Elk Neck State Park - Trail System

Elk Neck is your year-round, travel destination to connect with the vast landscapes and waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The park boasts 2,188 acres of sandy beaches, marshlands, and heavily wooded bluffs overlooking the North East River, the Elk River and the Chesapeake Bay. As a result, there are several journeys you can take while in the park.

Hiking and Biking:

If you are looking for adventure and a challenge, hike and/or mountain bike on the park’s trails. Look closely and you might see a Bald Eagle’s nest high up in the tree tops. In the Fall, you can go hunting in three areas of the park and experience the thrill of bagging deer.

Grab a trail map and explore 12 scenic miles of trails. From the easy 1.5 mile round trip hike to Turkey Point Lighthouse to the challenging 3 mile trip to the White Clay Cliffs overlooking the Chesapeake Bay, hikers of all abilities will find an adventure.

Hiking many of the park’s trails will offer opportunities to view wildlife. You can see Bald Eagles soaring above the shorelines by hiking the White Banks Trail or the Lighthouse Trail. Migrating hawks can be seen September-November from the Raptor Viewing field along the lighthouse trail. You can also see an active beaver lodge in the marsh near Rogue’s Harbor. White-tailed Deer, groundhogs, fox, raccoon, river otter, squirrel, skunk, and opossum are also found in the park, though many of these species are nocturnal.

Each of the four areas has a signed trailhead with information specific to that location. There are seven named trails within the park and you can use trail connectors to link multiple trails together. By choosing different trails and connectors, you can make your experience longer or shorter, easier or harder. Be creative and keep exploring new options!