Gunpowder Falls State Park
Ranked #2,698 in Sports & Recreation, #81,107 overall
Visit Gunpowder Falls State Park
Contents at a Glance
The Hereford area
All images copyright © 2009 Chris Scroggins
FROM THE WEBSITE:
The Hereford Area, located in northern Baltimore County, is one of five designated recreation areas in Gunpowder Falls State Park. The area's 3,620 acres feature a scenic wilderness setting preserved under State Wildland status for nature appreciation and outdoor adventures. Anglers enjoy a nationally renowned special trout management area located downstream from Prettyboy Reservoir and hikers and horseback riders explore more than 20 miles of wooded trails. The Big Gunpowder Falls, which flows through the Hereford Area valley, also attracts canoeing, kayaking and tubing enthusiasts throughout the year.
Fly Fishing
NOTE: Fishing in this area is catch and release only. © Chris Scroggins
Kayakers always look happy on the Gunpowder river! © Chris Scroggins
For detailed information on put in and take out locations, call the state park office at 410-592-2897
Kayaking and Tubing
- KAYAKING THE GUNPOWDER IN HEREFORD
- Read about where to kayak in the Hereford area.
- TUBING THE GUNPOWDER IN HEREFORD
- Read about where to put in and take out in the Hereford area of Gunpowder Falls State Park.
- TUBE RENTALS
- Tubes can be rented at Monkton Bike Inc.
Cold Water
Even in midsummer, the Gunpowder river can be as cold as 50 or 60 degrees!
Hiking Trails
There are 4 EASY trails accessible from the Masemore parking area. © Chris Scroggins
Wooded trails offer some welcome protection from the sun. © Chris Scroggins
Look for these wildflowers:
trout lily
blue violets
yellow violets
white violets
dutchman's breeches
mayapple
bluets
nodding trillium
spiderwort
skunk cabbage
star of bethlehem
jack in the pulpit
honeysuckle
mountain laurel
Wildflowers and Sunshine
Most wildflowers only open up on SUNNY Days. Photographers and wildflower lovers should plan accordingly.
Buttercups
© Chris Scroggins
Jack in the Pulpit
© Chris Scroggins
Star of Bethlehem
© Chris Scroggins
Wild Geranium
© Chris Scroggins
Mayapples
© Chris Scroggins
Fiddleheads
© Chris Scroggins
Spiderwort
© Chris Scroggins
Bluets
© Chris Scroggins
Wildlife Sightings
Cute frogs are a common site along the river trails. © Chris Scroggins
Beavers are active in spring 2009 across from the Masemore Parking lot area. © Chris Scroggins
Chris Scroggins Photography
- LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY PRINTS
- Browse landscape photography by Chris Scroggins. Includes prints of Gunpowder Falls State Park.
- CARDS BY CHRIS SCROGGINS
- Browse thank you cards, birthday cards, boxed blank greeting cards printed with nature photography by Chris Scroggins.
- SCENIC LANDSCAPE GREETING CARDS
- Are you looking for a unique landscape photography gift? Browse Chris Scroggins' scenic blank greeting cards and note card gifts and calendars of waterfalls, mountains, forests and US National Parks.
- BUSINESS BIRTHDAY CARDS
- Browse landscape birthday cards perfect for family, friends and business associates.
Gunpowder Falls State Park Links
- Gunpowder Falls State Park Overview
- An overview of the Gunpowder State Park system.
- Hereford Area Trail Guide
- If you are serious about hiking this park I highly recommend getting a copy of the trail map! Get information on how to order the Hereford area trail guide here.
- Backwater Angler Outfitters
- Backwater Angler, located in Monkton, Maryland offers guided six to eight hour flyfishing trips, as well as hands-on fly fishing classes for novice to advanced anglers. Learn casting techniques, stream etiquette, wading safety, entomology, and other tricks to make your fishing expeditions more successful. For a complete schedule of guided trips, classes and associated fees, call their store.
- Official Gunpowder Falls State Park Website
- Browse the official website of Gunpowder State Park.
- Millpond Cottage
- Read about how to rent Millpond Cottage.
The Gunpowder Valley Conservancy:
Gunpowder Valley Conservancy Celebration!
- AN EVENING IN THE FOREST
- Help celebrate 20 years of caring for the land and water of the Gunpowder watershed by this nonprofit group.
- GUNPOWDER VALLEY CONSERVANCY
- Learn all about the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy, "a non-profit organization (which) mobilizes people and resources to care for the lands, waters and character of the Gunpowder Watershed. Its emphasis is on land preservation, restoration, stream cleanups and education."
My Gunpowder Guest Book
I hope you've enjoyed my photographs of Gunpowder Falls State Park. Perhaps you will be inspired to visit this park, or to spend more time in nature at your own state's parks. Please sign my guest book. Signed, Nature Maven
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efriedman
Sep 13, 2011 @ 9:54 am | delete
- Enjoyed description of the park and your beautiful photographs.
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NatureMaven
Sep 15, 2011 @ 11:36 am | delete
- Thanks for your kind comments on my lenses! News update: Hurricane Irene definitely left her mark on the river; the little foot bridge has been washed away and there is a lot of silt in the water. On Sunday the river was running very fast and deep and it was not safe to fish. I was heartened to see the resident great blue heron make a very nice catch on the river's edge. And I saw an osprey too!
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Ryan Spahn
Jul 15, 2011 @ 5:44 pm | delete
- Beautiful photos.
I, myself recently had the chance to enjoy this part of Maryland and I did so all while floating down Gunpowder Falls on a tube. After doing so I am officially a Gunpowder Falls tubing advocate. If you live in the area and like to relax tubing here can't be beat!
I enjoyed it so much i went and looked for other places to go tubing in MD and published my findings at http://tubing-maryland.com. Though i havent found a place as good as the Gunpowder.
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NatureMaven
Jul 21, 2011 @ 4:35 pm | delete
- Thanks, Ryan--I agree, tubing on the Gunpowder is a great way to stay cool on 102 degree days like today!
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CarolsCamera
Jul 15, 2011 @ 2:27 pm | delete
- Excellent lens! Informative and the pictures make one want to visit the park. Nicely done, and better than a lot of brochures and pamphlets I've seen on similar places.
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NatureMaven
Jul 15, 2011 @ 4:57 pm | delete
- thanks for your kind comments, Carol. It's nice to see you here on squidoo~
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RenaissanceWoman2010
Jun 8, 2011 @ 2:25 pm | delete
- Lovely and informative. An unbeatable combination. Feel as though I have just had a wonderful nature outing. Ahhh... :-)
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NatureMaven
Jul 15, 2011 @ 4:58 pm | delete
- I'm so glad you stopped by!
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WriterBuzz
Oct 10, 2010 @ 3:38 am | delete
- I just found your lens. I like it a lot. Thanks for building it. Gave you a thumbs up.
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Tipi
Oct 4, 2010 @ 5:16 pm | delete
- I was thinking about this beautiful photo gallery the other day. Was making a lens about Fly Fishing, only thing is it was spelled fly-flishing in the url, so I deleted it, and never did start again. ~ Thinking of you, hope things are going well!
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Baltimore Walks and Wildflower Guidebooks
Find out about more great walks in the Baltimore area and get guidebooks to Eastern Wildflowers:
Directions
directions to the Masemore Road parking area:
take exit # 27, Mt Carmel Road
at stop sign, left onto Mt Carmel Road
Right onto Masemore Road
pass farm on right,
go down a hill
watch for oncoming traffic at old stone house
parking is on the right before the bridge
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Maryland Fall Foliage Hotline
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- Get weekly reports on where to see the best Autumn color in Maryland from the DNR.
by NatureMaven
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