Gunpowder Falls State Park, Kingsville, Md
Distance: 20 miles of pathways
This park has more than 120 miles of hiking trails. We suggest heading to the Sweathouse Branch Wildlands Area and following the blue-blazed Stocksdale Trail to the clear waters of Big Gunpowder Falls River. The well-maintained path parallels a shallow creek that you can dip in if you need to cool off. But the best swimming hole is a mile in, after you merge onto the yellow-blazed Sweathouse Trail. All told, it’s a two-mile round-trip. To make an easy five-mile loop, continue on Sweathouse to rejoin the Stocksdale Trail, turning left, then pick up the pink-blazed Wildlands Trail. For more, click here.