Dorsey Family Homes’ Carver Estates community is just steps away from Patapsco Valley State Park, ones of Maryland’s largest parks that spans over 14,000 acres along 32 miles of the Patapsco River. With campsites, hiking and biking trails, picnic areas and swimming areas, Patapsco Valley State Park offers plenty of opportunity to live an active lifestyle in Howard County, MD.
The most northern part of the park spanning into Carroll County, McKeldin area has miles of multi-use trails for hikers, bikers and horseback riders. There is also an 18-hole disc golf course, pavilions, a youth group camping area and plenty of wide open space to explore.
Daniels area is perfect for paddlers, with a canoe put-in/take-out. Anglers will also enjoy a display about fish spawning activity in the river, and can find smallmouth bass year round and Rainbow and Brown Trout in the spring.
Hollofield area is the closest to Carver Estates, and also the park headquarters. Here you’ll find one of the two campgrounds in the park. This area offers some of the most stunning river views in the park, especially when combined with the colored leaves in the fall. There are several hiking trails and picnic areas.
The Pickall area is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and is perfect for family reunions and other large events, offering 11 large shelters with grills, two playgrounds, a basketball court, and lots of open play fields.
The Hilton area in Catonsville is the perfect spot for families to get active and learn about nature. Children will love climbing all over the recycled tire playground. There is a nature center that offers seasonal programs, as well as Junior Rangers and Little Sprouts programs. This area also has Sawmill Branch Trail, which takes you boulder hopping in the stream.
Avalon/Glen Artney/Orange Grove Areas
These areas are at the southern part of the park. They offer large picnic shelters, playgrounds, a swinging bridge and multi-use trails that take hikers through beautiful views of the river and waterfalls.
Patapsco Valley State Park is a great slice of wilderness just minutes away from the city. There are opportunities for the whole family to get active and enjoy nature right next to home.
