Even though it is less than a half hour away, I had never been to Patuxent River State Park. It's a long, thin park that surrounds the Patuxent River, which is also the border between Montgomery and Howard counties.
Apparently it has a network of social trails, but there are two developed areas in the south and central sections. I went to the southern section, where the nature center is. (Important: It has a restroom, but no merch.)
My hike comprised a loop of the yellow-blazed Free Flowing and red-blazed Cemetery trails. With a few side jaunts, it totaled five miles. River views were mostly confined to the Free Flowing trail, and they are likely most visible in winter.
I would return here again; it's pleasant and has the plus point of novelty.
