Other Environmental Areas

Are you aware that Howard County has a number of sites designated as environmental areas? These are sites where no sports or organized athletic activities are allowed. They were set aside for the purpose of protecting and conserving the natural resources and are there for the enjoyment of those who take pleasure in passive recreational activities such as walking/hiking, bird watching, plant and animal identification, photography, etc.

They all feature walking paths or trails and offer a broad variety of habitats and ecosystems for your viewing pleasure. None of the sites have restroom facilities.

Note: As this page is expanded, look for downloadable maps and additional information about each of the sites.

David Force Stream Valley Park
Features mostly wooded, many natural surface paths. (228 acres)
Trail Map

Font Hill Wetlands Park
This environmental education park features mostly open and lightly wooded areas; hard surfaced paths and boardwalks; two ponds; (fishing only at large pond on Centennial Lane side of park); observation areas; stream. (25 acres) Parking only on Font Hill Drive side of park. Additional Information

Gorman Stream Valley Park
Features wooded and open areas with numerous natural surface paths. (215 acres)

Gwynn Acres
Mostly mature woods with hard surfaced pathways. (18 acres)

Murray Hill Stream Valley Park

Patuxent Branch Trail
Mostly wooded featuring a scenic pathway (3.4 miles total) with historic interpretive signs. This section of pathway connects Savage to the Lake Elkhorn loop path (hard surfaced).