Howard County Bird Club
Avalon/Orange Grove Detailed Information
Level paved trails on both sides of the Patapsco River, extensive picnic areas and playgrounds, an historic swinging bridge, rich history, plus miles of trails on the wooded slopes make this one of the most popular sections of Patapsco Valley State Park (PVSP).
Habitat: Most of the Avalon/Orange Grove Area is wooded floodplain forest along the Patapsco River or upland tulip poplar and oak deciduous forest on moderate to steep hillsides. There are areas of coniferous forest at some stream cuts. There are multiple small stream valleys entering the river. Avalon has extensive mown grass and meadow areas.
Layout: This section of the park south of Ellicott City extends downstream from the pedestrian bridge crossing at Ilchester Rd almost four miles to the Patapsco River bridge at US 1. The Patapsco River in this area forms the boundary between Howard County and Baltimore County.
There is only one entrance by car to the Avalon/Glen Artney/Orange Grove area of the park and this is from South St. in Relay. This gated entrance is just 50 yards north of Washington Blvd. (U.S. 1).
Park hours are 9:00 a.m. to sunset. The entrance road gate is closed outside of these hours. This is a fee area. At the entrance station a per person fee schedule is posted. Pets are prohibited in developed areas.
The 1.2 mile entrance road starts at the south end in Baltimore County, passes under the historic Thomas Viaduct railroad bridge and the high Interstate 95 bridge, and ends at Gun Rd. (a T junction with a stop sign). At this point, the land on both sides of the river is known as the Avalon Area. It is named after the historic community, long since vanished in a flood save for the viaduct and a historic house containing the Avalon Visitors Center, which is open 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekends.
For information, call park headquarters M-F 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at 410-461-5005. To report problems, call the headquarters or Park Watch at 1-800-825-PARK. The professionally produced PVSP “Complete Trail Map” is recommended.
Howard County Layout (west side) – Turn left at the T junction (Gun Rd.); almost immediately cross the Patapsco River into Howard County and turn right at the dead end (River Rd.), which parallels the west side of the river. The paved road is multi-use for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as vehicles. This section of the Avalon
Area contains picnic shelters, a playground, and restrooms. A pay telephone is located here. One and a half miles farther along River Road is the Orange Grove Area with picnic areas and restrooms. An historic swinging bridge over the river provides a pedestrian crossing. From this point north, the road is for pedestrians only. It
continues as a partly paved path 0.7 miles upstream along the river, ending at the historic Bloede Dam (now removed).
Extensive acreage upslope from the Avalon and Orange Grove areas contains more than 8.0 miles of connecting trails. Trail maps are posted on informational signs outside each restroom. Wooden signs mark trail entrances. Before the entrance road opens at 9:00 a.m., early morning birders can access the park from several
other points in Howard County: Ilchester Rd. on the north (parking on the shoulder in Baltimore County after Ilchester Rd. crosses the Patapsco River and becomes Hilltop Rd.) and Landing Rd. on the park’s west side (shoulder parking). Both are described in more detail below.
Baltimore County Layout (east side) – A right turn at the entrance road T junction (Gun Rd.) leads to the Avalon Visitor Center. Continue along the park road on the east side (Baltimore County) to little Lost Lake. The 1.6 mile paved Grist Mill Trail continues upriver to a pedestrian bridge which crosses back into Howard County at
Ilchester Road below Ellicott City.
The upslope Glen Artney Area, containing picnic areas and more than five miles of trails, is reached from Lost Lake through a railroad underpass and park roads. Farther north in Baltimore County, the Hilton Area is connected by more than four miles of trails to the other areas; it is reached by road from a separate entrance.
Before the entrance road opens at 9:00 a.m., early morning birders can access the park from several other points in Baltimore County. Gun Rd. dead ends at a small parking lot just outside the park near the Avalon Visitor Center. Birders can park on Hilton Ave. and walk into the Hilton Area which connects by trail to the Orange Grove Area. A
parking lot on Hilltop Rd. gives access to the river by way of the Buzzard Rock Trail.
Best Time to Visit: Spring, summer, and fall. Because some Neotropical species breed here, it is often productive in late spring or early summer. The paved trails along the river are popular year-round with walkers and bicyclists. The day use areas are very popular during the warm season, especially on weekends.
Birding: Species expected here during appropriate seasons include any migrant passerine likely in the county as well as residents. Lost Lake on the Baltimore County side in Avalon has been frequented in recent summers by night-herons. Sometimes they can be seen feeding along the river. Bald Eagles have been sighted with increasing frequency, above the river from Elkridge to Ellicott City. Eastern Screech-Owls have been heard near both the Gun Rd. railroad crossing and the swinging bridge at Orange Grove. Great Horned Owls seem to favor the ridge tops and Barred Owls the valley.
From the gated South Street entrance, the road winds along the east side of the river passing beneath the Thomas Viaduct, completed in 1805. This is the oldest stone arch bridge still in use. Turn left at the T junction (Gun Rd.) to cross the Patapsco River into Howard County on the west side of the river. Turn right into the Avalon parking lot. Bird the meadow areas adjacent to the river for sparrows, especially from mid-October into spring. Indigo Buntings are numerous and conspicuous along this section of the river. Watch during the appropriate season for Osprey, Spotted and Solitary sandpipers, migrant flycatchers, vireos, warblers, tanagers, and orioles. A short section of level forested trail leads downstream along the river.
To explore the trail system further, walk up the road toward Orange Grove about 0 .2 miles to reach the Ridge Trail entrance. This trail runs along a ridge paralleling the road for 2.2 miles returning to the road near the Orange Grove Area. It is especially good for wildflowers. Look for miterwort, blue cohosh, and toothworts, along with other attractive spring blooms. Paths along the many streams emptying into the river are almost certain to have at least one breeding pair of Louisiana Waterthrushes during the breeding season.
Continue 1.7 miles along River Road to reach the Orange Grove parking area. There is little parking along the way due to the steep slope and guardrail. Be sure to bird the Orange Grove parking lot. Turkey and Black vultures have been known to roost in the trees directly behind the lot. They are best seen early in the morning or at dusk. On the river side there are several walnut trees, uncommon in the county. Be sure to bird the picnic area near the swinging bridge; it can be highly productive during spring migration. Worm-eating Warblers can
sometimes be heard uphill near the Cascade Falls Trail entrance.
From the Orange Grove parking lot, the level River Road Trail (paved for all but the last few tenths of a mile where it changes to gravel) continues upstream 0.7 miles where it ends at the former Bloede Dam. Along the river Northern Parulas, Yellow Warblers, and American Redstarts are common nesters. Prothonotary and Yellow-throated warblers are found occasionally; Baltimore Oriole is likely; also look for Warbling Vireo. Green Herons can be found periodically fishing in gravel-bed shallows, and Rough-winged Swallows course over the river in late spring and early summer.
Another choice from the Orange Grove parking lot is to hike uphill along the scenic Cascade Falls Trail. This begins steeply but levels to a moderate grade as it climbs to the trailhead at Landing Road. Along this trail, paralleling Cascade Run, are some of the most mature trees in the county. During periods of adequate rainfall, five to fifteen foot waterfalls are a highlight of this peaceful trail. Birding for mature woods species such as Pileated Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, and resident warblers can be rewarding during the breeding season, as well as migrants in spring and fall. Wild Turkeys are sometimes seen. Occasionally, any of the three resident owls are heard. Wildflowers are most abundant in April and early May. If there has been heavy rain, some stream crossings may not be easily negotiated (not all stream crossings are bridged). On weekends and holidays large numbers of mountain bikers use this narrow, rocky trail so exercise caution.
The historic 300-foot swinging bridge spanning the river at Orange Grove, provides pedestrian access to the paved Grist Mill Trail on the east side of the river in Baltimore County. This trail is generally more open than the River Road Trail and may produce a different mix of birds; it also provides good views across the river and into the forest canopy. Watch for bicyclists moving quickly along this popular path.
From the swinging bridge, turn right and follow the trail 1.3 miles downstream to the Lost Lake area, known for interesting birds. (Instead of hiking that distance, it is possible to make a stop at the lake as you drive out.) Green Herons can be found periodically fishing in gravel-bed shallows or perched in the trees near Lost Lake. During recent summers, several Yellow-crowned and Black-crowned night-herons perched at the lake and fished in the
stream that feeds it.
Landing Road Access – There are two shoulder parking areas along Landing Road on the western edge of the park. This limited parking is popular and has no posted hours. The northernmost parking (opposite Grovemont Drive) is adjacent to the entrance of the Cascade Falls Trail which can be followed down to the Orange Grove parking lot. The southernmost connects to the Morning Choice Trail which can either connect to the Cascade Falls Trail or can be followed down to the Avalon Area. The East entrance to Rockburn Branch Park is between these two parking areas. If planning to be picked up at Avalon or Orange Grove, remember that the park entrance does not open until 9:00 a.m. and closes at sunset. Note that the Trail Maintenance Plan posted on the PVSP website calls for the eventual closing of this parking and trailhead access for safety reasons.
Ilchester Road Access – Another access for early morning birding is from Ilchester Rd. adjacent to the river. From that point, it is possible to reach Orange Grove on a faint trail on the Howard County side or cross the pedestrian
bridge and take the paved Grist Mill Trail to the swinging bridge or to Lost Lake. Parking is not available immediately adjacent to the bridge. Note the numerous “No Parking” signs on Ilchester Road. Although it is tempting, do not park under the railroad bridge or at the businesses on the north side of the bridge as vehicles in
those locations are ticketed aperiodically. Instead, cross the Patapsco River into Baltimore County (Ilchester Rd. becomes Hilltop Rd.) In about 0.2 mile, there is limited parking on a gravel shoulder. From this Ilchester Rd. access, each side of the river has advantages depending on the time of day and season of the year. On a hot summer day the Howard County side is shaded, while in winter the more sunny Grist Mill Trail is a warmer walk.
Highlights: In addition to the birds, this was once an industrial area where the river was used to power textile mills. There are several informational signs. The Thomas Viaduct, swinging bridge, visitor center, dam, and railroad artifacts are all remnants of this era.
Handicapped Access: There are accessible restrooms at Avalon and Orange Grove. The large paved Avalon parking lot has good views of the lawn and meadow, as well as the wooded slopes behind. There is a level 0.2 mile section of paved and gravel trail leading downstream from the parking area.
At Orange Grove there is a large paved parking lot; two handicapped parking spaces are also placed at the entrance to the River Road Trail, which is level and paved for almost all of its length. The pedestrian swinging bridge may be crossed to access the paved wheelchair accessible 1.7 mile Grist Mill Trail. This riverside trail has generally level to moderate slopes. (The southern end of the Grist Mill Tail may also be reached by driving to the
Lost Lake area on the Baltimore County side.)