Gunpowder State Park is a buffer of woodlands along the Gunpowder Falls River. The park extends from Big Falls Rd to Prettyboy Reservior. It is hard to tell where the two meet with out knowledge of the boundary markers. It is often difficult to tell where the boundaries between the park and the adjoining land owners are. There are several hiking trails available for the casual walker if they do not mind a few hills. The trails tend to follow the river except where the hills create an unstable slope that would erode quikly. Use only marked trails. Fisherman have created a set of trails that may be closer to the river but are less stable and prone to erosion. There is no complete north shore trail. Thus there is a single bushwack required but others may be enjoyed. Just be carefull not to trespass.

The Gunpower Falls River below Prettyboy Dam to Phoinix offers exciting paddling and fun tubing options. The section immediately below Prettyboy Dam to York Rd has been designated a Class III whitewater river. As such, all paddlers and tubers are required to wear a PFD aka Lifejacket. Kayakers have an additional rule of wearing a helmet. The fine is usually $45 for each person violating the requirement. See COMAR 08.18.01.08 for the exact regulations. In reality, only the section between the dam and the first bridge should have these regulations. At a level below 2 feet the rating is closer to class 2 or 2+. The really big hazard are the strainers. Trees often fall into and across the river making it deadly for paddlers and fishermen. The Park has been hard pressed and underfunded to maintain the trails. The Multi Flora Rose and Asian Barbery are just two thorny plants encroaching and in many times blocking the trails. Downed trees have blocked the trails in several places which require detours. The river trail has become a disaster. The park personnel are stretched too thin to even attempt clearing the hazardous wood. Remember that just like a leaf in a net these trees will hold you under water with dire consequences.

Access and Parking: The rules change only occasionally. The last big change was during the COVID shut down. Too many poeple and too few parking spaces and the signs went up that prohit parking along the roads for 1.2 mile on either side of the river except in designated parking spaces. The fine is $120, ouch. But what makes this worse is there is a group of folks that remove the signs along the road. The thougt is that if the sign is not visible there is no violation. Howere the big signs near the top of each hill negates that and you will get a ticket. Lately, there seems to be a coalition that imposes a different kind of fine. since they can't fine you, they have been letting the air out of two tires.
For more information on parking see the details at the American Whiteeater web page.

This section of the Gunpowder River has been developed into a premier trout fishery. The best section is catch and release with browns, rainbows and the native beauty, brook trout available. The unfortunate problem with popularity is the onslaught of contamination. First we had to deal with zebra mussels, then whirling desease. The latest serious threat to the health of the river and surrounding streams is Rock Snot or Dydimo. Much information can be found on the web dealing with these threats. Please take them seriously and always decontaminate. Remember to start up stream and move down stream when fishing. Never risk moving contaminates upstream.