Gunpowder Falls State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gunpowder Falls State Park |
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Park headquarters at Jerusalem Mill Village
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 Gunpowder Falls State Park
Location in Maryland
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| Location | Baltimore County & Harford County, Maryland, United States |
| Nearest city | Baltimore County, Maryland |
| Area | 14,949 acres (60.50 km2) |
| Elevation | 43 ft (13 m) |
| Designation | Maryland state park |
| Established | 1959 |
| Administrator | Maryland Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Gunpowder Falls State Park |
Gunpowder Falls State Park is a huge outdoor area in Maryland, USA. It covers about 15,000 acres, which is like 11,000 football fields! This park is made up of six different sections. You can find it in parts of Baltimore County and Harford County.
The park gets its name from the Big and Little Gunpowder Falls, which are streams, and the Gunpowder River. You can see all sorts of nature here, from wet marshlands near the water to rough, hilly areas. It's a great place for many fun activities. You can hike, bike, or even ride horses on over 120 miles of trails. People also enjoy picnics, tubing, canoeing, and kayaking. If you like fishing, you can try fly fishing or crabbing in the tidal waters. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources takes care of this amazing park.
Contents
Park History: How it Started
Gunpowder Falls State Park was created in 1959. The main goal was to protect the beautiful Gunpowder River and the Big and Little Gunpowder Falls. The first pieces of land for the park were bought in 1960. Since then, it has grown into the large park we know today.
Explore the Park: Different Areas to Visit
The park has several different sections, and you can reach them from major highways like Interstate 83, Interstate 695, and Interstate 95. Each area offers unique things to do!
Hereford Area: Wildlands Adventure
The Hereford Area is a special "wildlands" section. It's about 3,620 acres big and is located below the Prettyboy Reservoir.
- Trails: There are 20 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding.
- Water Fun: You can go kayaking or canoeing here.
- Fishing: It's a popular spot for trout fishing.
- Camping: Youth groups can even go camping.
- Stay Overnight: The Mill Pond Cottage offers a place to stay.
Sweet Air Area: Trails Along the Stream
The Sweet Air Area has 18 miles of trails. These trails follow along the Little Gunpowder Falls. This area is right on the border between Baltimore and Harford counties. It's a great spot for multi-use trails, meaning you can bike, hike, or ride horses.
Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail: A Path Through Nature
This trail used to be a railroad! Now, it's a long, flat path that stretches for almost 20 miles. It goes north from Ashland (near Cockeysville) all the way to the Pennsylvania state line.
- Nature Center: The Sparks Bank Nature Center is located along this trail in Sparks, Maryland.
- Exhibits: It has cool displays that teach you about nature.
- Activities: They often have family activities on summer weekends.
Central Area: History and Rivers
The Central Area is where the Big and Little Gunpowder Falls meet. This part of the park is full of history.
- Historic Village: You can visit the old Jerusalem Mill Village.
- Iron Works: It's also the site of the Joppa Iron Works, which was a factory in the 1800s.
- Activities: You can find multi-use trails, go fishing, or paddle a boat on the river.
- Camping: There's a campsite for youth groups called Camp Cone.
Hammerman Area: Beach and Fun
The Hammerman Area is perfect for a day of outdoor fun.
- Swimming: It has a 1,500-foot-long swimming beach.
- Picnics: There are lots of places to have a picnic.
- Trails: You can also explore trails here.
- Fishing: It's another good spot for fishing.
- Archery: There's even an archery range if you want to try shooting a bow and arrow!
Dundee Creek Marina: Boating Adventures
The Dundee Creek Marina is located close to where the Gunpowder River flows into the bay.
- Boat Services: You can get fuel for boats here.
- Boat Storage: They offer places to keep boats in the water or on land.
- Rentals: You can even rent boats!
- Store: There's a store for all your boating needs.
