baltimore and what is special about each.
1. Patapsco Valley State Park
Distance from Baltimore: about 9 miles west of Baltimore (straight-line).
Location: 8020 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Patapsco Valley State Park – The Complete Guide – Updated 2025.
Highlights associated with Patapsco Valley State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and river access.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground, rental cabins, hiking trails, and playgrounds.
See our full Patapsco Valley State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
2. North Point State Park
Distance from Baltimore: about 11 miles southeast of Baltimore (straight-line).
Location: Edgemere, Maryland
North Point State Park is a Maryland state park located on Chesapeake Bay in Edgemere, Baltimore County, Maryland.
Highlights associated with North Point State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full North Point State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
3. Gunpowder Falls State Park
Distance from Baltimore: about 12 miles northeast of Baltimore (straight-line).
Location: Kingsville, Maryland
Gunpowder Falls State Park is a Maryland state park comprising six non-contiguous areas covering 15,088 acres (6,106 ha) in northeastern Baltimore County and western Harford County, Maryland.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground, rental cabins, hiking trails, and a boat launch.
See our full Gunpowder Falls State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
4. Hart-Miller Island State Park
Distance from Baltimore: about 14 miles east of Baltimore (straight-line).
Hart-Miller Island State Park is a 244-acre (99 ha) public recreation area located at the mouth of Back River in Essex, Maryland.
Highlights associated with Hart-Miller Island State Park include beach access, river access, and island scenery.
See our full Hart-Miller Island State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
5. Sandy Point State Park
Distance from Baltimore: about 23 miles southeast of Baltimore (straight-line).
Location: 1100 E College Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21409
Sandy Point State Park is a Maryland state park on Chesapeake Bay, located at the western end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
Highlights associated with Sandy Point State Park include beach access.
See our full Sandy Point State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
6. Love Point State Park
Distance from Baltimore: about 24 miles southeast of Baltimore (straight-line).
Location: Love Point, Maryland
Love Point State Park is a state park in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland.
Highlights associated with Love Point State Park include beach access, island scenery, and wetland habitat.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a fishing pier.
See our full Love Point State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
7. Patuxent River State Park
Distance from Baltimore: about 24 miles west of Baltimore (straight-line).
Location: Highland, MD
Patuxent River State Park is a Maryland state park located along the upper reaches of the Patuxent River in Howard and Montgomery counties in Maryland.
Highlights associated with Patuxent River State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full Patuxent River State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
8. Rocks State Park
Distance from Baltimore: about 26 miles northeast of Baltimore (straight-line).
Rocks State Park is a Maryland state park located in and around Deer Creek Valley near Pylesville, Harford County, Maryland.
Highlights associated with Rocks State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and river access.
See our full Rocks State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
9. Cunningham Falls State Park
Distance from Baltimore: about 49 miles northwest of Baltimore (straight-line).
Location: 14039 Catoctin Hollow Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788
Cunningham Falls State Park is located one hour south of Baltimore in the beautiful Catoctin Mountains. The park is named after scenic falls that gently descend for 78 feet over and around rocks and boulders.
Swimming, hiking, fishing, paddling, and camping are located within the William Houck Area, along with a 43-acre lake and the falls. The Manor Area features the Scales and Tales Aviary, the historic Catoctin Iron Furnace, an annual maple syrup celebration and camping sites.
Helpful tip: Even though Cunningham Falls is close to Baltimore, many phone carriers do not get cell phone service in the Catoctin Mountains. It’s best not to rely on your phone for communication in the park.
Cunningham Falls State Park is a Maryland state park located west of Thurmont, Maryland, in the United States.
Highlights associated with Cunningham Falls State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Cunningham Falls State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
10. Calvert Cliffs State Park
Distance from Baltimore: about 63 miles south of Baltimore (straight-line).
Location: 10540 H G Trueman Rd, Lusby, MD 20657
An hour and a half south of Baltimore is where you’ll find Calvert Cliffs State Park. This 24-mile stretch of massive cliffs in Calvert County is an excellent stretch of the Maryland coast for hiking, beachcombing, and swimming. The site is one of the best-known spots on the east coast for fossil hunting.
Once you arrive at Calvert Cliffs, there are two routes to the beach. One is a short 1.8-mile hike; the other is a 3-mile service road that takes longer. If you are just here for the fossils, the shorter walk will get you to where you can scour the beach for prehistoric oyster shells, mollusks, scallops, and shark’s teeth.
Calvert Cliffs is a day-use park featuring marshland, tidal land, and 13 miles of trails.
Interesting fact: More than 600 species of fossils have been found in the cliffs at Calvert Cliffs. One of the more intriguing—a bird the size of a small plane.
Calvert Cliffs State Park: Hunting 15-Million-Year-Old Shark Teeth on the Chesapeake.
Highlights associated with Calvert Cliffs State Park include beach access, wooded landscapes, and wetland habitat.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground.
See our full Calvert Cliffs State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
