Top 6 Lakes around Arbutus

The primary lakes offering recreational opportunities near Arbutus include Lost Lake within Patapsco Valley State Park, Druid Lake in Baltimore's Druid Hill Park, Centennial Lake in Ellicott City, Liberty Reservoir, and Loch Raven Reservoir.

Lost Lake, located within Patapsco Valley State Park's Glen Artney Area, is ideal for birdwatching and enjoying diverse vegetation. It serves as the eastern terminus of the Grist Mill Trail, making it a great starting point for hikers. The surrounding park offers extensive activities like hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, horseback riding, and mountain biking. You can find running routes near Lost Lake, such as the Soapstone Trail – Lost Lake loop or Lost Lake – Ilchester Tunnel loop.

Druid Lake, within Druid Hill Park, is undergoing a transformation to become a recreational lake. Once completed (anticipated end of summer 2024), it will feature new shorelines, accessible paths, a protected swimming cove, new trails, a boathouse, and a fishing pier. Currently, a 1.5-mile paved path around the lake is popular for walking, running, and biking.

Yes, Centennial Lake is excellent for families. It's a 54-acre man-made lake within Centennial Park, offering boat rentals for paddleboats, kayaks, canoes, and rowboats from late spring through early fall. You can also bring your own small boats with a daily permit. The park has a 2.6-mile paved pathway around the lake, picnic pavilions, playgrounds, and sports facilities. For more information, you can visit Visit Howard County.

Yes, fishing is permitted in several lakes. Centennial Lake is regularly stocked with various fish species, including bass, trout, sunfish, and tiger muskies (a valid Maryland fishing license is required for anglers over 16). Liberty Reservoir and Loch Raven Reservoir also allow fishing and are known for species like bass, bluegill, crappie, perch, and trout.

Absolutely. Patapsco Valley State Park, home to Lost Lake, has extensive hiking trails, including the Grist Mill Trail. Druid Lake features a 1.5-mile paved path for walking, running, and cycling. Centennial Lake has a 2.6-mile paved pathway. Liberty Reservoir and Loch Raven Reservoir offer numerous unpaved fire roads and running trails for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. You can explore various easy hikes around Arbutus or cycling routes that pass by these lakes.

No, swimming is prohibited in both Liberty Reservoir and Loch Raven Reservoir. These are significant drinking water sources for Baltimore, and swimming restrictions are in place to protect water quality. However, Druid Lake is planned to have a protected swimming cove upon completion of its transformation.

Liberty Reservoir is a vast 3,100-acre drinking water reservoir offering extensive natural areas for peaceful, non-motorized recreation. It's a Cooperative Wildlife Management Area, open year-round for hiking, fishing, boating (permit required, no gasoline motors or inflatables), birdwatching, horseback riding on unpaved fire roads, and nature photography. Its size and undeveloped shoreline provide excellent opportunities for observing wildlife.

Loch Raven Reservoir is known for its scenic beauty and wide range of outdoor activities. Similar to Liberty, it's a drinking water reservoir allowing hiking, fishing, rowing or paddle boating (permit required), birdwatching, and horseback riding. A unique feature is that on weekends, sections of Loch Raven Drive are closed to cars, creating dedicated space for pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy the natural surroundings.

Yes, Druid Lake in Druid Hill Park features a 1.5-mile paved path around the water, which is accessible. Centennial Lake also has a 2.6-mile paved pathway encircling the lake, making it suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.

Many of the parks and reservoirs near Arbutus, such as Patapsco Valley State Park (where Lost Lake is located), Centennial Park, Liberty Reservoir, and Loch Raven Reservoir, generally allow dogs on leashes on their trails and in designated areas. Always check specific park regulations before visiting to ensure compliance.

The late spring through early fall months are generally ideal for visiting the lakes around Arbutus, as this is when boat rentals are available at places like Centennial Lake, and the weather is pleasant for hiking, cycling, and other outdoor pursuits. Car-free weekends at Loch Raven Drive are also a popular draw during these seasons.