Description
Downs Park Trail is located in Downs Park on the Chesapeake Bay just north of Gibson Island. The 3.5-mile perimeter trail is paved, popular for walkers and cyclists alike, and an additional 1.5 miles of natural surface trail are offered. The trail passes through a heavily wooded corridor, skirting the bay and Bodkin Creek inlet.
The 245-acre park also has ball fields, handball and basketball courts, boating, group camping areas, picnic pavilions, fishing pier, beaches (including a dog beach), visitor center and playground. There is a fee; park hours are 7 a.m. to dusk, Wednesday through Monday (closed Tuesdays).
Parking and Trail Access
To reach Downs Park, take Mountain Road/State Route 177 east toward Gibson Island (heading toward Chesapeake Bay). Mountain Road turns into Pinehurst Road; follow the signs to the park..
Downs Park Trail
By
carrollb
in
April, 2013
I live within a couple of miles of this trail so I ride it several times a month after work. On the weekends it can be crowded. The park offers a senior lifetime pass for $40 otherwise there is a $5 fee entrance fee. Most of the trail is paved but has ...
read more
Curvy, older trail with Chesapeake Bay views in a nice park.
By
redcat72
in
June, 2009
http://www.aacounty.org/RecParks/parks/downs/
John H. Downs Memorial Park is only about 35-40 minutes away from Columbia, MD. The Perimeter Trail (3.5 miles) is mostly older asphalt, with several bumpy spots due to tree roots. It is quite a curvy trail, ...
read more
Nice family ride
By
in
April, 2007
This is a nice family ride. I pulled my 3yr old in her trailer. She loved it! Nice view of the Bay and plenty of wooded trail! Good beginner path. Not to mention Downs Park is very nice!
read more