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Directions: Take Rt.5 south from Waldorf. Turn left on Camp Cosoma Rd. (around 6.5 miles south of Leonardtown). Drive to park entrance and park at end of lot by the restrooms. Trail starts to your right facing lake.
St Marys Park Overview St. Mary's River State Park, located on the headwaters of the St. Mary's River in St. Mary's County is a real treasure. Although the relatively flat landscape of the Southern Maryland area is not usually thought of as mountain biking terrain, the park's 7.5 mile singletrack trail encircling the 250-acre St. Marys Lake provides an interesting and varied mountain bike ride. The multi-use trail allows fishing from the shore or by boat and is also used by hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. The park is comprised of 2 separate areas, Sites 1 and 2. The Lake Area (Site 1), noted for great bass fishing, is located along Maryland Route 5, between Leonardtown and Great Mills, at the end of Camp Cosoma Road. It encompasses St. Mary's Lake which was created by a flood control control dam for the 5,600 acre St. Mary's River watershed. Facilities in this area include a modern comfort station, picnic tables, playground, boat launch ramps and a large, gravel parking lot. Picnicking is permitted but tables are limited. Restrooms and water fountain available in the warmer months. Site 2 is mostly a "managed" undeveloped, 2,200 acre wildland area providing habitat for rabbits and squirrels, as well as white-tailed deer. Hunting is permitted in season.
Trail Description This is a great mountain bike ride that will challenge the advanced beginner. Families with older, more experienced children will find this a nice bike and picnic day trip. 8.15 miles is the shortest route around the lake if you stick to the main trail (white markings). This challenging at times, dirt singletrack trail circles St. Mary's Lake and travels through a mixed landscape of woodlands, grassy fields, wetlands, swamps areas and streams. The terrain is mostly flat with some rolling hills requiring moderate climbs. Riders are occassionally rewarded with beautiful lake views. Look for some 18th century houses, school and sawmill sites along the trail. There are narrow wooden foot bridges that require dismounting, roots, ruts, logs, wooden planks laid over boggy spots, several stream and gully crossing shunt trails which riders can select to add additional challenges. There is one stream crossing which involves crossing a downed tree. Most riders hike-a-bike at this point. For those who want the challenge, there is a wet upstream route option. Combined with the above, lots of twisty trail make this ride more challenging than just your average scenic ride around a lake. The trail is not well-marked and ocasionally the trail branches off into spur trails. First time riders should allow extra time for unintentional, interesting and challenging detours. In the Spring or after a rain the trail gets very muddy. Stay off the trail at those times to prevent trail erosion.
Historical Note: From as far back as 3000 B.C., evidence indicates that Indians lived in the Southern Maryland area. Several different tribes occupied the area at different times, some of which include the Piscataway-Conoy, Algonquins, and the war-like Susquehannocks. Many of the names they used for their villages and rivers are still used today. Items left by these people such as arrowheads, axe heads and pottery can still be found in the fields along the stream banks of the St. Mary's River.
For more information: Point Lookout State Park Phone: (301) 872-5688
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