Elk Neck State Forest is a state forest in Cecil County, Maryland, encompassing approximately 3,571 acres across four distinct tracts. The terrain features a mix of wooded flatland, rolling hills, and marshlands, with a rich habitat of mixed deciduous and evergreen trees. Natural features like Plum Creek and the North East River contribute to the diverse landscape, making Elk Neck State Forest suitable for several sports like hiking and road cycling.
Elk…
13
Routes
5
(2)
Average rating
91
People visited

3
hikers
10.8km
02:52
120m
110m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
2.07km
00:32
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

2.32km
00:38
40m
40m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1.78km
00:30
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
53
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

8
riders
60.8km
03:10
690m
690m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

6
riders
42.2km
02:07
510m
510m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

3
riders
19.9km
00:53
180m
180m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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Elk Neck State Forest is a state forest located in Cecil County, Maryland, encompassing approximately 3,571 acres. It features diverse landscapes including wooded flatland, rolling hills, and marshlands, with a rich habitat of mixed deciduous and evergreen trees.
Elk Neck State Forest offers various outdoor activities such as hiking and road cycling. The forest also permits hunting, horseback riding, mountain biking, and provides public shooting ranges.
Yes, Elk Neck State Forest features an extensive network of hiking trails. These include a segment of the Mason-Dixon Trail, the Pete Bond Trail, and the Elk Neck Lighthouse Trail. For more details, explore the Hiking in Elk Neck State Forest guide.
Popular hiking routes include the Mason-Dixon Trail, an 8.1-mile (13 km) moderate path, and the Pete Bond Trail, an easy 0.3-mile (0.5 km) stroll. The Elk Neck Lighthouse Trail is a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) moderate path connecting to the Turkey Point Lighthouse.
Yes, the Pete Bond Trail is an easy 0.3-mile (0.5 km) stroll suitable for beginners and families, leading to the Pete Bond Scenic Overlook. For additional options, consult the Easy hikes in Elk Neck State Forest guide.
Yes, Elk Neck State Forest provides opportunities for road cycling, particularly on its primary, wide, gravel roads. These roads are labeled as Trails 1, 2, and 3, and offer scenic routes through the forest. More information can be found in the Road Cycling Routes in Elk Neck State Forest guide.
Notable natural features include Plum Creek and Plum Creek Pond, as well as the Plum Creek Natural Area. The Pete Bond Scenic Overlook offers views of the North East River. The forest also features diverse habitats and abundant birdlife.
Public parking is available at the Main Entrance of Elk Neck State Forest, located off Irishtown Road. The forest is open daily from sunrise to sundown.
Elk Neck State Forest has more than 100 visitors on komoot, with routes rated an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars. There are 2 routes available across sports like hiking and road cycling.
Komoot offers several guides for Elk Neck State Forest, including Hiking in Elk Neck State Forest, Easy hikes in Elk Neck State Forest, and Road Cycling Routes in Elk Neck State Forest.
The official website for Elk Neck State Forest is part of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) site. It can be accessed at dnr.maryland.gov/forests/Pages/elkneck.aspx.
For inquiries, Elk Neck State Forest can be contacted by phone. The office phone number is +1-410-287-5675.

