This past weekend (on Sunday June 7th) Magnum and I ventured north into
Prince George's County and rode Rosaryville State Park (* in Rosaryville
Maryland). Rosaryville State Park is a 982 acre day use facility and is
home to the historic Mount Airy Mansion. Miles of trails for hiking,
biking and equestrians are available for day use on the weekends from
Memorial Day to Labor Day. Except for a section of the Zone-1 lower
trail (near the creek), I found the trails to be in good shape, despite
all the rain that fell in the preceding days. You can spend several
hours riding within the woodlands, field edges near and around the
cross-country course (the jumps are closed except for permit use only).
Local riding clubs (both equine and mountain bike) have done a great job
rerouting trails within soggy areas of the park. Mountain bikers
frequently use this facility, so expect to encounter them on the trail
and please thank them for yielding right way.

I would rate the skill level required for the riding at Rosaryville to
be advance beginner rider and above. There are a couple of moderate
grades, but none more than 100 feet in length. There are also a couple
of wooden bridges and few of water crossings. Please use caution when
crossing over the cement pads that are placed in some of the drainage
areas, a couple of them can become wobbly after heavy rains. Parking is
available in the paved lot across from the diary barn, or with a phone
call to the park manager (and dry conditions field conditions) parking
may be available in the field next to the dairy barn. With a permit and
dry weather conditions, special event parking can be obtained for up to
75 horse trailers. Rosaryville State Park is a trash free facility so
riders need to clean up after themselves.

The DNR sells an excellent map of this park for $3.00 dollars. More
information about Rosaryville State and the purchase of their topo map
can be found online at:
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/southern/rosaryville.html

* Information about Rosaryville Maryland:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosaryville,_Maryland>

Location/Directions - Located south of Upper Marlboro Maryland, 10
minutes from the Capital Beltway (via MD Rt.4). To gain access to
Rosaryville State Park, make a right turn into the entrance just south
of Osborne Road while traveling south on U.S. 301 in Prince George's County.

Ride Safe,

Tmi

TROT VP
TROTSAR Mounted Team Commander
CPWHC Member
SMTR Member
LOMH Member