Tuckahoe State Park Trails

Directions:

Tuckahoe State Park, MD is approximately 25 minutes east of the Bay Bridge. From Route 50 traveling east, turn left onto Route 404. Travel approximately 8 miles. Turn left at stoplight onto Route 480. Travel a short distance and turn left onto Eveland Road. The park visitor center is a white farmhouse located approximately 3 miles on the left.

General Description:

If it's outdoor adventure you are looking for, this is the place to find it. Tuckahoe State Park is divided by Tuckahoe Creek, which runs the length of the park's 3,800-acres. Mountain bikers, equestrians and hikers can explore gentle terrain on over 15 miles of scenic trails in this stream and valley park. A short section of The American Discovery Trail (ADT), which traces a route from the eastern seaboard to the west coast, passes through Tuckahoe State Park. There are several self-guided water trails to explore by kayak and canoe. Park Naturalist-led canoe trips within the park are also available year-round. Other trails include a self-guided Natural Trail and a 2 mile Physical Fitness Trail.

Due to the unique composition of the area's streams, fields, forests, wetlands and 60-acre lake (no motors allowed), a tremendous diversity of plant and wildlife can be enjoyed. It is not uncommon to spot bald eagles, ospreys, and great blue herons. Don't be too suprised if a beaver or muskrat swims past your canoe.

Park facilities include: family camping area, cabins, central bathhouse with showers and restroom facilities, picnic areas with tables and grills, playgrounds. Mountain bikes, kayaks, paddleboats and canoes are also available for rent at the park during the spring, summer and fall. Contact the park for current service charges, available days and times and stop at the Park Visitor's Center for more information.

The Adkins Arboretum and the nearby Crouse Mill historic site (see Notes below) are worth a visit before or after your mountain biking adventure.

The Trails:

Tuckahoe's trails are mostly level, easy paths. Following periods of rain they can be very slippery, especially along riverbanks and flooded woodlands. It's best to avoid biking here during wet periods.

Tuckahoe Valley Trail: 4.5 miles (easy to moderate)
Enjoy easy mountain biking amidst forests of beech and poplar. Several stream crossings are required. The section of the trail within the boundaries of the Adkins Arboretum is lightly marked. Wet sections of this trail are marked accessible to hikers and cyclists only.

Tuckahoe Office Spur Trail: .25 miles (white blaze with blue dot)
From the park visitor center, walk through history as you view barns, a storage building and milk house from earlier days. A small pond along the trail is home to spring peepers, toads and herons.

Arboretum Spur Trail: .25 mile (white blaze with red dot)
This trail travels through a thinned loblolly pine plantation. Observe wildflowers, young trees and shrubs growing in the clearings. A small stream passes along the edge of the trail in a mature thicket of briars, vines and trees, providing excellent cover and food for wildlife.

Creek-Side Cliff Trail: 1.25 miles
This remote trail meanders along the high bluffs of Tuckahoe Creek offering a variety of challenging terrain and nice view of the flooded woodland below. Old foundations and fencerows of a settlement abandoned long ago can be observed.

Piney Branch Loop Trail: .4 mile
Winds along Piney Branch with occasional views of a flooded woodland where beaver, wood ducks and song birds are often spotted.

Equestrian Cutoff Trail: 1.4 miles
Suitable for all trail users. Pass a shelter built for campers on the American Discovery Trail.

Turkey Hill Trail: .25 miles
Travels through a mature stand of mixed hardwoods. This is excellent habitat for turkey, deer and forest birds. The trail heads west and crosses a deep section of the Tuckahoe River, accessible by equestrians only.

Little Florida Trail: 1.75 miles
So named because at the southern end of the trail, is a "Florida" like sandy soil. Old sand and gravel operations left abandoned gravel pits so stay on the trail to avoid them. The area provides excellent habitat for frogs and other amphibians. Deep water prevents crossing the river other than by equestrians.

Greiner's Fishing Trail: .5 mile
As you head into the woods, take care to remain on the old roadbed, as the nearby field is private property. This trail reaches a grassy area along the river, providing excellent fishing access. Check with park staff on the status of a planned bridge to span the creek, providing access to the Tuckahoe Valley Trail.

Pee Wee's Trail: 1.6 miles
Begins by following an old field that is returning to forest. Connect this trail with the Little Florida and Tuckahoe Valley trails for an adventure-some equestrian loop.

Park Notes:

Adkins Arboretum

Adkins Arboretum is a 400-acre preserve operated by a private, non-profit agency within the park boundaries. The Arboretum trail system has 3.5 miles of interpretive trails and gravel handicapped accessible walkways.

Visit their website for information about interpretive programs: www.adkinsarboretum.org

Historical Note:

This area has a very rich history. The area's earliest inhabitants were the Nanticoke Indians, who established villages along Tuckahoe Creek. Although officially undocumented, it is widely believed that Tuckahoe Creek was also part of Harriet Tubman's Underground Railroad, a secret network of safe houses where runaway slaves could stay on their journey north to freedom. Another famous runaway slave and abolitionist, Frederick Douglass, was born in a log cabin located along Tuckahoe Creek.

Crouse Mill Site:
The park's entrance road, Crouse Mill Road, is named after a colonial gristmill, which operated near the road from 1876 until 1920. Today, the foundation and the mill race (the canal in which water was conveyed to the mill wheel) still remain in Tuckahoe State Park. Photographs of the former mill and a centennial plaque from 1976 are on display at the park visitor center.

For more information:

Tuckahoe State Park
13070 Crouse Mill Road
Queen Anne MD 21657

Phone: (410) 820-1668
TTY: call via the Maryland Relay at 711 (in Maryland) or 800-735-2258
Website: Tuckahoe State Park

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