You can take your pup here to explore sixteen miles of fantastic trails perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and more. Whether you’re looking for a game of fetch or a scenic trek for an active day out, you and your furry friend will find it here.
Discover the incredible Catoctin Mountains with your pup at Gambrill State Park. This park offers sixteen miles of trails that offer breathtaking views. Make sure to explore the lush meadows and wooded areas for some unforgettable nature-filled moments.
Bring your canine companion for a good old-fashioned outdoor adventure to Double Rock Park. This 102-acre park offers a playground, trails for walking and biking, and several athletic fields. Enjoy an afternoon of exploration and joy with your pup in this beloved park.
This trail system is perfect for experienced hikers and agile pups ready for an action packed time. With 3.4 miles of naturally surfaced paths, you and your pup can have a pawfect time exploring the lush terrain of the trails.
Make a stop at Rosaryville State Park to explore the 982-acres of natural beauty. Enjoy a variety of trails perfect for hiking. Your pup won’t be able to resist all the sights and smells on offer in this dog friendly park paradise.
Famous among locals, North Park Loop Trail (also known as Joe K's Trail) offers you the perfect chance to take your pup for a stroll. This 3.4-mile loop trail runs along the Susquehanna River and is a great way to get some exercise and take in some fresh air.
Break away from the busy sounds of Annapolis for this scenic space that offers a great trail for you and your pup. This pet friendly park is a rolling and flowy singletrack trail system perfect for exploring the gorgeous terrain. Come see why pet owners visit repeatedly with their furry family members!
If you and your dog are looking for an adventure off the beaten path, then look no further than Terrapin Nature Park. This trail system provides lots of waterfowl, wildlife, and plant species and is perfect for a peaceful stroll. Choose your favorite trail and explore the day away.
Covering 9 miles of natural surface trail, Muddy Branch Greenway Trail is a great opportunity for you and your pooch to enjoy the rocky upland forest and the streambanks and meadows. Not to mention, you can capture the memories of your pup’s exciting day with Chesapeake Bay Bridge at the perfect backdrop!!
The WB&A Trail is a 9-mile paved pup preferred recreational trail from Odenton to the Patuxent River. With varied terrain and ecosystems, this historic trail is ideal for a leisurely stroll and taking in the beautiful nate while spending the day with your furry friend.
]]>With 300 acres, this family-owned motorsports park has track and trail riding for dirt bikes and quads. They also have a beginner trail for children to ride on. This means that parents can share their love of dirt bikes with their kids in a safe environment. With an advanced track as well, riders can also come here for a challenge. They have specials on a regular basis so you can save money that way too.
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Budds Creek is a popular motocross spot for those who like to watch the sport and those who want some incredible track to ride. They have even hosted international events where motocross stars from across the world have come to compete. This is where it’s at in Maryland for serious riders. If you want to check it out, come and watch an event before deciding to ride yourself. This family business started in 1979 and has grown to national and international recognition as a go-to spot for motocross enthusiasts.
Visit their website to see a video of people riding at full speed on their fast-paced track. Come here to kick up some dirt with your friends, race, or spend the weekend outdoors. This is a popular destination on the Eastern Shore and you can view track conditions daily by checking out their Facebook page. With so many pictures, you can see the height possibilities from the jumps you can take. They’ll make you want to get out there and get out there fast!
Located in the Garrett State Forest, the Snaggy Mountain ORV Trail is an awesome spot to dirt bike on rugged terrain while racing through the forest. The views are killer when you’re not too busy kicking up dirt to look up. The trail is open to dirt bikes after March 15 (before that, this is a snowmobile trail). The forest is 7,000 acres total so it’s incredibly private and easy to really unwind here. This is where you go to get away from it all.
Also located in Garrett State Forest, the Wallman Road ORV Trail is known for dirt bikes and motocross so you are likely to find a lot of skilled riders racing along these trails. The trail is near the Potomac River and you will see plenty of wildlife while racing around. Wild turkey, deer, and even bear are near here so keep an eye out as you ride!
]]>The Calvert Cliffs State Park has around 14 miles of hiking trails throughout, but for today, let’s focus on the Red Trail. Hikers will enjoy the beach and get treated to wild flowers. The Red Trail is only around two miles, but feel free to add additional mileage from the rest of the park trails.
Cedarville Blue Trail near Cedarville, Maryland, provides the perfect opportunity to get to know Cedarville State Forest a little better. The loop covers almost four miles through beautiful woodland. It’s a nice nature trip with stunning views.
If you’re near Port Republic, Maryland, you’ll definitely want to stop by the American Chestnut Land Trust. The entire land trust has tons of trails, but for a moderate hike, we recommend the Parkers Creep Trail. This trail features moderate inclines and stretches almost half a mile.
Perimeter Trail is a fantastic loop near Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The loop is long, coming in at just under nine miles, with almost 800 feet of elevation gain. Hikers will enjoy the challenge as much as they enjoy the river views along the way.
Rocks State Park has over 800 acres of rocky forest land ideal for hiking. This was one of the first state parks in Maryland created for the purpose of preserving its natural wonders. The King and Queen Seat is a 190-foot high rock outcrop overlooking Deer Creek. This is a wonderful sight to hike to. The park has about four miles of trails ideal for an energizing hike.
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Take the Cascade Falls Trail from the Orange Grove area, and before long you’ll catch sight of the first waterfalls along the trail. Both kids and adults will be able to manage the slightly sloping trail. It continues along for a little over two miles, with small wading areas coupled with scenic waterfalls.
Though it can be strenuous, you’ll want to check out Section A of this well-known trail in Montgomery County. People often spend four to five hours hiking around the trail, which includes one incredible panorama of the Potomac River. After that, the trail slopes downward gently, making the views at the top worth it all.
The Appalachian Mountains rise up around this state park, which is also home to the Youghiogheny River and Muddy Creek. These two whitewater rivers make for incredible views as you traverse the Canyon Trail, a 1.25-mile hike that will take you past four sets of waterfalls.
Located at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, this park is home to several historic Civil War sites. In addition, the Appalachian Trail passes through the park, meaning you might find both backpackers midway through a months-long trip or city-dwellers out for a day hike. For the best views, follow the signs for Loudoun Heights!
Take the Wolf Rock or Chimney Rock trails up from the visitor center for panoramic views at the top. There, you can also explore Maryland’s tallest waterfall—Cunningham Falls—which measure in at 78 feet. But the reason this park is best known? It’s the home of Camp David, the president’s retreat.
]]>Don’t let the name “Appalachian Trail” intimidate you. Yes, it is one of the largest trails in the world and can be incredibly rugged. However, there are sections of it that are easy enough for a family to enjoy. The area near the Washington Monument is one of them. This monument was built by locals and the hike to it is only around 20 minutes from the parking lot. The views are stunning and there are always families, with kids, around. If your children are slightly older, you can easily venture out and walk on the Appalachian Trail for as long as you, and they, like. As a bonus, there are restrooms at the parking lot, a visitor’s center, and a huge field with a playground. In other words—the entire family will enjoy themselves and be able to relax after your hike. Just bring food with you because there are no restaurants close by.
Warning: This walk can feel slightly long and slightly steep for young children. There is a good chance that you will be carrying your three-year-old for at least part of the way. However, if you don’t mind that, you will love the Calvert Cliffs and so will they. In the parking lot is a playground and picnic benches but once you start your hike, you are gently hiking down the cliffside. You will pass marshlands with incredible wildlife such as wild turtles and birds. The landscape here is stunning and certainly picture-worthy. The real treat, however, awaits you at the bottom. Here, you will find the beach. This is a rugged beach you can only access by hiking so there is zero commercialism. What you will find is fossils and plenty of them. This is the fossil destination in Maryland so bring a bucket and shovel and then plan to spend the day looking for shark and dinosaur teeth.
View this post on Instagramsuch a treat spending time with my niece. she’s becoming a lovely young lady!
This is an amazing place to hike because you can get the best of both worlds—a trail and a rustic adventure. The trail itself is seven miles-long and perfect for families. Additionally, there are over 2,000 acres of undeveloped land to explore. When wearing rugged shoes and jeans, you and your kids can get off the beaten path and look for wildlife, native plants, and maybe even a few trees to climb. Kids love the sense of freedom they get while exploring and listening to the sound of the birds fly from tree to tree will not disappoint.
There is so much to do here that you can enjoy a family hike and then go horseback riding or fishing. You can even spend time at the beach. It makes for a perfect day. Hiking can be the start of your adventure, while cooling off in the water can end it. When you find a family destination like this, all you can do is come here to hike more often.
You cannot miss Cunningham Falls in the spring. It is vibrant and beautiful. The power of the falls is something to behold, especially after it has been raining. The good news is that the hike is a relatively short and easy one, even for the kids. In the summer, you have to bring the kids back for another hike. While the falls won’t be as spectacular, the lake at the bottom of the trail will be. You can go for a hike when you get here and then spend the rest of the day swimming with the kids in a gorgeous natural lake that is surrounded by trees. They also have a concession stand here, making this one of the few places you can hike and then relax afterwards without needing to pack a ton of stuff—ideal for families that want to get out of the house and have a last-minute summer adventure. One last tip: you can’t get into the falls but with a lake here, there is no need to.
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If you’re into paddling and primitive camping, you’ll want to plan your next adventure here. The 92-mile waterway takes you along a middle-of-nowhere journey that’s nothing short of breathtaking. There are also tons of hiking trails to explore, along with old railroads and trains that make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time.
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The Genesee River and gorge create a beautiful backdrop for camping. In the fall, the bursts of bright orange, red, and yellow along the river gorge make the entire trip worthwhile. With river rafting and more than 66 miles of hiking trails, it’s no surprise this park has been voted the number one attraction in New York State.
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By far one of the most diverse parks in Connecticut, Rocky Neck is simply stunning year-round. The area is teeming with birds and other wildlife, which are best seen from the viewing platforms in the saltwater marsh. Beautiful beaches, saltwater fishing and swimming, camping, and hiking make this the perfect site for families.
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One of Vermont’s most visited parks, Little River is a destination for campers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all sorts. The site was once an early settlement that later become flooded, and you can still see the remnants of old saw mills, cemeteries, bridges, and other vestiges.
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Home of the historic Turkey Point Lighthouse, this state park remains a family favorite place to stay and play. Most notable are the miles of diverse hiking trails, including a challenging-yet-rewarding three-mile trek to the White Clay Cliffs that overlook the Chesapeake Bay.
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The Cranesville Swamp is a gorgeous forest and wetland with a nice, easy boardwalk that’s perfect for birdwatching. While you won’t get too much of a hike out of this one, the swamp provides an incredible opportunity to look through a “window into ice ages past” and see over 50 rare plants and animals. You may even catch sight of the rare northern saw-whet owl or the Nashville warbler.
When you think of birdwatching hikes, Civil War battlefields might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Antietam, however, is home to more than 77 unique bird species, and their self-guided hikes are perfect excursions. At the battlefield, you may see a common grackle, black-capped chickadee, red-tailed hawk, and much more!
Take the Laurel Trail in the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge to see songbirds and different migratory birds throughout. The trail is only about half a mile, but the gorgeous Mountain Laurels along the way combined with the different birding views are worth the trip.
The Audrey Carroll Audubon Sanctuary near Mt. Airy, Maryland, carries on the legacy of the famous ornithologist John J. Audubon. As such, it is one of the best places on the East Coast to birdwatch. They host a variety of guided nature walks, as well.
Visitors to the Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville can enjoy eight miles of nature trails and up-close views of hawks, bald eagles, and owls. For the best views, make sure to take the Raptor Walkway.
The Pemberton Park in Salisbury, Maryland, covers 262 acres and 4.5 miles of nature trails. According to their website, “it is rare to find any other place on the Eastern Shore where tidal and fresh water wetlands, fresh water ponds, upland pines, hardwood forests, and meadows can all be studied within the same site.”
The Adkins Arboretum covers over 400 acres, including five miles of meadow and paths. Birdwatchers should consider the South Meadow Loop. The arboretum is an Important Bird Area as designated by the Audubon Society, and is home to at least 12 unique species.
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This place is so cool. It’s basically a full-on resort, but a campground. Located on the beach, near Ocean City, you can camp at Frontier Town for a fraction of the cost while still being near the beach. Pitching your tent is only the start of your adventure. They have a water park with a lazy river and waterslides so you and the kids can laze the day away while relaxing in the sunshine. They also have a Western-themed park where you can spend the afternoon pretending to be a cowboy. Then there is the arcade and high ropes adventure park, camp store, saloon, creamery, and shops that make for a resort destination vacation for the price of pitching your tent. You can’t beat it.
Located on the water, a few minutes from the ocean, this campground is full of family activities but quieter than a resort campground. They have a lake that is fully-stocked with fish for their catch-and-release program, giving you and the kids plenty of easy fishing time. You can also rent a kayak and head out on the water. One thing that makes them stand out is that you can rent a cabin or a camper to stay in. This is incredibly convenient for families who want to try out camping but aren’t ready to invest in all the gear. They also have a camp store and Wi-Fi for parents who need to work.
If you are looking for activities, this is a great place to go. They have a swimming pool, four playgrounds, free hayrides, tennis, basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, a game room, fishing, inflatables (on occasion), hiking, field for games, and organized activities everyone can participate in. They also have hot showers, laundry, a camp store, and cable television for those camping with an RV. Some of their activities include gospel concerts, chili cookouts, bingo, and socials. Basically, you could have a family reunion with 100 people and everyone would find something to do. It’s a great deal.
Located in Southern Anne Arundel County, this campground is around 45 minutes from Washington D.C. but a world away. South County is rural and peaceful, yet you are so close to D.C. that it’s possible to take a day trip to see the monuments before coming back to your campsite to relax. They have a swimming pool and a giant inflatable waterslide that the kids will love. They also have cabins and RV rentals for anyone looking for a place to stay. They even have a dog park, which makes it family-friendly for everyone.
Situated on the Potomac River, Brunswick Family Campground is a scenic spot that the whole family will love escaping to. The campground offers tent camping in an area with access to hot showers, bathrooms, picnic pavilions, fire pits, and more. Brunswick also has 48 RV campsites.
]]>At Ramblin’ Pines, the amenities are plentiful—you’ll find access to shady trees, a heated pool, soccer fields, mini golf, exercise rooms, laundry areas, and so much more. It’s as luxurious as RV camping gets!
Want to go camping, but still feel at home? Castaways has the answer! At their waterfront site, you’ll enjoy views of the Sinepuxent Bay and Assateague National Seashore. Choose from an RV rental, motor home site, tent camping, or cottage to stay in.
With free Wi-Fi at this campground, you won’t have to completely disconnect—just in case. But you’ll still be able to remove yourself from the modern world and bring you and your family closer to nature. On site, you’ll find an air-conditioned café, nearby hiking opportunities, a playground, and more.
Enjoy on-site mini-golf and an arcade all from the campsite! You can also take a shuttle bus to Frontier Town for a larger water park, which the family will love! They also offer a shuttle to Ocean City, which has plenty of its own attractions. No RV? Then rent one of their 23 vacation rental sites for a weekend getaway.
In operation since 2005, Island Resort is a place where family comes first. There are 93 RV sites available—64 waterfront and some pull-through sites. All sites have full hook-ups, picnic tables, and fire rings. There is a large pool on-site, a catch-release fishing program, canoe rentals, and more.
]]>The Northern Central Railroad Trail spans nearly 20 miles in Maryland. This trail is also the site of a regular marathon presented by the Baltimore Road Runners Club. But don’t worry, you don’t have to be ready for a full-on marathon to enjoy an invigorating run on this trail!
The Patuxent Branch Trail in Columbia, Maryland, is a 4.6-mile nature trail that runs along the Patuxent River. While there is a paved option, runners are encouraged to forge their own path on the natural floor-bed and crushed stone.
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St. Mary’s River State Park is broken up into two sections: Site 1 and Site 2. Runners should stay away from Site 2, as it is often used as a hunting ground. Instead, stick to the loops around St. Mary’s River in Site 1. The trail is around 7.5 miles, and is perfectly scenic.
The Rosaryville State Park in Clinton, Maryland, has a few trail options, including the Grassland Bird Trail, Agriculture Heritage Trail, and the Perimeter Trail. Any would be a fine choice for an afternoon trail run.
Seneca Creek Greenway Trail in Montgomery County, Maryland, has several sections all along it. We recommend starting at the trail head at the Potomac River and following it as far down as you like, all the way to Route 355. Take note: along the trail, bikers and horseback riders may join and jump off, so keep an eye out!
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The Irons Family of the Ole Mink Farm has provided cabin-style camping atop the Catoctic Mountains for half a century. Log cabin options include one, two, three, and four-bedroom varieties. Seniors, take note: senior discounts are available all throughout September!
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Sponsored by the city of Bethesda, the Taste of Bethesda festival brings in over 60 restaurants and five stages of live entertainment to the city streets. Generally held in early October, admission is free! Make sure to come early so you don’t miss out on the best dishes.
Baugher’s Orchards has been a Carroll County main-stay for over 100 years. Every Saturday and Sunday throughout September and October, they open their pumpkin patches for picking. Make a day of your visit and enjoy apple picking, pumpkin picking, homemade goods, kettle corn, music, fudge, and pony rides.
Weber’s Farm and Cider Mill has opened its doors to visitors every September through December for the last 60-plus years. They use the same cider mill originally purchased in 1947 to press the apples used in their cider. Enjoy a day in the orchard before kicking back with a cider and apple treat.
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Every year, the Sandy Point State Park hosts a Chesapeake Bay Fall Rockfish Tournament with big cash money on the line. This year, make sure your angler skills are up to snuff by practicing with the Sawyer Fishing Charters group. Book a charter to take you out on the bay to test out new techniques before the big tournament.
According to their website, Baltimore Wicked History Tour invites you to “plumb the depths of Baltimore’s underbelly.” Walk from speakeasies to brothels with this on-foot tour, exploring some of the darkest history of the area.
Every year, Maryland Sunrise Farm LLC creates one of the best corn mazes in the country as named by www.countryliving.com, and this year is no exception. Choose from an easy and short 20-minute version or a more difficult, hour-long excursion. The farm hosts several food vendors onsite, too.
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It wouldn’t be fall in Maryland without the U.S. Oyster Festival. Home to the U.S. National Oyster Shucking Championship and the National Oyster Cook-Off, this particular festival is one of the best of its kind. Delight in the flavors of the region with this very special fall event.
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Owner-operator Tom Marvel continues the family hunting tradition started in the 1920s with the Chesapeake Guide Service, a company that prides itself on taking hunters out into the wild to explore all the Maryland Eastern Shore has to offer. Fall hunting in Maryland means only one thing: Whitetail Deer. The Chesapeake Guide Service boasts “leases in the three most sought-after counties on the upper Eastern Shore,” so if hunting is your thing, they’re your guys.
]]>Likewise, bass fishing is starting to pick up again as the weather begins to cool. Huge schools of threadfin shad are starting to filter away from open-water ledges into bays and tributaries where feeding conditions and water temperatures are more optimum.
Bass follow the food, first setting up on ledges at the mouths of inlets and creeks to waylay shad, then migrating back toward shallower water to keep up with their quarry.
Fall Script for Southern Bass
Bass rule in Dixie and cooler weather brings out an army of anglers who go after them. Whether largemouth, smallmouth or spotted bass, they’re available in most waters and sometimes all three varieties are present in a fishery, ready to aggravate or gratify those who seek them.
Hot Spots To Fish: When it comes to the South’s best lakes for fall fishing, the big TVA impoundments fit the bill. Because this is bass tournament country, dozens of YouTube videos and Facebook sites of pro anglers offer useful advice on where and how to catch autumn largemouths. Likewise, guide services are plentiful; just Google “fishing guides” for the lake you’re visiting or type in the town nearest the lake you wish to fish on the interactive map on this page.
Tackle You’ll Need: A 7-foot medium/heavy rod such as the St. Croix Premier Cranking, a baitcasting reel like the Abu Garcia Revo Winch and 10- to 14-pound-test monofilament makes a good combination to fish downsized lures.
Quick tip: This is strictly a match-the-hatch deal. Use lures that are about the same size as wandering shad. If young-of-the-year threadfins are on the bass menu, try small swim baits fished on drop-shot rigs.
Best Lures/Baits: Shad-colored, shallow- and medium-diving square-billed or coffin-billed crankbaits are autumn standouts. Popular lures include the Strike King 6XD, Bandit 100 or 200, Duo Realis M65, Livetarget Magnum Shad BaitBall Squarebill, Megabass S-Crank, Lucky Craft Squarebill 2.5, Storm Arashi and Rapala Shad Rap.
Fish them around shoreline cover and on the flats between creek drop-offs and the bank. Other fallback baits include spinnerbaits like the Booyah Super Shad, Stanley Vibrashaft and Nichols Pulsator. Good buzzbait options can be found from Lunker Lure, Damiki, Santone and Dirty Jigs.
Find the best fishing spots near you:
Find the best bait and tackle shops near you:
Rendezvous With Redfish
Along the northern Gulf Coast from Carrabelle, FL, to Grand Isle, LA, the redfish season begins in late September and continues in stages through December. Some anglers fish in the surf with cut bait, while others station themselves on area piers or in boats on relatively shallow flats near channel cuts.
Hot Spots To Fish: For boating anglers, a couple of spots stick out. Pensacola Bay Pass is a must-fish for boaters. Anchor up on the broad flat between old Fort Pickens and the channel, set out lines as the tide changes to incoming, and hang on. Need more help? Redfish University Pensacola Fishing Charters (850-748-4368, redfishuniversity.com) specializes in the big drum.
At Grand Isle, LA, book a trip with Gotta Go Fishing Charters (225-921-3642, gottagofishingcharters.com). The marshes and inshore waters around Venice, LA, are primo redfish haunts as well. Captain Mike Frenette (504-782-0924, laredfish.com or ([email protected]) is a top guide here.
Tackle You’ll Need: “Rat” reds of 3 pounds and up, or real bruisers weighing in excess of 20 pounds require a range of tackle options. Bass fishing tackle – whether spinning or baitcasting – is perfect for handling smaller fish and for casting jigs or swimbaits that weigh less than an ounce. A Shimano Stradic spinning reel and 7-foot medium-action Shimano Compre rod with 14-pound-test monofilament.
For bigger fish, consider a Penn Battle II BTLII5000 with 20-pound-test monofilament or 40-pound-test braid, and a 30-pound-test fluorocarbon leader. A 7-foot medium-heavy spinning rod (such as the Penn Battalion BATIN1220S70) should handle any bait rigs or lures and wear down a bull redfish in short order.
Quick Tip: Incoming tides in late evening or at night are primo times for reds as the fish free-spawn then in the mouths of coastal bays and estuaries. If you can’t fish any other time, make sure you fish the incoming tides.
Best Lures/Baits: Redfish aren’t particular about their dietary requirements and will eat anything from blue crabs to halved mullet. Swimming spoons such as the Johnson Sprite (johnsonfishing.com), swimbaits and jigs or even topwater poppers, such as the Heddon Saltwater Spook, will elicit strikes.
Related articles that may interest you:
Fish Here This Fall—5 Reel-Screaming Adventures
How to Choose the Best Times to Fish
Hot Spots To Fish: Deservedly, Montauk, NY at the eastern end of Long Island is considered a storied mecca for striped bass fishermen. If you’re not going surf fishing on the beach or fishing from a jetty, Gone Fishing Marina (631-668-3232, gonefishingmarina78.com) can set up a charter trip for you. If it’s booked up, try Star Island Yacht Club (631-668-5052, starislandyc.com) or Montauk Marine Basin (631-668-5900, marinebasin.com).
Find the best fishing spots near you:
- Connecticut
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New York
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
Down south, talk to the folks at Captain Hogg’s Charter Service (757-876-1590, captainhoggscharters.com) about fishing around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Overdrawn Charters (252-202-4623, overdrawncharters.com) in Manteo, N.C. can help as well.
Tackle You’ll Need: Stick with 30- to 50-pound braid or monofilament and a 60-pound-test shock leader of fluorocarbon, with saltwater-ready spinning tackle heavy enough to handle 10- to 14-foot rods. Penn, Quantum and Okuma specialize in fairly inexpensive surf-fishing rods, and reels to match. If you have a reel, but no rod yet, the new Black Inshore Rods from Lamiglas are up to the task. The five spinning and five casting models range from a 6-foot, 10-inch light finesse spinning rod to a 7 ½-foot casting rod rated for lures from 3 to 12 ounces in weight.
Quick tip: The most successful anglers are those who spot gulls or other wheeling seabirds feeding on baitfish driven to the top by stripers and who then cast into the melee without dispersing the bass. From a boat, the trick is to approach schools carefully and take advantage of wind or tide to drift to within casting range. The stripers will stay up as long as the baitfish are hemmed against the surface.
Best Lures/Baits: The 4 1/2-inch Acme Kastmater XL spoon, the 1 ½-ounce Odin Popper, and the 5-inch pencil popper from Tsunami are popular artificials up and down the Atlantic seaboard. Other popular options include the 6- or 7-inch Savage Gear Sandeel Swimbait, 9-inch Sassy Shad swimbait and the 6-inch Rapala X-Rap SubWalk.
Find the best bait and tackle shops near you:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
For anglers who’d rather soak baits from a boat or in the surf, live or cut bait, such as Atlantic menhaden (peanut bunker), herring, porgies, eels, bloodworms, anchovies and mullet, can flip the switch on chaotic striper blitzes.
Related articles that may interest you:
Fish Here This Fall—5 Reel-Screaming Adventures
How to Choose the Best Times to Fish
Easy Layback is the name of a route near Carderock, Maryland, in which climbers ascend the right-facing flake of a larger structure. Small in comparison to the gigantic mountains in other states, the Easy Layback route still offers plenty of fun foot jamming. Keep in mind, the trees and large boulders for top-rope anchors provide a bit of protection.
A Flake Called Lee is one of the most prominent trails in all of Maryland, and serves as many climbers’ first. Situated in the Sugarloaf Mountain Park near Frederick, Maryland, A Flake Called Lee offers 30 feet of straight-forward climbing with a five-mile walk-up.
Earth Treks is one of the leading indoor rock climbing gyms in the Maryland area. Stop by any of their three locations, including one on Columbia, Timonium, and Rockville. They offer a rock wall, classes, and training.
Climb Zone is one of the more popular amusement centers in Europe, and has just opened its first U.S. location, in Laurel, Maryland. They specialize in family entertainment, with an emphasis on introducing kids to the world of climbing. New climbers will enjoy the auto-belay system, which utilizes hydraulics to ensure climbers control their descent.
Terrapin Adventures is more than just a rock climbing camp, although its 43-foot-high climbing tower is not to be scoffed at: It’s a full-on outdoor adventure park. Enjoy climbing their tower and zip lining down. Sign up for a camp, host a party, or come by with the family for an afternoon of outdoor fun.
]]>Billy Goat Trail is one of the most traveled hikes in the D.C.-Maryland region. The hike is around eight miles-long with three sections—A, B, and C. While only moderately difficult, prepare to jump across rocks. Bring your camera for the incredible views of the Potomac River and the changing colors all around.
Gunpowder Falls State Park is comprised of over 18,000 acres and boasts more than 120 miles of multi-use trails. The park has protected wildlands, historic sites, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, a swimming beach, and a marina. What does that all add up to? Jaw-dropping, beautiful foliage everywhere you look.
Green Ridge State Forest is the “largest contiguous block of public land in Maryland,” according to Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources website, with almost 50,000 acres of protected land. The forest is diverse but consists of mainly 110-year-old oak. With 50 miles of hiking trails, everyone from the most inexperienced to veteran hikers can enjoy the splendid changing colors of the forest all around.
Swallow Falls State Park near Oakland, Maryland, offers a nice, easy hike along the Youghiogheny River, perfect for any member of the family (including pets). While only 1.25 miles-long, the scenery is “some of the most breathtaking in Western Maryland,” according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website. The hike may not be difficult, but other natural hazards, including waterfalls, swift currents, and slippery rocks, can make it more treacherous, so make sure to keep a keen eye on where you’re walking.
The Appalachian Trail snakes through over 40 miles of Maryland with easy to moderate sections depending on your preference. The trail, in addition to magnificent foliage, is home to the original Washington Monument. Serious hikers will enjoy multi-day trips along the trail.
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