Gunpowder Falls State Park

Gunpowder Falls State Park (nearly 18,000 acres in Harford and Baltimore Counties) was established to protect the stream valleys of the Big and Little Gunpowder Falls and the Gunpowder River, which begins at Days Cove where the Big and Little Gunpowders converge. A variety of topography exists in this long, narrow park, from tidal marshes and wetlands to steep, rugged slopes.

There are more than 100 miles of trails, including the 21 mile Northern Central Railroad (NCR) Trail, now known as the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail in honor of Maryland's third Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary. The park features excellent trout fishing opportunities, as well as other freshwater and tidal fishing areas. Park areas include Hereford Area, along York Rd. in Parkton; the NCR/Torrey C. Brown Trail which extends from Ashland to the Pennsylvania line; the Central Area which extends from Baldwin to Days Cove along both river valleys and includes the historic village of Jerusalem; the Hammerman Area which is located in Chase near the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Grace Quarters Road and offers a swimming beach on the Gunpowder River; and Dundee Creek Marina, also located in Chase which offers boat launching, rowboat rental, fuel and a marina store.

Maps of specific park areas are available at park headquarters. To get the most out of your visit, be sure to obtain the appropriate maps, as they provide a lot of helpful information.

Pet Policy

Pets are allowed in Gunpowder Falls State Park in the following areas:

• Pets are allowed in all undeveloped areas.
• Pets are allowed in Dundee Creek Marina area.
• Pets are allowed in Hammerman area (except for sandy portion of swimming beach area).

Gunpowder Currents

We welcome you to enjoy the official newsletter of Gunpowder Falls State Park. The Gunpowder Currents, is published semi-annually and is available upon request from the park.

The Fall/Winter 2011-2012 issue of the Gunpowder Currents Newsletter is in a PDF format that requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. (Adobe Acrobat file 427 KB) - To get the free Acrobat Reader go to Adobe.com.

Gunpowder Falls State Park offers an accessible floating boat dock, picnic areas, NCR/Torrey C. Brown Trail, visitors' center, youth group camping, path to swimming beach, beach bathhouse and day use pavilions. For additional accessible amenities in Maryland State Forests and Parks, visit the Accessibility For All section of this website.

Hammerman Beach Building LEED Certified

The beach building in the Hammerman Area of Gunpowder Falls State Park has received a "silver" LEED Certification Rating for its use of energy efficient construction. The new building provides space for employee offices, public restrooms and showers, and a concession area that serves food to park visitors. The park is expected to save thousands of dollar annually on heating and water costs as a result of the energy efficient design, which includes:

• 32% energy reduction (high efficient lighting and equipment, southern exposure of windows for maximum use of daylight, light colored metal roofing to reflect sunlight)
• 50% reduction in potable water use over a conventional building (rainwater collection for toilet flushing, waterless urinals, low flow lavatories and shower heads)
• 91% of construction waste recycled
• 50% recycled materials used to meet LEED criteria
• daylight to 75% of occupied spaces and views to outdoors from 90% of spaces
• low volatile organic compound building materials
• 20% of materials manufactured locally and 50% of materials harvested locally

Hereford Area:

This northern-most section of the park includes excellent fly fishing in the Big Gunpowder, in a special Catch and Return Area downstream from the Prettyboy Dam. Bowhunting opportunities are also available (permits may be obtained through park headquarters). Hiking and horseback riding are popular activities in the area.

The Hereford Area Trail Guide, complete with a topographical map of the hiking trails, is available for sale at Gunpowder Falls State Park headquarters.

To purchase copies of the Gunpowder Falls State Park - Hereford Area Trail Guide with a credit card, please "click" on this link to place your order online.

To purchase copies of the Gunpowder Falls State Park - Hereford Area Trail Guide with a check, please "click" on this link to print an order form.

Bow hunting for white-tailed deer is available seasonally by permit only in the area west of I-83. Certain restrictions apply. For more infomation or to purchase a permit, please call the park's headquarters or visit the Maryland DNR Guide to Hunting and Trapping.

Hunters may enter / remain on park property outside of the regular posted hours provided that they are engaged in legitimate, authorized hunting activity.

Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail

This 21 mile abandoned railroad bed makes an ideal surface for hikers, bikers and horseback riders to enjoy. The former NCR rail trail has been officially renamed the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail, in honor of Maryland's third Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary. Dr. Brown's vision was the major driving force in developing this multi-use recreational trail. Read more about the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail.

Points of natural and historic interest can be found along the way, including the restored Monkton Train Station, which serves as a museum, gift shop and Ranger Station to visitors. The Monkton Station is open Wednesday through Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The Station is also open on weekends in the spring and fall. The Sparks Bank Nature Center is also located on the Trail. The Nature Center is open on summer weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is available to school groups on request.

A trail guide for the rail trail is available for purchase below.

• To purchase copies of the Gunpowder Falls State Park - Torrey C. Brown Trail Guide with a credit card, please "click" on this link to place your order online.
• To purchase copies of the Gunpowder Falls State Park - Torrey C. Brown Trail Guide with a check, please "click" on this link to print an order form.

Central Area

From the Sweet Air section in Baldwin to the Days Cove Area in White Marsh, Central Area property follows the Big and Little Gunpowder Falls through mostly undeveloped areas. Many miles of hiking trails traverse this area. The Big and Little Gunpowders are both stocked with trout in put-and-take fishing areas. Areas of special interest in Central include:

• Sweet Air - This area is approximately 1,250 acres in size and is popular among equestrians. Located in Baldwin, access to the area is on Dalton-Bevard Road.
• Sweathouse Branch Wildlands Area - This area features several loop trails through hardwood forest along the banks of the Big Gunpowder. Birders and wildflower enthusiasts enjoy these trails. Bicycles are prohibited in this and other Wildland areas. Parking is located at the Route 1 bridge over the Big Gunpowder, north of Perry Hall.
• Jerusalem Village - Located on the banks of the Little Gunpowder Falls, this quaint historic village includes several newly restored structures. Among these is the historic Jerusalem Mill, which houses the park headquarters and a small museum. The village also has a Blacksmith shop and gun factory, where gun stocks were crafted during the Revolutionary War. Visitors can also enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Little Gunpowder from the Mill to the Jerico Covered Bridge. The round-trip hike is less than one mile. The museum, staffed completely by volunteers, is open on weekends from 1p.m. to 4p.m. and is also available by special request. The park offices are located on the second floor of the Jerusalem Mill, and are open Monday - Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Historic weapons safety guidelines for interpretive demonstration purposes as authorized by the Maryland Park Service.

Sweet Air Area:

With 1,250 acres, the Sweet Air section is one of Gunpowder Falls State Park's largest enclaves. The Little Gunpowder Falls flows through the area, following the border between Harford and Baltimore Counties before reaching the Chesapeake Bay. This hidden treasure includes 18 miles of trails, popular among horseback riders and mountain bikers. Visitors also enjoy hiking to the river and taking a rest at one of the numerous benches located along the trails.

The Gunpowder Falls State Park - Sweet Air Trail Guide is temporarily out of stock.

Managed hunts are conducted at the Sweet Air to manage the promote the health of the forest's white-tailed deer population. For information about hunting, call Gunpowder Falls State park or visit The Maryland DNR Guide to Hunting and Trapping.

Hunters may enter / remain on park property outside of the regular posted hours provided that they are engaged in legitimate, authorized hunting activity.

Hammerman and Dundee Creek Marina

The Hammerman Area offers 1,500 feet of beach and swimming area on the banks of the Gunpowder River. Lifeguards are on duty at the swimming area from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Memorial Day to Labor Day. Swimming is permitted at your own risk when lifeguards are not on duty. Four picnic shelters are available for rental. The area also has a food concession, picnic tables and grills, playground equipment and a windsurfing beach. Ultimate Watersports rents kayaks, wind surfboards and catamarans at the beach. Hammerman is open year-round, except Christmas and Thanksgiving. Hours are 8 a.m. to sunset April through October, and 10 a.m. to sunset the remainder of the year.

For more information check out a map of the Hammerman Area.

Dundee Creek Marina is located in the Chase Community of Eastern Baltimore County. The marina is located on Dundee Creek, which is off the mouth of the Gunpowder River. The marina offers a number of amenities to the slip holders and the boating public, including gas sales, sewage pump out, boat accessories, bait, fishing tackle, ice, packaged foods, gifts, and boat rentals.

Dundee Creek Marina launch ramp opened March 1, 2011.

The launch fee is $10 at the Dundee Creek Marina. Various other service charges may apply for services provided (pavilion rental, boat rental, participation in some programs and special events, etc.)

Slip Lease Includes:

• Slip; stationary inside maximum boat length 27'
• Eight-month contract (April 1-November 30)
• Municipal water hook-up at slip
• Electric hook-up at slip (private lighted pedestal)
• Sewage pump-out at pier
• Winter storage for boats on trailers (non-fenced)
• 24 hour access for all slip holders
• Automatic gate
• Designated slip holder parking

Note: - Gunpowder Falls State Park is a day use park. However, primitive Youth Group Camping is available. Click here for camper cabin and shelter service charges.