I have blogged about this area of the park before, but last time I wrote about it, we were visiting in winter months. All summer, I promised my girls we would return so that they could play in the water. I finally managed to come through on this promise not once, but twice, two weeks in a row! I had to bring them back that second week when we got drenched by a rainstorm the first time. They may have been in their bathing suits, but I wasn’t!
When looking for directions to this wonderful place, just google Avalon area of Patapsco Valley State Park. It was only $2 to enter the park on the weekdays we went. That money is given on an honor system so definitely bring cash. Simply pull up to the ranger booth, grab an envelope, put the money inside, detach the sheet to hang on your rear view mirror, and put the rest of the envelope and cash in the lock box. Easy-peasy! Once we paid, we drove through the Avalon Area all the way back into the Orange Grove Area. Orange Grove has a large parking lot, bathrooms with running water, a swinging bridge, picnic areas, and plenty of trails!
On our first abbreviated visit, we crossed the swinging bridge, and my girls played on the rocky bank of the Patapsco River until our friends arrived. We spotted a gorgeous butterfly in the parking lot, and a not so gorgeous snake actually up on the bridge!
After our friends arrived all five girls walked up the hill, and continued past the swinging bridge, following the paved Grist Mill Trail to their favorite spot.
What is their favorite spot? A tunnel with a stream running through it. My bestie and I were able to sit down and chat while our kids ran amuck! Just as a FYI, make sure the kids have water shoes on, and don’t let them run. The old stones under this stream are slippery! When Stormy realized how slippery, she quickly found a new use for the water, and all the kids had a blast playing on the “water slide!”
While we watched our kids get filthy and soaked, a storm blew in, and the rain came down! We herded the kids back toward the parking lot and shelter. It was like a faucet had been turned on, and we all got soaked and cold. Once we reached the parking lot, we made the easy decision to head home. All I wanted was dry clothes and hot chocolate!
Because our visit was so short, I told my girls we’d come back the following week, weather permitting. Well the weather permitted! That second trip, the sun shown down, and it was hot and humid! Unfortunately, our friends couldn’t join us again, so I got bonding time with my kiddos.
Instead of heading across the swinging bridge first thing, we took the trail up to Cascade Falls from the far end of the parking lot. To our shock and amazement, we had to dodge beauty pageant contestants who were hiking to the falls for photos! Now that is something I never expected to see!
Due to the sheer number of people at the falls, we didn’t linger, and hiked back down the trail to cross the swinging bridge. The girls were torn between exploring new areas, and going back to their beloved “water slide.” They decided to give new a whirl, and we turned left off the bridge. We followed the Grist Mill Trail as far as another tunnel. It had water running through it, but the slope wasn’t big enough to slide down.
After playing a bit, plus a few crashes due to the slippery rocks, we headed back to the stony “beach” alongside the river near the bridge. There were a lot of families out and about on this day enjoying the water. The river is fairly shallow, but keep an eye on your kids. There are spots where the current moves fast. Stormy discovered she could float on her tummy, and be pulled downstream. Rainbow also tried this, and found out why I told her to put her keens on after her crocs tried to float away. Thank heavens for the family closer to the bridge with a big net! After that misadventure, the keens went on!
The girls played in the river until lunchtime. We ate our picnic lunch in the pavilion near the car. After bellies were filled, the girls begged to swim in the river again. I pulled my hiking boots off, and traded them for the keens I had in the car. We walked the River Road trail until we came to a spot with stairs leading down to another rocky beach area. We were near the site where the old dam used to be, the river was a bit deeper, narrower, and the current a little faster. This far from the lot, there weren’t any other families around. My girls made a beeline for the water. They had a blast swimming! Even Pebble went in further because I had my water shoes on, and could hold her hand. This reminded me of a Daniel Tiger jingle… “When something is new, holding a hand can help you!” Can you guess Pebble’s favorite show?
We stayed here and played for a good half hour before Pebble started to tank. Knowing, we had a walk back to the car, I lured my two older kids out of the water with the promise of ice pops when we got home. Pebble insisted she be the trail leader, and melted anytime Rainbow or Stormy tried to pass her. Def time for us to head out!
We had a great time, and, while there were a lot of people here, it didn’t feel crowded as we were able to spread out. The only place we got close to anyone was on the swinging bridge. I highly recommend checking this place out on a hot day! No lifeguards, and the current does change, so keep a sharp eye on kiddos. Wear water shoes that strap on, and come early. When the lot fills up, rangers do cut off access to this area of the park until people leave. If you have younger kids, def bring a portable potty. There is a restroom, but once you get down to the river, you don’t want to try to schlepp a child back up and across the bridge before they go, most likely all over you. We all know how little time they give after telling you they have to go! Happy trails!
