Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Trail:
Maryland
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Description:
Maryland's Susquehanna State Park is recognized for challenging hiking and biking trails, camping facilities, rock outcroppings, boating, a museum, and restored historical sites. But none of these outshines the Susquehanna River, which sweeps majestically by, beckoning fishermen and nature lovers.
One way to take in the scenic river is by venturing out on the rail-trail along its western bank. The Philadelphia Electric Company built the corridor in 1926 to transport materials from Havre d'Grace on the Chesapeake Bay to the construction site of the new Conowingo Dam. The dam was completed in two years and the rail line, no longer needed, became a victim of overgrowth and erosion until the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Trail was created. Eventually, it will extend 50 miles along both sides on the river; presently, only 2.5 miles are open.
To start the trail from the south, in Susquehanna State Park, go to north side of the Deer Creek bridge. Near this end, where the trail travels inland to the sparkling Deer Creek, is the site of the early Stafford flint furnace, with a portion of the furnace still standing.
Along the way to the impressive 4648-foot-long, 102-foot-high Conowingo Dam, you'll pass wooded wetlands harboring songbirds and abundant wildflowers, especially in the spring. You may also spot old rail tracks and informational displays with historical and scientific details about the area.
The wide, stone-dust trail is easy to walk or bike, and although there is a dense canopy overhead offering shade in the summer months, the river views are frequent and beautiful. Near the northern end, a viewing platform provides river access to anglers, bird-watchers (the dam is a feeding ground for many varieties), and the curious.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To start from the south, follow MD Route 155 north from Interstate 95 and turn right on Lapidum Road. Take a left on Stafford Road and follow it to Susquehanna State Park and the Deer Creek picnic area on the north end.
To reach the northern trailhead, take Interstate 95 north from Baltimore to exit 85. Follow MD Route 22 north to MD Route 136, continuing north. Upon reaching US Route 1, go north. Turn right on Shuresville Road and then left on Shures Landing Road. Follow this to Conowingo Dam and look for the trailhead just south of the dam at Fisherman's Park.
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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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Susquehanna trail
By gary wilson on April 05, 2007
"Flat, easywalk, many Bald Eagles, and small woods birds and water fowl on the river. Always fresh signs of beaver, Pileated woodpeckers, various gulls, terns, herons, ducks, geese, margansers. Toilet facilites at north end. "
Primarily a hiking path
By Ben LaGarde on July 27, 2003
"Read the description carefully, bike riders. This is a beautiful hiking path in which only 1.7 miles look like the usual rail trail. Mountain bikers will like the path to the Mill on the Southern end from the end of the gravel section on the North. Leave this one to the bird watchers; get off the bike and walk it to really appreciate it. "
Detailed info on this trail
By Dave Linthicum on February 11, 2003
"This all narrow, wooded, blue-blazed trail runs 14 continuous miles from the Lapidum boat ramp/parking area on Tidewater at the south end of Susquehanna State Park, Harford County, northward through the hilly park and its colonial grist mill area, turning flat & crushed gravel for just the three miles along the river to Conowingo Dam.

North from there, beyond the hilly and scenic Hopkins and Glen Cove areas, the trail reaches river views 440 feet above sea level. The actual trail ends in Broad Creek Scout Camp eight miles north of Conowingo and one-and-a-half miles north of the Paddrick Road/Route 623 parking area.

Only the three mile former railroad corridor below the dam has been widened and graveled by the state; the rest has been built and maintained for decades by volunteers with the Mason-Dixon Trails System. I have maintained the Conowingo to Broad Creek section since 1987.

For youth group primitive camping at Glen Cove, call the Glen Cove marina at 410-836-3761. Bald eagles can often be seen on the Glen Cove to Conowingo Dam section of the trail, especially in the winter. "
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Susquehanna State Park to Conowingo Dam
Counties: Cecil, Harford
Trail Length: 2.5 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Crushed Stone
Trail Activities: Bike, Fishing, Wheelchair Accessible, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6016070

Related Links
Guidebook: Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic rail-trails in RTC's Mid-Atlantic Guidebook.