Severn Run Natural Environment Area - Severn, Maryland

Ryan B. (. F. P.

Peaceful area within the suburbs.

First off, this is not a place where you'd go for a hike or exercise because it is not maintained. The paths are game trails, not manicured trails you are used to at state, county or national parks. Literally, these are 1 to 2 ft wide trails made by deer, foxes, coyotes and whatever else moves through the area.

Brambles or whatever you want to call razor sharp thorns are all over the place. You'll have to step carefully around them and quite a few spots. Dress accordingly and be very mindful.

This really is the wild because humans have almost no influence here. It's a place for peaceful exploring and getting that remote feel within a suburban area.

Google Maps will take you to a fairly expansive complex of businesses where there's no reliable parking spots or, no well defined paths into the area.

I drove in from Severn Heights so I came in from Benfield Road on the south, made a left on Najoles, then as the road curved around I saw an area to pull over and park on Dicus Mill Road that could only fit two cars at the most. It's not a parking lot. It's just to pull off on the shoulder.

You can walk a bit southwest on this road for a short distance to enter a path at the gate but I didn't go back that far because everything felt off. Also, with no real shoulder and extremely tight curves, it's quite dangerous to walk on the road for any extended period of time.

This road is extremely narrow, windy and harrowing for pedestrians. I found a few game trails and walked in and around for a few moments before leaving because I just felt uninvited, unwelcomed or like I didn't belong there. I didn't see or hear anything. But I did feel like I was being watched and told to leave. Again, all sixth sense and nothing through the physical senses. After 20 minutes of this highly uncomfortable feeling I left and immediately felt relieved.

I also noticed a good size, mature bamboo shoot that has been snapped at the base by something with hands who was very strong. They snapped it right across a trail. There were no signs of wind damage in the area. It was just this one shoot. Bamboo is incredibly difficult to snap.

Local wildlife had taken apart a dead deer in that little shoulder pull off. Picture below.

Bring your phone and don't go too far into the forest unless you have a strong sense of direction because you will get lost.

Gary M.

No idea how to enter area. Google maps just takes you to some random parking lot behind am industrial park. Update: you just have to find a street near the area to park. Had a secluded, wilderness feel once you enter the river valley.

Levi W.

This is a preserve only, not a park. There is no official entrance or parking. You can park in one of the many office parking lots nearby and enter wherever you can. The only trails here are those made by deer so plan and dress accordingly. It really is beautiful, serene and quiet!

Rebecca L.

Parking for the trails is very inconvenient and sometimes unsafe, according to how well the vehicles using the road keep to the 30mph speed limit. There is room for one or two small cars at the pull-off up the road. You then need to walk back along the road and across a bridge, where there is not much of a shoulder, in order to reach the gated entrance to the trails. The trails are not marked and I ended up losing the trail, bushwacking quite a ways before once again hitting the trail. Two small bridges are in disrepair and are barely serving the purpose.

It would be nice if the trails were repaired and parking was more readily and easily available.

Jeff M.

Trail has been reclaimed by nature, but if you are Keen on following game trails it's not too bad. Wear thick pants, and be prepared to fight thick briars. Saw plenty of blue heron, and a few ducks. I did pick up a few ticks!

Ian P.

The trails are not marked well at all, causing me to get turned around multiple times. They're also not kept up so I was having to push through thorns constantly.

Could be great if it was marked and maintained.

Ian M.

Great natural area. MD stocks it annually. Fish usually don't last more than a few weeks.

Large beaver dam creates an exciting discussion topic!

Michael ?. G.

“This is not a park” it’s more of a nature/forest reserve!. Google will run you behind a office and away from anything. There is only one place to actually park but it’s hella sketch and you have to walk the road a lil to the NRO/DNR gate. Along there u will find a old access path but it is reclaimed by nature so if you go during warm weather be prepared for tick central