Black Hill Regional Park

20930 Lake Ridge Drive
Boyds, MD 20841
301-972-9396

Black Hill has cycling opportunities for a wide range of riders. The park has both paved and natural surface trails to choose from. The non-paved trails are fast and flowing with few difficult trail features. Beginner mountain bike riders, cyclocross riders and even the more experienced cyclist can have a great time at Black Hill. The Hoyles Mill Trail leads to Schaeffer Farms for those looking for a longer ride.

The Watershed is a treasured jewel to area mountain bikers. It has has fantastic riding opportunities but like Gambrill the trails are rocky and technical. Due to advanced terrain and unmarked, the Watershed is a poor choice for beginners.

Fountainhead Regional Park

10876 Hampton Road
Fairfax Station, VA 22039
703-250-2473

The mountain bike trail is a series of loops with several short steep climbs and same fast descents. There is 10 miles trail and some obstacles such as teeter-totters to play on. The trail is designed to flow in a clockwise pattern. Fountainhead requires that helmets be worn by all riders and the park closes at dark. The trailhead is visible from the parking lot about 0.6 miles from the park entrance.

Gambrill State Park is approximately 51 miles northwest of Washington, DC, and 53 miles west of Baltimore on Catoctin Mountain. The park is located at the end of Frederick’s “Golden Mile” or Route 40. One can park at the main entrance or head up the mountain about one mile and park at the trail head.

Gambrill provides one of the best mountain biking areas on the east coast.  The trails tend to be rocky and technical.

• White Oak Trail (Bikes not permitted) 1 mile - Easy
  This easy trail is an ideal choice for families with small children.  The White trail is open to hikers only. 
• Red Maple Trail 1 mile - Moderate
  The red trail is moderately difficult to ride.  This is an ideal warm-up loop. One short section of the trail is fairly steep.
• Green Ash Trail 2 miles - Moderate
  There are several steep slopes and very little level ground, making this trail a challenge.
• Black Locust Trail 3.3 miles - Difficult
  This trail showcases the beauty of Gambrill State Park, from its wooded slopes to the breathtaking views of both Frederick to the east and Middletown Valley to the west. The trail passes through the High Knob Scenic Area, mixing several steep slopes with fairly level areas.
• Yellow Poplar Trail 7.1 miles - Difficult
  The longest of the Gambrill trails, this trail is fairly difficult to ride. Sections of the trail are quite technical and rocky.  Mountain bikers can enjoy the view from North Frederick Overlook as you continue north along a moderately sloped ridge line. The Yellow Trail offers the option of a three-mile extension.
• Catoctin Blue Trail 3 miles - Difficult
  This trail traverses Gambrill State Park. For a longer ride, continue north 23.5 miles through the Frederick City Watershed, Cunningham Falls State Park and Catoctin Mountain National Park. The trail ends at Mt. Zion Road, 1.3 miles north of Owens Creek Campground in Catoctin Mountain Park.

28700 Headquarters Drive, NE
Flintstone, MD 21530
301-478-3124
800-830-3974 (General Information)

Green Ridge State Forest is located in Maryland's beautiful western
pan-handle about an hour from Frederick. There are over 100 primitive campsites spread out over the 44,000 acre forest. Trail maps are available at the ranger station off of the I-68, M.V. Smith Road exit. If no maps are available you should draw your own based off of the large map posted at the drop box. Do not try to navigate the forest roads without a map, you will most likely get lost. We encourage those looking for an enjoyable camping experience to camp away from the ORV (Off-Road-Vehicle) trails. There is no curfew within the park and the ORV trails are often used by ATV's around the clock.

The 12 mile mountain bike loop is easily accessible via paved roads by
taking the 15 Mile Creek exit off of Interstate 68. Roadside signs will guide you to the trailhead one you take the exit. The trail itself is comprised of single-track mixed with some old jeep roads. The terrain includes a few small rock gardens, some rooty sections and some creek crossings but what makes this trail challenging are the climbs. We recommend riding the trail clockwise because it seems more fun it in that direction.  If the climbs on the trail are a little too much, you also have to option to ride the C&O canal which is easily accessible from the forest.

Greenbrier offers a moderately difficult selection of trails. The tendency at Greenbrier is climbing or descending with few flowing sections. This dichotomy of trail makes it possible to get a good workout in a short period of time. The trails are fairly rocky but certainly tamer than Gambrill or the Frederick Watershed. 

Hashawa Environmental Center

300 John Owings Road
Westminster, MD 21157
410-848-9040

Hashawa offers rolling and twisty single track. There are little technical features such as rocks so there trails would be good for newer riders. The trails should be avoided after a rain as they tend to get muddy.

Hoyles Mill Connector Trail 

Germantown, MD

The Hoyles Mill Connector is across the road from the entrance to Schaeffer Farms. The 7 mile trail is similar to that of Schaeffer and connects to Black Hills Regional Park. The terrain combines, smooth single-track, moderate rock gardens, a gravel roads and one paved section. The trail is great for newer riders and only has a few short climbs. There are two stream crossings that range in depth.

Little Bennett has over 23 miles of natural surface trails great for cyclists, hikers, and equestrians. The train is easy to moderate with flowing ups and downs but no real steep climbs or descents. These trails are ideal for a new rider or a more experienced rider in search of fast flowing trails.

Rosaryville is a great destination for riders of all ability levels. The trails tend to be moderate with some technical sections. It consists of a lot of tight, twisty singletrack with some short steep hills. The trails are never very crowded and offer beautiful overlooks.

• Perimeter Trail - 7.5 miles - moderate to difficult
  This trail circumnavigates the park, providing hikers, cyclists and horseback riders with a tight, twisty, single-track route. The trail passes primarily through the woods, providing plenty of shade during hot summer months. The western section of this trail is mainly easy to moderate in difficulty. The trail in the eastern section has moderate to difficult terrain with more technical sections and frequent short hills that provide challenging climbs.
  
  
• Tanager Point Overlook Trail - 0.2 mile - easy
  This overlook got its name from the numerous scarlet tanagers that spend the summer in Rosaryville State Park. You can recognize the males from their brilliant scarlet red plumage. Female plumages are yellow underneath. This trail is not hardened and therefore does not comply with ADA access guidelines; however, it may be useable by some persons with disabilities due to its relatively level surface and short distance to the overlook.
  
  
• Spur Trails no blazes
  There are a number of spur trails throughout the trail system that provide opportunities to shorten or lengthen the trail circuit. These spurs are not maintained, however, so caution is advised when using them.

Cost for park access is $3 per Md. car and $4 per out of state vehicle. Trail maps are available at the Mt. Airy mansion on the other side of the park off Rosaryville Road. They are open 8am - 4pm weekdays.

Please observe the following trail closure policies:

• Do not ride for 24 hours after a soaking rain
• Do not ride if trails are wet and muddy
• Observe all gate closures

Schaeffer Farms is part of the Seneca Creek State Park, located south of 270 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The park is managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources with trail maintenance provided by MORE and other local user groups.

Schaeffer Farms is an extremely popular mountain biking and equestrian destination with several excellent singletrack loops covering almost 12 miles of rolling terrain. Trails offer something for all levels, but tend toward fast and smooth hardpack singletrack, with moderate climbs, and a good number of log and ramped log hops. Some technical sections will require beginners to dismount, but intermediates should find most sections rideable and challenging. Trails can be crowded on weekends, with much lighter use during the weekdays.

Note: Schaeffer Farms trails are multi-use publicly owned trails. You will encounter equestrians, hikers, runners, and families out for casual walks. Please follow the rules of the trail and yield to other trail users, stop and ask permission before passing equestrians, and give a friendly greeting to other users. These trails are for everyone to enjoy. Be an ambassador for responsible mountain biking. Unauthorized trail building or the construction of man-made stunts is strictly against the law.

Trail Closure Information: Trail Closure Information: During the winter months DNR will close the gate except when trails are unusually dry. Do not ride when the gate is closed. You can be ticketed if riding when the gate is closed. No night riding is allowed except with special permission from the park. Call the Seneca Creek Trails hotline for current trail status 301-924-1998. DNR uses an honor system for all other months when the trails are closed for 24 hours after a heavy rain.

Please observe the following trail closure policies:

• Do not ride for 24 hours after a soaking rain
• Do not ride if trails are wet and muddy
• Observe all gate closures
  

Seneca Creek
Greenway Trail

This natural surface trail follows the Great Seneca Creek from the Potomac River upstream to Route 355. The moderate 16.5 mile trail continues on Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission park land. It provides access to the Great Seneca Creek stream valley for those who enjoy the challenge of a long hike in the beauty of the outdoors. Due to the environmental sensitivity of the trail's location, bicycles and motorized vehicles are not permitted on the state park section of the trail. Equestrians are permitted on the section between Route 28 and Berryville Road. The Greenway follows the Great Seneca and Long Draught Trails in the Clopper Lake Day-Use Area.

Wakefield Park

8100 Braddock Road
Annandale, VA

White Clay Creek State Park

425 Wedgewood Road
Newark, DE 19711
302-368-6900

While White Clay State Park is a good drive from Frederick it may be worth the day trip. The trails flow quickly and are not super technical but have a few moderate climbs. A unique aspect of White Clay Creek is that they have a small skills park for riders to play. If you have a day and do not mind the drive you should give White Clay a try.

The Capital Crescent Trail connects Georgetown in Washington, DC, and Silver Spring in Montgomery County, MD. The asphalt/crushed stone trail extends about 11 miles along the right-of-way formerly used by the Georgetown Branch rail line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
 
Bicycles are permitted on Metro rail (limited to two bicycles per car) weekdays, except 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Bicycles are permitted all day Saturday and Sunday as well as most holidays (limited to four bicycles per car). Bicycles are not permitted on Metro rail on July 4th and other special events or holidays when large crowds use the system.

• Silver Spring (In the vicinity of Stewart Avenue): This segment of the trail is little used, and there is almost always on-street parking available.
  
• Little Falls Parkway: The trail crosses the Bethesda Pool’s two parking lots along Little Falls Parkway.  Usually, there is space available, but it can become congested during the summer months when the pool is open.
  
• River Road Bridge area: Parking is generally available on evenings and weekends in parking areas used by commercial or industrial facilities during working times.  However, discretion is advised to avoid locations where towing might result.
• MacArthur Boulevard and Sangamore Road: Parking is available in the parking lots of Little Falls Mall which are rarely crowded. The Mall is located about two blocks up Sangamore Road from the intersection.

Avalon Skate Park

15871 Washington Blvd.
Elkridge, MD 21075
410-276-2029

Bohrer Park: Gaithersburg Skate/Bike Park

510 South Frederick Avenue
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
301-258-6350

Hagerstown BMX Track

370 N Cannon Avenue
Hagerstown, MD 21740

Rockville Skate/Bike Park

355 Martin’s Lane
Rockville, MD 20850
240-314-8766