Exploring the Outdoors: A Long Weekend in Maryland and Pennsylvania – Beyond Just Hikes
This short road trip is a long weekend idea for visiting two states and finding the best hikes in Maryland and the Pennsylvania Mountains.
Stop in Baltimore
Before kicking off our hiking adventure, we made a brief and enjoyable stop in Baltimore for sightseeing.
Inner Harbor Promenade and Parks
Baltimore’s scenic Inner Harbor offers a 7-mile paved promenade from Locust Point to historic Fell’s Point. With picturesque waterfront views and charming neighborhoods, it’s the perfect spot for a stroll with your furry friend. Don’t forget to keep your dog leashed while you take in the sights!
Overlooking the Baltimore Harbor, Canton Waterfront Park is a great place to relax, picnic, and breathe fresh air. Its open spaces and waterfront views make it perfect for capturing beautiful photos of your pup.
On the city’s east side, Patterson Park offers a network of scenic paths lined with greenery, ideal for a walk with your dog. Check out the historic Patterson Park Observatory for a picture-perfect moment with your furry companion.
Baltimore Sightseeing Cruise
We had a wonderful experience on the 45-minute narrated sightseeing cruise through Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. One of the highlights was that dogs are welcome outside, where you can enjoy the refreshing harbor breeze, and inside the air-conditioned cabin. The captain is a dog lover, so your pup can expect plenty of free hugs! Plus, there’s a great bar on board offering a variety of drinks for humans to enjoy as you take in the sights.
During the cruise, you’ll learn about Baltimore’s fascinating history and waterfront renaissance while passing by iconic landmarks like Fort McHenry, the Domino Sugar sign, the Under Armour headquarters, the Key Bridge, and more.
Our choice was near Phillips Seafood behind the Baltimore Aquarium as a dining notion. Phillips Seafood is a dog-friendly eatery where dogs can join you at a table on their spacious outdoor patio. Using fresh seafood from New England, they offer a raw bar with Atlantic oysters, clams, and more, as well as soups like lobster bisque and clam chowder. Try one of their signature dishes like Jumbo Cape May Scallops and Crab or the Clam Bake for Two. They have steak, chicken, and pork options as well.
We continued our journey west, but if you drive three hours north, you can visit NYC—one of the busiest and most challenging destinations for Zen and me.
Stop in Frederick
On our way from Baltimore to Waynesboro, we stopped in Frederick. Initially designed for flood control, Carroll Creek Linear Park is now one of Downtown Frederick’s top attractions. This 1.5-mile park runs through the historic district and features public art, fountains, water gardens, and lighted sailboats. It’s also home to live music, festivals, outdoor dining, breweries, and a distillery. Take a stroll, enjoy a meal on a patio, and sip a local craft beer—it’s easy to see why this park is a favorite in Frederick, MD.
Exploring Waynesboro: An Affordable Base for Outdoor Adventures
As mentioned, we stayed overnight in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, allowing us to hike in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Waynesboro is a charming little town that offers more affordable accommodations than areas around Frederick and Harpers Ferry. First settled in the 1750s, it became a major stop between Baltimore and Pittsburgh, overgrowing during the Industrial Revolution. Driving around, you’ll find local markets and scenic views, adding to the town’s quaint appeal.
Rough Edges Brewing offers delicious sandwiches and a great variety of beers. It features two outdoor seating areas where dogs are welcome, making it a perfect spot to relax with your furry friend!
Hiking in Northern Maryland
Two great parks in northern Maryland are nearby, perfect for hiking: Catoctin Mountain Park and Cunningham Falls State Park. We started with a short trail to Cunningham Falls, the largest cascading waterfall in Maryland, where we enjoyed the peaceful scenery before heading to another trail. Afterward, we tackled the Catoctin and Bob Hill Trail, a 4-mile, 1000-ft elevation gain, out-and-back hike to the South and North Bob Hill Overlook. The trail is rocky and steep, with two overlooks that vary depending on weather and vegetation. While the views didn’t impress us, the trail was a solid workout. Both parks are popular with dog owners, and we met many furry friends.
Historical Trail
Afterward, we explored the Catoctin Furnace Trail and the African American Cemetery Trail. The Catoctin Iron Furnace, built in 1776 by the Johnson brothers, represents a significant part of early industrial history. During the Revolutionary War, it produced pig iron for car wheels, stoves, and cannons. The furnace ran until 1903 and switched to coal in 1873 after initially being fueled by charcoal from local forests. Thomas Johnson, one of the original owners, became Maryland’s first governor.
Nearby, the African American Cemetery honors over 100 individuals who worked at the furnace between the 1770s and 1840s. Many of these workers were enslaved yet highly skilled in ironworking. Their labor was crucial to the furnace’s success and the local economy. The Catoctin Furnace Historical Society is dedicated to preserving its history. It aims to share the stories of these workers and highlight their essential contributions to the U.S. iron industry. Through ongoing efforts, the society ensures that this significant part of American history is not forgotten.
Both parks offer plenty of dog-friendly trails—while not all are open to pets, there are enough options to enjoy a full day of Maryland hiking or adventure with your dog.
Hiking in Pennsylvania
On our second day, we explored two parks in the Pennsylvania Mountains, both offering plenty of dog-friendly trails—though some of the more popular ones don’t allow dogs, there are still many great options. We preferred hiking here due to the quieter trails, scenic overlooks, creeks, and lakes. We were also excited to hike parts of the Appalachian Trail, so we could say we hit it too! Along the way, we met a solo hiker who had started the entire Appalachian Trail in Maine and was going to Georgia.
Caledonia State Park
We hiked the Appalachian Trail, Hosack Run, and Locust Gap Loop, covering 6.9 miles with a 1200 ft elevation gain. The trail took us through Pennsylvania’s beautiful mountain scenery, offering peaceful views and a good workout. This section of the Appalachian Trail winds through dense forests and rolling hills, giving us a real sense of the state’s natural beauty. The elevation gain added a nice challenge, and we were rewarded with serene overlooks and the calming sounds of nature throughout the hike.
We chose Chimney Rocks via the Heritage and Appalachian National Scenic Trail. This 4.4-mile hike, at 1000 ft elevation, provided stunning views from Chimney Rocks.
Michaux State Forest
The Beaver Trail and Yellow Ridge Trail (5.7 miles, 534 ft) are relatively gentle trails that loop around the lake, offering a relaxing hike through the Pennsylvania mountains. Another great option is the Abigail, EUB Camp, and Dam Breast Access Loop (6.2 miles, 750 ft), which features more varied terrain but still follows a gradual incline near the lake. Both trails provide a peaceful outdoor experience with beautiful mountain views and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the surrounding nature.
If you have more time, you can continue from Maryland and Pennsylvania Mountains to Harpers Ferry in West Virginia.
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