Winter Outdoor Activities To Do In Maryland In 2022

MARYLAND — As the weather cools it can be tempting to stay inside all day. Trips to the bay, walks around the neighborhood, and bike riding may not have the same appeal as watching a movie or reading a good book with the heat indoors.

This winter, though, consider taking part in some of the outdoor activities going on around Maryland, from county-sponsored events to REI day trips.

With a good hat and gloves, getting outside this winter doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. If you’re looking for more ways to be active in the outdoors this season, check out our suggestions below.

First Day Hikes
What better way to start off the New Year than with a hike? The Maryland Department of Natural Resources compiled a list of all of the organized hikes in the state that will take place Jan. 1, 2022. Some hikes are guided, while others will be completed individually. See the full list here.

Anyone who plans on spending a lot of time in Maryland State Parks may want to purchase the Park Service Passport, which costs $75 for residents and is valid for one year.

REI
REI may be best known for its gear, but the outdoors outfitters also runs events and classes. If you’re looking to learn how to start a fire or meet some other people who like to go hiking, signing up for an REI class may be for you. Here are some coming up within driving distance of Maryland. If you see one you like, act fast — they often sell out.

• Shenandoah Winter Hike (Feb. 24, 2022)
• Catoctin Mountain Winter Hike (Feb. 6 and 26, 2022)
• Harper’s Ferry Winter Hike To Maryland Heights (Jan. 30, Feb. 11 and 20, 2022)

Outdoor Events By County:

Anne Arundel County Parks
This Parks Department has a full directory of regional parks, community parks, gated parks and more. If you’re looking to just head out for a winter walk, see a list of those options here.

Skate at Quiet Waters Pond - The pond is typically open for two-hour skating sessions everyday except for Tuesdays. Some exceptions apply for school breaks. See pricing information and hours on the webpage.

See the full Anne Arundel Winter Activities Guide here.

Baltimore County Parks
For more information on ways to get outside, click on the link for your local park and see what they’re offering. Here is the list of parks and below is an example of one of the events you might find.

Creatures of the Night Hike - Cromwell Valley Park will host this event in January, designed for ages 8 and up. Sturdy shoes and weather appropriate clothing is recommended.

Harford County Parks
This Parks department offers a variety of events, from guided hikes to organized sports. Look at their website for information on programs, park amenities and more.

Bird Watching, Campfire Series, Adopt A Park - These are just some of the activities put on by the county. See the catalog for more outdoor events and to sign up for these.

Montgomery County Parks
Check out these events put on by the Parks Department — some are recurring while some are one-time events. These are always being updated, so check out the Parks website to see the latest when you’re looking for something to do this weekend.

Walk This Way - This interactive art installation is set up along the Kingsley Trail in Little Bennett Regional Park. It’ll be up through December 2022.

Open Parkways - Enjoy free reign of the road as a pedestrian when certain roads are closed to cars. Check out the winter schedule to see when you can go for a walk or bike ride.

Winter Tour, Pruning Tutorial, Wildlife Refuge Trip, Rachel Carson Hike - Check out these events and more under the Adult Programs section of the Parks website.

Prince George’s County Parks
Take a look at a calendar of events with events for kids and adults. People interested in walking and hiking may also want to see trail information, which can be found here.

Watkins Youth Birding Club - Young aviary fans can meet outside of the Watkins Nature Center for a few hours of learning how to use binoculars and identify birds. This program is led by a naturalist. This event is scheduled to meet every month.