WaterfallNear Me

McKeldin Falls

Carroll County, Maryland

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Carroll County, Maryland
Access status
Official park area and fees; visitor route documented
The walk
About 1 mile one way from the Marriottsville Road roadside start (estimate from the blog description)
Ground & access
Mostly gentle river trail with minor climbs, some eroded sections and downed trees. Horses use the trail. The blogger notes no swimming at the beach below the falls.
MidAtlantic DayTrips: Marriottsville Road to McKeldin Rapids hike
McKeldin Falls, MD
McKeldin Falls, MD
Photo creditPhoto: Andrew Parlette from Elkridge,MD, US, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

McKeldin Falls is a rapid on the South Branch Patapsco River in the McKeldin Area of Patapsco Valley State Park. The blogger parked by the railroad tracks near the junction of Marriottsville Road and Marriottsville Road 2, crossed the road, and followed the trail along the river. At the top of the hill by restrooms and a paved road, turn right and follow the road to the parking area where it dead ends. A path descends from there to the falls on the McKeldin Rapids Trail.

Plan your visit

McKeldin Area of Patapsco Valley State Park, Marriottsville Road, to the McKeldin Rapids Trail

MidAtlantic DayTrips describes about three-quarters of a mile along the river, then a short road walk to a dead-end parking area and a path down to the falls. No exact distance to the falls is published. Maryland DNR says river access is 0.1 mile from the Rapids Trail.

Mostly gentle river trail with minor climbs, some eroded sections and downed trees. Horses use the trail. The blogger notes no swimming at the beach below the falls.

Where to start

Roadside or the larger lot by the railroad tracks on Marriottsville Road, per the blogger. The McKeldin Area entrance is at 11676 Marriottsville Road, Marriottsville.

Timing & water

Open all year. The blogger lists hours as dawn to dusk.

Before you go

Maryland DNR McKeldin Area service charge, April to October: weekdays $2 per vehicle in-state, $4 out-of-state; weekends and holidays $3 per person in-state, $5 out-of-state. November to March: honor system.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Maryland

Waterfall location

Carroll County, Maryland.

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