Maryland has a number of trails with minimal obstacles. Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible. Here are just a few of them.
These links were found through Internet search. I would love to learn about more accessible natural areas from those of you who have been there. With your help, we can share our knowledge with disabled people everywhere and also increase awareness of the need for more accessibility. Please e-mail me with your suggestions using the form in the sidebar.
Federal
State
Local
Private
Miscellaneous
Federal
Assateague Island National Seashore
Assateague Island is a 37 mile long island along the coasts of Maryland and Virginia. Assateague Island Nat’l Seashore “… contains over 37 miles of pristine beach. More than 300 wild ponies wander the beaches, inland pine forest, and salt marshes.” “The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is located on Assateague Island and is one of the most popular birding destinations in the United States. ” There are three visitor centers: Chincoteague NWR 757-336-6122, Tom’s Cove 757-336-6577, and Barrier Island 410-641-1441. Call the Assateague Island National Seashore Main Line: 410-641-1441 and dial #1 Maryland District Visitor Information to learn more. Here is the Park Service website. Here is another website for Assateague Is. Plan Your Visit Brochure
Page on Accessibility. Maryland Trail Map Virginia Trail Map
There are rental beach wheelchairs.Wheelchair accessible trails in the Maryland District include the Life of the Marsh Trail, the Life of the Forest Trail, and the Bicycle Bridge, all of them 1/2 mile long.
Wheelchair accessible trails in the Virginia District include Black Dutch Marsh Trail 1 mile, Toms Cove Visitor Center Boardwalk 1/8 mile, Wildlife Loop 3.2 miles, and Woodland Trail 1.6 mile.Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge contains forest, marsh and shallow water habitats including one-third of Maryland’s tidal wetlands. Blackwater NWR is home to the largest natural population of formerly endangered Delmarva peninsula fox squirrels and has the largest breeding population of American bald eagles on the East Coast, north of Florida.Here is their website. Brochure
? “The Wildlife Drive takes visitors along the Blackwater River and offers excellent views of the Refuge. Visitors can drive, bike, or walk the approximately 4 mile paved road, and turnouts are available at different points to safely stop and observe the scenery.” Call the Refuge (410-228-2677) to be sure you can use your wheelchair on the drive. Wildlife Drive Map Brochure
Marsh Edge trail is 1/3 mile long and paved. Brochure.
? The three other trails are not paved but may be easy walking. Check with the Visitor Center.Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge
Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge is a “2,285 acre island providing habitat for thousands of wintering waterfowl including the tundra swan. ” The refuge “… supports a wide variety of habitats including brackish marsh, natural ponds, upland forest, and grasslands”. In addition to the wildlife, enjoy “…expansive views of the Chester River and Chesapeake Bay along 7 different trails.” There is a Visitor Station is staffed daily by volunteers and a butterfly garden. Map. Official website. Reviews on Yelp. Brochure Phone 410-639-7056
Four of the trails and the Visitor Center are wheelchair accessible.
State
Accessibility in Maryland Parks. This DNR website has links to an alphabetical listing of state public lands that provide accessible amenities. They also provide have links to accessible outdoor recreational opportunities on public lands, listed by activity, such as camping, fishing or hunting.
Accessible camping in Maryland State Parks
Cedarville State Forest
The winter camping ground of the Piscataway Indian Tribe, this part of Maryland has a relatively mild climate and lots of wildlife. The headwaters of the Zekiah Swamp are located in Cedarville. The Zehiah Swamp extends Southward from the Forest through Charles County for 20 miles, emptying into the Wicomico River. There are 19.5 miles of marked trails. For more information call 301-888-1410 or 301-888-2165. Here is the Forest website.
? Cedarville Pond in Cedarville State Forest has a three mile trail described as easy, flat and with few tree roots in EveryTrail. You can call the Forest Service at 1-800-830-3974 or the numbers above for more information.Cunningham Falls State Park
Cunningham Falls State Park, in the Catoctin Mountains is divided into two separate areas. “The William Houck Area located three miles west of Thurmont on Route 77 has the lake area, falls and camping area. The Manor Area off Route 15 three miles south of Thurmont has the Scales and Tales Aviary, camping and the historic Catoctin Iron Furnace.” Recreational opportunities include swimming, hiking, fishing and canoeing.
Here is the Park website. Phone 301-271-7574 Here is TripSavvy’s description of the park.
Lower Trail to the falls is 0.5 miles described as “easy to moderate” There are interpretive signs and benches along the way.
There is a 1/4 mile accessible boardwalk that ends at the Cunningham Falls.Accessible Hunting in Maryland State Lands. Accessible fishing piers in Maryland State Parks.
Patapsco Valley State Park
Patapsco Valley State Park extends along 32 miles of the Patapsco River. It includes eight developed recreational areas offering hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, horseback and mountain bike trails, as well as picnicking. There are “over 200 miles of trails, with 70 of those miles identified as maintained trails. There are hiker only trails and multi-use trails accessible from many areas of Patapsco.” Here is the Park website. Phone 410-461-5005
Gristmill Trail, 2.5 miles runs through woods and along a river. Map Here is another map of the trail .Rocks State Park
Rocks State Park is 855 acres of rocky forest land in rural northern Harford County. “Primary attractions at Rocks include the King and Queen Seat and Kilgore Falls. The main section of the park includes three picnic areas, 3.5-miles of hiking trails, and access to Deer Creek, which is ideal for fishing, wading and tubing. The park’s two satellite properties, Falling Branch (home to Kilgore Falls) and Hidden Valley, are a short drive from the main park.” Phone 410-557-7994 Here is their website. Map
? Falling Branch trail to Kilgore Falls, 1.3 mile loop As described in EveryTrail, it sounds short and easy, although you do need to cross a stream on stepping stones to get the best view of the falls. AllTrails.
Local
Anne Arundel County
Downs Park
Downs Park has “more than 5 miles of paved and natural surface trails and a self-guided nature trail through woods and fields surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay.” Yelp review. Call (410) 222-6230 for more information. Here is their website. Map
At least some of the trails are wheelchair accessible, but please call to learn which are suitable for you.Washington County
Washington County has a some opportunities for accessible outdoor activities in their Disability Resource Guide. Scroll down to the section on Recreation to see them.
Private
Cranesville Swamp Preserve
The Cranesville Swamp Preserve lies in Preston County West Virginia and Garrett County, Maryland. It is a 1,774 acre boreal bog which is a remnant of the Ice Age. There are many plants and animals not usually found this far south in North America. There are five trails, including a 1,500 foot boardwalk. I haven’t found any information as to whether you could get on the boardwalk in a wheelchair. Here are the websites for Maryland/District of Columbia and for West Virginia. Nature Conservancy MD/DC Nature Conservancy WV
Trail Guide Brochure Phone WV 304-637-0160 Phone MD/DC 301-897-8570
? “Although all trails are fewer than two miles and not difficult to walk, hiking boots are recommended as some trails may be muddy.”
Miscellaneous
AllTrails Map of Trails in DC area Difficulty and rating given for 137 trails in Virginia and Maryland surrounding the District of Columbia.
“Family friendly trails in Maryland” I am not sure just what constitutes “family friendly”, but if you find a trail through their website that interests you, try calling them at 1-877-333-4455 for more information.
Great Allegheny Passage
“Now the longest rail-trail east of the Mississippi River, the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) spans two states in its course along great rivers and across mountain passes. Running from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Cumberland, Maryland, the trail traces the paths of railroads that helped build America.” Here is the website. Described in TrailLink. Trail Grade and SurfaceNature For The Blind has a directory of Braille trails for almost every state in the US and for many other countries.
The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy lists wheelchair accessible trails in Maryland.
Three Notch Trail in Southern Maryland is a ten ft. wide, asphalt trail being constructed in pieces. Currently 13 miles, it will eventually extend 28 miles along an abandoned railroad right-of-way south from Hughesville in Charles County to Lexington Park in St. Mary’s County. Plans are for the entire trail to be ADA compliant. Here is a map. Here is TrailLink’s description.
- The Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail follows 21 miles of an old railroad bed from Ashland, Maryland north to the Maryland-Pennsylvania line. I am not sure to what extent this trail passes through natural areas. It does go through Gun Powder Falls State Park.
- Western Maryland Rail Trail is 23 miles of paved trail which begins about one-half mile west of Fort Frederick State Park and “winds along the Potomac River through rolling farmland, woodlands, and rural towns to its terminus at the southern slope of Sideling Hill Ridge.”