Trails Stewardship Committee THE MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL
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Spotlight on Calvert County: Calvert Cliffs State Park by Katherine O. Rizzo Te Calvert Cliffs State Park in Lusby is managed by the Maryland
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State Park Service. It is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. Tere is a day use fee of $5 per vehicle, with an additional $2 per vehicle charge for out-of-state residents. Te 1,079-acre park is part of nearly 4,000-acres of continuous forest providing habitat for all kinds of wildlife including wood thrushes, barred owls, beavers, and muskrats. In early summer, the yellow flowers of the endangered swollen blad- derwort can be seen in the wetlands. Te park’s “claim to fame” is the massive cliffs that dominate roughly 24 miles of the Chesapeake Bay shoreline in Calvert County. Tese cliffs were formed over 10 to 20 million years ago when Southern Maryland was covered by a shallow sea. As the sea receded, the cliffs became exposed and the weather began eroding them. Captain John Smith marked this spot on his 1608 map of the Chesapeake Bay. Tere is a historical marker 200 feet inside the entrance to the park. Today, the cliffs contain remains of prehistoric species including
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sharks, whales, rays and seabirds that were the size of small airplanes! Visitors may search for fossils along various trails. Te area under the cliffs is off limits to visitors due to the dangers of falling rocks. Over the years, park visitors have logged fossils from over 600 species. Te park features a sandy beach as well as 13 miles of hiking trails. Horseback riders and cyclists are re-
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stricted to the service road only, to help prevent erosion of the wild lands areas. For those exploring the park on foot, the trails cross through old woods and wetlands with steep sloped
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ravines in many places. Tese ravines offer a shady and cool path during summer heat. Te park also offers seasonal fishing and hunting as well as picnic areas and a pavilion that accommodates
around 50 people. Picnic tables and grills are available on a first come, first served basis, while the pavilion must be reserved in advance. In addition, there are five youth group camping sites within the park that are available April through October with reservations.
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Calvert Cliffs State Park
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Wildland Boundary (Approx.) Park Boundary (Approx.)
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Location of Calvert Cliffs State Park o
Last Updated Dec 20190 Calvert Cliffs State Park website:
dnr2.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/southern/calvertcliffs.aspx
MHC Board member and TROT president Carolann Sharpe shared some multi-use trail tips with Friends of Patapsco’s Adap- tive Bike riders at the McKeldin Area.
www.equiery.com | 800-244-9580
Grist Mill Trail Re-Opens! Patapsco Valley State Park announced on August 7 that the Grist Mill Trail is open again for use! A Park official noted, “Please be careful on the trail, as the park will continue to do small projects along the trail like removing and adding split rail fencing, mowing, and conducting tree work.” Access to and from both “tunnel trails” are on the downstream side of each bridge.
MHC TRAILS STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR: Carolann Sharpe •
blackandwhitecookieequine@gmail.com THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION | SEPTEMBER 2023 | 23
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