Kid-friendly hikes and "bear hunts" in Howard County, MD

Today was such a gorgeous Fall day, the sky blue and the air crisp. Perfect for a hike, or a "bear-hunt", in Howard County, MD.

My girls and I love to go for hikes and have mastered quite a few miles of the trails in Patapsco Valley State Park. Today we decided to explore the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area in Clarksville, MD, a wildlife area that encompasses more than 1,000 acres.

The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area has a wildlife loop trail that is about 2.4 miles long and perfect for little ones. Although up-and-down hill at times, it's not too steep. My kids loved the "tree root steps", bridges, "boardwalk" and the picnic area we came across towards the end of the loop. Along the trail are 17 markers (click here to print the brochure to take along) that teach kids (and grown-ups, too) more about the habitats. The markers are also great motivators ... let's see who can find the next one first!

When my girls and I go hiking, we also go on "bear-hunts". We have never come across one - and I hope we never will. But during every hike there comes that point, the "I can't take one more step. Can you please carry me mommy?". Then we start singing the bear-hunt song:

We are going on a bear-hunt.
We are going to catch a big one.
With big green eyes.
And a furry little tail.

Look over there!
It's a candy factory (peanut butter river ..).
We can't go over it.
We can't go under it.
We can't go around it.
We are going to have to go through it.
Nomnomnomnomnom.

... and before you know it, you have reached the end of the trail!

Kid-friendly hikes and "bear hunts" in Howard County, MD

The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area is located off Porter Rd in Clarksville, MD and just minutes from Route 108.