Sykesville/River Road
Patapsco Valley State Park
River Road, Sykesville Maryland 21784
Sykesville-River Road
Amenities None.
Special Attractions: Sykesville, across the river, has a visitor center with facilities, as well as several restaurants. Easy access to the Patapsco River, plus a Cliff Swallow colony under the MD 32 bridge. Scrubland habitat with species unusual for the PVSP.
Handicapped Access: This is the only portion of the park where there is extensive close vehicular access to the river. Coupled with the extensive scrubland habitat, it is one of the most interesting parts of the park.
Habitat: The section along the river is floodplain and mature deciduous woods. South along River Road, forest gives way to former farmland. Those openings and a pipeline crossing are now overgrown with grass, shrubs, and small trees creating a successional scrubland habitat for the near future.
Layout: From Sykesville, River Road runs south under the Route 32 bridge and follows close beside the South Branch of the Patapsco River for about a mile. This is not a fee area. Here the river forms the boundary between Howard County and Carroll County. The road is so close to the river that there are no trails except for one short one that leads up a small stream valley south from the parking area. At the southeast edge of the section, a riverside trail begins and runs east along the river, for approximately three miles to Henryton Road. Approximately 1.2 miles farther south on River Road, a pipeline crossing gives access to a network of several miles of trails in overgrown former farmland. There is parking along the shoulder for a few cars.
River area. The forested section at the river is birded by walking along the road which runs along a low bank close to the river. Listen for Northern Parula, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, and other migrant and resident warblers. The short trail along the stream near the parking lot may have Wood Thrushes and other interior forest birds. Walk north along the road to Route 32 Bridge and look up under the south edge of the south bridge to observe the Cliff Swallow nesting colony.
Shrubland area – Approximately 1.2 miles farther south on River Road, there is room for two or three cars to park on the shoulder at a pipeline crossing. Take care not to block access. Even if the gate is open, DO NOT park in the nearby parking lot which is for those with a hunting permit. The grassy trails in this area are often wet and have some muddy sections. Take tick precautions!
Walk east along the pipeline and soon a grass trail will lead off to the right. The trail will circle around to the left and cross the pipeline. A house will come into view, and you will reach a trail junction in about a half mile. Take the right trail to continue beyond a pasture into a second area of overgrown field surrounded by woods. There is a potentially confusing network of trails on this plateau. Trails lead down to the Patapsco River to the northeast or to the pipeline to the southwest. Take the left grass path up a slight grade through tall grasses and scattered shrubs to loop back toward the parking area. The path will parallel a driveway with scrubland to the left and pastures to the right.
Compilers: Scott Berglund and Felicia Lovelett.
