Lake Shore Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · Wildlife

Easily accessible singletrack location in Montgomery County, which can be hard to find. A fine trail with lots of smaller ascents and descents. Some technical sections with rocks and roots but otherwise a fast fun trail. Lots of access points in the park.

Intersects with the Seneca Creek Greenway if you're looking for more mileage.

If parking is full the trail can be accessed from multiple points including the Boathouse, Main Picnic area, and Kingfisher Overlook. It can also be accessed with about 0.1-0.2 miles on the Mink Hollow Trail from most of the picnic and pavilion sites.

This trail can be busy on weekends but is usually pretty quiet. Follow the blue blazes and you'll be fine.

Some more technical sections with exposed rocks and roots but overall a fun and fast trail. Some wooden boardwalks to keep an eye on in the mud and snow.

From the trailhead, you'll go down a short gravel path to the main trail. Cross the bridge to your right and get ready for a rooty section with some downed trees. A few hills later, you'll come out on a clearing at the boat house.

Cross the roundabout and look for a path going off through the meadow and back into the woods. The trail will split off to your right at a set of benches. You'll cross another opening then head back into the woods.

One more long climb and then you'll descend towards a gravel path across the dam. Keep an eye out for the trail at the other end of the dam. It's been re-routed recently.

A few trails intersect here, so keep an eye for the blue blazes and enjoy the roller coaster of rises and falls.

Follow the trail the rest of the way around the lake and you'll find yourself back at the gravel path you started on.

Usually the standard deer and birds for the Maryland suburbs, but have also seen a few foxes and large turtles on occasion.