Howard County, Maryland
449 hiking & walking trails · 0parks, recreation areas & campgrounds · 13 cities. Real OpenStreetMap + Recreation.gov data, with a free trail map for every listing.
About Hiking in Howard County, Maryland
Howard County is home to 449 mapped hiking trails and 0 federal parks, campgrounds, and recreation areas spread across 13 cities. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors; park and campground info comes from Recreation.gov.
Looking for something specific? Search all trails in Howard County or browse parks. Want to narrow further? Pick a city below to see only that city’s outdoor options.
Trails & Parks in Howard County
Up to 200 pinpoints showing trail and park locations across the county.
Cities in Howard County
Click any city to see trails and parks within it.
Sample Trails in Howard County
Curated Guides for Howard County
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there hiking trails in Howard County, Maryland?
Yes — we have 449 mapped hiking and walking trails in Howard County, Maryland, sourced from OpenStreetMap. Browse the full list below, with distance, elevation, and difficulty for each.
What is the most difficult hiking trail in Howard County, Maryland?
Access Road Path near Ellicott City is rated hard — the toughest classification among Howard County, Maryland's mapped trails.
What is the best hiking trail in Howard County, Maryland for families?
Affeldt Climb (HoCo Thru Trail) near Woodstock is one of the best family picks in Howard County, Maryland — easy difficulty, short enough for kids and first-timers. See the full family hiking guide below for more options.
Is there a trail map for Howard County, Maryland?
Each of the 449 trails in Howard County, Maryland has its own page with an interactive map, GPS coordinates, and a link to view it on OpenStreetMap — no app or account needed.
What parks and recreation areas are in Howard County, Maryland?
We don't have parks or recreation areas mapped in Howard County, Maryland yet.
Can I go camping in Howard County, Maryland?
We don't show any campgrounds with mapped campsites in Howard County, Maryland right now — check the state level for more camping options nearby.
Where can I find hiking trails and parks near Howard County, Maryland?
Browse all hiking trails, walking trails, parks, and campgrounds across Maryland for more options beyond Howard County, Maryland.
Hiking guides for Maryland
Statewide rankings and guides — useful context for Howard County.
Photo: Tobias MrzykThe 10 Longest Hiking Trails in Maryland, Ranked
Maryland's longest mapped hiking trails, ranked by distance with notes on what makes each route worth the commitment.
Photo: Tobias MrzykMaryland's 10 Most Punishing Trails by Elevation Gain
Steep is hard. These are the ten Maryland trails with the most total elevation gain — quad-burners earned by hard climbing.
Photo: Maddi BazzoccoThe Best Beginner-Friendly Hikes in Maryland
Ten gentle, well-marked Maryland trails perfect for first-time hikers, families, or recovery days.
Photo: Tobias MrzykThe 10 Most Challenging Hikes in Maryland
Maryland's ten hardest hikes — expert difficulty, big mileage, or serious exposure. Reserved for experienced hikers.
Photo: Diego LozanoThe Best National Parks & Recreation Areas in Maryland
Federal parks and recreation areas in Maryland ranked by what they actually offer hikers and campers, not just popularity.
Photo: Tobias MrzykBest Waterfall Hikes in Maryland: 10 Trails to See Falls Up Close
Maryland's best hikes to named waterfalls — from short family-friendly viewpoints to all-day cascade chasing.