Hilton Area

The Hilton Area is the family corner of Patapsco Valley State Park, at 1101 Hilton Avenue in Catonsville, Maryland. It has a 2-acre recycled tire playground for children 5 to 12, the park's nature center, a small campground with six camper cabins and 12 tent sites, picnic shelters, and trails that drop down to the river and connect to Glen Artney and Avalon. It is within walking distance for many Catonsville residents. It is open from 9 a.m. to sunset.

How to Get There

From the Baltimore Beltway (I-695), take Exit 13, Frederick Road west, for two miles and turn left on South Rolling Road. At the first intersection bear right onto Hilton Avenue, go 1.5 miles and turn right into the park. From I-95, take Exit 47 (keep left on the ramp) north on Route 166 to South Rolling Road, go 1.8 miles, make a sharp left onto Hilton Avenue, then go 1.5 miles to the park on the right.

Playground and Nature Center

The recycled tire playground covers two acres and is built for children 5 to 12. The small nature center next to it is the starting point for the park's seasonal programs for kids, such as Junior Rangers and Little Sprouts. DNR posts a program schedule on its Patapsco page. Picnic tables sit near both.

Camper Cabins and Campsites

Hilton has six single-room camper cabins. Each has a full-size bed and a set of bunk beds, baseboard heat, electric outlets and an overhead light. There is no air conditioning. The base rate is $50.50 a night before reservation fees. There are also 12 tent-only campsites with no electricity ($18.50 base rate) and four youth group tent sites, whose campers use the restroom near Shelter 201.

Reserve at parkreservations.maryland.gov or 1-888-432-2267. Youth groups arriving after sunset must call headquarters at 410-461-5005 the day before (weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) because the gates lock at sunset. See Camping.

Trails

• Forest Glen Trail (0.6 mile): hikers only, with several very steep grades, from the tire playground down to the end of the Grist Mill Trail by the river.
• Saw Mill Branch Trail (0.9 mile): starts at the end of the Grist Mill Trail or off the Buzzards Rock Trail and follows a stream past pools and glades. In places you boulder-hop across the stream itself.
• Santee Branch Trail (2.4 miles): links Hilton with Glen Artney, following a power line several times. Mountain bikers like its connections to harder trails toward Avalon and Orange Grove.
• Charcoal Trail (0.7 mile): a wide-open trail along the power line between the Saw Mill Branch and Santee Branch trails.
• Pigs Run Trail (0.2 mile): flat and wooded, between Forest Glen and Santee Branch.

DNR suggests linking Santee Branch with the Vineyard Springs, Grist Mill and Saw Mill Branch trails for a 4.5-mile loop. Many stream crossings in the park are stepping stones with no bridge, so expect wet feet. See Hiking.

Picnic Shelters

Hilton has six rental shelters. Shelter 201 holds up to 100 guests and can get an alcohol permit through the reservation service. The others hold 10 or 20 with no alcohol permits. Inflatables and water play equipment are not allowed.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed in Hilton's day-use area on a leash. DNR's pages disagree on the campground: the main park page says pets are not allowed there, while the Hilton pet page says they are. Call the park at 410-461-5005 before you book with a dog.

Fees and Restrooms

Entry fees are the same as the rest of the park (see Hours & Fees). From November 1 to April 1, the open restroom is by Shelter 201.