Mountain biking at Herrington Manor State Park, Deep Creek MD

Purple Lizard Guest Blog author Sarah Myers

Mountain biking at Herrington Manor State Park feels like pedaling through a postcard. The seasons change and the trails “are just so beautiful today”... everyday. The appeal of riding here is how forgiving the terrain can be for beginners yet still fun for regulars; it’s perfect for a mixed crew to ride together and finish the day smiling.

The wider paths that traverse the State Park property are perfect for a first spin, a family cruise, or a warmup loop to enjoy wildflowers and wild animals. The Red, Blue Loop, and Green trails are, for the most part, grassy with gentle grades. And, there is an eagle’s nest you can see from one of these trails.

The trail system at Herrington Manor is our go-to for welcoming rides that are an absolute blast. It’s flowy singletrack with a few roots and rocks and perfect for the women’s ride vibe. You can scale it up or keep it mellow but it’s always a good time.

Often, my groups meet at the lakehouse to set out on adventure. We pay the park fee (per car but varies seasonally) and continue right. We go down over the hill, pass the beach and the lakehouse (with public restrooms). There is also an ample parking lot at the end of the road.

From the lakehouse, the Green and Red trail begins along Herrington Manor Lake and traverses the woods of the State Park for about 2 miles. The Blue Loop is the more-reaching loop that starts with Green or Red and continues into the adjacent State Forest property. There is a little bit more in the way of climbing here but gorgeous views of the forest, a winding trail under power line clearings as well as deer dining in the open fields.

For a new rider easing into their first bit of singletrack, you’ll find narrow dirt ribbons threading through the pines on the Orange Blazes trail. Orange Blazes is a fan-favorite starting at the lakehouse, but for this ride, we're going across the dam and into the State Forest. The landscape across the lake is always a perfect photo op.

The Orange trail holds up well in most weather conditions and is a local go-to for the Thursday night womens+ rides. We laugh as much as we pedal, call out roots, point at lines, and take a breather on the climbs when needed. 

A short-ish loop is a little more than 4 miles on the Orange Blazes. But, there are a few tweaks to go out and back, add on a dog-leg or head out and ride the Blue Blazes trail back into the State Park. Most group rides go up the twisty Orange Blazes to the top of the Green cross-country ski trail. Then, we decide if we will continue on or “make the loop” by taking a left turn to Snaggy Mountain Road and make the incredible climb back up to this location. A personal favorite is this tight downhill section with a few waterbreak bump-jumps. There’s just something exhilarating about getting those tires off the ground (if you choose).

Sometimes, we add on the Blue Blazes for more mileage. From the first part of the Orange start, take the access road to Snaggy Mountain Road. Then, left onto the hidden gem that is Blue Blazes singletrack. It’s a climb to about halfway of the total half-mile treasure and then it’s down to the Blue State Park Loop. Then, we often turn around and ride it back and come back to Orange Blazes.

The rest of the Orange Blazes loop is what is lovingly called the “back half”. This is rolling singletrack with just a few punchy, quick climbs to keep it interesting. Also, note, riding it clockwise creates the opportunity to experience a few tight switchbacks. This is a route we choose if the riders are a bit more experienced or looking for a challenge. It can feel like a lot and isn’t ideal for a true first-timer. But, wow, when a newer rider says “let’s try it,” the smiles and confidence at the end are everything.

One friend has a twisting, turning route to achieve 12 miles through a combination of all of these trails.If you’ve got a little experience, you can always turn the dial up and chase those Strava PRs. One of Herrington’s superpowers is how easy it is to scale the ride distance. If you’ve only got 45 minutes, there’s a perfect loop for that. An easy Saturday morning beckons you for a 3 hour exploration.

This is also a near-ideal place to teach, learn, and practice. I’m often asked by beginners: “are there hills?” and Herrington Manor helps ease some of that anxiety. The first singletrack route options have gradual climbs that empower the most tentative of riders.

Note, a lot of this goodness dips into or runs alongside Garrett State Forest, which is both why it’s so pretty and why a bit of planning matters during hunting seasons. 

Heads-Up: Hunting Season

Much of the singletrack at Herrington Manor touches Maryland State Forest. So, before you ride, check the Maryland DNR hunting calendar for current archery/muzzleloader/firearms season dates and any county-specific Sunday rules. During active seasons, wear a blaze orange layer (vest, jersey, pack cover, or helmet tape) and ride mid-day instead of dawn/dusk. Remember this is shared-use public land so be cognizant of the other forest users and be respectful.

If you’re ready to give it a go, grab a Purple Lizard Map and aim for the little Lizard Spot tucked in the middle of the Yellow trail; trust me, the experience is something magical there.

Purple Lizard Guest Blog author Sarah Myers is the founder of the Deep Creek Adventure Bureau (DCAB) where she harnesses her passion to fuel rural economic development by connecting people and communities through events and programming. Sarah resides in Western Maryland with her husband Ken and dogs Lynyrd, Pea and Dolly. She is obsessed with mountain biking.

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