Seasonal & Holidays

First-Day Hike At Quiet Waters + Last-Day Bike Ride At Patapsco Valley

Marylanders can celebrate the new year with a first-day hike at Quiet Waters Park or a last-day bike ride at Patapsco Valley State Park.

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The National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways and Chesapeake Conservancy suggested celebrating the new year with a first-day hike at Quiet Waters Park, which is pictured above in Annapolis.
The National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways and Chesapeake Conservancy suggested celebrating the new year with a first-day hike at Quiet Waters Park, which is pictured above in Annapolis. (Jacob Baumgart/Patch)

MARYLAND — Many Marylanders hope to get active in the New Year. There are plenty of outdoorsy fitness events to bid farewell to 2022 and welcome 2023. Here are some of the highlights in and around Anne Arundel County.

Patch recently partnered with several local organizations to bring you their latest news. This guest contribution comes from National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways and Chesapeake Conservancy. Here's what Jody Hedeman Couser submitted to help you explore the Chesapeake Bay:

"Quiet Waters First Day Hike

Join the rangers for an invigorating hike along the Fitness and Pavilion Trails. The hike is family/dog friendly and is approximately two miles on paved trails. You’ll also have the opportunity to join Alison Woodfield, Quiet Waters Park superintendent, for a tour of the newly-added section of the park. Afterwards enjoy hot chocolate and s’mores in the Sycamore Pavilion. Jan. 1, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Quiet [Waters] Park, Annapolis, MD. More info and registration"

Find out what's happening in Annapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"Patapsco VSP Last Day Bike Ride

Join Muddy Pedals for an easy 2-hour ride in the Hilton area of Patapsco Valley State Park. This family-friendly event will cover six miles and 1000 feet in elevation gain. Dec. 31, 9 a.m., Hilton Shelter, Catonsville, MD. More details and registration"

"First Day Guided Horseback Ride

Bring your trusty steed and join the Rosaryville State Park ranger for a 3-mile ride. Meet at the equestrian trailer lot. Jan. 1, 10 a.m.; Rosaryville State Park, Rosaryville, MD More details
No horse? No experience riding? You could also take a walking-paced trail ride with the Greenwell Foundation as your guide on the trails at Greenwell State Park in Hollywood, MD. As of writing this post, time slots were available until the end of December. Greenwell provides equipment and well trained horses. More information"

Find out what's happening in Annapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"First Day Hikes

First Day Hikes is a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks. On Jan. 1, there will be hundreds of free, guided hikes across the country’s state parks. Adults and children alike are encouraged to get their hearts pumping the first day of the year, find a state park, and to join in on the initiative and fun! Last year nearly 55,000 people rang in the New Year, collectively hiking over 133,000 miles throughout the country on the guided hikes. We’ve provided some great events here, but lots more hikes are available at Virginia State Parks, Pennsylvania Public Lands, Maryland State Parks, and Anne Arundel County Parks (p.27)"

"Winter Break at the B&O

While school is out, come take a daytime holiday train ride along the nation’s first mile of commercial railroad on Dec. 26-30, and 31. The train will be all decked out for the season, and kids will receive their own set of festive reindeer antlers! There will also be evening train rides on Dec. 27 and 29. More information and tickets. The B&O’s Holiday Festival of Trains features custom model train layouts this year and the Model Train Gallery, G Scale Outdoor Train Garden, and HO Scale model layout as well. Festival of Trains runs from now until Dec. 31. More information"

"Winter Break on the National Mall

Winter break is the perfect time for a visit to the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, DC., which includes the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, DC War Memorial, World War II Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Washington Monument and Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument. Everything you need to know about visiting the memorials, including what you can expect to see and hours. During the winter, park service ranger-guided tours are available on weekends only. National Mall and Memorial Parks maps"

"Bay-Themed Summer Camps

The Chesapeake watershed has to have some of the best summer camps in the country! Both the Sultana Education Foundation in Chestertown and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels offer summer campers the opportunity to explore the magic of the Bay’s people, animals, traditions, and environment, and best of all [they] include on-the-water fun and education. More information about the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s summer camps

In addition to its day camps, Sultana Education Foundation is offering 3-Day Kayak, 3-Day Schooner, 5- Day Kayak, Schooner 5-Day, Kayak 7-day and Schooner 7-Day trips. Sultana Education Summer Programs"

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