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Horsepen Branch Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 42 Google reviews · Running trail in Bowie, Maryland · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from Horsepen Branch Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

RestroomsTrailhead parking

What runners say about Horsepen Branch Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (42 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

Very fun park and playground with a Zipline, covered tables, bicycle track, and small skating area. Also tools on site for minor bicycle repairs. A bit of a walk from the parking lot which is also the trailhead for the WB&A trail.

★★★★★ — Sean , May 2022

The park is literally right off the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Trail. Very innovative to have a bicycle practice and training course for beginner and intermediate levels. Has a built in bike maintenance and tool area. Two big playgrounds for two different age levels. Plenty of benches with a picnic area.

★★★★★ — Janweb , May 2022

Really good playground with zip line , spinning thing , climbing , little kid area , Mini bike course , advanced bike course , and plenty of paved paths for biking and walking . Don’t worry about looks from entrance just park and walk back

★★★★★ — B , Sep 2024

We love going there for his and then letting our little one run around on the playground. The zip line is her favorite. But she wants to learn to ride her bike so she can use the bike course

★★★★★ — Patrick , Jan 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 42 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“Be aware, there's little shade aside from the picnic area and bike rack, and no bathrooms or water.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“A bit of a walk from the parking lot which is also the trailhead for the WB&A trail.”

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Plan your run at Horsepen Branch Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitepgparks.com
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 8 AM–7 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–7 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–7 PM
Thursday 8 AM–7 PM
Friday 8 AM–7 PM
Saturday 8 AM–7 PM
Sunday 8 AM–7 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Horsepen Branch Park

8609 Race Track Rd, Bowie, MD 20715

Get directions

Running trails near Bowie

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 175 reviews

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Paved, wide-open hiking and biking trail with overpasses or tunnels at road crossings.

under a mile away

Fran Uhler Natural Area

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Whitemarsh Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 446 reviews

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PavedScenic

Landscaped area with a playground, ball fields, & theater, plus forest trails for hiking & biking.

2.8 miles away

Northridge Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 81 reviews

Bowie, MD

LoopMixedScenic

Lake and pond with a loop trail, plus a playground, picnic tables and a gazebo.

2.9 miles away

Somerset Neighborhood Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 56 reviews

Bowie, MD

Natural surfaceShaded

Shaded area for kids featuring slides and a tennis court, plus trails for bikes and joggers.

3.0 miles away

Cash Lake Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 37 reviews

Laurel, MD

20 miLoopMixedScenic

3.1 miles away

All running trails in Bowie, MD →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.