# Family Autumn Forest Hike & Mill Ruins Discovery > Place to go for families in the Baltimore–Columbia–Towson area (MD). Times are Eastern Time. - When: Park open 9:00 AM to Sunset. Grist Mill paved trail and swinging bridge accessible all… - Dates: Sat, Nov 7 – Sun, Nov 8 - Where: Patapsco Valley State Park - Avalon Area, 5120 South St, Ellicott City, MD 21043 - Ages: All ages (Grist Mill Trail is completely paved and flat—ideal for strollers and scooters) - Price: From $3; confirm current prices on the official site - Schedule: Park open 9:00 AM to Sunset. Grist Mill paved trail and swinging bridge accessible all day. - Organizer: Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Maryland Park Service - Official page: https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/central/patapsco.aspx - Last checked: Fri, Nov 6 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/baltimore/activities/family-autumn-forest-hike-and-mill-ruins-discovery--listing-d00585e923b98811ee070f33 ## About Patapsco Valley State Park extends along 32 miles of the scenic Patapsco River, and the Avalon/Orange Grove section in Ellicott City is renowned as Maryland's ultimate family outdoor destination. Families can walk or push strollers along the paved, scenic 2.5-mile Grist Mill Trail which follows the tranquil river under towering golden beech and sycamore trees. A huge highlight for kids is crossing the iconic orange pedestrian Swinging Bridge suspended high over the rushing rapids. Spot historic stone mill ruins, throw pebbles into shallow gravel shallows, and explore the spacious accessible playground nestled among shaded groves. Family Experience & Amenities: • Stroller & Scooter Friendly: The Grist Mill Trail is completely paved and wide, making it one of the few long forest hiking trails in the Baltimore region fully accessible to strollers, tricycles, and wagons. • Restrooms: Modern seasonal comfort stations with flush toilets and diaper changing counters located in the Avalon shelter area. • Picnic Shelters: Abundant picnic tables and charcoal grills along the riverbanks for family outdoor barbecues. • Parking Advice: The Avalon entrance can fill up on gorgeous autumn weekend afternoons; arriving before 10:30 AM guarantees effortless parking. ## Similar picks in Baltimore - [Guided Nature Hike at Eden Mill Nature Center](https://grassyknees.com/baltimore/activities/guided-nature-hike-at-eden-mill-nature-center--listing-9962459f52a1a81f0b3d6d79) — Sat, Nov 14 · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM · Eden Mill Nature Center, Pylesville · Free · checked Oct 20. Eden Mill Nature Center staff lead a free guided hike along the trails of Eden Mill Park in northern Harford County. The walk lasts about an hour and a half, from 10 to 11:30… - [Weber's Cider Mill Farm Autumn Harvest Days & Thanksgiving Bakery](https://grassyknees.com/baltimore/activities/weber-s-cider-mill-farm-autumn-harvest-days-and-thanksgiving-bakery--listing-9cdf872d5a91a9d11dea1f7f) — Nov 20 – Nov 25 · 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM · Weber's Cider Mill Farm, Parkville · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. As Maryland's oldest continuously operating cider mill, Weber's Cider Mill Farm in Parkville represents a beloved seasonal rite of passage for Baltimore families. During the… - [Robinson Nature Center: Forest Discovery Lab, Full-Dome Planetarium & Winter Boardwalks](https://grassyknees.com/baltimore/activities/robinson-nature-center-forest-discovery-lab-full-dome-planetarium-and--listing-b67f8940811034bd40d31479) — Wed–Sat 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; Sun 12:00 PM–5:00 PM; Closed Mon & Tue; NatureSphere… · Robinson Nature Center, Columbia · All ages · From $5 · checked Nov 5. Nestled along the Middle Patuxent River in Columbia, the Robinson Nature Center is a state-of-the-art, LEED Platinum-certified environmental education facility. Inside the… - [Free Fridays at Irvine Nature Center](https://grassyknees.com/baltimore/activities/free-fridays-at-irvine-nature-center--listing-98569b5b4354277ada8fde16) — Fri, Nov 13 (+2 more dates) · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Irvine Nature Center, Owings Mills · All ages · Free · checked Oct 30. Admission to Irvine Nature Center is free on Fridays: hike more than 8 miles of trails, visit the eight resident raptors in the aviary, play in the Outdoor Classroom and see the… - [Irvine Nature Center OptOutside Autumn Trails & Native Aviary Exploration](https://grassyknees.com/baltimore/activities/irvine-nature-center-optoutside-autumn-trails-and-native-aviary-explor--listing-15c91b4bf03b35f006fd5266) — Nov 27 – Nov 29 · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Irvine Nature Center, Owings Mills · All ages · Free · checked Nov 7. Skip the crowded shopping malls on Black Friday and Thanksgiving weekend by embracing the outdoors across 211 protected acres at Irvine Nature Center in Owings Mills. Families… - [Howard County Conservancy Autumn Nature Trails & Mt. Pleasant Farmstead Stroll](https://grassyknees.com/baltimore/activities/howard-county-conservancy-autumn-nature-trails-and-mt-pleasant-farmste--listing-9946f8f80524db0f67f19385) — Nov 27 – Nov 29 · 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Howard County Conservancy (Mt. Pleasant), Woodstock · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. Stretch your legs after Thanksgiving dinner across 232 pastoral acres at the Howard County Conservancy’s Mt. Pleasant Farmstead in Woodstock. Overlooking the scenic Patapsco… ## More for families - [Things to do with kids in Ellicott City, MD](https://grassyknees.com/baltimore/towns/ellicott-city-md) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/baltimore/towns/ellicott-city-md.md) - [Things to do with kids in Howard County, MD](https://grassyknees.com/baltimore/counties/howard-county-md) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/baltimore/counties/howard-county-md.md) - [Things to do with kids in Baltimore — November 2026](https://grassyknees.com/baltimore/events/2026-11) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/baltimore/events/2026-11.md) - [This weekend in Baltimore](https://grassyknees.com/baltimore/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/baltimore/this-weekend.md) - [Things to do with kids in Baltimore](https://grassyknees.com/baltimore) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/baltimore.md)