Maryland Park Service Passport

[7rider]

Had to pass this on from MORE:

"Frequent Maryland State Park visitors can take advantage of unlimited day-use entry to the state's public lands by purchasing a state park passport. The 2009 Passport can be purchased for $75 for Maryland residents or $100 for out-of-state residents. This passport is valid through the remainder of 2008 and expires December 31, 2009. Passports can be purchased at any state park, or online with a credit card through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website.

Click here to purchase (http://www.easycart.net/MarylandDepartmentofNaturalResources/Park_Passes.html).

"The passport offers: unlimited day-use entry for everyone in the vehicle (up to 10 people) to Maryland's state parks and Cedarville State Forest; unlimited boat launching at most facilities; and a 10% discount on state-operated concessions and boat rentals. For parks with honor box systems, such as Rosaryville State Park, the passport covers entry service charges.

"MORE members [and I imagine anyone] can contact Maryland Park Service headquarters at 410-260-8186 or 1-800-830-3974 for any questions regarding state park facilities."

[Becky]

I'm intrigued, but I'm not sure that we make enough trips to Fair Hill in a year to offset the cost (compared to the day use fee of $4 for non-MD vehicles).

*sighs* Clearly, we're not doing enough mountain biking!

What are some other MD parks with good mountain biking?

[7rider]

I have the same view and concern.
I checked out DNR's website. They have lists of regional areas, by activity. Here is the link for areas with trails open for biking: http://dnr.maryland.gov/outdoors/biking.html
In Western MD: Gambrill is very popular, but very technical (I've heard -- rocky and hilly).
In Central MD: Seneca Creek, Patapsco, and Gunpowder are popular areas.
In Southern MD: Rosaryville is a favorite for some of us TE'ers. Merkle was muddy but pretty the one time I went there. Great kayaking, tho'!
Can't speak for Eastern MD. I imagine there isn't much singletrack aout there, but rather, fire roads and paved and perhaps gravel roads. I've been out to Jane's Island (which also has kayak trails) for some fishing. There's a campground there that looked nice, if you're into that! ;)
The MORE (http://www.more-mtb.org/) site also has a link in their forum "Where to Ride (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=25)" that id's some places.

Several TE'ers are also kayakers.
Here's the link to kayak and canoe trails with the State Park system: http://dnr.maryland.gov/outdoors/boating.html

And, of course, hiking: http://dnr.maryland.gov/outdoors/hiking.html

[Becky]

Patapsco is definitely on the list of places to try. Dirt Rag had an article about I-70 last(?) month that included Patapsco. Rosaryville sounds good too! Thanks for the suggestions :)

As for Eastern MD: If you haven't been to Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area, you really should! Oodles of well-maintained single-track, much of it unmarked. Ironically, the best map I've seen (and much of the trail maintenance there) are products of the Delaware Trail Spinners mtb club. http://www.trailspinners.org/2008RaceMap.pdf. The "official" map is ok, but not great.

[Kalidurga]

There's apparently a part singletrack/part doubletrack trail between Swallow Falls and Herrington Manor, down in Garrett County. I'm thinking of checking that out next week.

Considering how small it is, MD's a pretty awesome state when it comes to percentage of parkland.

[madscot13]

There's apparently a part singletrack/part doubletrack trail between Swallow Falls and Herrington Manor, down in Garrett County. I'm thinking of checking that out next week.

Considering how small it is, MD's a pretty awesome state when it comes to percentage of parkland.

i've come to appreciate the diversity of Maryland's parkland.