My favorite destination is Annapolis! It helps that my family lives here. The charming downtown is worth visiting year-round. When visiting family, I like to hike and breathe fresh air. I’ve listed Annapolis spots I visit regularly is the best hiking near Annapolis.
7 Best Hiking Near Annapolis
Quiet Water Park
The closest hiking site to downtown Annapolis is Quiet Waters. This county park provides various year-round activities. I wouldn’t say I like that much of this park’s paved trails, but the hikes are great.
The park’s paved circle is perfect for runners, strollers, and wheelchair users. The red-blazed route is a great wooded loop off the paved path. This single-track hike offers water sights and incredible views. The park accepts dogs but keeps them on leashes outside the dog park/beach portions. This 5.1-mile concrete looping track is great for dog walkers and exercise lovers. The tranquil South River Quiet Waters Park comes true to its name. Nature lovers will love the hike’s bird aviary, gardens, forests, and animals in the morning and evening. For Best Hiking Near Annapolis, Quiet Waters is a prime choice.
Bacon Ridge Natural Area
Bacon Ridge Natural Area offers the best Annapolis hiking. This hidden gem is fascinating because of its extensive trail network through lush woodlands and undulating hills. Bacon Ridge, 900 acres, provides tranquility from city life. Beginners and experts will walk the paths, which range in complexity.
Exploration will reveal nature’s tranquil sounds and diverse plants and fauna. Animal lovers will enjoy seeing deer, foxes, and birds in this natural habitat. Well-marked trails offer a day of hiking with many scenic stops. Bacon Ridge Natural Area contains Annapolis’ best hiking routes for demanding or leisurely walks—another Best Hiking Near Annapolis spot.
Thomas Point Park
Thomas Point is Best Hiking near Annapolis, a modest 71-acre woodland park on Chesapeake Bay near the South River mouth. Despite lacking hiking pathways, this park boasts excellent vistas and a wonderful meandering location. In addition to walking pathways, Thomas Point includes fishing, picnic spots, and grills. The park is well known for its views of the Thomas Point Lighthouse, one of the few screw-pile lighthouses in the nation with limited visits.
From April 1 to October 31, Thomas Point requires passes. Only a few passes are available online, so I suggest pre-planning your visit. Daily passes go on sale Thursday before the week you intend to visit. The park is at 3890 Thomas Point Road, Annapolis, MD 21403. Beauty is a great place for the Best Hiking near Annapolis, even without paths.
Patuxent Research Refuge
Patuxent Research Refuge is one of Annapolis’ premier hiking sites. This extensive schedule is a wildlife conservation and research center and hiker’s paradise. Hikers will explore marshes, forests, and grasslands on Patuxent Research Refuge trails. Signs about the local flora and animals line the well-maintained walkways, making your stroll instructive and fun.
The refuge’s various bird species make it a fantastic site to watch them in their natural surroundings. Annapolis’ best hiking is at Patuxent Research Refuge, which is in a peaceful setting. No matter your hiking level, the refuge’s pathways provide a calm and rewarding experience. It’s one of the best hiking spots for nature lovers near Annapolis.
Franklin Point State Park
Franklin Point, another MD State Park! A beautiful sand beach overlooking Chesapeake Bay has marsh, woodland, and farms in this park. Although small at 477 acres, this park has a great 2.2-mile AllTrails hiking loop.
The lock combination must be requested before accessing this guarded park, which is ridiculous. Fill out the gate combination request form on the Maryland DCNR website. Nothing like this has happened at another park! Get there early, particularly on beautiful days, since parking is scarce. These factors require early park visit planning. The inconvenience aside, Franklin Point offers some of the best hiking near Annapolis.
Sandy Point State Park
Sandy Point State Park is fantastic for hiking! This 786-acre Maryland State Park is on the northern border of Chesapeake Bay and offers stunning Bay Bridge vistas. The park contains coastal and forest areas for different tastes. Sandy Point State Park offers hiking, food and drink discounts, fishing, picnic areas, shelters, and playgrounds.
I love the Hut and Beach path. This trail views the Bay Bridge and lighthouse. Ark is near South Beach restrooms. Follow the beach west to the sand route. Walk north to East Beach. Take a route off East Beach to consider the parking lot. Sandy Point is perfect for the Best Hiking Near Annapolis.
Conclusion
Annapolis and its surrounds contain some of the most amazing hiking paths for all levels. From the breathtaking vistas of Quiet Waters Park and Bacon Ridge Natural Area to the educational walkways of Patuxent Research Refuge, each area provides a distinct and gratifying outdoor experience. These routes are crucial for a quiet walk or natural experience. So pack your trekking gear and explore the Best trekking Near Annapolis. Happy trekking!