Susquehanna State Park — Attraction in Havre de Grace

This was my first experience at Susquehenna State Park after having wanted to come down for years and never having the chance. The chance for a good hike along the scenic river, along with the strong reviews of the park here on Google, are what really were drawing me down there. It is a larger park with lots of places to choose from to start and, subsequently, finish, and I chose by the trestle bridge on Stafford road to start my hike right along the Susquehenna. As soon as I enter the trail head - empty beer cans and beer bottles littered all over the ground. I picked them up - all of them - and realized there was no recycling or trash can there by the opening, so I piled them up to take them with me when I got back to my car. The trail was, otherwise, was really nice the rest of the way except for when there would be a pathway to walk right down onto the water - more beer cans and bottles. It was embarrassing and sad. The views weren't as I expected them to be from this trail, but no big deal, that's no the park's fault - it's just the lay of the land and I respect that. I go to where that unnamed trail meets the Susquehenna Ridge trail because, on the trail map, there is a cut away trail to go right to where my car is. However, this cut away doesn't exist and, where there was a cut away trail, around the same area, it dead ended about a half mile down into a bunch of rocks and boulders. I double back, and realize I have to walk the extra mile and half to the SR trail head (that ends on a very narrow road). I get to the end of the trail and, what do you know, there is a creek separating me from the other side of the trail with no pedestrian bridge. I trudge through the water, feet and shoes now completely soaked, and have to walk up the narrow road to an unmarked, not maintained trail (it was marked as such) which ended up being an old rail line as opposed to walking the sketchy narrow roadway entirely to my car. Please, update your trail maps to show these and other cut offs do not exist anymore and, if there are bodies of water you are expected to cross without a pedestrian bridge, note it! And I'm sure the park does the best they can with the trash but it was a total heartbreaker... I will be back to walk the other trails in the future and hopefully my experience will be much better but, compared to other parks in the tri-state area, this was the worst experience. Even the person who answered the park's office number didn't know what the address was to the park office. The people in the park, however, were extremely friendly and helpful along the way. I will update review upon my return,...

We met up with several of my in-laws and their family for a day trip getaway and had a great time time at multiple facilities. We started at the picnic area where the little kids played on the park "things" swings, monkey bars, etc. while I played sports with the older/teenage boys and a couple neices. The women talked and ran after little kids, as is the norm, but enjoyed the different scenery and having more "runway" for the lil' rascals to try and escape with. Cuties! After that the women and kids drove to then next location while me and the boys opted walk. Naturally, our travel path wasn't a straight line as we had to try and navigate a non-path near the canal. That misadventure was followed by the discovery of a rocky mountainside which, naturally, compelled me to declare the first one to the top "ultimate champion!" Well, after I ran out of steam, approximately mid way, of course, one the boys yells out "I made it! And there's a path here to the river!" At that moment I admitted that anything but getting to the top was not an option. So with a little adrenaline and a lot of pride I huffed and puffed my way to the top. Fortunately, for me anyway, the path was pretty straight forward and didn't require jumping over chasms or fighting bears, etc. To make this long story short(er) I'll conclude with this, when we got closer to the river I was met with 1 WhatsApp message, 1 text message, and 2 missed calls; all with the same inquiry... "Where are you?" So, in conclusion, it's a great place for a day trip. But be prepared for not having...

Susquehanna State Park, located near Havre de Grace, Maryland, is a scenic destination offering a blend of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and historical charm. Nestled along the Susquehanna River, the park features over 15 miles of well-marked trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The terrain ranges from gentle riverside paths to steeper, wooded hills, making it suitable for all skill levels.

One of the highlights is the River Loop Trail, which offers stunning views of the water and opportunities to spot bald eagles, herons, and other wildlife. The trails are peaceful, shaded by dense forest, and perfect for a quiet walk or invigorating run. Bikers will enjoy the challenging Rock Run and Land of Promise trails, while anglers can fish in the river for bass and catfish.

The park is also rich in history, home to the preserved Rock Run Historic Area, featuring a working gristmill, the Carter-Archer Mansion, and the old Jersey Toll House. Picnic areas and campsites make it a great place for families or weekend getaways.

Whether you’re into hiking, biking, fishing, or just relaxing by the river, Susquehanna State Park offers a refreshing escape into nature with beautiful views and a touch of Maryland’s...