Lake Elkhorn Park
Lake Elkhorn Park
4.4
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.4
103 reviews
Excellent
58
Very good
35
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
1
kwhite0910
Baltimore, MD216 contributions
Nov 2024 • Solo
I walk this trail sometimes 4-5 times a week - Typically 2 or three times around so a good 4 to 6 miles. Love the scenery and the trail gives a good variety of up/down/fast slow. I wish they would leave the bathrooms open more often as it appears they are only concerned with weekend traffic but go around a trail a couple of times and the need arises not sure what their plan is for people to spend the day at the park. Many times, I see people jumping in the woods or right off the trail and not sure if that's the desired outcome.
Written November 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas - Genevi... H
Higham, Suffolk, UK1,313 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Lake Elkhorn provides a balance of convenience and the ability to get away. The main Lake loop is 1.9 miles (and very well marked with blue signs and arrows). It is surrounded by residential housing (primarily row/town houses, but a few apartments as well); additional trails branch off the main loop and enable you to get away from the residential areas to connect with the Patuxent Branch Trail. This adds quite a few additional miles of paved trails to your adventure. On any given day, you can do a single 1.9 mile loop, or an out-and-back to Savage Mill for a total of over 10 miles.
The lake loop is well used by people who are fishing, running, and walking,...ages range from the elderly to mid-aged to adolescent. There is a great deal of ethnic diversity, which helps make the lake loop more welcoming. I have never felt threatened on the lake loop trai during the day, although after sunset there is no lighting, so it gets very dark.
Free parking areas (albeit a bit limited/small) enable you to start a walk or run at the lake.
The lake loop is well used by people who are fishing, running, and walking,...ages range from the elderly to mid-aged to adolescent. There is a great deal of ethnic diversity, which helps make the lake loop more welcoming. I have never felt threatened on the lake loop trai during the day, although after sunset there is no lighting, so it gets very dark.
Free parking areas (albeit a bit limited/small) enable you to start a walk or run at the lake.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
siralex1
Gerrards Cross, UK887 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Mixed woodland walk along the river ending at beautiful Lake Elkhorn. Plenty of birdlife including a pair of Osprey over the lake dam.
Highly recommended for families as there is plenty of shade.
Highly recommended for families as there is plenty of shade.
Written June 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tamra F
3 contributions
Jul 2019
I grew up in the Columbia and Ellicott City areas. I have been to many parks around both areas. Although, I have to say, I am not in love with any of them, I particular feel that Lake Elkhorn is the least interesting of them all. It's an OK place to take your children if you happen to be close by, but there are certainly better places out there. My children had a very difficult time riding their bikes on the path because it was SOOO hilly and bumpy. The playground was a little bit gross (it felt really sticky, and they had one of those gross sand boxes). Also, the area is just a tiny bit sketchy, and so are SOME of the people. The man-made water fall thing looks mediocre and the entire path is not particularly scenic.... it all looks forcefully placed there.... it does not look natural at all! Overall, it is NOT a BAD place; it is simply a boring place.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan F
5 contributions
Aug 2022 • Solo
BEWARE:
of the POISONOUS POKEWEED Berries
growing around Lake Elkhorn in Columbia Maryland.
It is Also near the kids Playground area as well as close to the Path as you walk around.
Close to the Parking Lot also.
It looks like Blueberries but it is NOT.
It is POISONOUS to Humans, Animals and Especially Kids if they eat the berries.
RESEARCH for YOURSELF and Protect Your FAMILY.
of the POISONOUS POKEWEED Berries
growing around Lake Elkhorn in Columbia Maryland.
It is Also near the kids Playground area as well as close to the Path as you walk around.
Close to the Parking Lot also.
It looks like Blueberries but it is NOT.
It is POISONOUS to Humans, Animals and Especially Kids if they eat the berries.
RESEARCH for YOURSELF and Protect Your FAMILY.
Written August 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CJV
Columbia, MD9 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
Lake Elkhorn’s Dredging and restoration was completed a year ago or or so... And it is restored to its original glory. Columbia has several man-made lakes, but this is the most visited by little children and fishermen or anyone needing to just clear their head by taking a walk around it. There is a mini- playground that caregivers bring toddlers to, to run out all of that energy on one end and a low water fall on the other end that you will find a person or two fishing in it at any given time. Almost 40 acres of bliss and serene environment often used for those wanting to stroll around on its walk ways and paths.
Written September 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ktmeredith1963
Manassas, VA21 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
Great for a nice 1.5 mile walk. Very relaxing with lots of wildlife (birds and ducks) with exercising stops if you wish.
Written July 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jessiesweetie404
Annapolis, MD24 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
Lake Elkhorn is beautiful. The walk is a good distance around, and there are play and picnic areas as you go around. Many of the residents around the lake do morning runs and dog walks, everyone is friendly. Great spot to watch the sunrise too.
Written June 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
X8512LQwilliamp
Columbia, Maryland35 contributions
Sep 2016 • Solo
Lake Elkhorn is about 2 miles as a loop. Early morning brings several discreet groups of users. Earliest are the groups of Asian seniors from the Park View Apartment Homes. Then the runners that are either military or "getting in shape" of all ages. With light comes the bicycle riders. Lots of walkers by 7:30. And dog walkers are usually the same folks and same dogs. You will make room for the small truck that empties all the waste barrels. Animals are plenty: Heron, Beavers, squirrels, rabbits, Osprey, ducks, geese and an occasional small snake. A few fishing folks along the shore. An occasional professional photographer at sunrise. Path loop is in excellent condition and the Park is very well maintained. No public bathrooms open at this hour. Playground for tots. Plenty of Parking at this hour. McDonald's just a block away. Enjoy!
Written September 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
UpNorth749
Minneapolis, MN31 contributions
Nov 2015 • Business
I asked the hotel clerk if there was a nearby running trail and she sent to this park a few hundred yards from the hotel. VERY well done Columbia! Fall colors were peaking on very well maintained trails and dock areas. Good distances that can be repeated if needed, with various workout and stretching equipment on the trails. A VERY nice surprise close to several hotels - beats the heck out of another hotel treadmill!
Written November 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there restrooms anywhere? I know there aren't any by the playground, but haven't checked out tbe entire area.
Written March 30, 2016
Only at the Pavilion, which is available for rent May - October. However, I'm not sure if it's open when it's not being rented. The McDonalds is the closest.
Written March 31, 2016
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