Patapsco Valley State Park · MD
Grist Mill Trail
Paved, nearly level rail-with-trail beside the Patapsco River from Avalon toward Ilchester. Passes the historic Swinging Bridge and the former Bloede Dam site; popular with families, cyclists and strollers.
Live · updated
Today
Skip the mountain biking plan today.
Today's best: mountain biking
Conditions
Score by activity
Hiking
Skip the hiking plan today.
Trail running
Skip the trail running plan today.
Mountain biking
Skip the mountain biking plan today.
Dog walking
Thunderstorms in today's forecast — dogs panic and trails become dangerous.
Score breakdown
- · 82°F air — Within comfort range, outside ideal
- − Thunderstorms — Get off exposed ridges before they arrive
- ✓ Trail: prime — Paved/boardwalk surface — rainfall does not affect traction.
Trail facts
- Distance
- 4.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 149 ft
- Surface
- paved
- Difficulty
- easy
Trailhead
Coordinates
39.2479, -76.7577 — MD.
Park
Part of Patapsco Valley State Park (official site →).
Peak nymphal tick activity — check yourself within 2 hours of leaving the trail.
Nearby Trails
Frequently Asked
How long is Grist Mill Trail?
Grist Mill Trail is a 4.5-mile route with 149 feet of elevation gain — easy — gentle grades, generally suitable for families and beginners with normal fitness. The trail facts panel on this page lists distance, surface, and access tags as they appear in OpenStreetMap.
What's the trail surface like at Grist Mill Trail?
Grist Mill Trail is paved (asphalt or concrete) — all-weather surface, accessible to wheelchairs and strollers in most places. Today's mud rating, derived from recent precipitation and the surface type, is shown in the conditions panel above.
Who manages Grist Mill Trail, and where do closure alerts come from?
Grist Mill Trail is in Patapsco Valley State Park, which is managed by the managing agency. Closure and advisory data on this page comes from the agency. Always confirm against the park's own page before driving — emergency closures can post faster than scrapers refresh.