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Hello Nature: An Outdoor Lover’s Guide to Harford CountyWondering the best way to get outside in Harford County? Check out this guide. Find out where to camp, how to watch bald eagles fishing, discover the best places to hike or kayak, and where to rent a pontoon boat for some fishing of your own. Plus, where to find a great handcrafted brew or burger!AuthorsSteller
DestinationsHarford CountyItinerary

Hikes & Nature

Kilgore Falls
Maryland’s second-highest waterfall is only a half-mile walk from the parking lot at Rocks State Park, so it’s an easy hike to fit into your schedule. Plan ahead for summer, though: you need a reservation on weekends and holidays from May 1 through Labor Day.
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King & Queen Seat at Rocks State Park
The King and Queen Seat at Rocks State Park is a rock outcrop that rises 190 feet above Deer Creek, and the view from the top is worth the climb! The Red, White and Purple trails all lead there. If you’re a climber, the rock faces range from 8-115 feet
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Conowingo Fisherman's Park
This is a great spot to launch your boat on the Susquehanna River. You can fish here or just watch the beautiful birds, including bald eagles and great blue herons. From mid-October to mid-March, bald eagles gather below Conowingo Dam to grab fish that come through the turbines, and some winter days bring more than 250 of them! Bring binoculars, arrive early on winter weekends because the lot fills up, and pack a rod if you want to fish (you’ll need a Maryland license).
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Ma & Pa Heritage Trail
This trail follows the route of the old Ma & Pa Railroad, but it's not your ordinary rail-trail. Named for the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad, the Bel Air section runs 2.5 miles from downtown through Heavenly Waters Park, with creek bridges, steep climbs, and some tight turns along the way, unlike most railroads. It makes a great morning walk or run, and there's a dog park, too, so you can bring Fido.
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Swan Harbor Farm
Looking for the best place to catch the sunset? Located in historic Havre de Grace, this 530-acre working farm right on the Chesapeake Bay is free to visit from sunrise to sunset. Birders have recorded more than 260 species here, making it one of Harford County’s top birding spots! There’s also a fishing pier and a soft launch for kayaks.
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Where to Stay

Bar Harbor RV Park and Marina
Watch bald eagles soar, and the sunset go down over the Chesapeake Bay right from your camp spot! Located in Abingdon, this waterfront RV park is on the Bush River and has a riverside pool, a boat ramp, fishing piers, and kayak and paddleboard rentals. Bush River Boat Rentals operates out of the marina, too, so there's always something to do. It’s been family-run for four generations.
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Susquehanna State Park Campground
If you’d rather sleep outside, this is your spot. You can choose from a traditional campsite or a cabin, and since you're in Sisquehanna State Park, you’ll have about 15 miles of trails and the river right there for you in the morning. Note: The campground is open from May through the last weekend of October.
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Holiday Inn Belcamp - Aberdeen Area, an IHG Hotel
This is for anyone who wants a real bed after spending the day outdoors. It's conventiently located off I-95 and near water activities, too. Enjoy the heated indoor pool and an on-site pub and grill. They also have pet-friendly rooms if the dog is coming along!
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On the Water

Ultimate Watersports
You can rent paddleboards, kayaks, and even go sailing and windsurfing, all out of Mariner Point Park, thanks to Ultimate Watersports. Want to learn? You can take kayak and paddleboard lessons, or join a sunset tour on the Gunpowder River.
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Bush River Boat Rentals
If fishing is on your to-do list in Harford County, head to Bush River Boat Rentals and rent a pontoon for the day to fish, crab, or anchor it and go for a swim. You can even rent crab traps. Note: Drivers must be 21, and anyone born after July 1, 1972, needs a boater’s certificate, so ask them about getting a temporary one. Tip: The Island at Flying Point is about 2 nautical miles away by boat, so you can cruise over for lunch!
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History Along the Water

Jerusalem Mill
The Jerusalem Mill in Kingsville was once at the heart of an 18th- and 19th-century Quaker settlement. The mill was finished in 1772 and operated continuously for almost 200 years! The village around it is still standing. The Jericho Covered Bridge from 1865 is just a short walk away, too, and is one of only six covered bridges left in Maryland. Tips: Check dates for living history days, when there are demonstrations like hearth cooking and gunsmithing.
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Rock Run Gristmill
Located inside Susquehanna State Park, Rock Run is a stone mill with a 12-ton water wheel that still works! The surrounding Rock Run Historic Area also includes the Carter-Archer mansion, an old toll house and what’s left of the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal.
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Concord Point Lighthouse Keeper's House
This granite lighthouse in Havre de Grace has stood where the Susquehanna meets the bay since 1827! It's got a great story, too: Its first keeper, John O’Neill, was a War of 1812 hero who manned a cannon to defend the town. The area surrounding the 36-foot lighthouse is a great spot to watch boats come in, and the keeper’s house museum is open on weekends from April through October.
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Havre De Grace Decoy Museum
Even if you never thought about duck decoys, this museum is worth a visit. There are more than 1,200 decoys and carvings to check out. Decoy carving here grew out of the waterfowl hunting tradition on the Susquehanna Flats, the same waters you can see from the museum. After a visit here, you'll understand why Havre de Grace is known as the Decoy Capital of the World!
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Where to Eat

The Island at Flying Point Marina
The Island at Flying Point Marina is a family-run waterfront restaurant on the Bush River and has been in operation for over 30 years. If you come by boat, docking is free while you eat! And definitely stay for the sunset. Note: The restaurant operates seasonally, opening in May.
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Vagabond Sandwich Company
This downtown Bel Air sandwich shop makes everything from scratch and has been voted best in Harford County many times. With locally sourced ingredients, they make everything fresh! Grab sandwiches to take on a hike, or stay for a beer at happy hour.
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Independent Brewing Company
This small-batch brewery has been in Bel Air since 2013. Independent has a big taproom, a patio, and a different food truck every day! Plus, they host a wide variety of events, from yoga to live music and seasonal festivals. It’s right near the Ma & Pa Trail, so it makes a good stop after a hike.
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Ballpark Restaurant
This classic diner on Route 1 has been a neighborhood favorite for about 70 years! Ballpark serves American dishes. You can grab breakfast, lunch and dinner, so it’s easy to work in before or after a hike at Rocks State Park.
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Bomboy's Homemade Candy
Barry and Jean Bomboy started making handcrafted chocolates here in 1978 using family recipes, and now their kids help run the store. Sit on the huge front porch and enjoy a homemade chocolate or a cone from their Ice Cream Store!
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