Best running trails in Maryland
Ranked by the runners who actually run there — Google rating weighted by review volume, across 96,006 reviews of Maryland trails. A trail needs at least 25 reviews to qualify (113 in Maryland do) and each name appears once. Nobody pays for a place. Updated 2026.
The 20 below run across 16 cities, 3 of them paved, 2 loops, 9 shaded, and 2 with a stated distance. This is a popularity ranking, not a difficulty score — for what a trail is actually like underfoot, open its page for surface, loop distance, shade, lighting, restrooms and parking.
Patterson Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 4,953 reviews
Popular park with an observatory, playgrounds & a dog park, plus a seasonal pool & ice rink.
Hagerstown City Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 3,340 reviews
Long-standing park featuring a fine arts museum, shady picnic zones & a kids' splash pad.
Allen Pond Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,576 reviews
This park has athletic fields, picnic sites, a fishing pond, trails, an ice rink & skateboard area.
Rock Creek Regional Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,259 reviews
Parkland with multiple hiking trails & lakeshore wildlife-watching, plus playgrounds & boat rentals.
Susquehanna State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,970 reviews
Rocky, forested venue, featuring a working grist mill, boating, fishing & mountain bike trails.
Buddy Attick Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,835 reviews
Named after the city's first policeman, this lake-centered park offers picnic areas & nature trails.
Bohrer Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,321 reviews
The city's oldest building sits in this city park popular for picnics, walking & mini-golf.
Piney Run Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,282 reviews
Park with a 300-acre lake & over 5 miles of trails plus fishing, boating, tennis & picnicking.
Double Rock Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,268 reviews
102-acre county park offering a playground, hiking, walking & biking trails & athletic fields.
Lake Artemesia Natural Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,157 reviews
Picturesque park featuring a paved path running around a lake as well as fishing piers.
Ballenger Creek Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,140 reviews
Public green space featuring athletic fields, lots of play equipment & picnic areas with grills.
Leakin Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 1,035 reviews
Woodland park set on 1,216 acres with sports fields/courts, miniature trains & hiking/biking trails.
Patapsco Valley State Park- McKeldin Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 887 reviews
Nature area with multi-use riverside trails, an 18-hole disc golf course & picnic shelters.
Herring Run Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 874 reviews
This urban wildland area features 3 playgrounds, walking trails, picnic tables & a stream.
Martin L. "Marty" Snook Memorial Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 806 reviews
Community park with a playground, baseball fields, tennis/basketball courts & a swimming pool.
Westminster Community Pond
4.6 ★★★★★ 793 reviews
Playground, pond and picnic area with trails around it, plus basketball hoops.
Granville Gude Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 703 reviews
Familiar park for families featuring a lakeside playground and stage, plus picnic tables and benches.
Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 664 reviews
Local park with basketball courts, grills, outdoor fitness equipment, soccer field & tennis courts.
Where these trails are
The cities in this ranking, if you'd rather start from where you live.
- Running trails in Baltimore, MD
- Running trails in Hagerstown, MD
- Running trails in Frederick, MD
- Running trails in Bowie, MD
- Running trails in Derwood, MD
- Running trails in Havre De Grace, MD
- Running trails in Greenbelt, MD
- Running trails in Gaithersburg, MD
- Running trails in Sykesville, MD
- Running trails in Parkville, MD
- Running trails in College Park, MD
- Running trails in Marriottsville, MD
- Running trails in Westminster, MD
- Running trails in La Plata, MD
- Running trails in Laurel, MD
- Running trails in Rockville, MD