HomeMarylandFrederick › Monocacy National Battlefield | Thomas Farm Loop Trail

Monocacy National Battlefield | Thomas Farm Loop Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 42 Google reviews · Running trail in Frederick, Maryland · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Boardwalk
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Monocacy National Battlefield | Thomas Farm Loop Trail'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.

BoardwalkLoopScenicDog-friendly

What runners say about Monocacy National Battlefield | Thomas Farm Loop Trail

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.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“6 mile Easy hike which sweeps down along the Monocacy River and has some beautiful views of the water, wild birds and pristine nature.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“6 mile Easy hike which sweeps down along the Monocacy River and has some beautiful views of the water, wild birds and pristine nature.”

This is a great little hike to fit in when you have about an hour. The parking lot is small, but there are usually one or two spaces open. The trail encompasses walking down the farm drive, around the fields, then dropping down for a short stroll along the Monocacy River.

★★★★★ — Kylena , Apr 2021

Inside Monocacy Battlefield sits the Worthington House and several nearby hiking trails. I took the Ford Loop trail which is a 1.6 mile Easy hike which sweeps down along the Monocacy River and has some beautiful views of the water, wild birds and pristine nature. A tranquil, bucolic, well maintained trail.

★★★★★ — Stephanie , Feb 2023

Great area to walk around. Went on a nice sunny day. It's beautiful open field that eventually leads closer to the river.

★★★★★ — Aranje , Feb 2020

Whenever I travel one of the most worrisome parts is the actual travel itself. On our recent March 20, 2024 trip (#12766) to the Nation's capital our driver Mr. Clarence W. Guyton (bus # 938 )and National Trails eliminated that stressful part of our visit. I am not alone when I say that Mr.

★★★★★ — Carla , Mar 2024

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.

🏞️ Scenic views 8 mentions

“6 mile Easy hike which sweeps down along the Monocacy River and has some beautiful views of the water, wild birds and pristine nature.”

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🔁 Loop trail

“I took the Ford Loop trail which is a 1.”

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🪵 Boardwalk

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🐕 Dog-friendly

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Plan your run at Monocacy National Battlefield | Thomas Farm Loop Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
  • 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.
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitenps.gov
  • Phone+1 301-662-3515
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 7:30 am–7 pm
Tuesday 7:30 am–7 pm
Wednesday 7:30 am–7 pm
Thursday 7:30 am–7 pm
Friday 7:30 am–7 pm
Saturday 7:30 am–7 pm
Sunday 7:30 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 Monocacy National Battlefield | Thomas Farm Loop Trail

Unnamed Road, Frederick, MD 21704

Get directions

Running trails near Frederick

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

Monocacy National Battlefield

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Ballenger Creek Trail

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Ballenger Creek Park

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Natural surfaceDog-friendly

Public green space featuring athletic fields, lots of play equipment & picnic areas with grills.

3.5 miles away

Carroll Creek Park

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PavedLitScenicDog-friendly

Pet-friendly, canal-style park with fountains and breweries nearby, plus walking paths.

3.9 miles away

All running trails in Frederick, 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.