Maryland · Hiking

Clifton Park River Trail

Clifton Park River TrailPhoto: Mr.TinMD, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
0.6 mi
round trip
299 ft
climb
258 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Clifton Park River Trail is a short, easy out-and-back hike in Maryland, about 0.6 miles from the town of Northwest Park. The trail is roughly 1.3 miles long, with a total elevation gain of about 300 feet, and it reaches a high point of about 258 feet. The climb is rolling, and the steepest stretch comes at about half a mile in, with a grade of about 9 percent. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Beltsville show May highs around 74°F and October highs around 68°F, while July averages about 87°F. The trip takes about half an hour. Franklin Knolls River Trail is about half a mile away, and Devere Loop Trail is about a mile off. Northwest Branch Trail, a mountain biking route, and the Long Wall climbing area are both about 1.2 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Clifton Park River Trail

    Best months: April–June and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      43° / 25°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      45° / 27°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      53° / 34°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      65° / 44°

      11 wet

    5. May

      74° / 54°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      83° / 63°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 68°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 66°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 59°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      68° / 47°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      57° / 37°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      47° / 30°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Beltsville, MD, 3.6 mi away at 145 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors