10 Best Places for Cross Country Skiing in Maryland!

Maryland's cross-country skiing options will surely give you just that when it snows, and you're looking to work outdoors when it snows, and you're looking to work outdoors. Many of these trails, scattered across the state, offer scenic views and ideal terrain for a favorite winter sport. Here are our 10 favorite cross-country skiing in Maryland.

Backbone Ski Farm, Oakland, MD

With 520 acres of fields, you can enjoy 9.5 miles of maintained Nordic ski trails and groomed trails. If you want to cross-country ski, Backbone Ski Farm is an excellent place to do so, and you can warm up by the fire with hot chocolate when you are done.

C&O Canal Towpath Trail, Hagerstown, MD

For a moderate and much longer trail, head to the C&O Canal Towpath Trail Section #3. This course portion is a 41.4-mile area requiring intermediate skills and features stunning river views. Remember that the total trail is 184.5 miles, so you will never run out of new vistas or places to explore if you are up for an adventure.

Patuxent Branch Trail, Howard, MD

Take in the sights of Howard County on the Patuxent Branch Trail. Enjoy the 4.5-mile regional trail connecting to an extensive local trail network for a scenic off-road adventure. Hop on your bike or lace up your sneakers – it's perfect for commuting, jogging, or just a stroll. Pack a lunch and get out and explore.

Catoctin Mountain, Thurmont, MD

Ski along the park roads that are closed to vehicle traffic. This is a mountain, so remember that the trails are typically narrow and slightly rocky, so this is a better spot for more experienced cross-country skiers. However, with such a vast national park, you will find stunning scenery and peace.

Lake Artemesia Natural Trail, Lakeland, MD

If you're searching for an easy trail to try as a beginner or somewhere to take the kids, Lake Artemesia is a sure bet. It is only 2.4 miles long and has a river that makes for beautiful scenery. This trail is famous for bird watching, so you may want to keep a pair of binoculars around your neck.

New Germany State Park, Grantsville, MD

New Germany State Park is the ultimate mountain paradise. Nestled between the 2,900 ft. Big Savage Mountain and the eastern Continental Divide are the right spots for your next cross-country skiing experience. Explore 10 miles of trails through different forests and take a break to fish, swim, or paddle in the small lake. Find your perfect outdoor escape at New Germany State Park.

Savage River Lodge, Frostburg, MD

For a more upscale experience, visit Savage River Lodge. If you want to learn how to cross-country ski and do not have your equipment this is an excellent place to start because they have the equipment rentals and even certified instructors. Additionally, there are 18 luxury cabins that you can stay in to make it a nice vacation.

Watkins Regional Park Trail, Upper Marlboro, MD

You can visit Watkins Regional Park Trail in Upper Marlboro if you want to remain near the DC area. The trail is only 1.8 miles long, making for a quick and straightforward tour. Children will appreciate this, and if you take them to the park or Old Maryland Farm in the summer, this trail will be familiar, only covered in snow.

Wisp Resort, McHenry, MD

Maryland's favorite ski resort, Wisp Resort, is a four-season resort and conference center. Located in Western Maryland, the amenities are incredibly comfortable, the area is built for families, and the outdoor Nordic Center makes cross-country skiing easy and exciting. They also have other fun activities, like an ice skating rink, a snow tubing area, rides, and downhill skiing. In other words, the family can play, stay, and have a great time.

Crescent Ramble Trail, Bethesda, MD

If you live in the DMV area, cross-country skiing in Bethesda is about as easy as possible. This 14-mile trail has a fair amount of foot traffic but is an excellent place for you to cross-country ski with the family due to the convenient location and the fact that it's rated as easy.

This text was created by the author with the assistance of GPT-3, a large-scale language generation model developed by OpenAI. The author reviewed, edited, and revised the draft language to their satisfaction and is fully responsible for the content of this publication.

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