Loch Raven Reservoir and Fishing Center

The Loch Raven Reservoir is one of the most beautiful natural locales in the Baltimore area and has long been a favorite escape from city life. Mountain bikers and runners flock to the area for its many scenic trails, and there's also a skeet shooting range, disc golf course, horseback riding, fishing and boating. Every weekend, a three-mile stretch of Loch Raven Drive (between Providence Road and Morgan Mill Road) is closed to traffic and transforms into a running, biking and roller-blading trail for thousands of weekend athletes looking to commune with nature. There are also more than twenty miles of off-road trails throughout the watershed area. Whatever your sport, be sure to treat the actual reservoir with respect -- it supplies all of Baltimore's drinking water.

12100 Dulaney Valley Road

Baltimore, MD 21131

Seasons and Hours

First Friday of April through Labor Day

Open Daily 6 a.m.
Closing time posted daily at the center

Labor Day through October 31

Open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays
Open 7 a.m., Closes 5 p.m.
Closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

View a map of Loch Raven Fishing Center (PDF)

 

November 1 through November 30

Open only on Saturdays and Sundays
Open 7 a.m.  Closes 4 p.m.
Closed Weekdays

 

December through March

Closed

Rules

No boats, canoes or fishing are allowed between Yellott (Number One) Bridge and the Loch Raven Dam.

Boats and canoes must be kept in the water at all times and not pulled ashore.

All boats shall be registered and assigned stickers, which shall be applied to each boat by the owner and recorded by Management for identification purposes. This refers to seasonal dockers and launchers of boats and canoes.

Boats must have a minimum length of 12 feet, maximum length of 20 feet, a beam (width) of not less than 48 inches, and a depth of not less than 18 inches. Canoes must be at least 12 feet long with a beam of at least 35 inches, and meet minimum standards. Kayaks must be at least 12 feet long.

All boats and canoes, private and rented, must be equipped with a United States Coast Guard approved life jacket or preserver for each person in the boat.

All boats which are power driven, meaning any type of electric motor, must have a State of Maryland boat registration. The owner is responsible to apply the numbers and decal, as prescribed by law, on both sides of the boat. Applications may be obtained by contacting the Department of Natural Resources, Annapolis Service Center, 1804 West Street, Suite 300, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.

Rental boats are limited to three passengers regardless of age or size. Rental canoes are limited to two passengers. Privately owned boats and canoes must adhere to capacity limits as listed on Coast Guard Boat Capacity Plate.

Note: The water areas where fishing from boats is permitted will be patrolled regularly by the Management during the time fishing is taking place. It is the purpose of this patrol to enforce the above rules and regulations and to assist those who fish to better enjoy the fishing opportunities on the lake, as well as to insure safe boating and fishing conditions.

Rentals

Boats

Photo of a fleet of rental boats  for your enjoyment

• The standard rental is a 14 foot Jon boat with a 30 pound thrust electric motor, one battery, oars, anchor and life jackets. A perfect setup for trolling for the "big one". $30
• The premium rental is a 14 foot Jon boat which features two swivel seats, carpet, a 50 pound thrust electric motor, two batteries, oars, anchor and life jackets. $57
• Rowboat rental includes boat, oars and life jackets. $19            

Canoes 

For the more traditionalist we offer a selection of handsome canoes. Each canoe comes equipped with paddles and life jackets. $19

Please note: Canoes are only available for rental May through October 15.

Motors and Batteries

Premium Rental Boats                               

Extra motors and batteries may be rented for any of our rental boats, but not canoes. We cannot rent our batteries or motors to private boats.

• Standard Motor $11
• Premium Motor $20

Each motor rental comes with one battery that is fully charged prior to rental. Each battery will give approximately two to three hours of high speed running with the standard motors.

• Extra Battery  $6

Senior Special Every Wednesday. The first 20 patrons over 62 years of age receive a free boat rental - motor extra.

Reminders

1. A United States Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (provided) must be in the boat for each passenger.
2. Occupant Capacity: Canoe is two passengers, Boat is three passengers.
3. No boating beyond Loch Raven Drive bridge.
4. All rental rates are subject to applicable taxes and are subject to change without notice.

All boats and canoes must be checked-in by posted time. Failure to return by the posted time will result in a $10 fine.

General Information

2015 boat permits are sold out. You may still visit, rent a boat and fish on the reservoir. You will need a Maryland Fishing  License prior to your visit.

The Loch Raven Fishing Center, located at 12101 Dulaney Valley Road on the shores of Loch Raven Reservoir, offers an assortment of services for anglers, canoeists, boating enthusiasts and folks who just want to get away for the day.

• Bait your fishing rod and test your skills against a variety of fish including large and small mouth bass, yellow perch and northern pike.
• Rent a boat and enjoy a relaxing day on the 2,400 acre reservoir.
• The fishing center provides numerous services, offering boat rentals, a full inventory of fishing tackle, live bait, snacks and sundries to make your visit an enjoyable one.
• Fishing licenses are no longer sold at the center.
• All fishing from boats, canoes and kayaks in the Loch Raven Reservoir is allowed and regulated under the management of the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks and a current seasonal permit is required to use your own vessel.

Please note that in an effort to provide ready boating access to Loch Raven Reservoir, we must limit the parking and activities at fishing center to that of its patrons. Therefore no picnicking, shoreline fishing or other "non-fishing center" related activities are permitted on the shore. Those wishing to pursue other recreational activities in and around the reservoir property are encouraged to park on Loch Raven Drive near Morgan Mill and Providence Roads for dawn to dusk parking being sure to adhere to all posted parking regulations.
For more information regarding recreational activities in other areas of the reservoir property please call Baltimore City Bureau of Water and Waster Water at 410-795-6150. 

Contact:
12101 Dulaney Valley Road
Timonium, Maryland  21131
Phone: 410-887-7692
TDD and Deaf: 410-887-5319
Email: lrfish-rp@baltimorecountymd.gov

Hiking

12101 Dulaney Valley Road
Phoenix, Maryland 21131
410-887-7692
www.baltimorecountymd.gov

Loch Raven Reservoir is one of the most pristine outdoor locations in the Baltimore metropolitan area, with resplendent plants and wildlife and beautiful water vistas, where visitors can enjoy miles of hiking trails that wind their way along the banks of the reservoir. Hikers and bikers can expect to see a wide variety of birds, including ravens, cardinals, blue jays, woodpeckers, and even bald eagles, as well as a lush and varied array of plants and trees, including oaks, beeches, maples, poplars, raspberries, and wild roses. Loch Raven Reservoir has trails that are short, long, easy, and difficult
 
Trail Guide: http://lochraventrails.com

Dulaney Gate Trail
Merryman Trail - Between Old Bosely Road and Dulaney Valley Bridge.
Old Picnic Grounds - After passing Dulaney Valley Bridge
Dulaney Valley Turnpike - off the road to Loch Raven Skeet and Trap Shoot at12301 Dulaney Valley Road, Phoenix, MD
Overshot Trail
Sherwood Trail
Poplar Hill Trail
Papermill North
Morgan Mill Trail - At Morgan Mill Rd.
Glen Ellen Trail - At East Seminary Rd. or Providence Rd.
Long Quarter Trail - At East Ridgely Rd.
East Dam Trail
West Dam Trail - At Loch Raven Dam on Lock Raven Dr.; parking available at/near Cromwell Valley Park of Cromwell Bridge Rd.
Furnace Trail - At Chapelwood Ln.
Wakefield Trail - Between Lock Raven Rd. and Old Bosely Rd.

Loch Raven's got plenty to do including mountain biking. There are many miles of trails at either the Dulaney Valley Bridge entrance or the Providence Road entrance. Wide trails. Not far from Towson.

Upper Loch Raven Reservoir

Breathe easy on this hilly 5.39-mile out-and-back to the calm banks of the Upper Loch Raven Reservoir, a beautiful waterscape just north of the city.

To Trailhead: I-695 to exit 27B. Drive 4 miles N on Dulaney Valley Rd. Park in small lot on L just past Old Bosley Rd.

Tracks

ULR01

Distance: 3.78 mi

Points: 1540

Upper Loch Raven Reservoir (Track 1)

ULR03

Distance: 0.82 mi

Points: 438

Upper Loch Raven Reservoir (Track 3)

ULR02

Distance: 0.79 mi

Points: 517

Upper Loch Raven Reservoir (Track 2)

Points of Interest

ULR001

Location: 39.462448, -76.586334
From parking lot, take L fire road N; path follows park boundary

ULR002 Location: 39.474609, -76.589272
Cross stream, then turn R; short side trails lead to babbling stream

ULR003 Location: 39.476177, -76.586586
Go straight onto trail, leaving fire road

ULR004 Location: 39.475323, -76.583046
Trail follows wooded shoreline

ULR005 Location: 39.483124, -76.583801
Cross under power lines

ULR006 Location: 39.482941, -76.588829
Turn R at next three intersections, staying near the reservoir

ULR007 Location: 39.483406, -76.601517
Rest spot; enjoy lakefront views and breezes, then begin retracing route to car

ULR008 Location: 39.482544, -76.589523
Turn L under powerlines

ULR009 Location: 39.483120, -76.586792
Turn R onto fire road

ULR010 Location: 39.476444, -76.586128
Sidetrip: Turn L to the weathered headstones of Merryman's cemetery

ULR011 Location: 39.475159, -76.589226
Turn L onto fire road

ULR012 Location: 39.473301, -76.588135
Veer L on singletrack

ULR013 Location: 39.466324, -76.587616
Stay straight; .3 miles back to trailhead

Merryman Mill Trail

Loch Raven Reservoir is possibly the most popular outdoors destination in the immediate vicinity of Baltimore City, certainly so among local mountain bikers and fisherman.

South of Dulaney Valley Road, the reservoir it at its grandest, filling much of the broad shallow Dulaney valley. North of that road the reservoir is much smaller, filling what was once a narrow gorge of the Gunpowder Falls. Here, steep banks rise up 150ft to the rolling piedmont and small feeder streams cascade down narrow gulleys.

Here, we describe a figure-8 loop hike of 5 miles with about 700ft of elevation gain (5% average grade) that largely follows the first half of the Merryman's Trail (described in McKays Baltimore Trails), as well as the the main fire road that traverses the reservoir banks between Dulaney Valley and Warren Road. Near constant views of the reservoir are had along the hike.

Follow the trail to Merryman Point where the Loch Raven Reservoir spreads out in multiple locations. Wide turns yield to narrow paths along the Loch Raven Reservoir and make for a pleasant route. Stop by the lake and end a long day of hiking with a great view. Unfortunately, swimming is not allowed. There are plenty of picnic areas for families and visitors.

Backstory

The Loch Raven Reservoir was first created when a dam on the Gunpowder River was finished in 1881.  This dam flooded a large area of land surrounding the Gunpowder River and provided drinking water for the Baltimore metropolitan area.  Numerous homes, mills, and other buildings that were close to the waterline were abandoned or flooded.  Later, in 1914, a larger dam was built which caused the water to rise higher and submerged the agricultural town of Warren.  In 1923, the large dam was raised from 51 to 117 feet, which caused additional properties to be abandoned.

The Merryman family dates back to colonial Maryland.  The family was prosperous and owned a lot of land around Warren.  The Merryman Mill Trail was once a road atop hills above the Gunpowder River which passed many buildings owned by the Merryman family, including a large mill and several large houses.  There is also the Merryman Family Cemetery.  Today the area along the Merryman Mill Trail there are numerous foundations, walls, and chimneys made of stone that were once a part of the Merryman estates.  The Merryman family cemetery still stands, and holds multiple generations of Merrymans. 

At the southern end of the Merryman Mill Trail, there is a trailhead with a small parking area off of Dulaney Valley Road, just before the large bridge across the Loch Raven Reservoir.  The trail begins by climbing over several large hills.  There are no switchbacks and the going is steep.  There are small drainages at the bottoms of the hills, and one has a creek that flows year round.  Detour and follow a trail next to this creek as it tumbles down numerous small cascades and finally, with a three to four foot drop, empties into the reservoir.

Retrace your footsteps and follow the trail again, winding along the side of a steep hillside with the reservoir below.  Once around the hillside the trail meets a wide gravel fire road, which you can follow for a few hundred yards before it narrows and the trail forks.  Take the rightmost fork to stay close to the shore line.  Here you will began to see old stone walls and foundations.  There is a "secret underground room" back here that was at one time probably a cold cellar or storm shelter.

Follow the trail along the shore line for a while. It will turn away from the shore and enter a large clearing where power lines run through.  It's always eerie hiking under the large power lines and hearing them hiss and pop.  The trail enters a wooded area on the other side of the clearing that was populated by old, twisted and mangled cedar trees.  Following the water line again, the trail soon breaks into the power line clearing again.  This time the trail follows under the power lines for a hundred yards or so, then turns back into the woods. 

The trail becomes a wide fire road-like path again and begins to climb a steep hill.  You can take a small trail that branchs off to the right and heads back to the water.

Using a mapping app on our phones we saw we had hiked about three-quarters of the trail, and that the trail went much farther north than we had anticipated.  We decided to turn around at that spot and return at a later time when the weather was better and we were better prepared for the trail ahead of us.

On the way back we took a detour to the Merryman family cemetery.  

3 Mile Hike

One of the best kept secrets here just north of Towson is the public access to a "protected" area of Loch Raven Reservoir park on the weekend.  On both Saturday and Sunday, park police close off Loch Raven Drive (some maps call it Loch Raven Rd.) between Morgan Mill Road and Providence Road. The road becomes a recreational area for walking, running, biking, and the like.  In the warmer months, many people picnic or just relax on blankets and chairs along the water.  The views of the water and the surrounding wooded areas are wonderful all year round.

It is an "out and back" hike, can't possibly get lost, bite off as much as you want to chew.

The total distance is approximately 3 and 1/2 miles which we complete in roughly 1 hour.

To get there, if you are travelling north on Dulaney Valley Rd. from the Beltway, the road splits just after crossing a large bridge over the lake. Dulaney Valley Rd. is the one that continues to the right toward the east. That's what you want. Don't go up the hill, which is Jarrettsville Pike.

Travel on Dulaney Valley Road for roughly another mile or so. You will enter the park from the north. To do so, you bear right/make a right hand turn from Dulaney Valley Rd onto Loch Raven Drive at the corner where Peerce's Plantation/Landing/Grille (the name depends on who owns it this week; it's had some turnover in recent years) is located.  Peerce's address is 12460 Dulaney Valley Road 21131. If your GPS is telling you to go farther north on Dulaney Valley Rd past Peerce's, it's just plain wrong !!! Once you enter the park, the meeting place is about a mile down the road.

This hike will begin at the road closure gate at the corner of Loch Raven Drive and Morgan Mill Road. Parking is allowed on the west side of Loch Raven Drive and there is a sort of a parking lot on Morgan Mill Road.

When you see this sign, you've found the right place. Loch Raver Drive is a normal, well paved road, so there is no need for "off road" footwear unless you choose to get adventurous and challenge the rather steep hills that surround the lake.  That is certainly an option for those who are more experienced and confident.  However, I am not aware of any sanctioned, prepared trails in that area of Loch Raven and can't recommend it.  It would be free style.



Directions:

Dulaney Valley Bridge:

I-695 to exit 27 North / Rt.146, take 146 / Dulaney Valley Rd. about 3.5 miles, look for a small parking area on your left just before passing over the reservoir bridge, the trail head will be just behind the parked cars, take the middle trail, you can follow the water line for miles of great trails

Providence Road:

I-695 exit 27 North, take 146 / Dulaney Valley Rd., take Dulaney Valley Rd. about 2 miles to Seminary Road traffic light, make a right and follow Seminary Road 1.5 miles to Providence Road, make a left, go about 1 mile and park on the right, on your bike, ride down the hill toward the wooded area and look for a trail head on the right just passed Lakecrest Ct.

4-5 mile Loop

You can do a 4-5 mile hike in the middle part of the Loch Raven Reservoir off Dulaney Valley Road. Boots, Sticks/Poles, WATER and snacks are recommended for those who need them. You can hike along the reservoir and then return back to Dulaney Valley along a loop. There are some minor inclines on this hike. Dogs are welcome. There is a gravel parking area on the left just before crossing the bridge over the reservoir, approximately half-mile past the traffic light at MD 146 Dulaney Valley Road and Old Bosely Road. For those who use GPS you can use the address to the Fishing Center, which is across the bridge. The address is 12101 Dulaney Valley Road, Timonium, MD 21131.

North of Timonium Road, MD 146 fully enters Loch Raven Reservoir Park. At Old Bosley Road, the state highway curves east and crosses the reservoir. Just east of the bridge, Dulaney Valley Road continues east while MD 146 veers north as Jarrettsville Pike.

7 miles
3 hours
moderate

Hiker – Merryman’s Mill Trail Parking

Address for parking for hiking: 2501-2635 Dulaney Valley Rd, Cockeysville, MD 21030

Biking

Biker – Glen Ellen Trail Parking (Best for Mountain Biking):

Address for parking for biking: MD-146 N/Dulaney Valley Rd. Drive to E Seminary Ave in Lutherville-Timonium, 2 min (1.0 mi), Long Quarter Branch

Note: After parking on the side of the road, you need to cross Dulaney Valley Road at the light to pick up the trail on the other side. Trail is on the North, left-hand side of Seminary Road.

Glen Ellen Trail is a wide "brush truck/ logging" style road. Mostly hard packed dirt with 4 water "crossings". 3 trees to go over and one to duck under. All can be done at speed. Not very technical in nature but a good fun and fast ride. A few steep climbs. Some soft mud areas were found and enjoyed. Well marked bike path with white metal strips on the trees, the single track is well marked to stay off of with bikes. Total distance was just over 8 miles with 700ft of climbing. I would rate this as intermediate just This would be a great Fat Bike ride in the snow!!!.

Most of this trail is just smooth peddling up and down the hills on the main fire trail. This would be between dulany valley rd and seminary, now cross over seminary and start heading towards the dams and this trail has a lot to offer. I normally start at dulany valley rd and seminary ave and ride all the was down to the dams, when you come out of the woods at providence and loch raven rd go right up the hill and the trail is on your left, about half way up the hill. Check out some video I have. http://youtu.be/bLKeXyhSkAM I like this trail, I ride it offen. It's a great work out.

Alternate Route:

I found this loop on the Bikely site, a very handly place to find GPS-enabled routes. The starting point was the Providence Road Park and Ride off of the Baltimore Beltway - about 13 years ago that was the last rest stop on the last day of Cycle Across Maryland. From there it was a few miles downhill to Loch Raven Drive, a section of which is closed to traffic on the weekends. With the nice weather, lots of bikers, hikers, dog walkers, kid strollers and roller bladers were out. For some reason, when confronted with a two lane road that is closed to car traffic, runners always run either directly on the yellow lines dividing the lanes, or on the wrong side of the road. I guess they just get so excited to be king of the road that they lose all common sense.

The road surface near the reservoir is not great but the any opportunity to bike on a closed road is always fun and the views around the reservoir are always fantastic. Lots of ice still on the reservoir - I bet they don't allow boating yet here, either. The road opens to traffic at Morgan Hill Road but the fact that Loch Raven Drive is blocked keeps traffic low. The route turns north on Dulaney Valley Road which does have a lot of traffic - high speed traffic - but this route quickly turns off onto Dance Hill Road to head a bit northwest until reaching Sweet Air Road. A good deal of sharp climbing on this road but absolutely no traffic and a lot of huge homes to look at.

The rest of the ride mostly follows roads I've done before, though Patterson Road was new and a really nice road to ride. While I just kept pedaling, Palmisano's is a great food stop where Patterson ends at Long Green Pike. I missed one turn from Long Green Pike onto Long Green Road (details) so I did a bit of unnecessary climbing, but quickly found myself back at the reservoir for the climb back up Providence Road to the park and ride. The stats of the ride are on Motion Based: the first climbing of the season (2200 feet) meant my average speed was only 13.5 mph but my average heart rate was only 130 - looks like I could have worked a lot harder for a relatively short ride.

Other Suggestions from mtbr.com:

Easily the best place to ride in northern baltimore county. Three main loops to do in this area. The easiest and most used is where people park on Seminary at a church on Seminary Ave right near Dulaney Valley Road. Known as the Seminary section, has nice flat singletrack with a variety of technical parts to test your skills. About 15-17 miles of singletrack between Seminary ave without crossing over to the Providence road side of the trail. The singletrack starts off the fire road when you start. Make a left and go for two miles until you reach the main creek crossing. Cross over and continue down singletrack left. About 2 miles after the creek, you can start choosing different sections to ride. Features to check out are the big log rollovers all along the main singletrack, slalom trail, point trail and the log park. All are right off the fire road.

The Providence Road trails are the hillier sections of trails that are on the southern part of the reservoir. A mix of singletrack and fire road. Can also go into Cromwell, which doesnt allow bikes to get to the top of the ridge. Pretty straight foward for the first two miles. Can also go to cromwell bridge road and make a left.

Keep following the road around over the bridge and make a left into the first driveway. At the end of the driveway is a fire road that leads to the backside portion of the trails. Pretty hilly as well with mostly fire road as the main trails. Pretty hard considering all the hills. Pretty straight foward and hard to get lost. Dont forget to go up the ridge trail which is a right about 2 miles into the providence fire road and go up to the top of the ridge. Make a right and follow the singletrack around to the rocky downhill. The most fun feature in this part of the trail. It is hard as it is steep and very rocky. With providence connected to the backside, about 12-13 miles are accessible in this part of the trail.

The hardest trails at Loch Raven are up the road at the split of Dulaney Valley Road, right over the bridge. Make a U turn after making a left over the bridge and park on the shoulder of the road. This trail is on both sides of the reservoir north of the bridge. Very hilly and technical no matter which route you take. Merryman's route is given below.

Recommended Route:
For the merryman's route, go into the first singletrack right after the guard rail on jarrettsville pike. Runs parrallel the whole lenght of the first fire road. On some parts of the fire road, but the singletrack is easily accessible and hard to miss off of the fire road. Coming to the final fire road make a right and then a left to go down a downhill leading to Warren Road Bridge. Go across the bridge and downhill until the trailhead about a half mile down the road. Very hilly section with a wicked downhill at the end of the fire road. When getting to the first intersection make a left or right. Either way will take you back. Making a right you go under a log and take a nice singletrack climb up followed by a very fun section of rolling singletrack. Going left, it leads you to technical singletrack along the shore of the reservoir lake.
Doing the Tour de Raven is a 30+ mile ride that links all the trails together. Do Seminary followed by Providence and the backside. Take Loch Raven Drive by making a right when done the backside and you get to the road. Continue straight onto dulaney valley road and this leads you to the merryman's loop. Take dulaney valley back to church.

Recommended Route:
From Dulaney Valley Rd.,headed out of towson,take a left on Pot Springs. Drive all the way to the end,,and the first street before the fenced in area is where you park,,(a side street). Walk down 40 feet and you will see a road that is chained off,,but it leads right into Loch Raven in a big way.

Recommended Route:
Follow Dulaney Valley RD. north to the bridge, just before the bridge there are 2 trails on the left at the parking area and if you go past the bridge to the fork in the road and bear to the right, you'll see numerous trail heads scattered along the way. AT the top of LOch RAven Drive and Providence, there are two more trails and if you continue down Loch Raven Drive to the dam parking there are even more trails there. All are generally open to riders but watch out for horses!

Recommended Route:
Park your car on the left just before bridge on Dulaney Valley Rd. You have two choices to begin: a long fireroad climb on the left, or technical singletrack on the right. Technical singletrack on the right is more fun...you feel like you could roll off the trail into the water at a few points. Either trail will bring you to the stream crossing, where you make an immediate right onto the real technical singletrack. Many loops are possible at this point, including a nasty descent on the powerline divide.