Patapsco Valley State Park - McKeldin Area

The McKeldin area is in the most Northern part of Fishing at the McKeldin Area of PatapscoPatapsco, along Marriottsville Road in Carroll County. McKeldin has opportunities for the horseback rider, mountain biker, hiker and disc golfer. This area has miles of multi-use trails, which are very popular with the equestrian community. The Rapids area has drive to picnic spots with access to trails along the river. The Main Branch and the South Branch of the Patapsco River join in the McKeldin area. Rapids along the South Branch are a beautiful but dangerous feature of this section of the park. (Note the Rapids area and the pool below the rapids are closed for swimming due to dangerous currents in this area.)

McKeldin has an 18-hole disc golf course, which provides for challenging play for disc golfers no matter their skill level. Large and small picnic shelters can be reserved in this area for your family gatherings. See if you can find the shelter that has stunning views of the Liberty Reservoir Dam. Mountain bikers will find this section of Patapsco to be challenging and unique with trails that climb in and out of the river valley. This area also has a youth group camping area. Compared to other areas of Patapsco, McKeldin feels more wide open with a slower pace than the rest of the park. There are areas here that are perfect to set up your lawn chair and kick back with a good book or for a kid to explore with their binoculars, butterfly net and magnifying glass. Take a walk on the Medicine Tree Trail using our self-guided nature walk guide or just meander along the Rapids Trail as it follows river side on the South Branch.